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5th wheel vs. MH advice

ducksquasher
Explorer
Explorer
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!
39 REPLIES 39

goducks10
Explorer
Explorer
What I've found when hitting RV shows is that those class A gassers in the $150,000 range are nothing more than a $30,000 TT on a HD chassis. The fit and finish is cheap. Move up to a $250,000+ DP and things get better.
Ease of use and tow ability take a back seat to the cheap sloppy build in lower price MH's.

Winnebago_Bob
Explorer
Explorer
Comparing the hitching/de-hitching of a toad to the hitching/de-hitching of a TT or 5'er is a ridiculous comparison.
2017 Winnebago Aspect 27K

Snowman9000
Explorer
Explorer
Usually if you ask in the fiver forum you get fiver proponents, and in the MH forums you get MH proponents. ๐Ÿ™‚

We've had both. We prefer the MH but if it is going to be parked for weeks or months, I would say the fiver makes more sense. Or for a one-stop trip, like a week at the lake. For frequent travel we feel the MH makes life better. That is just our opinion based on our experiences.

The ride quality of our truck with the fiver was sort of poor. We were within weight ratings, but still. Over the course of a long day behind the wheel, if the roads were at all marginal (and really, isn't that always the case), I would feel a little beat up. We had a standard hitch and pin box, no air ride etc. If that could be improved, that would help us consider another fiver.

And auto leveling would be a big help. We did not have that, so I had to do the pieces of wood under the tires.

And something that is often overlooked is, is the connected fiver sitting level enough to use as is, on an overnight stop? Or do you have to disconnect to get it reasonably level?

Our fiver rigs were much better in a cross wind than the MHs.
We love having the rest room etc so handy in the MH. We don't use it while in motion, but when we stop, everything is right there.

One thing I absolutely don't miss about the fivers is the cheap junk suspension, brakes, and tires. I know there are brands and retrofits that solve those problems somewhat. I did some of it on ours. But still, the MH has industrial quality running gear, the fivers often have krap. And then there were the fiver frame problems, which I don't hear about as much lately.

Bottom line, if we could know we could get a nice enough ride pulling a fiver, with good running gear and auto leveling, we would consider going back. From the above, I guess you can see that to me the biggest differences are in the driving experience, not the campsite experience.
Currently RV-less but not done yet.

ChuckV1
Explorer
Explorer
We have had, TT, DP, Class C an on our 2nd 5th wheel, we love the room in our 40ft Kz G384FLT 5th wheel.

As a couple of OP's have stated if you have done any camping at all with a 5th wheel the more you back one in the easier it is. In fact backing a 5th wheel into a tight camp site is easier with a 5th wheel than a TT, you pivot point is over your truck axle not you bumper this 3ft to 4ft shorter depending on the bed of your truck. Also your swing in much more tighter, it's like a TT, it's knowing how to set up when pulling up to a camp site that makes it easier or harder...

As well DP are very expensive to maintain, your pickup take 10 to 12 quarts of oil, a Cummings or Detroit engine takes 30 to 40 quarts of oil, your filter on a pickup takes a quart maybe two, a DP takes about the same but the filter it's self cost three to four times more. Tires for your pickup may run a $250 per tire for good tires, a DP will run you $400 to $600 or more per tire depend on the band and size of the tire.

You can not take a Class C or a DP to just any repair shop where with a pickup most any good repair place can fix just about anything... Also like you stated you need a toad to haul behind your Class C or DP to go anywhere once your set up, with a 5th wheel you already set up and disconnected...

As well you can always find good used 5th wheels and trucks, you can read a number of posts on this site about people not ever buying new, it far cheaper and the last owners in most but not all case's have worked out the bugs. As there bad deals with either, sure, but if you look close and watch what your buying you can get some great deals on both trucks and the wheels.

We just traded in a 2006 Coachmen 5th for our new Kz 5th wheel, the old 5th wheel had a new roof only 3 years old, tires that were a year old, all the marker lights and inside light had been changed out to LED's, new axle bearings and seals (timkin)... The trailer was listed by the dealer and was sold in one week for 4k more than they gave us on trade which was 10k. Someone got a good deal on a 5th wheel that will last them another 10 years or more if they take care of it the way we did ...

Safe travels

nohurry
Explorer
Explorer
Too personal of a choice for us to make for you. So many things to consider. All that have been mentioned, as well as this; what do you want to drive around while you're sight seeing or running to the store etc, a small toad, or a full size pickup? As far as whether you drive more, or sit more, I don't see that making a difference.
Carl
2007 National RV, Sea Breeze

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
1jeep wrote:
the only real advantage that I could see when we were looking was during travel my wife would have the ability to use the bathroom and make a sandwich. In either unit I would still need to stop for a bathroom break.


And watch her fly thru the window hitting the brakes in a panic situation.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

corvettekent
Explorer
Explorer
valhalla360 wrote:
Colo Native wrote:
Had a 36' MH went to a FW now looking to go back to a MH. FW for me in a PITA to hitch up and un hitch and backing up is a nightmare.


Nightmare: Try backing up with the toad attached and tell me it's so much easier.

If you are traveling regularly, the 5th wheel gets easy to back real quick.


X2

For me the 5th wheel is very easy to back up and easy to make a U turn when your GPS takes you down the wrong road.
2022 Silverado 3500 High Country CC/LB, SRW, L5P. B&W Companion Hitch with pucks. Hadley air horns.

2004 32' Carriage 5th wheel. 860 watts of solar MPPT, two SOK 206 ah LiFePO4 batteries. Samlex 2,000 watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter.

valhalla360
Nomad III
Nomad III
Colo Native wrote:
Had a 36' MH went to a FW now looking to go back to a MH. FW for me in a PITA to hitch up and un hitch and backing up is a nightmare.


Nightmare: Try backing up with the toad attached and tell me it's so much easier.

If you are traveling regularly, the 5th wheel gets easy to back real quick.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV

IdaD
Explorer
Explorer
I'd have a truck regardless, so that makes a trailer more cost efficient than a motor home. From a safety standpoint I also feel better having my family in a crash tested modern truck versus strapped to a sofa in a motor home.
2015 Cummins Ram 4wd CC/SB

1jeep
Explorer II
Explorer II
the only real advantage that I could see when we were looking was during travel my wife would have the ability to use the bathroom and make a sandwich. In either unit I would still need to stop for a bathroom break.
2016 Ford F350 crew cab dually 6.7 platinum with heavy tow and 4:30 gears
2015 Carbon 327 with a BMW k1600 and Canam 1k inside

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
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!


I REALLY don't get that statement. Please elaborate.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Colo_Native
Explorer
Explorer
Had a 36' MH went to a FW now looking to go back to a MH. FW for me in a PITA to hitch up and un hitch and backing up is a nightmare.
2015 Winnebago Forza 34T
pushed by a 2011 Fusion Hybrid or 2020 Escape Hybrid
Retired DFD

goducks10
Explorer
Explorer
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!


Why does that matter? We have a 5th wheel and can stay 1 night or two months. Not getting your reasoning. While ours doesn't have self leveling it's still very easy to park or travel with.
If you tow a car behind the MH and you still have to unhook it to use it or to get into a back in spot. No difference than a 5th wheel.

Devocamper
Explorer
Explorer
we have been looking to replace our current 36 foot 4 slide fifth wheel for a few years now and have looked at other fifth wheels and motorhomes both A's and C's did not care for any of the floor plans that are available on the c's and was disappointed in the quality of the ones we test drove be it a C or an A many of them had broken future and woodwork, doors and windows that did not work just sitting on the lots as well as check engine lights on and strange engine sounds on both gas and diesels. For me I did not like the way the A's handled on the road be it a pusher or a gas motorhome and the sales guy says you can add aftermarket gear to improve the handling well I think for the cost of these motorhomes I should not have to add gear to make them handle well on the road . we were concerned with the cost of maintenance on the A's with a set of tires costing 5K or more and as stated service work so costly, we love the fifth wheel but are planning to be on the move more in retirement, We stumbled into the truck camper world and fell in love, no more trailer tires, wheel bearings ,brakes, property taxes in our state no need to tow a toad as with a class A or the costs of the A's and one vehicle to maintain. Of course this move is not for everyone and each class RV is great for some but for us we are looking to make it simple and this works for us , we are no longer carrying enough chairs and tables games and extra tents and bags for a small army and our guests will have to bring their own stuff.. going small has been an eye opener as to just how much stuff we carried that we never used. Good luck in your choice and safe travels.
08 NU-WA Hitchhiker Discover America 339 RSB Sold
18 Host Mammoth
07 Chevy 3500HD LT1 EXT Cab LB DRW D/A Sold
18 Ram 3500 SLT Crew Cab DRW 4x2 6.4 4.10's

allornothing
Explorer
Explorer
You're in the same position DW and I are in. I was all set for a MH, then started looking at the 5th wheels and now I'm not sure what to get. We won't be full timing, but we will be spending a month or two in the same area escaping the winters, or at least that's the plan. Both offer big benefits over the other and they both have their negatives. I've never driven either so I don't know if ones easier than the other to drive. I've read a lot about chucking issues that are pretty standard with fivers, but it looks like you can take care of most of that with the proper setup. On the MH front everyone says DP, but my price range is gas units. Good thing I have till next year to decide what we're going to do. Although it looks like the research that's available here and is invaluable will take most of that time.

Happy Camping All!