I think I made a mistake.

[praisetoGod]

After thinking about it for almost a year, we bought a 42.5 foot fifth wheel in February. This is our second camper. We didn’t think it was too big the year that we were looking and thinking about it, but now, as we maneuver it and travel with it, I think it is. My wife still really likes it, but I’m pulling it and it’s stressful for me. We only fill up at truck stops, but between stops when the kids need to go to the bathroom you can’t just pull this beast over anywhere. I’m getting better at backing up this triple axel 5th wheel, but I’ve started to think that a 35 motorhome would be a better fit. I’m curious if you’ve gone from a large fifth wheel to a motorhome and regretted that move, or gone from a motorhome to a fifth wheel and had any regrets.

[jlud]

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.

[Bumpyroad]

2gypsies wrote:

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.

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

[2gypsies1]

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.

[timmac]

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.

[time2roll]

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

[down_home]

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.

[SuperDutyFiver]

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!

[J-Rooster]

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.

[Walaby]

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

[2lazy4U]

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.

[praisetoGod]

I appreciate all the answers. I wasn't really looking for someone to tell me what would work for me, but to see if someone made the switch and regretted it, and to learn from others mistakes, so I don't potentially make another one. The most stressful part for me so far in the short time that I have had this setup is the travel from home to site, and with just a 25 gallon fuel tank, worrying about where and when to stop. And unscheduled stops because one of our 4 kids have to use the bathroom. Hooking up is easy, unhooking is easy, we have the 6-point self leveling system which makes it easy. It can be a little nerve racking to pull into the an unknown campground and wondering if there are going to be trees or something else that will make backing in hard, but that's with any rig. The more I back it in the easier that part becomes because of the practice. So again it's mainly the travel from point a to point b that I think a MH would make more enjoyable. I think the more enjoyable it is the more we'll go and that's the point; to go and make more memories. Someone asked about my previous trailer length. It was a 31 feet long bumper pull. A bumper pull follows right behind your truck, but a fifth wheel (especially a 43' long one) does not. If the kids got hungry we could find just about any fast food restaurant (that had some empty spaces in their parking lot and wasn't too busy) and pull in and I felt like I could get out pretty easily. But I just don't feel that way about my current setup. Maybe with more practice. Thanks for your input.

[phillyg]

Everyone has different reactions. I will admit I sometimes get stressed finding a good fuel stop, and recently when my 4-yr old granddaughter had to go and there was no where convenient to stop. But, I felt the same with a 36' Class A with a toad. I don't think anyone else can say what's best for you.

[et2]

When we pulled our fivers we installed a 60 gallon auxiliary diesel fuel tank. Never had to worry about stopping for fuel like most people. Together with the main tank I had over 90 gallons. We could fill after pulling over for the night or after we setup camp. never worried about finding a gas station. That took some pressure away from the driving.

Now the MH has 100 gallons so one can be selective where they fuel up. Truck stops are the best. You need do a little research as to where they're on your trips or just make sure there is around half a tank of fuel before looking for a spot. If using those, and have a diesel pusher, space to manuever isn't a issue.

As far as driving comparison between the TT - fiver - MH, and of course it's just my experience the MH is way less stressful to drive. If backing into a campsite, comparable lengths, the fiver truck combo would have about the same pivot points as a motor home, but there is more truck out in front in comparison ( length in front of MH front wheels, and length from the rear wheels on a pickup to the front). So I don't see it being an advantage going to the pickup truck if trailer lengths are equal. I can tell you the MH is way easier to back up ( if needed). Steering response is immediate compared to a fifth wheel hitch.

If the length is he only thing eating at you, then you made a mistake. But, think of what it really is that gets at you. Can you do something to help eliminate those issues ( larger fuel tank). If not, go test drive a few MH's ( if you get a gasser your not going to be able to use truck stops).

[RedRocket204]

Laughing at some of the responses especially those claiming best RV style. There is NO best RV classification as all have their downfalls/limitations. There is only best for the individual and only you can decide what is best for you.