Trading in a Fifth Wheel for a Class A

[jfkbunkie]

Looking for advice from those who have experience with both fifth wheeling and Class A ownership.

We are a family of six, with four teenagers and two dogs. We like hiking and biking in state and national parks. Our current rig is a 3/4 ton diesel crew cab pulling a 32-ft FW with a quad bunkhouse.
We consider it a must to have a (relatively) small vehicle to use while traveling.

Questions:

1. Driveability and maneuvering differences

2. Flat towing a vehicle

3. Maintenance and operating costs

[2gypsies1]

jfkbunkie wrote:

But one very big question that remains is regarding the suitability of a big Class A for national park camping. I've noticed that campsites larger than 30 feet are pretty scarce, and even fewer are stated to be suitable for 35 and 40-ft equipment. Most Class A rigs are around 35 ft. Can anyone comment on their experiences in that respect?

We've stayed in many national parks.... and also national forest campgrounds, Corp of Engineers, state parks, county and city parks with our 40' motorhome without reservations; without any issues.

[jfkbunkie]

We're closing in on a decision (I think). Might actually go for a new (!) 36-ft DP. Trying to make the numbers work.

[bgrasspkr]

Almost the same situation here. First RV was a 37 ft TT with a rear bunkhose, ( 4 bunks ) Great for our 3 young children at the time ( 3,2, and a newborn.)

Then went to a small 5th wheel with a double bunk on the back wall. Still no problem cause the youngest slept on the pullout couch.

Jump ahead to last year. Kids are now 16, 15, and 13. Did not camp the year before, and had sold the truck and fifth wheel. Starting thinking about the benefits of a motor home, and researched for MONTHS!

Here is what you NEED to think about. I don't know how old your kids are, but at age 13 or 14, ( especially boys ) forget about the bunkhouse. Whether its a TT, 5er or MH, most are approx 74 inches long( except the 1.5 wide models) with no where to hang off the ends! So about 5 ft 6in or so is about the tallest they'll be comfortable.

The only A class we could fit everybody comfortably were the ones with the drop-down sleeper bunks over the cab. This is relatively new feature, and only offered on a few brands.

In a C-class, I needed the overhead bunk, a foldown couch, AND a super size dinette.( perfect folded down to fit my 6 ft tall oldest son) However, the ones I looked at did not have any storage space for any clothing.

I ended up finding the PERFECT rig for us. A 2008 Gulf stream Conquest Super C. I LOVE it!! Big Kodiak frame, 8.1 Chevy Vortec ( what a motor ). super size dinette, LOTS of storage in the rear bedroom for extra clothes, huge carrying capacity, etc,etc. Plus it only had 5K miles and was garaged every winter.

Think ahead a few years, cause as you know, if your gonna sell, make sure if your financing, your not upside down.

Good Luck! btw I absolutely LOVE the way this thing drives. Prefer it over the 5th wheel, and ESPECIALLY the TT!!

[mike_brez]

Class C to a 5er then a class A gas to a older Class A DP

By far I like my DP the best out of them. The 5er was great when the kids were young with there own rear bunk room. My gas Class A ride sucked.
My next will most likely be a real small A or one of those Mercedes

[Campinghoss]

et2 wrote:
There are numerous class A's with floor plans that can equal a fiver. We had 4 fivers and will never go back. The ride is way more comfortable and relaxing in DP MH's. I feel way safer driving the MH than I ever did in the pickup fiver Combo, and we had a one ton dually. It can rock a bit going down or up a drive but that's the extent of rocking. There's only so much you can do to get a comfortable ride in a pickup pulling a fiver, and yes it's a big difference in a good DP class A.

My maintenance costs are under 1000 per year. Most under 600. But I do have tires and batteries down the line to do. That'll be a spend. We've had ours 5 years.

I respect everyone's opinion but we feel much safer and the ride is so much better in our dually than the motor home. I was raised on a farm and still live there. Large vehicles do not intimidate me and I ever had a problem with our dp Monaco. But our F-350 feels much more stable even with the 40 foot fiver behind it. That is just how we feel and I know everyone feels different. If I had not owned one for a while I would not say anything but that is just my opinion.

[Lantley]

et2 wrote:
There are numerous class A's with floor plans that can equal a fiver. We had 4 fivers and will never go back. The ride is way more comfortable and relaxing in DP MH's. I feel way safer driving the MH than I ever did in the pickup fiver Combo, and we had a one ton dually. It can rock a bit going down or up a drive but that's the extent of rocking. There's only so much you can do to get a comfortable ride in a pickup pulling a fiver, and yes it's a big difference in a good DP class A.

My maintenance costs are under 1000 per year. Most under 600. But I do have tires and batteries down the line to do. That'll be a spend. We've had ours 5 years.

While I can't say they do not exist I have yet to see a Class A with a dedicated bunk room.
Not just bunk beds in the hallway or off to the side , but an actual room large enough for the kids to hang out in and close the door!

[jfkbunkie]

Lots of great responses to my question - thanks!

A quick follow-up:

Yes, we recognize that we won't be traveling as a family of 6 as the kids grow up (one is already in college). In fact, even if we stay with a 5ver, we'll trade up to a floorplan with fewer dedicated beds in favor of improving the size and quality of the living space. Also, thanks to several of your replies, I definitely understand now that a DP on a good chassis is worth the additional cost.

But one very big question that remains is regarding the suitability of a big Class A for national park camping. I've noticed that campsites larger than 30 feet are pretty scarce, and even fewer are stated to be suitable for 35 and 40-ft equipment. Most Class A rigs are around 35 ft. Can anyone comment on their experiences in that respect?

[et2]

There are numerous class A's with floor plans that can equal a fiver. We had 4 fivers and will never go back. The ride is way more comfortable and relaxing in DP MH's. I feel way safer driving the MH than I ever did in the pickup fiver Combo, and we had a one ton dually. It can rock a bit going down or up a drive but that's the extent of rocking. There's only so much you can do to get a comfortable ride in a pickup pulling a fiver, and yes it's a big difference in a good DP class A.

My maintenance costs are under 1000 per year. Most under 600. But I do have tires and batteries down the line to do. That'll be a spend. We've had ours 5 years.

[Rwake901]

Funny we just went to our local RV dealer over the weekend looking at new fifth wheels thinking about going the other way. Trading the class A off for a fifth wheel. Definitely have a lot more room in a fifth wheel. Both have advantages and disadvantages I guess.

[mtrumpet]

Given all of the variables discussed here, I think that for the OP's situation, sticking with the 5th Wheel that they already have is the more practical way to go.

[valhalla360]

I think the 4kids makes the 5er make more sense. Yeah when traveling the kids can spread out a bit more in the MH but you need to pull a big toad at which point the 4door pickup would already serve that purpose.

Most higher end MH's that could pull a big TOAD are laid out for a retired couple. There seem to be a lot more bunkhouse options in 5ers.

Another issue to consider is how long to you expect to keep the rig? If the kids are in their teens, odds are in a year or two, they will start thinning out as they start leaving the nest. Take a hard look at if they will really continue to camp with you once they head of to college (or even late highschool). Everyone wants to believe they will want to travel with you but realistically, most teen/early20's kids will take few if any trips with Mom & Dad.

A final thought: Assuming the kids have drivers licenses and are reasonably responsible, you don't necessarily need a TOAD. The kids could simply drive the other vehicle, so a van or suburban that conveniently handles 6 plus the dogs is easy.

[Campinghoss]

Interesting opinions on this subject. We had tag behinds and a fiver we loved for 14 years. I decided to go from a fiver to dp Monaco 40 ft. A Class A does afford some advantages to your passengers as to getting a snack or hitting the head. For the driver you have to stop to do the head thing. What we found was the new fivers afford much more room when you get to your destination. So I sold the mh and we purchased a fifth wheel and a new dually. My 3/4 ton was not quite enough truck to handle it. Our fiver has auto level so setting up is not that much more than the Class A, yes a little more but not enough to bother me.
Bottom line, different strokes for different folks and it will be your decision to live with.

[Lantley]

Itasca55 wrote:
There's acouple things not mentioned that need to be . Like wife making pop corn in microwave going down the road. Getting you sandwitch etc .. roof air on going down the road
Your up higher in the seat you can see better. Leveling is a push of a button . 5 th wheel to class A is abig difference. Far as ride it should be better in class a if it's not there's issues. Springs, over weight, air bags leaking etc . Only thing that's different is the wind catch's motorhome more . But with good alignment tires and good shocks is key. Having generator on tap is pretty nice . Longer the wheelbase the better ride going down the road . My 2 cents .

Itasca55

If your needing kid room in classA look at a Monaco they full side slide outs .

It's not as simple as just more space. Do class A's have bunk rooms not just beds dedicated for kids?

[Itasca55]

There's acouple things not mentioned that need to be . Like wife making pop corn in microwave going down the road. Getting you sandwitch etc .. roof air on going down the road
Your up higher in the seat you can see better. Leveling is a push of a button . 5 th wheel to class A is abig difference. Far as ride it should be better in class a if it's not there's issues. Springs, over weight, air bags leaking etc . Only thing that's different is the wind catch's motorhome more . But with good alignment tires and good shocks is key. Having generator on tap is pretty nice . Longer the wheelbase the better ride going down the road . My 2 cents .

Itasca55

If your needing kid room in classA look at a Monaco they full side slide outs .

[azdryheat]

Perhaps look at a super-C, like a Dynamax. They're lile a A diesel but with a truck front end. Some, I've heard, can sleep 9.