Thought about switching to a motorhome

[badbob1]

Decided that maybe now that I am getting a bit older I would try a motorhome. Have had a 5th wheel for 20 plus years and just thought a class C or a short class A would be a nice change. Have spent time on line and at dealers shopping and have found some very nice units. What I have discovered is none of them seem to have a comfortable chair where I can sit and enjoy my coffee with a place to set the cup read and watch tv. Would have to sit at the dinette and I would miss my recliner and end table my fiver has. Will save some money and just continue to enjoy the comfort of my fiver.
Best to all
BadBob

[JTrac]

arnko37 wrote:
If you buy a new MH,listen to it on a quiet night. You can actually hear it depreciate. I have had 2 mhs, 2 5th wheels, 4 TTs. I find what works best for me is my 30 ft 5th wheel w/ one slide. And very few automatic things to go wrong. And finding a used high quality well maintained rig. Happy Trails

Amen, brother. The day ours left with the new owner it was like the weight of the entire world had been lifted from my shoulders. We got lucky and found a buyer who was willing to give my asking price because it was in such good condition.

[ghostrider42]

arnko37 wrote:
If you buy a new MH,listen to it on a quiet night. You can actually hear it depreciate. I have had 2 mhs, 2 5th wheels, 4 TTs. I find what works best for me is my 30 ft 5th wheel w/ one slide. And very few automatic things to go wrong. And finding a used high quality well maintained rig. Happy Trails

Yep - which is why I have a LQ horse trailer. All channel lock aluminum and built to take a beating.

[arnko37]

If you buy a new MH,listen to it on a quiet night. You can actually hear it depreciate. I have had 2 mhs, 2 5th wheels, 4 TTs. I find what works best for me is my 30 ft 5th wheel w/ one slide. And very few automatic things to go wrong. And finding a used high quality well maintained rig. Happy Trails

[ghostrider42]

Deb and Ed M wrote:

RWjSIM2003 wrote:
I also like the ability to pull over and take a rest with out getting out of the truck and getting in the trailer. Safe Travels

Speaking as someone who was stuck for hours in traffic during a N Georgia snowstorm, towing the 5er which was winterized for our trip back home.... the ability to use the potty (or get a beverage or snack) in a traffic snarl is priceless! I keep waiting for someone to post on RV.net "We were stuck in traffic, and this old lady gets out of the truck, leaves the door open, faces the back of the truck - and I know what she was doing!!"

Right THEN - I was wishing we were driving our Class C.....

I was in the I85 traffic jam heading south to Atlanta. I got out of my seat and went into the head, flushed and got back into the drivers seat. After five hours of going absolutely no where, we decided to put the chains on the tractor. After we did that, we climbed several hills up to I20 and went west until we got off the ice.

[HD_Hauler]

We know a lot of RVers with MH and I have found out that the MH to some folks is that its a "Check me Out Thing" and then after the first payment has to be made the "Oooo What a feeling" has worn off and they dread the $5-600 a month payment for the next 20 or more years. Now as for us we have been pulling our 5th wheel from day 1 and love it, (1) the lack of maintenance, (2) insurance, (3) the room, (4) a super low or no payment. My wife and I look at it as Rving is enjoying the lifestyle not the "Look what I have" and if you ever RV with a group it's the 5th wheel and TT people are the ones who always bring the food. 🙂

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

AB Spotman wrote:
From their opinion, the big increase in price, fuel, maintenance, and insurance was more for having a wonderful drive "on the road" vehicle, which for them was the smallest percentage of their use. Only one opinion of many.

A very sane approach, IMO. It's what Ed and I have said for a decade with our slideless Class C: for sightseeing (on the move every day) - you just can't beat a MH.

But now that we're thinking of escaping winters for a while (which means actually sitting still..LOL!!) we knew we needed something with a slideout to give us some "living" room. And as we looked at our options, 5ers quickly rose to the forefront of "condo on wheels". Since we already have a need for a hefty tow vehicle with our business and Ed's hobby of dragracing - a 5er became a "no-brainer".

Once we found out how easy (and QUIET!!!!) the 5th wheel is to tow and set up - we're looking at how much we'll really use the Class C, after our neighbor expressed interest in it for their kids to get started in camping.

Decisions, decisions.....

[badbob1]

Have enjoyed reading the comments that many of you have posted and surprised at how many have the same concerns. Think this is something most of us RV folks do. Wonder if another type of rig would work better for us. I never had a motorhome when our kids were young as I felt they would be safer buckled up in the truck. If I had posted this in the motorhome section would have recieved many answers that favor the motorhome. As many say no right or wrong answer here, all of us happy with different rigs and styles of travel. I know we love the rv travel style and look forward to having the grandkids along now and will just feel better having them buckled up and surrounded with airbags in my truck. So for me will keep the fiver and maybe add auto level system. Next will be a search to replace my 2002 Chevy truck.

Thank You
BadBob

[AB_Spotman]

Seems like a timely topic. My folks have a 2007 Kountry Aire 5er. Was the top of the line in its day - 38 feet, 5 slides--huge. They were really close to trading for a Diesel MH this fall. Money, while important, wasn't the only deciding factor. They based on "driving time comfort" versus "living comfort" when parked. They travel and spend 2-3 months in one location, mostly Arizona in the winter months, so would have a few long days getting down to Arizona from Alberta, then mostly staying put. They run around in their 1-ton dually...which they use at home normally, so no big deal. When towing, if he is tired, they stop for a rest, go make lunch etc.

When it came right down to it, they never found a MH floor plan that they preferred over their 5er. Most of plans all were similar, like a big hallway(albeit a nicely appointed hallway). From their opinion, the big increase in price, fuel, maintenance, and insurance was more for having a wonderful drive "on the road" vehicle, which for them was the smallest percentage of their use. Only one opinion of many.

[larry_barnhart]

Our lady friend lost the use of her shoulder after hitting the MH's sharp edge of the sink cabinet.
chevman

[richfaa]

Badbob1 we understand. We are getting a bit long in the tooth and setting up and taking down the 5th wheel was getting to be a chore. It was to much of a financial burden to go to a MH that would suite our travel needs We always preferred a MH over a 5th wheel but just could not make it happenbut we did go to a new 5th wheel with 6 point leveling system that makes setting up easy.

[txdutt]

just my experience but after owning a Class A (Itasca Gasser) for 3 years, trading it in on the 5'er this past summer was the happiest I'd been in 3 years!! Adios money pit!!

[CANAMKID]

Michelle.S wrote:
I have a question for everyone praising the MH for the ability to get up and walk around (make lunch go potty etc).
You, as a Driver ever given any thought as to what would happen if someone were to cut you off and force a panic stop while the other person was wandering around?? Granted it not a sure thing, but I'm sure we have all gone through that slamming on the brakes for one reason or another. Can you see your partner flying past you and out the windshield??
Just something to think about the next time you say, "Honey, can you get be a cold drink".

Very good point, Thats why we like our 5er
Steve & Linda:B:B

[Michelle_S]

I have a question for everyone praising the MH for the ability to get up and walk around (make lunch go potty etc).
You, as a Driver ever given any thought as to what would happen if someone were to cut you off and force a panic stop while the other person was wandering around?? Granted it not a sure thing, but I'm sure we have all gone through that slamming on the brakes for one reason or another. Can you see your partner flying past you and out the windshield??
Just something to think about the next time you say, "Honey, can you get be a cold drink".

[aruba5er]

Costs are what got me into a fiver. C mh $145 a year for liscense. Fiver $16. Extra insurance (now have a only a truck rather than truck and MH) if I remember correctly over $600. Service. no one wants to work on a motorhome, so you are stuck going to a rv shop where the people are not fimalar with the motor, transmission, brakes, etc of the chassis you bring them and no longer price competive. I really like the "C" and maybe will go back to it someday but right now the PU works best.And I can take it almost anywhere to have it serviced, And fuel milage doubled over the C