Now retired: Pulling a camper, or, driving a motorhome????

[LewTeam]

Ok, here's the point of my post. About 15 years ago my uncle made a statement to me that when I retired I would need to look more to owning a motorhome because it is too difficult to climb into a large pickup and also to pull a travel trailer or 5th wheel. I now have enough aches and pains to certainly understand where he is coming from. But I just wanted to get a feel from those who know best, you who have been at it for awhile. Anyone here started with a TT or 5ver and wished a thousand times that you had bought a motorhome? Thanks.

[wbwood]

samuraitowd wrote:
We like the motorhome because we don't have to leave the rig to use the bathroom, hit the fridge or make lunch or even stop for the night. We can take a smaller, easier vehicle because we can tow it. Many times on the way to AZ we stop at Boulder Dam Lodge, push out the slide, make a cocktail and a little dinner, and that's all we have to do until the morning walk-around.

Ditto...We've had a pop up, TT and now a motorhome. I ujsed to argue that a towable with a truck was better than a motorhome. But then I woke up...lol Seriously. It's all preference. Here's our take.

We are not retired, but camping time is valuable to us, due to both of us working. And with that, I have to work weekends every other month. So keeping things simple works better for us. Thus why we prefer the motorhome. As samuraitowd mentioned, being able to move around is a plus. We also like the fact that when it's raining and get to our location, that we can pull in, set the emergency brake and do whatever we need to do. We don't have to worry about going outside the unit and getting wet. During normal good weather arrivals, it's actually easier to set up than with the TT. Having the bathroom quickly available is a big help too. Our motorhome doesn't have leveling jacks, but if you get one that does, even better.

Like I said, I would defend the towable up and down one side and back up the other. But I have realized the motorhome is easier, simpler and better for us.

However, you need to look at what you want. Do any of the things I mentioned appeal to you? Also, what will be your RV style? Are you gonna go and stay in one place a month or so at a time? If so, get a truck and big fifth wheel and have all the room in the world. If you plan to move around a good bit, not staying longer than a week or two in one place, then you might start looking more towards something simpler like a motorhome.

[azjeffh]

Wife wanted nothing to do with a MH. Made our decision easier.

There is no correct answer, other than what works for you.

[samuraitowd]

We like the motorhome because we don't have to leave the rig to use the bathroom, hit the fridge or make lunch or even stop for the night. We can take a smaller, easier vehicle because we can tow it. Many times on the way to AZ we stop at Boulder Dam Lodge, push out the slide, make a cocktail and a little dinner, and that's all we have to do until the morning walk-around.

[malexander]

tenbear wrote:

malexander wrote:
Wife likes being able to get up & move around while under way. Can also start a meal or make coffee, while on the move.

I don't know what the laws are in your state, but in Vermont, and I believe many other states, driver and passengers must have their seat belts on when on the road.

Maybe if they're ahead of a certain point in the coach.
I drive a charter bus part time. Nobody, except the driver an/or the person in the jump seat (if equipped) is required to be belted in. Passengers mill about, go the BR at will.
So, I dunno

[wbwood]

tenbear wrote:

malexander wrote:
Wife likes being able to get up & move around while under way. Can also start a meal or make coffee, while on the move.

I don't know what the laws are in your state, but in Vermont, and I believe many other states, driver and passengers must have their seat belts on when on the road.

You are also usually supposed to drive the speed limit, signal before changing lanes and etc....

[tenbear]

malexander wrote:
Wife likes being able to get up & move around while under way. Can also start a meal or make coffee, while on the move.

I don't know what the laws are in your state, but in Vermont, and I believe many other states, driver and passengers must have their seat belts on when on the road.

[wbwood]

We've had a pop up camper, a 35' long TT and now a 32' long Class C motorhome. By far the best of them is the Class C. What makes it better to us? Simplicity. It's easier to set up and to drive. I used to argue about a towable is better than motorhome, until I a got a motorhome. When we take off in the RV, the last thing I want to do is work. And the motorhome is less work. If cost was an issue, then I would have a towable for sure. Nothing wrong with that. They each have their good points and their bad points. You just gotta weight them. And don't set your mind on one thing and just go that way. Really look a them with unbiased eyes.

[Grit_dog]

Thinking ahead to my future first world problems, I'd likely go pickup/5ver toy hauler.
That combo for us would be best cause I don't plan on quitting motorsports and cant live without a decent compliment of tools. Hence the toyhauler part. With this combo 4wd is an easy option, and necessary for us.
The one downside is not being self contained, but having the utility of a pickup for day trips, daily driver, less cylinders to maintain lol and ability to hook onto other things like a boat either as a double or single trailer outweigh the motorhome advantages at this point.
I'll check back in 10-15 years and let you know what I decided! Hahahha

[malexander]

We've bee RVing or 35 years.
Had 2 5er's, for a very short time. Then a class C with a slide, had this for 10 years, Traded it for a 38' 5er with 1 1/2 bath, 3 slides. Missed the motorhome the first trip out with the 5er. Now we're on our 2nd (hopefully the last for a while) MH, 38', 3 slides, DP.
Wife likes being able to get up & move around while under way. Can also start a meal or make coffee, while on the move.

One thing that's important to me is moving the RV around at home. The MH is much easier to move around. Don't have to hookup or move a trailer around. Just get in it & go.

[wbwood]

Jim Shoe wrote:
I can only think of one reason to pull a toad behind a MH, because its my situation. I'm a single RVer so I drive the toad up to the MH. I could probably back a truck up to a 5er but I don't think I could back a truck or car up to a TT without a spotter.

Easier than you think and the more you do it, the easier it gets. The 3 years we had the TT, my wife might of spotted me once or twice and it was of no help. Much easier to die it myself.

[Valbego]

My family has graduated through the levels of camping/RVing. We started tent camping then moved to a pop-up, then moved to a travel trailer and now have a class c motorhome. The main thing is to find out what works best for you (money, workload, preparation, etc.) and what you anticipate in the future. Our schedules are pretty tight, so the less prior trip and at location preparation time was more important to us. There is an assessment tool found on a webpage called My RV Selector dot com; or just type into a google search it may help in your quest.

[koda55]

We prefer a class A. Started out with a 2005 35 ft 2 slide bedroom and I slide living room. It was a gasser. We now have a 2008 41 foot dp with 4 slides. We tow a Chevy HHR. We park the rv and then use the car to travel to see the sites we want to see.
Our daughters bought a 26 ft tt and after one year traded it in for a 33 ft class C with one side. They are very happy with it. Since they go to the same places we go. They use our car when they need to go to the store. Other wise we go to see the same sites. I think you will know what you really want when you walk in and the floor plan says yep we are home.

[JWRoberts]

I'm retired and we fulltimed for a year. My preferences in order are TT, 5W, MH.

I recently purchased my 4th TT and have always had a topper on my truck so I have as much storage as most 5th wheels and some motor homes.

Motor homes are expensive, you must always have a front living, you must pull a toad and you have a home and motor vehicle together to service. With just a little practice and with backup cameras, one can hitch a TT or 5er almost as quickly as a toad.

[garmp]

Lew,
It depends on what you want to do and the retirement life style you want. Taking the expense out of the equation and going on strictly wants and likes: Do you want to travel to point A, set-up and spend some time and then move on. I would say an A is for you. Or do you want to travel to point A, set-up, tour the area, spend some time, see what's around the next bend and then move on. You'd be hard pressed to do so in an A. That is just my opinion. I'm a B'er, so my travel style is different, that every day is an adventure to us. Always seeking the next new vista.