3_for_the_road wrote:
We moved from a fifth wheel to an Airstream about a year and a half ago. Good move for us. We had the 5er for about nine years, an Everest, and it was showing its mileage plus we wanted smaller and with less moving parts to maintain, eg, slides. The Airstream towes and backs easier IMHO. Very stable on the road. True there's less storage space in the Airstream, but with the 5er hitch removed from the truck bed and purging of the "stuff" we had in the belly, we found we had plenty of room in the truck. Our 30' Airstream vs the 37' 5er gives us more flexibility in where we stop and, for me, an easier time parking in smaller CG's. For us it was a good change, might not be for everyone. You should travel/camp in what works best for you.
It's all about trade-offs and what you value. We've done both, and while each has it's advantages, we ended up favoring our fiver for what we do. Advantages for an Airstream...
* Better quality in the fit and finish, and generally more durable.
* Able to get into smaller campsites (if shorter, and comparing to slides).
* Better gas mileage.
* Can get by with a less expensive TV.
Advantages for our fiver...
* More room inside with slides, with bigger kitchen, bathroom, closet space, etc.
* Pulls much easier, especially in cross winds and when encountering 'truck wash'.
* No WDH to mess around with.
* Less time to pack, hook up, and unhook and set up.
* Lower cost of purchase in most cases, although this is arguable if you consider 'total cost of ownership'.
At the end of the day, it's all about the best match for the type of camping you prefer. There is no hard-and-fast answer.
Hope this helps...
