5th wheel vs. MH advice

[ducksquasher]

Hi All,

We currently have a 30 ft. travel trailer which we do love but are getting to the point of upgrading. At this point we are looking for something with a little more room, self-leveling, easier set-up, more stability, etc.

We are looking at buying a new truck and then a 5th wheel and we start thinking that we could probably buy a Class C and a small SUV to tow for about the same price as a truck and 5th wheel depending on options, model, etc.

I always envisioned myself with a 5th wheel but I thought I would reach out and see why all of you prefer a 5th wheel over a MH.

Thanks in advance!

[DallasSteve]

ducksquasher wrote:

We are looking at buying a new truck and then a 5th wheel and we start thinking that we could probably buy a Class C and a small SUV to tow for about the same price as a truck and 5th wheel depending on options, model, etc.

I don't agree. I've spent months comparing the prices of different RV configurations and a 5th wheel will cost significantly less. For the same size, age, amenities, and quality I would say the comparison goes about like this, if you are comparing to a Class A plus a toad costing $100K. These are ballpark numbers, but not unreasonable. Sure you can get the Class C for the same price if it's older or smaller or if you don't buy a toad, but I'm talking comparable units with a toad.

Finally, I don't mind buying a used trailer, but a used Class A or C is not for me after reading stories of people being stalled on the road waiting days for their mobile home to be repaired. RV repairs won't be nearly are stressful to me with a truck and trailer.

Class A plus a toad - $100K
Class C plus a toad - $90K
5th wheel and truck - $70K
Bumper pull and truck - $60K

[Veebyes]

gemsworld wrote:
If you plan on staying put in one place for an extended period, get a 5th wheel. If your stays are short or move around often, get a motorhome. Good luck!

We have all seen variations of this claim made many times before. Repeating something often does not make it true.

What is the difference, really?

The motorhome & toad spends time & causes inconvenience cluttering up the CG road while he disconnects/connects his toad, unless of course, he has paid extra for that pull thru or separated somewhere else. Newer self-levelling 5ers make levelling time differences a non-issue. What are a couple of minutes anyway?

If the motorhome breaks down during a trip where are you going to stay? A hotel??? With a towable you still have your home. You rent a small car while your truck is in the shop. Who can service that motorhome? Any small town garage can take care of any truck.

When not RVing the motorhome sits parked, useless. The truck for the towable gets used for all kinds of things.

Just a few things to think about besides the desire for a little more space or the ability to push buttons to level.

[1jeep]

Before we made our current purchase we looked at a MH, for me I didn't want to be servicing another vehicle, I drive my truck so it is something we will have regardless of the rv.

[valhalla360]

It's a myth that it's easier to set up a MH assuming you have a toad. With auto leveling, it's pretty much the same level of effort.

Both drive very nicely assuming you don't try to cheap out (a MH asked to do more than it's capable of is not fun either).

Steps are a bit of an advantage for a MH but either require a few steps to get in and out.

For the same money, you will likely get more living space in a 5th wheel (remember the cockpit eats up 5-6' of the MH length). Plus you have less maintenance as there is only one drive train to maintain and any shop can handle a pickup. Many shops don't handle MH's.

In the end, either will work fine.

[ACZL]

One thing not mentioned but may want to consider is cost of repairs on a MH VS a 5er or 5er's tv. Tires for a DP are a LOT more than ones for a pick up. Breakdown: you'll need a HD wrecker--Good Sam, Coach-Net or AAA cover such wreckers? Local Freightliner dealer charges $125.00/hr or more on RV's. While DP's offer many benny's, can cost a pretty penny when they go down.

[samsontdog]

I much prefer a DP over a 5th w also prefer TT over a 5th w. I have a 40 ft 5th w that I hated towing and also all the steps. I have it set up as a permanent rental on my lot in Yuma The class Cs that I have owned were noisy, dog house was hot on my feet etc, plus hated climbing up above to go to bed. Yeah, later we had the ones with a small bed against the wall. If I was you I would keep your TT or get a DP

[KCFDCapt]

We went from a 36 foot FW to a 39 foot diesel pusher. We needed an upgrade on the existing tow vehicle and by the time we priced a new one, it was 65 K. We started looking a diesel pushers with the thought of towing our Ford Explorer behind it. We ended up with the 2007 Itasca 39K with all the accessories to tow the Explorer for about 85K.

That was a great decision. The floor is flat where the FW we had two steps to climb to get to the bedroom or bathroom. We can access the entire MH with the slides in. My wife can sit on the comfortable couch while underway. Self leveling. Water in the water heater is hot when we stop. Many more features we have come to love. We had solar panels and AGM batteries installed and have been able to boondock for 6 days straight.

Many things to consider, but we are happy with the choice we made.

[Community Alumni]

If you plan on staying put in one place for an extended period, get a 5th wheel. If your stays are short or move around often, get a motorhome. Good luck!

[ventrman]

I currently have a 5th Wheel. My next RV will be a MH. It is much easier. With the Mirrors on a MH, you can see straight down both sides when turning. You cannot do that with a 5th Wheel.

[downtheroad]

Think about this also in your deliberations...
Most Class C's will not give you more room than your current 30ft. travel trailer.
More room was one of your reasons for changing...