Wind - 5er vs MH

[YakFishMo]

So, I'm sitting here in my 5er in a large field type of RV park. The winds are 20 MPH and gusting to 30 or so. My 5er is 40 feet long, 16,000 pounds, 3 slides with toppers, level up system with 6 hydraulic rams. There has been a lot of bumping sounds, rumbling, roaring and rocking. The winds are mostly hitting us broadside. Overall, I think we are handling the winds well. We are full timers as of July and the DW does not like being without a car and refuses to drive the dually. She thinks she would be happier with a MH and toad. She is also very nervous about the wind, shaking, noise, etc. My question to those of you that have had both 5ers and MH's, do they differ in how they handle wind? And, I'm looking for both drive-ability and sitting still.
Thanks!

[ncrowley]

If you stay 3 weeks at a stop, that would not pull you toward a fifth wheel. If you stay all summer at one spot, I would get a fifth wheel. If you move every three weeks, I would consider a coach.

[Vet_Man]

I think that with a MH you could quickly move behind a bld. if the wind got to bad. Would not have to go to the truck and be outside hooking up to move. I also like the idea if I am at a rest area I can get out of there if needed without going outside.

[YakFishMo]

What we like to do is stay 3 or more weeks in each location and thoroughly explore the area before moving on. So that does sound more like a fiver, huh? I know, that's why we went that way.
I forgot, we also must have a residential refrigerator. We've been spoiled by the 18 cu. ft. one that we now have!

[DSDP_Don]

I agree with "rocmoc"....While driving our 36'DP in the iwnd, it got pushed around some while our friends towing a 36' fifth wheel hardly moved. When parked, we were plenty stable.

With that said, we now have a 40' DP with a tag and Comfort Steer. We drove through some high/sustained broadside winds while travelling to Mesa Verde and Monument Valley and hardly noticed.

Your search for the exact floor plan you're looking for may be a difficult task and will most likely only be found in a fifth wheel, especially if you need a lot of storage.

[Ivylog]

Oh boy, four months FT and the DW is not happy with the rig. Doubt a gasser MH will have the CCC you need or the stability you are wanting. If you switch go with a used tag axle DP as winds or CCC (9,000 lbs) are not a problem. At 40,000 lbs trucks, cross winds, or sitting still it does not know there is a problem. Good Luck

[rgatijnet1]

YakFishMo wrote:
Thanks y'all! That's what I'm looking for. Wind won't sway me, but there are other things. For one, I'm over weight on my fiver. I may dread saying this because the weight police will jump in here! LOL! So, we need more storage capability. We've already looked at slimming down and it is not possible.
The reason we decided on a fiver is because we like space. We like counter space for meal prep. We like being able to kick back in our recliners and watching our flat screen TV directly across from us. Many MH's have the TV at the front of the coach, no recliners, etc. So finding the right floor plan would be key. Since we are full-timers, there can be little to no compromise. Must have a washer and dryer, 1 1/2 baths, counter space, large kitchen sinks, recliners or sofa's with ottomans, king size bed, ceiling fan in the living area as well as the bedroom. Tall order, huh? Due to our requirements, we'll have to go used because we are not rich. Any recommendations? We are going to slowly study the pros and cons and see what is right for us. Thanks again!

If you tend to stay in one location for an extended period of time, I think your 5r is the best bet.
Class A's really shine when you move around a lot and you just want to pull in and relax, especially when it is pouring down rain, in which case you do not have to go outside at all until the rain stops. You just fire up the generator and you can cook your meals and watch TV and stay dry.
Now if you travel a lot from your parking place, a toad will get better mileage than a dually.

[YakFishMo]

Thanks y'all! That's what I'm looking for. Wind won't sway me, but there are other things. For one, I'm over weight on my fiver. I may dread saying this because the weight police will jump in here! LOL! So, we need more storage capability. We've already looked at slimming down and it is not possible.
The reason we decided on a fiver is because we like space. We like counter space for meal prep. We like being able to kick back in our recliners and watching our flat screen TV directly across from us. Many MH's have the TV at the front of the coach, no recliners, etc. So finding the right floor plan would be key. Since we are full-timers, there can be little to no compromise. Must have a washer and dryer, 1 1/2 baths, counter space, large kitchen sinks, recliners or sofa's with ottomans, king size bed, ceiling fan in the living area as well as the bedroom. Tall order, huh? Due to our requirements, we'll have to go used because we are not rich. Any recommendations? We are going to slowly study the pros and cons and see what is right for us. Thanks again!

[wa8yxm]

Gusts in the 45 range per NOAA, my Class A is rocking and rolling a bit but .. Well, all 4 corners are still properly on the ground. Awning is holding up (neighbor not so lucky) and I've finished winterizing my water supply so when the mercury goes down the hose lights up.

[WyoTraveler]

I do think weight has a lot to do with getting blown around. The bigger the side facing the wind the higher the pressure you will have though. All that said, I have had a bumper pull TT and a 5ver where I didn't feel the rocking in the PU. I just heard the noise. It was still moving around but never felt it as much. In a MH you are sitting in the box that the wind is hitting. Last year I was in 60 mph cross winds and doing less than 40 mph. Not comfy at all. 35 mph crosswinds yesterday running about 60 mph. Not too bad. I wouldn't let high winds determine my purchase. You can always pull over and park with high winds. BTW, notice all those tie downs in 5vers for tables and chairs? They don't have them in MHs.

[Ductape]

Agree the MH is almost always heavier for the same length. We've had both, and been concerned a few times in wind storms in each. Experienced a nasty one at night this spring out west that had me considering repositioning to be end on to the wind.
That's another plus for the MH you can reposition without going outside, at least as long as you're not hooked up, and we hardly ever are.

[rocmoc]

Just my personal experience! Owned a 36' 5er Toyhauler, weight 19,000 lbs. Now own 36' DP Motorhome class A, weight 29,000 lbs. The Toyhauler was easier to pull in the wind but the Motorhome is more stable parked. Both of us prefer the Motorhome & toad.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[rgatijnet1]

YakFishMo wrote:
So, I'm sitting here in my 5er in a large field type of RV park. The winds are 20 MPH and gusting to 30 or so. My 5er is 40 feet long, 16,000 pounds, 3 slides with toppers, level up system with 6 hydraulic rams. There has been a lot of bumping sounds, rumbling, roaring and rocking. The winds are mostly hitting us broadside. Overall, I think we are handling the winds well. We are full timers as of July and the DW does not like being without a car and refuses to drive the dually. She thinks she would be happier with a MH and toad. She is also very nervous about the wind, shaking, noise, etc. My question to those of you that have had both 5ers and MH's, do they differ in how they handle wind? And, I'm looking for both drive-ability and sitting still.
Thanks!

For the same 40' length Class A coach I am guessing that it will be around twice as heavy. Not saying that a 40' coach can't be rocked also with high crosswinds but I believe it will be more stable just because of the weight alone. I've driven my Class A in winds gusting to 50 MPH. How does your 5r tow in those conditions?