Towable versus Motorized RV?

[NekkidFish]

Hi everybody! I have posted here in the past, but it was when we were renting RVs. Now, after renting RVs over the years, we have decided to buy.

I always thought we would buy a motorized RV. However, we now own a large truck, and could get a towable RV.

Is there anyone who used to have a motorized RV, and now have a towable RV? If so, which do you prefer and why?

Or, reverse the question ... Did you used to have a towable and now have a motorized? Same questions.

Thanks bunches! Jules

[gbopp]

NekkidFish wrote:
PU? MH? 5er?

Sorry. Real new to this.

Thanks! Jules

Here's a list of RV Acronyms to get you started.

I like a motorized unit because everything is available while traveling. It's especially nice when you run into a long traffic jam, the toilet, food, drinks, etc. is easily available without leaving the unit. JMO

[Boxer_Lovers]

We've owned a pull trailer, class c, class a gas, fifth wheels, up to a 40' d.p. We prefer a large fifth wheel for extended living. If you travel more, then a m.h. may suit your needs.

[lanerd]

I think a lot of it has to do with what you want the unit for. We had a pop-up and a 25' TT and did a LOT of "camping". By that I mean we went and stayed in the forest next to lakes, rivers, and streams and did a lot of fishing, hiking, and just enjoying the pines and wild life. Yes, inclement weather did create some problems for us, but those were far and few in between and really wasn't that big of a deal. We really enjoy those two units and would do it over again if the same circumstances prevailed.

However, when our kids got to the point to where they either didn't have the time or just plain wasn't interested anymore, our rv'ing lifestyle changed with it. We found that we want4ed to travel more and see the parts of this great country that we haven't had the opportunity to spend time at.

So we felt that a motor home was much more suited to this type of "rv'ing" and pretty much left the "camping" part of it for our past. We are currently on our second Mh and have made trips all over the western US including BC, Alberta, and even Alaska. We have future plans on heading to the east coast and even up into the NE Canadian Provinces.

Traveling with a MH and toad suits our current needs just as much as our PU and TT did when we were doing a lot of camping. We typically only stay at commercial rv parks rather than state, fed, or provincial campgrounds...mainly due to the fact that our 43' Mh just isn't suited for those small roads and campsites. We have our MH set up much like our home with all the nice things to have including satellite TV, washer and dryer, dishwasher, king size bed, fireplace, two bathrooms, etc. With four large slide outs we have over 400 sq ft of living space that makes it almost like home.

So, think about what you want to do with your rv and I think you will have a better idea of what type to get.

Ron

[2112]

We rented for years as well. We used an A, C, travel trailer and pop up in the past before we bought or 1st. Since then we have owned a pop up, long travel trailer and now a 5th wheel. They all have their pros and cons. The con for us with an A or C was not having a toad, a small vehicle you tow along. I have the tow vehicle so we now own a 5th wheel. It works for us.

[RoyB]

With the Motorhomes you will most likely need to also tow a small vehicle behind it to get around in. Can't just have a motorhome unless you want to break camp and go get supplies etc... You won't have that problem if you are towing a trailer...

Some folks that don't want to tow another vehicle will play the game of using two vehicles on the road following each other on the trip.

We never did much with our big 5th wheel trailer but we really love our smaller off-road POPUP trailer. Been to alot of places with it all over the East Coast and South down to the Gulf States and as far West as Okla and Texas.... Our love is the high country along the NORTH part of southern states in the mountain areas of NC and GA/ALA etc. All of our roads trips go through Gatlinburg TN Smoky Mtns (going and coming back)...

Moving our whole house to go camping just never fit good with us. If we was just traveling around the country alot then the more you carry with you would make more sense I guess...

We just want to get back off-the-road in our favorite places to stay a couple of weeks an come back home then... We are not DIE HARD CAMPERS and do carry all the comforts of home with us. We are those guys down the dirt trail with the lit-up camp site watching NCIS on the HDTV after we have gotten back from doing our hiking or fishing or just enjoying the outdoors during the day.. Got a big ole steak on the grill cooking up good...

Everyone has their own way of enjoying themselves I reckon...

Roy Ken`

[NekkidFish]

PU? MH? 5er?

Sorry. Real new to this.

Thanks! Jules

[WyoTraveler]

I owned a 34 ft 1989 Fleetwood Pace Arrow MH, a 2000 F250 diesel PU and a 2001 Alpenlite Augusta 32RL 5ver, a 2012 Jayco 19RD TT, and now a 2013 Monaco Monarch MH.

It is just a personal preference. I prefer the MH because it is easier to walk around and not have to get out of the PU and go back to the 5ver. Especially in inclement weather. I like the MH being kept at a comfortable temp while on the road. In the 5ver in the winter I ran the furnace on the road but in the summer, although I had a propane generator, it was expensive to run and used up the small tank of propane on the road to keep the 5ver cool. If you have a PU I would buy a 5ver. If you buy a MH you'll need a toad. Check them all out and add up all the $$$$$. Buy and pay what you are comfortable with. I don't think I would sell a good PU just to get into a MH over a 5ver.

[NekkidFish]

Langley, we have never owned a truck. However, we moved from CA to KY last year, and after the winter from hell, we decided a big 4-wheel drive was much needed. LOL

I have a lot to learn, but hope by next spring we are on our way to some fabulous campsite by a lake! 🙂

[Lantley]

I think the fact that you already own a big truck is an incentive to get a towable unit. Be sure to pick a towable that matches the capabilities of your truck.
I do believe towables a generally cheaper to buy and motorized are generally more convenient to use
I never considered a motorized unit because I need/have a truck for other purposes already.

[NekkidFish]

Tom, I am using the search feature, and putting in things like 'towable versus motorized' or 'motor home versus fifth wheel' and the search comes up with no results. I will keep searching, but so far I'm not having much luck.

Thanks! Jules

[2oldman]

TT or 5er?
5er vs TT Aug2011
5er vs MH 2012
5er to Class A 2013

[NekkidFish]

Campfire Time, thank you for that information! Those are the type of things I need to think about. As I said, I never thought about us getting a towable, so now that option is viable, I need to open my mind!

HuGz! Jules

[wildtoad]

Since you already have the large truck, I would go with the towable/fifth wheel. You will have better use of the space. We opted for the unit we have as we did NOT want a big truck, the 30ft size is easy to drive and park, and setting up is a 5 minute task, and don't have to get out in the rain to go from driver seat to living space.

[ncrowley]

There have been a LOT of discussion on this topic in various forums. You can use the search feature to find these discussions, and you will get a lot of information. People have changed both ways and for different reasons. What works for you is based on how you use the RV and the amount of money you have to spend.

[Campfire_Time]

While I have not owned a motor home, I can definitively say that we will always have a towable. For 2 main reasons. One is that care and maintenance of a towable is a fraction of the cost and time of a motorized RV. The second is usability/drivability. In many places it hard to park a motor home.

But those are my reasons. Many people own motor homes and would never consider a towable.