Fifth Wheel vs. Class A Motorhome
What are some of your thoughts about Fifth Wheel vs. Class A Motorhome for soon-to-be full-timers? We hear positive and negative comments from some locals but would like to hear from you guys.
Forum Discussion
azdryheat wrote:
One disadvantage to 5th wheel - my dually is huge to drive around sight-seeing.
One advantage to my toy hauler - the folding ramp doubles as a covered patio giving me 49 feet of living area, more than you get in any Class A.
I make a practice to count trucks pulling 5th wheel travel trailers on the highways when when traveling and always 80% or more of the trucks are SRW. Many people pulling 35 foot 13,500 gross weight 5th wheel trailers without need for a dually.
Two standard E rated tires support loads of 6400 lbs. and there are E tires from Toyo, BF Goodrich, and Nitto that are rated at 7500 lbs. for the two at the rear axle that are supporting the weight of the trailer. Subtracting 3400 lbs. for the truck and that leaves a load capacity of 4100 lbs. or enough for a 16,000 lb. 5th wheel trailer.
As for ride the biggest gain in comfort for the people in the cab of the pickup is from using a shock absorbing kingbox like the ones from Trailair. More effective than having DRW at the rear axle.
With either the 5th wheel or the Class A motorhome you will be towing something. The primary objections to the 5th wheel trailer are the amount of steps to get to the first level and then having to go up and down a level to get to the bedroom area. Two sets of friends who towed 5th wheel trailers for years have moved to using a Class B motorhome and towing a small sedan.
A third option that was not mentioned is towing a travel trailer with either a SUV or a pickup truck. With the trailer everything is on one level inside the RV and the trailer can be towed with an SUV as well as with a pickup. With a pickup you have the bed available for a fiberglass cap and or a rack to carry bicycles, boats, ATV, dingy, and other gear that would be very difficult to have with you if traveling with a motorhome or a 5th wheel trailer.
Consider also the size of the holding tanks, fridge, and battery bank, and the options for installing solar panels on the roof, a satellite dish, and other items. Much easier to do with a trailer roof than the average motorhome and no problems when it comes time to sell the RV.
It is also possible to mix and match a new versus a used tow vehicle and trailer.
