Analysis Paralysis...Class A vs 5th wheel for family

[jlud]

Ok, havent been on here in a while, but we keep going back and forth, going absolutely nowhere while the kids get older..want to get something this year for sure....need to pick, and appreciate input...

Heres our situation...4 young kids, oldest being 9. Probably have time for 2 week long trips in the summer, and up to 14 days or so around Christmas, plus the holiday weekends and a few extra long weekends here or there. Our kids love being outdoors, we have never owned our own camper before, but families had growing up. Would be mostly in the midwest, but want to make sure we can get around in the mountains should we choose to. I would visualize us for our week trips splitting them into a few stops of a couple days each.

Right now, we have pretty much ruled out a travel trailer, and our looking at going with a most likely gas Class A or a new F250 diesel and fiver. Here is the breakdown as I see it...

Class A - Nice view, great for travelling with kids...wife is a clean freak, our own bathroom, avoid numerous stops, snacks as needed, pullover if needed, access to all things while moving, kids play games etc. To me, this seems like the trip would be half the fun for the kids, and they are all not sitting on top of me in a crew cab.

Also, would think easy set up at camp grounds, auto level and bobs your uncle. Cost is a consideration, but something like a brand new Georgetown 351DS entry level, or maybe even a bit more and Winnie 35B or Tiffin 35QBA, something with bunks for the kids and maybe even a bunk over the front seats. This leaves us not really having to make any beds up either. Also, generator and ability to dry camp easy.

Bad part would be cant go anywhere without a toad, or driving a separate car for local trips until we make sure we are good at packing all we need. Im not sure I see any other cons with this unit, perhaps maintenance and tires.

5th wheel - This requires me to buy a new truck (45ish) and then the unit itself. We were thinking a Toy Hauler model with the electric queens in the back, figured that way we have some options with the room, and can move beds out of way when not needed, good space if we get a toy down the road.

Pros to this would be ability to unhook and have a vehicle to drive around with. The truck would be a daily driver as well. Can get with a generator but adds a bit to cost, overall probably the same total cost or maybe a little less depending on the models.

Trailers should store better as well in the winter, but then probably wouldnt take on a winter trip. Cheaper on insurance and plates? Not really sure here..

Cons - biggest concern is having 6 people in a crew cab truck on a trip. Kids can drive me nuts at that close range with stress of trailer adding. A bit longer set up time.

So long story short, from those of you in similar situations that maybe went one way vs the other...if you could do it again what would you do? Other suggestions? Its only money, right 🙂

[BigRabbitMan]

Our friend's kids preferred sleeping outside in a small tent most of the time. This was once they got to 10+ years old. You are camping so let the bigger ones actually camp!

[rolling_rhoda]

With kids under 10, you have a good five years of comfortable sleeping in whatever rig you choose. Also, you are allowed to get something different after a few years if you desire. Once everyone is 5' tall or more, bunk beds and dinettes can be too short, and then it's a tougher decision.

Our friends have four kids 11-17. All their trips within 3 hours of home. They got a big 5th wheel that sleeps about 8 in 4 bunks, a queen sofa sleeper and a king for mom and dad. Journey = not great. Destination = awesome.

Other friends have two adult-sized teens and a Prevost with bunks. They hate the sleeping arrangements. The kids feel like they are in coffins because the beds are so narrow and short compared to home. Journey = awesome. Destination at bedtime = not great.

[willald]

RVER wrote:
Motors do not like sitting around and you are not driving enough to really exercise and engine without long periods of standing which is horrible for the engine. By the time the kids are bigger and out of the house or big enough to care for themselves, you will be ready for a new rig so go with BIG suv with the long wheelbase and able to pull the trailer and then when kids fly the coop, get a class A and be done with it. Class A will depreciate by as much as 50% in 2 years, scary but true!! NOT all but some and that is like urinating money away! Trailers depreciate less and cost a lot less to buy, insure and maintain.

Some good points here. However, in regards to Motors, drivetrains in a Motorhome sitting for long periods of time, I'd like to point out a few things.

Really, I would not let that aspect affect your decision one way or the other. At least for us, it was/is very easy to solve this: Just make it a point once a month or so to take the Motorhome for a drive somewhere. An errand, a trip to visit friends or relatives, even just drive around the block a few times. Anything, to 'exercise' it and keep seals lubricated, brakes from freezing up or rusting, etc. Don't need to drive it very far, just enough to get everything (engine, tranny, tires, etc.) up to working temperatures. Same thing with the generator - fire it up once a month and let it run for a while, turn on some things inside to run off the genny and exercise it.

I've found that doing this keeps everyone excited about the next camping trip, even in the dead of winter when we're not camping. At least once every couple of weeks, on Saturday morning when everyone wants me to go pick up something for breakfast, I just fire up the MH and take it to Bojangle's, McDonald's, or whatever everyone wants for breakfast. My daughter loves it when I do this and ALWAYS insists on going with me, because she absolutely loves riding in it. The previous poster is right - on the road, nothing beats a Class A.

However, all that convenience and luxury on the road comes at a very high price, in terms of $$ as well as in floorplan limitations I've already mentioned. You just have to decide if that price is worth it for you.

If you go with a TT and van for other reasons I've mentioned, great. If you go with the MH for the convenience on the road it gives, thats great, too. I just wouldnt let the concern about it sitting for periods of time influence your decision much. As I just explained, its very easy (and fun actually) to prevent that from being a problem.

[dubdub07]

JimM68 wrote:
I do not ascribe to the "use it or lose it" philosophy.

Between a bunch of classic cars, a couple classic bikes, a Class A gasser and now a DP, they rest well. Stabil and a trickle charger (or keep the moho plugged in) and they will fire right up and run when needed.

My motorhome and genny last ran last September, last used in November (at our seasonal site)We're going to the Smokies for spring break, I'll take her home a week early to check everything out, but don't anticipate any problems.

There is always a way to find room for everyone to sleep. We went with 2 jackknife sofa's in the DP, fast and easy to open and close, big and comfy. In the gasser we had to make up the dinette, just not a big deal.

Travelling is where a Class A shines. Coming across eastern Colorado, everyone up front trying to be the first to see the rockies in the distance. Asking wifey to pop back and refill my drink, or bring us up some chips. Kids happy with their movies and video games if they won't look out the window. Dogs finding their best spot and sleeping the day away, or coming up front by me and "momma" for some petting....

Nothing travels better than a Class A motorhome.

This post accurately and eloquently depicts our life on the road with 6 in the MH and a dog. What a great way to travel.

[JimM68]

I do not ascribe to the "use it or lose it" philosophy.

Between a bunch of classic cars, a couple classic bikes, a Class A gasser and now a DP, they rest well. Stabil and a trickle charger (or keep the moho plugged in) and they will fire right up and run when needed.

My motorhome and genny last ran last September, last used in November (at our seasonal site)We're going to the Smokies for spring break, I'll take her home a week early to check everything out, but don't anticipate any problems.

There is always a way to find room for everyone to sleep. We went with 2 jackknife sofa's in the DP, fast and easy to open and close, big and comfy. In the gasser we had to make up the dinette, just not a big deal.

Travelling is where a Class A shines. Coming across eastern Colorado, everyone up front trying to be the first to see the rockies in the distance. Asking wifey to pop back and refill my drink, or bring us up some chips. Kids happy with their movies and video games if they won't look out the window. Dogs finding their best spot and sleeping the day away, or coming up front by me and "momma" for some petting....

Nothing travels better than a Class A motorhome.

[jlud]

More good points. Another RV show this weekend to compare and feel out....my kids are going to think that going to a dealership or RV show is what camping is lol.

[RVER]

Motors do not like sitting around and you are not driving enough to really exercise and engine without long periods of standing which is horrible for the engine. By the time the kids are bigger and out of the house or big enough to care for themselves, you will be ready for a new rig so go with BIG suv with the long wheelbase and able to pull the trailer and then when kids fly the coop, get a class A and be done with it. Class A will depreciate by as much as 50% in 2 years, scary but true!! NOT all but some and that is like urinating money away! Trailers depreciate less and cost a lot less to buy, insure and maintain.

[willald]

jlud wrote:
Rick jay, thank you for sharing. Thank you all for taking the time to provide input and experiences. Financially, I know it's a depreciating asset whichever way I go, but we only live once and I'm comfortable with my retirement planning. When looking at it as time I will never get back, it makes it easy to want to spend the money on the experience.

Looked at a winnebago vista 35b last year and wife loved it with bath and a half, bunks, extra bunk etc. looked st class c and it felt smaller, but still any option is better than doing nothing 🙂

Well, I think you've got plenty of insight here with this thread, to help you make a good decision, either way. For reasons already noted, I'd go with the TT and van if I were in your situation. However, we're all different, and we all have different needs, likes, preferences, etc. Thats why they make so many different RVs. 🙂

If the concerns I mentioned about 'living' space having to double as 'sleeping' space doesn't bother you, the Class A or maybe a 'super C' is probably your best choice (albeit the most expensive one, too). If you're like me, and would prefer to keep living and sleeping space separate and give everyone their own, private space to sleep, then the TT and van or large SUV is the way to go.

Do let us know once you make a move, though, and tell us what you went with. 🙂

Will

[oldtrojan66]

I confess I did not read every post, just the first page. However, one comment by OP did stick out. If you choose to pull a 5er, a winter in Iowa is NOT going to let you pull out for two weeks around Christmas for a jaunt. At least not every year. JMO Have a great time, whatever you choose. P.S. The kids will not always be with you. They will grow up (even if you don't want them to) and you will still have the RV of your dreams! You might bear that in mind also. david

[jlud]

Rick jay, thank you for sharing. Thank you all for taking the time to provide input and experiences. Financially, I know it's a depreciating asset whichever way I go, but we only live once and I'm comfortable with my retirement planning. When looking at it as time I will never get back, it makes it easy to want to spend the money on the experience.

Looked at a winnebago vista 35b last year and wife loved it with bath and a half, bunks, extra bunk etc. looked st class c and it felt smaller, but still any option is better than doing nothing 🙂

[FuelFunnel]

So the oldest kid is 9. Seems like the sleeping arrangement would be a non-issue. Kids that age can sleep anywhere, and it doesn't bother them one bit. A few sleeping bags on the floor; one could even sleep in the "cave" under the dinette. During the summer, they may want to sleep outside on cots under the awning. Pitch a small tent on the roof and see who sleeps where.
Get a class A, and you and your kids will enjoy the drive in comfort and convience.

Kris

[Rick_Jay]

jlud,

With a few differences, we were in your situation about 10 years ago. We started looking at small hybrids to tow behind our Odyssey. We ended up with the Class A in our signature and tow the Odyssey behind us. After about 2 years of pretty extensive research and lots of recommendations from folks on this forum, we found the ideal floorplan for our use. Here we are almost 10 years later and we have yet to find another motorhome that I think would suite our needs better. (Well...there was that 45' DP with a $500k price tag I kindof liked...but that would be wayyyyy out of our price range. 🙂 )

First of all, there is NO BETTER way to travel with kids than in a motorhome. Everything is available when you need it. If you hit a traffic tie up, you can use the time while your in stop & go driving for potty & lunch breaks. When the traffic clears, you just keep on rolling while everyone else is headed to the nearest rest stop. If someone needs the bathroom while we're rolling, we will allow it as long as it is safe (in my judgment) to do so.

We had contemplated a full size van with a travel trailer. Ruled it out because we figured we'd get more use out of a motorhome. We use the motorhome for day trips when we wouldn't use a TT.

The truck/fiver was never an option with four kids. Too crowded in the truck, and we have pets as well. Plus I really didn't need or want a truck.

We looked at Class C's, and almost bought one, but I was concerned that we would exceed the weight specs on it, and I know we would have. (I'm an engineer and sort of a stickler about staying within operating limits.) Since we were looking, there have been some C's built on the C5500 Kodiak chassis which had better weight numbers. But when we were looking, these really weren't available. I would recommend you look at them.

Ultimately, we chose the Class A. Our floorplan is a bit unique (for a gasser) as it has 2 sofas and a dinette. We opted for dedicated "living space" over dedicated "sleeping space". Back then, there were very few bunkhouse class A's. However, I have only seen one that I would consider (the bunks were separated from the main bedroom by the bathroom), but even that didn't have the storage spaces ours does. With 4 kids, you need LOTS OF SPACE for clothes, shoes, "baby support stuff".

I know there are some who say they couldn't live with having to make up the dinette each morning. Personally, that has NEVER been a problem with us. Bed make-up/take-down is 5-10 minutes each morning/evening once you get into the swing of things. Now the kids are older, they help.

Here's one unexpected benefit of kids sleeping up front. It gives a bit of privacy to wifey and I in the back. For whatever reason, we have had way more "adult time" in our motorhome then I had ever planned. Apparently wifey can really relax and enjoy herself when we're out...so who am I not to take advantage of an opportunity! 🙂 But with the kids up front watching the TV, the AC's running and our door shut, they hear nothing. So even if we just want to watch a movie with bad language, they can't hear it.

Our rig has 12 seatbelts from the factory (3 on each sofa, 4 on the dinette, driver & passenger). Plus I added 3 across the bed in back so if I'm driving through the night, they sleep in the back and the belts keep them from rolling off if I had to stop quickly.

The view out the front window of the Class A is second to none. The kids can actually see what wifey and I do, plus our rig has a lot of windows, over each sofa and dinette, so the views out the sides are good too.

When we were at Disney World's Fort Wilderness, my brother, sister-in-law and daughter stayed with us in the rig for 4 days. We gave them the bedroom and we all slept up front. 8 people and it worked GREAT! We've slept as many as 10 with 2 dogs (golden retrievers) one time in an overnight stay at a relatives yard.

Oh, as I mentioned, we tow our Honda Odyssey. It weighs about 4,500 pounds and towing it and fully loaded to travel, we weigh in with a gross combined weight of between 25,000 - 26,000 lbs. The rig is rated at 26,000 lbs. GVWR, so we just make that.

Oh, with our crew, I figured we'd need about 2,500 - 3,000 lbs. of cargo capacity for people, food, clothes, water, tools, etc. and that seems to be about right. We tend to "pack heavy" with lots of "just in case" items. If you and your wife tend to pack lighter, you can probably get by with less. But you mentioned water. Our rig has a 75 gallon fresh water tank, so that's 600 lbs. right there.

One last thing, we did have one additional motivation for the motorhome that I hope you, or anyone else, never has to contend with. That is our oldest daughter (age 7 at the time) was diagnosed with lymphoma and had to go through 2 years of chemo. The motorhome allowed us to travel with her and visit friends and relatives that we would not have been able to do in a van/TT. While I had been contemplating the purchase of a motorhome before her diagnosis, when you learn that your child has cancer, you change your priorities. For us, the added expense of the motorhome enabling us to comfortably travel with her trumped any financial concerns. While our family and friends thought we were nuts at the time, in retrospect, they too now see that it was money worth spending. I just figured I'd add that so you can see we might not have been in a "normal" frame of mind when we made our decision. But we have never regretted the decision to go with the Class A. 🙂

I could go on, but I'll let you read what I posted and if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask or send me a PM.

Good Luck in your search.

~Rick

[DutchmenSport]

Reading through this thread, lots of interesting perspectives. May I make one observation though? Which ever combination you go with, don't count on one sleeping space to be the fold-down kitchen table / dinette. Nothing is worse than having someone sleeping on it and you want to use the table in the morning for your morning coffee or late night bedtime glass of wine. Plus, having to make the bed up every day to use the table becomes very old, very fast. And taking it down to sleep on gets old, fast too. Then you also have to move everything you've got stacked on the table. We had this problem in our PUP. Our son slept on the table. It was always frustrating never having it available as a table! Just a word of advise!

[RVER]

You will have a hard time finding a MH that sleeps 4 kids separately and two adults, none to my knowledge have bed over driver/passenger seat(that would be class C) and then need a toad. Train the kids to ride in back seat but 4 kids in truck back seat is a lot to ask as well which leaves the HUGE SUV and travel trailer. I do not see you have choices really. Toy haulers often smell of gasoline if you have gas powered toys in it. Electric bed idea I do not like it, break down easily. Make sure your vehicle and pull the trailer and contents, water etc and have still some room so far as weight able to be pulled by the SUV. GREAT that you want to take the 4 kids camping and more power to you. You are not camping enough to really justify something expensive, go used for the trailer but check it out carefully!!

[dubdub07]

I have 6 kids but didn't really get into camping until there were 4 in the house. Started with a Durango pulling a hybrid and thought that would work. Seats for everyone in the Durango, sleeping for everyone in the camper. Kids and DW hated the setup. Bought my first diesel RAM 2500 with seating for six and our first bunkhouse. Traveling in the truck from Omaha to Yellowstone and back was T E R R I B L E....so bought a bigger FW. Figured more living space. Bought a MegaCab 3500, seating for six. Siruis Backseat TV, big cab, HUGE FW, what more could they all want. We all drove each other crazy. So, one son moves out. Other is 15 and says "I don't want to camp anymore"....so I say. FINE!!! I am buying something that DW and I WANT! No more trying to please everyone. With the FW, we were never in it. Always on the road, going to the campground. Plus I own a Jeep and was always renting a Jeep.....

SO, I says to my DW......you know what would really work well for us? A motorhome....do you think they do one with bunks like our bunkhouse FW? WHAT? They do? Lets go see one...drive one....and see if we like it.

WE LOVE IT! Two bunks, king bed for me and momma.....full sized fridge, washer/dryer. WOW! So we buy it....and start travelling in it. What an awesome idea we had! We are so in love with it.

Guess who goes camping with us now? The two boys that said they hated to go camping always want to go! Problem now is that we only have room for five in our Jeep, but one stays back if we have all six. They all LOVE riding in the new MH. The little ones LOVE the bunks. We LOVE the king bed. It took a while, but we found what fit our needs. And having more space to travel in is a HUGE plus over six crammed in a HD pickup or SUV. (and I never had to wrestle with a HUGE TT and what that entails! at least the FW was a sweet pull!)

Just my experience!

Bill