5th wheels vs motor homes

[smokeater46]

My wife and I are planning to buy a new RV that we can use for extended travel. We've looked at both 5th wheels and motor homes but can't quite decide which type is better. We've pretty much decided on a 5th wheel, but there's a little doubt still. I'm a little leery of pulling a 5th wheel since I've never pulled anything that big. We have a pop-up now, so I can tow. However, I drove straight (fire) trucks for over 30 years and feel comfortable driving large vehicles. We are also skiers and plan (hope) to use our RV for that, so snow covered roads may be encountered.
We'd love to have opinions/reasons for selecting a 5th wheel vs a motor home. Pros and cons of both

[Flyfisherman128]

Personally I have no use for a truck so a 5er is useless to me. Driving a motorhome is more comfortable than a pick up. Plus I like being self contained.

[gkainz]

yeah, bad stuff will happen re: above .... never happened back in the good ol' days, tho ... I still remember my dad flinging his right arm out across whatever little kid rode in the middle, every time he had to brake hard - automatic seat belts (for the record, this was back in the 50s and early 60s).

[homefor2]

Several have mentioned potty breaks or making a sandwich etc. while moving. Do you really think walking around in a fiberglass container doing 65 mph down the highway is a safe idea? What happens to the passenger when you make a sudden swerve to avoid an accident, have a blowout or have to slam on the brakes ?

[aarondeere]

One other advantage is that you can get fuel before leaving the campground without having to drag the camper. I was camping recently and was able to find fuel a few cents cheaper at this station that only cars/pu's would want to go. Really all the stations in the area were tight to get into and I sure wouldn't want to trying it with a 40ft mh pulling a car.

[Roads_Less_Trav]

We love our fifth wheel. It is a beautiful full-time home. Go with your gut -- get the fiver, you won't regret it!!

[Jloucks]

I vote 5th wheel. Cheaper. I have minimal regrets with having made that decision years ago.

That 'getting up and stretching' while on the road sounds great to me, until I realize I would never get to do it since I am the only one that drives.

So, technically, all it would do is reduce potty stops for other people.

[aarondeere]

One advantage of having a truck and fifth wheel is that you can upgrade just one part at a time. Truck have really been increasing in power and capacity over the last few years and the latest ones have become powerhouses. So much so that unless you're into the large DP, the fifth wheel/pick up combo is going to perform much better. Also safety wise, pick ups are crash tested along with the mfg's putting in airbags/impact protection safety devises. Google motorhome crashes....not a pretty sight. Also depending on what type of camping you do the 4x4 can come in handy. We love this one campground and it has grass sites next to a creek. It happened to be a very wet fall last year. While camping there, the sites were not completely soft but were mushy. I was able to back in and with the 4x4 on able to ease my way back into the site with no trouble. Next site over a motorhome pulls in and about sunk it to the axles. Ended up having a tractor pull him out and he had to camp in a site far from the creek.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

smokeater46 wrote:
I'd like to thank everyone who had responded to my post so far. I always knew it was our decision, but it's nice to hrar the opini0on of others....some of you brought up things I hadn't thought about. Again, thanks for all the responses so far ...and every one have fun and be safe in your travels!

Did ya like driving Big Red?

No "Code 3" - but...
Best of both worlds - and power to spare!
Owners bring along Harleys, Smart Cars, etc. with ease!

Check out the Escapees HDT Forum

A used HDT can be had for less than the cost of a new pickup.
When singled it will occupy almost the same footprint of a dually p/up, due to wheel cut - turn tighter than many duallys, get almost the same mileage towing.
Intended to tow 80K trailers, so capability and power to tow any size 5th as well as plenty of "whoa" to match.

Lots of transmission options available - including full automatics.

In most states it can be licensed as a MH (or as a private /non-commercial truck).

Many owners use their trucks as MHs for short trips & as daily drivers.

Check out the photo section/s on the Resource Guide..:W

~

[smokeater46]

I'd like to thank everyone who had responded to my post so far. I always knew it was our decision, but it's nice to hrar the opini0on of others....some of you brought up things I hadn't thought about. Again, thanks for all the responses so far ...and every one have fun and be safe in your travels!

[stetwood]

the bear II wrote:
In the past the MHs seemed to be easier. I would see a MH pull in and be setup within 30 minutes. It would take me an hour with the 5th wheel.

While I agree with most of bears statements of the differences between the two types of RVs, it takes us no longer to set up or breakdown then does the MH. I would add there are times we drop the 5ver in a parking lot,with permission, and then explore with the TV.

[northmeck0255]

We've had both. The fifth wheel has better headroom and floor space and is basically more comfortable if you go to one place, stay for a week, then pack up and head home.

The MH, especially a Bluebird, is much safer on the road and affords DW the ability to safely sleep enroute to our destination. It is also easier to get the MH into spaces in state and national parks. The MH has larger tanks and more basement storage.

The fifth wheel has better headroom and a more "home like" feel. The MH has a much better frame, air brakes, retarder, and a diesel generator.

Everything in life is a trade off. This is no different.

[soling2003]

Having just retired after 25 years driving one of those big red ladder trucks too, we went with the 5th wheel. At first we were looking at motorhomes till my wife stepped in a 36ft 5th wheel. she was floored with all the extra room over even a 40ft DP we were looking at. Plus I needed (wanted) a new full size pickup. We do tend to stay a week or so at a time, but not always.
as others have said, it all depends on what you can afford and what you want. We find that we tend to pull over at least every 3 hours anyway to let the dogs out and for me to stretch, so you can eat and use the head then. We pull over wherever we want. My wife likes using our trailer compared to rest stop or other bathrooms.
And yes, besides maybe leveling, everything else is pretty much the same for set up between the two. You still have to get out and hook up utilities, unhook the toad or truck, etc. And the newer ones can have autolevelers, auto slides, auto awnings, auto toilet flush, etc. just like the motorhomes.

so go look at the floor plan you like, and go out and have fun, after 35 years you deserve it! I just started too late to get 35 years in before I was too old to do the young man's job any longer safely.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

smokeater46 wrote:
My wife and I are planning to buy a new RV that we can use for extended travel. We've looked at both 5th wheels and motor homes but can't quite decide which type is better. We've pretty much decided on a 5th wheel, but there's a little doubt still. I'm a little leery of pulling a 5th wheel since I've never pulled anything that big. We have a pop-up now, so I can tow. However, I drove straight (fire) trucks for over 30 years and feel comfortable driving large vehicles. We are also skiers and plan (hope) to use our RV for that, so snow covered roads may be encountered.
We'd love to have opinions/reasons for selecting a 5th wheel vs a motor home. Pros and cons of both

*ALL*- F/Fs I have known, on-the-job and retired have "toys" of one kind or another.

M/Cs, ATVs, dune buggies, etc. - as well as water skiing & snow skiing.
As folks get older ski boats evolve into "less aggressive" water craft -but still (maybe) something you want to tow.

*If* you still are into some/any of those things, you will have to decide whether you will want to tow "something" (other than a toad behind a MH).

A toy hauler is one solution - but some folks don't want the various odors (fuel, oil, etc) inside their trailer - no matter how well it's divided off.
Also, you can't put a boat in a TH.

Sooo - a 5th wheel kind of limits your options compared to a MH.
Also the "snow covered" roads would be better handled with a single vehicle than a truck and trailer.

A 5th wheel will significantly limit some of those options, but
is way less expensive . . . and every F/F has a pickup anyway, right?

IMO - *you* have to decide what will best fit your life style.

BTW - See ya (watching) at the big one..:W

~

[sidney]

homedad wrote:
I've been traveling in tents, pop ups,tt's and mh's. As a kid my father never drove more than 5 hours then we stayed in a campground. I enjoy driving and like vacationing on the east coast. We aren't retired so we don't have unlimited time to travel. The family can sleep whenever they are tired in a motorhome. I pull into a rest area get a few hours sleep and keep driving without anyone having to get out of bed. If I traveled like my Dad did I'd need at least 2 weeks to make New England or Cape Hatteras a worthwhile trip or never leave Michigan.

This is the best reason I've seen for the MH. Makes a lot of sense for the working man with limited time wanting to camp with his family.