Anyone switch from a fifth wheel?

[MookieKat]

If so, would love to know the reasons why.

[tropical36]

MookieKat wrote:
If so, would love to know the reasons why.

Firstly, everyone switches to a Class A eventually, if not immediately and for all the reasons mentioned.
Just kidding and they do have their pros, even though it takes a lot of thought....lol
I've seen some who don't own a truck and just have it moved when ready, which is usually from a campground up north to Florida for the winter and back again. Now there's a situation, where it wins hands down.

[1BryNelson]

I didn't have a 5'er but did have a TT. Class A now, much better especially when in between RV Parks. Pull into a spot of anykind, level if necessary, run out the bedroom slide and go to bed, all without leaving Moho. Would never go back to a TT, have thought about a 5'er but after talking to owners I wouldn't do it unless I had a S&B again as main residence. Living FT in Class A is easy. Good luck friend in all your journeys!

[NeverHome2]

We switched from a fifth wheel toy hauler (36.5 ft.) two years ago. Spent 4 days of continuous rain in the 5ver and went crazy 'cause the living space was so small with 10 feet taken up by garage. Directly after that we started looking for a DP.

Bought a 2005 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 38PDQ which is actually 39 feet long. Has 400 HP and Allison 6 speed transmission. Love the luxury and ease of set-up and tear-down. We flat tow our F-150 and put the motorcycle in the bed so we have the DP, pick up, and motorcycle. A great way to travel

[MookieKat]

Thanks for sharing, guys! Many advantages to a MH!

[Bill1374]

Gone back and forth a couple of times now. Went from a fifth to a Dutch Star for a few years then traded back to a fifth, NuWa Discover America great floor plan. After I lost my wife, I went back to riding mc again. Wanted the bike in Florida during the winter so I tried a toy hauler. Great for moving the bike but not good to live in. Traded into the Phaeton and added an Overbilt lift so I can have my bike and car with me. But I also now have a comfortable floor plan to live in for the winter.

[2gypsies1]

We full-timed for 8 years in a 33' 5th wheel. It was time to get a different RV and friends had gotten us hooked on Jeeping so we went with a 40' motorhome for the next 8 years.

The two reasons we switched: we hated driving the big truck everywhere and we wanted to tow a Jeep. We enjoy the backcountry roads and driving the truck was too wide in many places and it also scared away the critters. Driving the Jeep on those roads was almost soundless. Also, the Jeep took us to places the truck never could.

[fishingbob61]

We had a 38ft HR Presidental bought new and wish I still had it but we down sized to a 34ft Bounder DP, we have been RVing from 1966 and my health is going bad that is the reason for the change. Do we like the MH ? it is easer to set up and take down.

[janegowest]

Great topic!

[TNGW1500SE]

Vt Rv wrote:
..........I like the ability to choose between trailering the bike or towing the Jeep. Ultimately I'd like to upgrade to a DP with a bike lift on the back so I can have both with me..........

Why not a trailer for the Jeep with the bike sideways in front or behind it?

[Boxer_Lovers]

If you travel more than stay in one place a 5 is preferable. Takes longer to set up even with the automatic leveling jacks.
But if you're doing more driving sitting there's nothing like the comfort and convenience of a diesel pusher. IF you can afford it.

[Dixie_Flyer]

We traded a 38 foot Montana 5th wheel for a used 36 foot Foretravel. The reason was so the wife could drive and give me some relief. She was afraid to drive the F350 pulling the Montana where she is comfortable driving the bus. Set up is so simple in bad weather. Just pull up to your campsite. Push a button to level, push the button to extend the slides, start the generator and relax. Then there is the convenience of having the bathroom available any time you need it.

I miss the storage we had in the Montana and the interior is not as cozy, but all in all it is working out for us.

[Vt_Rv]

I made the switch in 2014. I was planning a trip to Sturgis and wanted to be able to take the RV and motorcycles. My options were a toy hauler or motorhome with a trailer.

I found a good used motorhome. Kept the 5er thinking we'd make our final decision after the trip. My kids were adamant that they liked the fifth wheel so better as the floor plan gave them their own space.

Well after the first trip in the class A we were sold. Loved the ability to get refreshments while on the road. Four adults with older bladders made for much less stopping for potty breaks. We had access to everything in the camper and the passengers were not cramped up in a truck for several hours at a time. When we stop for the night there was no having to move things to the fifth wheel and getting it cooled down, the motorhome was already comfortable.

We take our dog camping with us and he is much happier traveling in the motorhome. Once the kids took their fist trip in the motorhome they both agreed they like it better. Even though they are sleeping on the pull out sofa and folded down table the travel part is just so much more comfortable with the ability to watch movies and move around when needed. Yes everyone is secured in seat belts but they are just much more comfortable. I promptly sold the fifth wheel, it was a easy decision for us, the class A was the one to keep.

I like the ability to choose between trailering the bike or towing the Jeep. Ultimately I'd like to upgrade to a DP with a bike lift on the back so I can have both with me.

I really enjoyed the fifth wheel but for now I prefer the motorhome. We're more into travel rather then going somewhere to park for extended periods of time so it suits our needs best.

[TNGW1500SE]

I didn't switch from a 5th but I went from a trailer. It's about the same jump. The only advantage of the trailer (or 5th wheel) is that you have another vehicle with you when you leave the camper behind. Some people pull a toad and solve the problem that way but I pull a trailer with motorcycles in it. If it rains, we stay at the RV.

I wouldn't want to go back to the trailer. It's nice driving your living room down the road. The truck always felt like it was towing something. The class A just goes. It's also a pleasure to pull in, hit the jack button and relax. The trailer was a job to get set up.

Another issue I had was my driveway. If I ever would have been stupid enough to try and pull the trailer up it I would have made a call to State Farm! The class A goes up it but that's about it. When we get to the top I always celebrate the accomplishment!

The difference is I feel like I'm not pulling something. It's not a big deal, I'm just driving a living room down the road and the view is better.

There's some really nice 5th wheels out there and some people love them but I wouldn't want one after owning an A.

[Jim]

My first RV was a Class A DP and I went full time in '04. After all the RV parks I've been to from Alaska to Cancun watching, observing, talking to 5er owners I'll never have a 5er. Too much work. Watching 5er owners spend all that time & effort setting up and breaking down is just too much for my lazy a** self.

I do think they look pretty nice inside, but so does my A.