We have a 201 Montana 5th wheel and are looking at class A's in the 31-35 ft range. Gas engines. Would like to hear from some who have the advantages and disadvantage to a 5'ver. what mileage do you get and what engine do you have . Thanks
I think SOME of the 5th Wheel trailers are great. Many have a great floor plan and naturally cost a lot less than an equivalent size Class A coach. If you travel like some people and go from A to B and sit for weeks/months on end, then a 5r may be your best bet. If you travel like us, where we seldom spend more than a few days at one location, then a Class A was a better choice. Set-up is a lot easier with a Class A but it comes at a cost, initially and with required additional maintenance to keep things operating properly. I doubt if there is much difference in fuel mileage but insurance costs may vary.
2008 Hurricane 31D, V10. Use of house while going down the road is number one. Being able to overnight without getting out is really nice. Towing our jeep is quite easy, didn't tow for the longest time. Personally I'm really more comfortable driving something so large as compared to towing something so large. But that's me.
In 2010 we traded a 31' Lakota fifth wheel and Ford F-350 for a 2009 Bounder, 32V (33'). I agree with all the statements of the previous post and would add that we tow a Honda CRV behind the Bounder. Much nicer and easier to tour and sightsee with the smaller car than the F-350. I have the Ford V-10 and average about 6.5 mpg. I've travelled much of California and have towed my previous car (Toyota Camry on a dolly) to Lake Tahoe (7,000' pass) with no issues.
In January we went from a 35' 2009 5th wheel to a 2013 35' Itasca Sunstar 35F. The first time it rained as we were pulling into an RV spot convinced me that we would never again buy a towable RV. We pulled into that spot and pressed the "auto level" button and let the levelers do their thing. After running out the slides we just sat and waited out the rain. There was plenty of fresh water, 12 volt power, etc. Our Sunstar has Itasca's Motoraide system. After 100 miles of driving we had a full tank of hot water so no need for propane. If I needed a/c I could have fired up the onboard generator and run both units for the short time it rained. No unhooking, leveling or anything else out in the heat or cold I had experienced with the fiver. There are advantages and disadvantages with any RV. I found out as I got older that the motorhome is far easier on the old body.
