From 5er to class A, why?

[tealboy]

How many of you moved from a 5er to a class A and why? I have ruled out a class C and TT so a DP 40 or a higher grade 5er appeals to me but as someone who has not rv'd before, I'm struggling to know which I would like better as a part time rver.

I thought I would ck w those of you who might have had a 5er but made the switch to class A and what you like better about one or the other and what compelled u to make the change.

Would be equally interested in class A owners who moved to a 5er but this is the wrong forum. I sorta feel like the 5er would be best for me but really tempted by the nice luxurious DPs that seem so popular.

[janstey58]

X2, would not want a daily drive big truck. $$$ out the window....

My toad gets 25 mpg, and is also my daily driver.

[zb39]

Bumpyroad wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:


Once you get used to a big truck, it's really not that hard to find parking. I used to work downtown Detroit and parked the F250 there all the time.
.

first I don't care if you are comfortable driving a semi in downtown DC, San Juan, NYC, etc. I prefer something smaller my self. I am just pointing out to folks here to consider whether they will enjoy doing it if they haven't thought about that. I wouldn't enjoy it.
bumpy

I think your name should be grumpy. And for the record, Monster trucks are used in the entertainment industry, I know your old but try to keep up.

[Bird_Freak]

2oldman wrote:

janstey58 wrote:
.. not the frustration of leveling side to side a trailer/FW oldman.

yeah, the leveling is a big pain, I have to agree there. Sometimes I'm getting in and out of the truck 10 times to get it right.

And then with a newer 5er you just unhook and push a button just like the mh.

[Bumpyroad]

janstey58 wrote:
Question for the 5ER crowd, when you pull into your spot on a hot summer day, how long does it take to cool down the RV before you can enter and be comfortable? My DP is 72 degrees when I pull in.

wow, I never thought about that.
bumpy

[janstey58]

Question for the 5ER crowd, when you pull into your spot on a hot summer day, how long does it take to cool down the RV before you can enter and be comfortable? My DP is 72 degrees when I pull in.

[wa8yxm]

Both a Class A and a 5er have their place

IF you park for long, long periods of time a 5ER will likely need new tires and wheel bearing re-pack when you get around to moving.. So will a Class A but you may need to add a major overhaul to that as the engine has rusted and sized up (OUCH).. That said I recently got to drive a class A (Workhorse Chevy 8.1) that had been sitting for years.. Even with old gasoline it ran like it did the day it was new.

Motor homes like to be driven from time to time.

Now: I'm in a class A.. I am going down the road in a downpour when I feel the need for a rest stop.. I AM NOT GOING TO GET WET. The poor guy with the 5er.. Soaked before he gets to either the 5'er's door or the "Facilities".

Class A: towing a car. about 8 MPG.. Same size 5er with a big pickup 8MPG

Car without A. Well my vintage car does about 25, some today 30-40
Pickup without trailer 16-20

Car is way easier to park at Wal*mart or Bi-lo or Kroger (Depending on state)

These are some of the things I thought about when I choose a class A over a 5er.

Oh. and when the engine in my A was killed by road hazard (Blew the engine) that spare vehicle was . Handy,.

[DallasSteve]

For me, if money were no object a class A plus a toad would be the nicest solution. But for me money is important and a travel trailer is more bang for your buck any way you slice it. Plus I like that I can go new on the tow vehicle and used on the trailer.

[homedad]

If you're considering a DP this may not apply. I've had 2-C's and one A. My wife's complaint was always the incredible amount of noise especially with the Ford V10. Crossing mountains was like sitting on a jet engine. The squeaks and rattles were another common complaint. Maybe a more expensive DP wouldn't suffer from these.

[Bumpyroad]

tealboy wrote:


. What I don't want to do is, buy a dually at this point in my life. The width and bulk would be problematic but a cc short bed srw would be fine.

my point exactly. for some, a monster truck would be problematic.
bumpy

[Branson_N_Tucso]

If your darling wife wants something out of the refrigerator then you can just get it in a class A. Do not have to find a place to pull over an stop. As we get older you have less to set up in a class A. Class A all the way.

[tealboy]

Bumpyroad wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:


Once you get used to a big truck, it's really not that hard to find parking. I used to work downtown Detroit and parked the F250 there all the time.
.

first I don't care if you are comfortable driving a semi in downtown DC, San Juan, NYC, etc. I prefer something smaller my self. I am just pointing out to folks here to consider whether they will enjoy doing it if they haven't thought about that. I wouldn't enjoy it.
bumpy

For what it's worth, as the op, I have driven a Yukon and a suburban for many years. A full size truck is not concerning to me. In fact, I bought a 4Runner limited a couple of years ago and hated it, too small, so I bought a new Yukon Denali and love it. What I don't want to do is, buy a dually at this point in my life. The width and bulk would be problematic but a cc short bed srw would be fine.

[Bumpyroad]

valhalla360 wrote:


Once you get used to a big truck, it's really not that hard to find parking. I used to work downtown Detroit and parked the F250 there all the time.
.

first I don't care if you are comfortable driving a semi in downtown DC, San Juan, NYC, etc. I prefer something smaller my self. I am just pointing out to folks here to consider whether they will enjoy doing it if they haven't thought about that. I wouldn't enjoy it.
bumpy

[tropical36]

tealboy wrote:
How many of you moved from a 5er to a class A and why? I have ruled out a class C and TT so a DP 40 or a higher grade 5er appeals to me but as someone who has not rv'd before, I'm struggling to know which I would like better as a part time rver.

I thought I would ck w those of you who might have had a 5er but made the switch to class A and what you like better about one or the other and what compelled u to make the change.

Would be equally interested in class A owners who moved to a 5er but this is the wrong forum. I sorta feel like the 5er would be best for me but really tempted by the nice luxurious DPs that seem so popular.

Fiver's are spacious and if we we're to go that route, it would be because we sat for 6 mons at a time in two different locations. That being the case, it would be a large one and we wouldn't buy a truck for it, either. Better to just have someone move it for us, but as long as we're driving and on the road, the A is a no brainer for seeing America out a big windshield and having a bathroom available, while you're fixing something in the galley.
Pull in for the night in a rainstorm and not even have to go outside.
If you hauling monster pets, as well, it's again the better choice.

[Bruce_Brown]

^^^ I can answer that - it's a big difference. Until a few weeks ago we owned both a MH and a TT.

I have done the western trip with both; hands down without question the MH is more convenient, and comfortable, and easier to drive, and, and, and...

I honestly cannot think of one thing the TT did better or made the trip more enjoyable than the MH. And for the record, we were pulling the TT with an F250 Crew Cab diesel Lariet with the Ultimate package, so we weren't slumming it with the tow truck either.

The TT is now gone.

[captnjack]

Not being a wiseguy here. For those who like being able to grab a sandwich or go to the bathroom on the road, is it really that hard to stop somewhere and do those things? I would imagine I'd want to get out of the motorhome every couple of hours whether I was driving or not. And I know my wife would. Plus if you have dogs don't you have to stop for them?
Overall it seems a very close call.
For those who full time do you find yourselves staying put longer, thereby negating fuel costs somewhat?