Motorhome to 5th wheel

[Rwake901]

We are considering trading our motorhome for a 5th wheel. We are planning to retire next year and are hoping to spend the winters someplace warm. I’m thinking that the 5th wheel will have a lot more room for us to spend 3 to 4 months in. I’m having a hard time letting go of my motorhome though. Anyone else do this and are you happy with the 5th wheel or do you wish you had your motorhome back? Thanks for your thoughts

[Rwake901]

Thanks for everyone’s reply’s. When the weather warms up some we are going shopping to see what’s out there. We love our motorhome for the short trips that we’ve been taking but to stay 4 months in a 33 foot motorhome I’m afraid will get really small really fast. Although a 40 foot plus motorhome would be great that’s not in our budget. Hopefully we will decide what works best for us but it’s always good to hear what others have done faced with the same choice. Thanks again

[Cummins12V98]

This combo was 200K, same quality Motorhome and Toad at least 400k. I also have a great truck to drive with SEXY "HIPS".

Who really wants their best viewing thru the front window and to be in a "fish bowl" for viewing as people walk by? Personally like the BIG window at the rear.

Upper head room is no issue, I am over 6' 1'.

[azdryheat]

5th wheel steps up into the bedroom are a pain, would rather have a flat floor.

[MikeRP]

In 2008 our dream was to get a fifth wheel and then I had a change of employment. We ran across a Sunseeker in 2012 and fell in love with it. It really was nice except the bathroom was way too small.

So we had decided to upgrade to a motorhome and I got hooked on buying a small Newmar. So we looked looked and I actually had deals on 2 and backed out. Then I saw the double sink on the Cedar Creeks, Montana HC and the Cardinal.

Talked the wife to look and it was all over. Much more room than any motorhome new in our price range. Plus I believe I paid less on the switch that I’d lost in the Newmar driving off the lot. Another thing that just got me upset was you pay $180000 to $200000 and you get a detunes Cummins. And I walk out with 385 Hp and 930 ft-lbs of torque which is in the range of a $275000 motorhome. Anyway, we are excited and we maybe could still in a few years go the other way.

But I doubt it.

FYI.

[Retired_JSO]

We went from a fifth wheel to a 40’ DP and now another fifth wheel. While the DP was nice, it was always needing this and that and the truck shops saw $$$$ every time we came in for some of this and that.

[Campinghoss]

Trackrig wrote:

Super_Dave wrote:
My buddy with a gorgeous motorhome says he envies us and specifically for the amount of room we have.

OK, I'll bite.

How does a 40' 5th have more room than a 40' DP if the number of slides are equal?

And as far as room, a 40' DP with all of the room underneath has more storage room than a 40' 5th. And you don't have the stairs in the DP or possible lower headroom in the upper portion.

Bill

Our 40 foot dp compared to our current fiver cannot compare in room. Our fiver is built on a 102 inch chassis which gives us much more room than our motor home did. It is also a 40 footer. You don't lose the cabin area like you do in a motorhome. Let me say again I am not bashing motor homes. We had one, didn't like it and it is just our preference.

[DSteiner51]

I guess I’m just ignorant. People complain about the steps in a 5th wheel but my friends’ motorhomes have more entry steps then my 5th inside and out. They have to climb the full flight every time going in and out while I only climb a partial when I go in and out and then complete the climb only if going to the bathroom or bedroom. Going in and out with an occasional climb to the bedroom/bathroom is considerably less then the whole flight by the end of the day.

[Trackrig]

Super_Dave wrote:
My buddy with a gorgeous motorhome says he envies us and specifically for the amount of room we have.

OK, I'll bite.

How does a 40' 5th have more room than a 40' DP if the number of slides are equal?

And as far as room, a 40' DP with all of the room underneath has more storage room than a 40' 5th. And you don't have the stairs in the DP or possible lower headroom in the upper portion.

Bill

[Lar_s]

We went from a Country Coach to a fiver a couple years ago, reluctantly I must admit, as we loved most things about the coach except the chain of events starting with hitting a deer and ending with paying thousands for non deer related events. When calculating upcoming repairs and maintenance needs, even though I could handle most events, we surrendered and took a loss. Life in our fiver is good, but my wife won't even drive the "huge" truck necessary to keep us secure on the road. I toy with the idea of going back but we're happy enough with our current arrangement I guess. We're five months in one location for the winter and driving the truck is always fun.... this ole farm boy has driven his share of rigs, but in traffic and parking lots... well, modern drivers aren't all that compassionate ... My 2 cents.

[JTrac]

Went from a fifth wheel to a gas motorhome to a diesel pusher. Kept the dp for 7 years. We enjoyed the motorhome but not the expense for repairs and maintenance. Finally said enough and went back to a very good fifth wheel and truck. Comparing new for new you can get a lot more truck and trailer for the money. We have not missed the motorhome one bit and really enjoy the space the fifth wheel offers. Plus, in 7 seasons of use it only required one return visit for a slide adjustment. I have repaired a few component things that wore out or broke but I could do it myself.

[Cummins12V98]

Ask the guys WHY they like a MH. Most will tell you they like driving one being able to look over traffic.

Low ceilings make them clostrophic.

[ford_truck_guy]

My buddy went from a 43' KZ Toy Hauler to a 45' Entegra Anthem Diesel Pusher and loves it. He tows a Jeep Patriot as the toad..... Couldn't be happier..

[ScottG]

What about the toad factor?
I always thought the ultimate RVing luxury would be a class A and a nice car to drive everywhere rather than this huge truck. Seems like parking and ride improvement wold be a big plus?

[Bird_Freak]

I switched several years ago and will not go back to a MH. I can't find a living area lay out as comfortable as my 5er. I don't like sitting on sofas to watch tv.

[Super_Dave]

My buddy with a gorgeous motorhome says he envies us and specifically for the amount of room we have.