Have a class A, thinking of going to 5th wheel, any regrets?

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Trackrig wrote:
We almost bought a 5th, but got a DP instead. I appreciate it especially when we see people with a 5th pulling in and setting up in the rain. We never get outside, just push the levelers and we're good until the weather improves.

Bill

REALLY??? I guess you don't need to get outside to unhitch the toad or hook up the sewer, power or water.

That's right, we don't. I believe Bill said, "until the weather improves". We pull in, levelers down, slides out, 10KW generator on and we are comfy and dry until the weather cooperates!

Yes, we will very likely unhook the toad if we are not just passing through for the night and yes, we will likely want to connect to utilities but, we certainly do not have to depending upon where we are stopped.

After many decades of the RVing thing, we've enjoyed each step of the way from years with a tent out of the trunk when the kids were young until where we are at now with our DP. Each method has it's advantages/disadvantages.

Hope you find the next best thing that fits your lifestyle.

lanerd wrote:

bucky wrote:

lanerd wrote:

Aridon wrote:
No regrets. The living space in the fifth is far superior.

Really.... far superior? Care to explain?

Ron

I think the comment is correct provided you get the correct 5er. The bunk models like ours and most of the toy haulers have terrible layouts for living and kitchen. DW wanted the bunk so the DGBs could come with us. Want to guess how many times that has happened?

I don't understand. Are you saying that mh's don't have bunk models?

Ron

They all have bunk models. Just because Class A's shove some bunks between the living and bedroom or over the cab doesn't mean they are functionally equivalent to what you can find in tow able. They aren't even close.

There are a much wider selection of floorplans and options. No question about it. In addition, the floor plans tend to offer more functional and specialized options such as larger residential style kitchens, large master baths, two full bedrooms etc all the while not sacrificing as much as you would in a class a. In many cases you can get most or all of these options and more.

There aren't many rear kitchens in class a, or living rooms that rival front living fifths or two full bedrooms with functional kitchens and living areas that don't look like they came out of a class c etc

Usually when a class A does something special like that it causes the rest of the floor plan to suffer. Add a second bedroom in the back and now your living and kitchen look like they came out of a shorter gasser or class C. Being forced to retain the drivers area and windshield put Class A's at a distinct disadvantage to design options. Fivers and travel trailers have no such requirement so they are not forced to incorporate that space or write it off should they want the living room to be anywhere but right in front.

You see a couple of class a floors, you've seen 95% of them all. Not so much with fifth wheels and other tow behind units. There really is no comparison in floor plan diversity and options between the two.

Trackrig wrote:
We almost bought a 5th, but got a DP instead. I appreciate it especially when we see people with a 5th pulling in and setting up in the rain. We never get outside, just push the levelers and we're good until the weather improves.

Bill

REALLY??? I guess you don't need to get outside to unhitch the toad or hook up the sewer, power or water.

For you folks worried about driving a Dually:

I have a 2016 F350 Crewcab (1 ton) dually. It is my daily driver.

I drive it 50 miles round-trip everyday to work and back in Houston traffic. I can drive it through the drive through at my bank. I go through the drive-through at McDonnalds, Chickfila , Jack in the Box....what ever.

I hear a lot of folks say they can't have a Dually as a daily driver, and I just want to say that I do it without problems. I know half a dozen other guys at work who also drive Duallys every day.

The only thing you can't do is go in an automatic car wash like a Mr. Carwash. I have just gotten used to hand washing mine....kinda enjoy it.

The main thing is that when pulling my 5th wheel it is awesome. NOTHING compares to the stability of towing with a Dually. Unless you go to a medium duty truck or a heavy duty tractor.

Thanks,
Doug

We just recently went to a fifth wheel. We had a 33' Class C MH and flattowed a Jeep Liberty. While there are some advantages to both the Class C loses the entire front cab and engine compartment that is really not usable. Thus making it in reality a much shorter living area. In addition we did not have the on board leveling system on it. The FW we have is 33' also. Much more living space and it has the 4 point leveling system. Not the same as a Class A, however, in our case FW is much better.

bucky wrote:

lanerd wrote:

Aridon wrote:
No regrets. The living space in the fifth is far superior.

Really.... far superior? Care to explain?

Ron

I think the comment is correct provided you get the correct 5er. The bunk models like ours and most of the toy haulers have terrible layouts for living and kitchen. DW wanted the bunk so the DGBs could come with us. Want to guess how many times that has happened?

I don't understand. Are you saying that mh's don't have bunk models?

Ron

It really is a personal choice for sure. For the record I have never been harmed by rain in my tent trailer, travel trailer or 2 fifth wheels. Getting wet is a bit of a drag but not a deal breaker for me.

Daryll

Everything has to be just right for one to be better than the other. Example. it's raining out, you have a toad and there's no pull thrus. You need to get out to unhook the toad then back the MH in then you can back it in.
With a 5th wheel and it's raining, just back it in, get out of the truck and walk 20' and get in the 5th wheel. Wait for the rain to stop then setup. You're going to wait for the rain to stop with the MH to setup also.
On a nice sunny day who cares.

I think everyone's is really stretching the difference between the two. It's such a personal thing.

Trackrig wrote:
We almost bought a 5th, but got a DP instead. I appreciate it especially when we see people with a 5th pulling in and setting up in the rain. We never get outside, just push the levelers and we're good until the weather improves.

Bill

Our door opens when it is raining. I understand what you said but not a long walk to get into our fifth. It is all good.

chevman

We had an old Class A and on our second fiver.

Lots of pros and cons.

Setting up and tearing down. Class A wins by a hair. Both are simple but the fiver you do have to get out of the truck and get into the fiver. After that they are the same (for the ones with leveling jacks).

We like not having a second vehicle to pay for maintenance. But, it means we drive the truck as our daily driver. Our fiver is small enough we just kept our 3/4T truck and it does really well.

If you are going to have a larger fiver and need a 1T dually or larger, then this can be a big issue. I would not want to drive an MDT as my daily driver. Toy haulers have relatively high GVWR's due to the weights they can carry in the garage. You'd have to evaluate what you are going to pack when choosing a truck.

Interesting too as the park we are in now has quite a few larger Class A's. Have seen several being serviced so they could get back on the road. Have no idea what that costs. When my truck needs service I drive it to a dealer/shop.

charlie