Sold Class A for a 5'ver

When our boys were young the Class A was a blessing. You know the drill with kids, potty stop every 20 miles.
We came from a old cabover camper, then a older Class A; a 69 Pace Arrow that was a real education, then when the first son was born we went to a travel trailer and with the arrival of the second son we bought a 4 year old 1988 Southwind Class A, 31 ft'er We bought it with 13k on it, sold it 10 years later with 33k on it.
-My wife and I were working our tails off, and time away was precious. Trips were a big deal and something we all looked forward to.
We made some of the greatest family memories in that coach, memories my sons will have forever.
And that is what it is all about when the kids are young, right?
I worked my tail off on that coach. I admit to being pretty persnickety about maintenance matters, and that thing beat me to death, on maintenance and repairs. Furnace, Water heater, converter, etc. not to mention the engine, 2 alternators, 4-5 batteries, on and on. I do 95% of my own repairs and service, and I have never owned a more difficult vehicle to work on.
So while the memories were wonderful, and grow fonder as the years go by, I was a happy guy when it sold. One son was off to the army, the other slept in a tent and we saw no reason to keep it.
We then went to a big cabover, and then last year a 36 ft. fiver, albeit a T.H.
After the first trip towing the 5'er I now see what the fuss is all about. I guess if I could afford a top flight DP that came with a flight engineer and a riding mechanic I'd be good with that.
But for our world, the 5'er is the most stress free RV I've ever owned. When it comes to going down the road or prepping for the road it beats all we have ever owned. We chose a fairly simple unit but it has everything we need. With one small issue...
Now the wife unit is the one wanting to stop every 20 miles...but don't tell her I said that, LOL.

I did the same thing almost 7 years ago. Had a Class A which I enjoyed for about 17 years but decided on a fiver because I felt it would fit my lifestyle better. Was a good choice but I do miss my little Saturn toad that I pulled with the MH. I really wanted to keep that car but could't find a reasonable way to do it without double towing. Still happy with the fiver decision, though.

Aridon wrote:
I couldn't believe how many people saw their class a as a status symbol. We are moving to a DRV Atlanta (should be ready end of May) from the rig in our sig. Many many people we mentioned it to where like:

"why are you downgrading to a 5VR?"

We said that we didn't see it as a downgrade, in fact the 5ver was much nicer and roomier than any class A we've been in. Including 7 figure coaches.

The blank looks on their faces were priceless. There are a lot of people out there that simply see towables as a downgrade. Look at the Class A only resorts, they would rather a 32ft 8 year old Hurricane than a new 45ft elite suites. Doesn't make sense to me but that is why I don't live there in the first place.

People can be really weird about some things.

Could not agree more. When we sold our 05 Holiday Rambler Ambassador 2 years ago our traveling friends who have a 40' 04 Endeavor commented that we were stepping down. An Ambassador is nice but it was next last on the food chain of the models produced at that time. Now that we have our Excel, even though it is a Winslow, ours is the gathering place of choice when we travel together. It is much more roomy and comfortable with an interior much upgraded over the Ambassador for a whole lot, and I mean a whole lot, less money. And, that includes the truck.

I couldn't believe how many people saw their class a as a status symbol. We are moving to a DRV Atlanta (should be ready end of May) from the rig in our sig. Many many people we mentioned it to where like:

"why are you downgrading to a 5VR?"

We said that we didn't see it as a downgrade, in fact the 5ver was much nicer and roomier than any class A we've been in. Including 7 figure coaches.

The blank looks on their faces were priceless. There are a lot of people out there that simply see towables as a downgrade. Look at the Class A only resorts, they would rather a 32ft 8 year old Hurricane than a new 45ft elite suites. Doesn't make sense to me but that is why I don't live there in the first place.

People can be really weird about some things.

I would think one of the disadvantages of going from a MH to a 5er is you can't tell the wife to go in the back make you a grilled cheese sandwich as you're cruising down the interstate.

Can't figure out the reasoning that a class A is better for traveling than a 5er.

Setup is a wash. Disconnect the 5er. Disconnect the toad. Not much difference. what is the rush to get it done?

I sure don't want anyone moving about inside while roaring down the highway. Snacks in a reachable small cooler are good enough.

Yeah that view out the front of the Class A is nice but the view out the side is the same. Besides I prefer to have my engine first on scene of a crash than my body.

Yeah parking that longbed dually gets interesting but my body really needs that walk from the back 40 of the carpark.

If my TV breaks down I rent a car & I still have my house. If a class A breaks down it is roach motel or big bucks hotel till it is fixed.

But hey, some of those class As sure are purdy inside & out.

I should also say we stayed in 10 degree weather for almost two weeks over Christmas with no problems and have been in the desert a lot with sufficient cooling, but if you like it really cold then one AC might not be enough, we find it OK.

Lee, you can't get to the fridg when all closed up, but all we do is open one side or the other about a foot when we need to get to it. But I have a nice box in the back of the truck for the easy things. I have not had any major issues that I couldn't handle myself. I did replace the converter but that was not really Keystone, I dealt right with the manufacture and was very happy.

how are you liking the 331 iam looking at one right now. Have you used it and how do things work so far

I am also a Former class A owner and now have a 30 ft 5th wheel. I wanted to get away from all the automatic stuff that can and does go wrong. I don't even want automatic levelers. My leveling boards cannot malfunction. I stayed with a small enough trailer so I would not need a dually truck. Easier to get around with. Jusy as happy as can be now, at least for the time being.