I think I made a mistake.

I had a 35 foot bumper pull trailer and went to a 37 foot motorhome, with an F150 for a toad. MH much easier and enjoyable for me...watching movies, kids and dog not on top of me, playing games, no bathroom stops, wife making food on road plus super easy backing in. I have about a 95% 1st time in reverse success rate backing in with it.

It takes a lot of the work that a trailer is away. Fuel stops are easier with the MH than trailer as it actually turns tighter and I don't have to swing as wide. 80 gallon tank vs 25....had the 25 in my diesel and hard to find pumps when not at truck stops...never wanted to go somewhere out of my range where I had to refuel.

To me it's a lot less stressful taking out the MH and much more enjoyable family time.

2gypsies wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
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how easy is it to back up the MH with a toad hooked on?
bumpy

In 16 years of full-timing and traveling constantly, we never got into a position that we needed to back up with the toad connected. That's not an issue.

my comment was directed at tinmac as he did not state "without the toad" in his first comment.
bumpy

Bumpyroad wrote:
.
how easy is it to back up the MH with a toad hooked on?
bumpy

In 16 years of full-timing and traveling constantly, we never got into a position that we needed to back up with the toad connected. That's not an issue.

Bumpyroad wrote:

timmac wrote:

scabello wrote:


35' MH is not going to be any easier for you. You still want the truck stops when you add the car. Maybe it is 2' shorter at the end of the day? LOL.. it means nothing.. 24 inches, come on!


.

Towing a 43 ft 5th wheel is a lot different than a 35 ft motorhome with a small toad.

Been there done that and I find a motorhome much easier to drive and backup compared to a TT or 5th wheel.

how easy is it to back up the MH with a toad hooked on?
bumpy

Backing up without the toad like at campgrounds and such.

Are you pulling with a MDT? Need more than 25 gallons of fuel.

Our Fifth Wheel was only 32 ft. I had the dickens of a time backing into our drive way. Drive way was wider than the road.It is rural and not much traffic, or otherwise wouldn't have been able to do. I jacked that Fifth Wheel three to five times or more before I could get it into the driveway.
The Motorhome is 39 ft 6 inches total. Only had to try twice, a couple of times. Removed a small dogwood helped. It is far easier for us.
However, Wife's Uncle who drove a Semi for years backed it, for us, into tighter spaces with ease.
I guess if you back it up enough you learn exactly when and how much to cut the wheels and not take down power poles, trees etc.
The bathroom thing, of course ,is like you expect a whole lot easier situation.
The Fifth Wheel we stopped along side the road in Canada many times, no traffic of course. Hazardous on many stretches, of our Interstates, and other roads.

I will offer that I've driven a 38' diesel pusher hauling a medium sized toad 4 down and hauled my 40' fiver all over the place...the motorhome is probably more comfortable to drive-but maybe only slightly...the truck way more maneuverable with the trailer in tight spots than that coach you can't backup. The 100 gallon aux tank in the bed solves all fueling issues with the truck and I wont even consider venturing in to a regular fuel stop with the coach towing the toad. I think it may be just that you need to adapt your ways a bit-plan stops at truck stops and rest areas...pack to eat what you want when you want it...and enjoy the heck out of your fiver at the campground and having a full size vehicle to tour around with!

The more you use it the better you will get! Sounds like a nice set up to me. The smaller the trailer the more difficulty you will have backing up. I say this to you being a retired truck driver with 44-1/4 years experience.

As far as stopping and using the restroom, I totally get it. Although, you could put water in your fresh water tank, and use the restroom while on the road. Of course you still have to stop. I have stopped on the site of the road (not the freeway), because my DW had to go. Have also exited freeway and found a parking lot, or stopped on side of the road.

I would think if you can get a MH into a fast food area, you should be able to get the 5er in as well. Lots of fast food places on the road advertise bus parking.

It's all relative I suppose. I think the thing about MH's that worry me is if Im on the road, and ANYTHING major breaks with the drive train, I am out of sleeping accommodations. At least with a truck/trailer combo, if the truck takes a dump, I can live in the trailer til it's fixed, and not have to rent a hotel AND pay for the campground or place for the trailer. I suppose the likelihood is not great, but it's still there.

Anyways, good luck on whichever way you decide to go.

Mike

If it were me, I'd go with a motorhome. I've pulled lots of trailers, though never a fiver, and I would prefer the ease of a MH any day. It's your vacation, you should have a setup that will let you enjoy it best.