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.

[LewTeam]

Excellent responses! Very practical for our situation. Thanks everyone.

[webslave]

We've (I've) towed bumper pulls and fivers. We now have a MH and will never go back.

The MH is completely self contained the minute we get in and close the door. We travel ~300 miles per day and with 150 gallon tank, we only need to fuel every 3 days. If we pull in late, the wife hits auto level while I plug in...have water and waste tanks that will last us four days if needed. Pouring down rain? Not an issue, we can sit tight and wait it out, fire up the generator and life is good; all without setting foot outside. The towed that we use rides much better than any truck we've ever owned and is cheaper to own, operate and insure.

Biggest reason? The DW will drive our MH...she won't tow anything. We are getting to the age where something could happen to me (I have both types of arthritis) and it is easy for me to damage or strain a joint leaving her "holding the bag". I asked her what she would do if anything happened to me...she said that the trailer could be found sitting on the side of the road with a For Sale sign with instructions to call her on her cell at Motel X down the street... We now own something both of us are comfortable using and the MH is much more comfortable to ride in the view "from on high" are truly spectacular.

[Lynnmor]

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.

They have rear view cameras now, not a problem.

[bikendan]

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.

i back my HTT all the time by myself.
used the pair of magnetic yellow ball antennas from Harbor Freight at the beginning.
now i no longer use them. i can get close enough now and get out just one or two times to get it perfect.

[et2]

We've had all. Including a long bed dually. Never wanted a MH. We've owned one for 3 years now. We'll never go back to a truck trailer combo.

[toedtoes]

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.

I did just that for 3 years. I used a magnetic mirror on the hitch to help me line it up. It got to the point where I could hitch up easier without a spotter than with one.

[Jim_Shoe]

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.

[wbwood]

A 5th wheel will be the most difficult climbing up and in. TT can be just as bad. It also depends on the motorhome. Class C's sit lower than Class A's generally. Some truth I guess, but a lot of opinion.

[tenbear]

What Steeljag said, and I have had both. Truck and trailer and a Class C MH.

[Steeljag]

As a Truck / trailer family, I can say that hooking, and unhooking a toad from a class A or C is much easier / faster than a truck / trailer combo. I have no real issue with the time it takes to hitch / unhitched with the equalizer bars ( I'm in no hurry) but it is not fun in the rain / cold / heat.

Having direct acces to the kitchen and restroom also seems to be a great advantage. Also, the safety aspect of staying over night at a rest stop / parking lot with direct access to the driver seat and driving away is a big advantage.

Good luck !

[wa8yxm]

Motor____ (all motor vehicles, Cars, Trucks, RV's Boats, Cycles, Scooters) like to be driven from time to time,, If you are planing on parking it and not moving it for years on end.. Trailer (no motor so much more forgiving of long term parking) That said I'm parked for at least 3 years without moving, but the first thing that will happen after I move this rig is a new engine. (Why I am parked for so long)

Page 2: If you plan on "Seeing the USA in your Chevrolet powered RV" (or Ford, or Dodge, Or Cummins, Or Detroit Diesel, or _____ (Too many to list)____)

Well, A decent size motor home pulling a towed gets about 8 -10 MPG.
A decent size Pickup Pulling a decent size trailer.. About the same.

Same pick up without the trailer, 16-20 MPG
The towed, unhooked from the motor home 30-40 for many today.

Plus the car is easier to park and wiggle through traffic. than the big pickup.

Most of the time you will be driving to events, shows, stores, attractions, church, and restaurants, NOT campground to campground.. Thus the Motor home with towed makes sense.

BUT only if you are going to drive it often enough.

NOTE: if you do as I did the first couple years of motor home ownership (5) And park at home for the winter....

Modify both.. On my motor home is a 30 amp twist lock outlet,, It is in a weatherproof location. (Basement compartment high on the back wall)

On my house was a matching INLET, also weather protected (proper inlet from Lowes or Home Depot)

Inside the house was a professionally installed Generator Transfer Panel

When I came home on New Year's Eve (Baby it's cold outside) I found Frosty the air-blown inflatable snowman sleeping on the job (Was supposed to be inflated) I went to basement, got long cord, pluged outlet on cord onto inlet on hosue and twisted to lock, Uncoiling cord as I walked I walked to the RV and plugged in that end.. On into the RV and get out the Gen-Turi and hook it up, then back inside and push the buttons to start the Generator (parked with full fuel tank by the way) Once transfer happened back to the basement.

Click Lights
CLick Furnace
Click (Several clicks in fact) Fridge, Freezer, More lights, Computers and internet, Television and radio.

Upstairs and turn on a hall light NOT on the transfer panel.. It remained dark.

Hours later, as we sat there in a nice warm, well lit house, the hall light came on.
Back to basement, click everything back to mains Back to Motor home shut down generator, Leave cord for next power fail (Which by the way happened).

Very nice. Turns out I used only about half my generator's output (5500 watt) amazed at how little I needed to be comfortable.

[LewTeam]

Just wanted to express my gratitude to everyone for the excellent replies you've given us. I am enjoying reading each one and I am learning a lot. Don't know exactly when we will take the plunge. Still trying to get our new (to us) house somewhat homey right now. But as things do progress I may provide some feedback about our journey. Thanks again. And, remember, "Where there's a will (to camp) - There's a way (to camp)."

[Campinghoss]

We have had several TT's and a fifth wheel and now a Class A. It really boils down to what you are going to do with it. I am retired and my wife retires in 48 months. When we transferred our stuff from the fifth wheel to the MH we had space left over. It is easier to set up and break down camp than the fifth wheel was. Cost is more but not by a gigantic amount.

You will and are getting a lot of different opinions but you and your better half will have to decide what best fits your current and future lifestyle.

To answer your question directly, we are very satisfied with our MH and our belief is it will be easier as we age to travel in.

[toedtoes]

I don't think a pickup is a bad idea, but I know for my dad, he was unable to pull himself up, and like you with the cadillac, having to get low to the ground was difficult. And he only had the one "automobile", so he didn't have options as to what he could drive under what circumstances. If you have multiple autos, then that issue is likely moot.

[Allworth]

I will be 75 this year and due to severe scoliosis have a handicap parking placard. We own three vehicles available for daily use:

2004 Chevy Silverado 3500 Diesel/Allison crew cab long bed (the beast)

2014 Jeep Patriot Limited with all options

2013 Cadillac CTS sedan (which we inherited last year from my wife's mother)

I find the big pickup causes less ache and pain when driving, even just around town. The Cadillac is so close to the ground that I feel like I have to climb down into it and then pull myself back up when getting out.

The Jeep is a nice height, but the driver's space is "compact". Not really too small, but no room to stretch or really get comfortable. There is just something about the shape, slope, or something about the seat back that gives me lower back pain after about a half hour of driving. I continue to try to find some combination that doesn't do that, but so far no luck.

The truck is BIG! I pull a 14,000 pound fiver with it and it is quite competent in the high country of Colorado. You do however need an airfield to make a U-Turn. As for getting in and out; it is equipped with wide, flat running boards and a grab handle above the driver's door to help pull up. Driving position is upright and well supported and the controls in a pickup are designed to be used while wearing work gloves so everything is well laid out and easy to reach.

I can drive it all day (well, six hours or so) without my back bothering me.

Obviously what is comfortable for me may not apply at all to your situation, but I wanted to point out that not all of us find a big pickup to be a bad idea.

A