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Towable versus Motorized RV?

NekkidFish
Explorer
Explorer
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
2014 Coachmen Leprechaun 319DS
Let the adventures begin!
89 REPLIES 89

tatest
Explorer II
Explorer II
I have had both. Towables a long time ago, TT and a popup camper, we would take out to state parks and stay a while, weekends to a couple of weeks. Occasionally used for road trips.

When I retired I got a motorhome, used it six years, most often for road trips, sometimes the two of us, sometimes four to six with kids and grandkids. If they were trips to destinations, we would borrow a car to get around, or rely on family, and sometimes store the RV and stay with family. We also used it for 3-4 day group campouts where we relied on fellow campers for local transportation, or my wife would follow with a car (some of our destinations are as close a 15 miles from home).

Since my wife died a little over two years ago, I've been using the motorhome they way I formerly used a TT. I'll take it to the lake for a few days to a couple of weeks. Now alone, But this means I need to tow a second vehicle to get around, so I am thinking that a towable will be more suitable for me again. So far into the idea that I've purchased a tow vehicle as my daily driver (bad description, since I probably drive fewer than 3 days most weeks) but have not sorted out just what kind of towable I would use the next 5-10 years.

Might even have towable and motorhome, since there is not that much cash value left in an 11 year old motorhome, yet it has so much utility it is worth keeping for the motorhome-suited uses. That would mean getting a small towable for just camping. But if I were to get rid of the motorhome, I would need an larger TT, to cover those road trips and family travel uses that work so well with the motorhome.

So part of deciding is figuring how you are going to use it, what compromises need to be made for occasional other uses, and if you choose a motorhome, whether or not you want to deal with towing or bringing a second vehicle to use for getting around while the motorhome is parked as a house.

Another part of "how do I use it" is do you want to go camping, or do you want a complete house on wheels? Motorhomes tend to be more in the house on wheels category, although there are van conversions (like VW camper) that are less of a house and more of a camper. Towables cover the whole range, from tent in a wheeled box to 300-400 sq ft of fully furnished home, and a whole lot more in between. RVs for more of a camping experience are better covered by small towables, particularly tent trailers and popup campers.

Looking back through the discussion, the way you want to use it, going out to the lake, I would say a towable. This is the use that is moving me back to towable from motorhome. I also see that your "big truck" is more likely a small truck, so you might be looking for a small (22 foot and under) lightweight towable, but for two people who might be doing a lot of things outdoors, that is not a bad size, and it is a growing segment of the RV market with a lot of new models introduced the past few years.
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B

Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Explorer
NekkidFish wrote:
I guess maybe my idea of a big truck might not be spot on. Huh? LOL

Whenever we see family or friends, they ask why we bought such a big truck, so I thought it was big.

After hubby gets home, I will have him pull out the truck info, so we can see what it can or cannot haul.

Now that I've told you how to do it the hard way...here's the EASY way to determine capacity, and as a matter of fact the best:

The GVWR etc. info specific to your exact vehicle should be given on a vehicle info plate that is most often found attached to the inside surface of the driver's side door or door pillar, just below the door latch.

Also:

Be aware that max tow capacities given at the brochure I linked to ALWAYS assume the presence of the optional tow package described therein. Hope you bought that package with the rig...
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien

NekkidFish
Explorer
Explorer
I guess maybe my idea of a big truck might not be spot on. Huh? LOL

Whenever we see family or friends, they ask why we bought such a big truck, so I thought it was big.

After hubby gets home, I will have him pull out the truck info, so we can see what it can or cannot haul.
2014 Coachmen Leprechaun 319DS
Let the adventures begin!

WyoTraveler
Explorer
Explorer
WHOA, I saw in first post you owned a big truck. Now more info is available. You really need to check out your truck and see just what it will tow. The truck you have may or may not be able to do the job. If the truck is too small then you are looking at a bigger truck and an RV. Changes a lot of things.

Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Explorer
NekkidFish wrote:
Francesca Knowles wrote:

Gettin' closer! Just needin' model and year of the Tundra...they're all in the half-ton "class", though.

What year is an important question because tow capacity for Tundras rose quite a bit after 2007 model year. But even now, with newer models having about ten thousand pounds of theoretical capacity, payload limitations will dictate what you can tow. Many fivers' pin weights would exceed that capacity, especially once allowances are made for the family and whatever else goes in/on the truck.


Well, showing my stoopidity, I thought Tundra was the model. Not sure on that.

I do know it is a 2014 and has a V-8.

Does that help?

Here's a link to the brochure for the 2014 Tundra. link

Yours should be listed there according to engine/bed/cab/drive train/axle ratio etc., all of which affect towing capacity. If you can find yours on that page, payload capacity will be given for that unit.

The reason this number is so important has to do with trailer tongue weight (or pin weight on a fiver). Since for stability purposes a minimum of 10% of total trailer weight is expected to be borne by the truck, payload gets eaten up very quickly!
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien

NekkidFish
Explorer
Explorer
deweysmith5 wrote:
My wife retires at the end of this school year and we began looking for a new RV. I was convinced that we would get a motor home, but after last winter in Northern Indiana I refuse to give up my 4x4 truck. With a motor home that would be three vehicles to take care of (we have another high mpg car we would use as a toad and cross country trips). We decided to go with a fiver and a new truck to tow it since our current truck would be too small.


Dewey, I can't even imagine what your winter was like. I am in northern KY and it was brutal here. I'm praying that the Farmers Almanac is wrong, as it shows this coming winter being even worse.

We got here on Thanksgiving Day last year, and the first snow was a few days after that ... And then it seemed like it didn't stop until May. Very hard on this CA gal. LOL

We are also currently shopping for an all terrain that we can attach a snow blade to.

I need to win the lottery! 🙂
2014 Coachmen Leprechaun 319DS
Let the adventures begin!

NekkidFish
Explorer
Explorer
Francesca Knowles wrote:

Gettin' closer! Just needin' model and year of the Tundra...they're all in the half-ton "class", though.

What year is an important question because tow capacity for Tundras rose quite a bit after 2007 model year. But even now, with newer models having about ten thousand pounds of theoretical capacity, payload limitations will dictate what you can tow. Many fivers' pin weights would exceed that capacity, especially once allowances are made for the family and whatever else goes in/on the truck.


Well, showing my stoopidity, I thought Tundra was the model. Not sure on that.

I do know it is a 2014 and has a V-8.

Does that help?
2014 Coachmen Leprechaun 319DS
Let the adventures begin!

deweysmith5
Explorer
Explorer
My wife retires at the end of this school year and we began looking for a new RV. I was convinced that we would get a motor home, but after last winter in Northern Indiana I refuse to give up my 4x4 truck. With a motor home that would be three vehicles to take care of (we have another high mpg car we would use as a toad and cross country trips). We decided to go with a fiver and a new truck to tow it since our current truck would be too small.
2016 Cougar xlite 27rks
2015 Duramax Z71 Silverado
The Wife, The Lab, and sometimes a grandkid or two

Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Explorer
NekkidFish wrote:
Francesca Knowles wrote:

Since you've never owned a truck, I think we all need to know exactly what model/year etc you bought. "Big" being a relative term and all...there's a whole lot of difference, tow capacity-wise, especially since it sounds like you're starting out with a good-sized family to haul too!


The truck isn't here, but I'm pretty sure its a Toyota Tundra 4x4 ... full size bed, and fours doors. It might be a Crewmax, but I'm not sure.

Jules

Gettin' closer! Just needin' model and year of the Tundra...they're all in the half-ton "class", though.

What year is an important question because tow capacity for Tundras rose quite a bit after 2007 model year. But even now, with newer models having about ten thousand pounds of theoretical capacity, payload limitations will dictate what you can tow. Many fivers' pin weights would exceed that capacity, especially once allowances are made for the family and whatever else goes in/on the truck.
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien

NekkidFish
Explorer
Explorer
Francesca Knowles wrote:

Since you've never owned a truck, I think we all need to know exactly what model/year etc you bought. "Big" being a relative term and all...there's a whole lot of difference, tow capacity-wise, especially since it sounds like you're starting out with a good-sized family to haul too!


The truck isn't here, but I'm pretty sure its a Toyota Tundra 4x4 ... full size bed, and fours doors. It might be a Crewmax, but I'm not sure.

Jules
2014 Coachmen Leprechaun 319DS
Let the adventures begin!

NekkidFish
Explorer
Explorer
toedtoes wrote:

how much storage do you need?
Do you want to be able to leave your RV at a site and go into town?
Do you want to tow a boat/motorcycle/atv/etc.?
Where do you want to stay (this requires researching actual places to see if there are size limits, etc.)?
Do you want to stay at RV parks or do you want to stay at more traditional campgrounds?
Do you want to store your RV at home?
Do you want all the comforts of home? Or do you want to change things up?


Storage? Yes, I travel with the kitchen sink.
Tow? No.
Stay? RV parks with hook-ups.
Store? We have tons of room here to store any size.
Comforts? Yes, yes, and yes.

🙂
2014 Coachmen Leprechaun 319DS
Let the adventures begin!

Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Explorer
NekkidFish wrote:
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.

Since you've never owned a truck, I think we all need to know exactly what model/year etc you bought. "Big" being a relative term and all...there's a whole lot of difference, tow capacity-wise, especially since it sounds like you're starting out with a good-sized family to haul too!
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien

toedtoes
Explorer III
Explorer III
TC = Truck Camper. This is a non-motorized camper that slides onto the bed of a pickup. It is usually smaller than other RVs due to the limitations of the bed-size, however they can and do have just as many amenities as other RV types. The biggest benefit is that because the TC is carried by the truck, it has less impact on where you can go than a towable or a motorized RV.

There are so many reasons to choose one over another, but it all depends on how you plan on using it. It also depends on personal preference.

Some questions to ask yourself are:

how much storage do you need?
Do you want to be able to leave your RV at a site and go into town?
Do you want to tow a boat/motorcycle/atv/etc.?
Where do you want to stay (this requires researching actual places to see if there are size limits, etc.)?
Do you want to stay at RV parks or do you want to stay at more traditional campgrounds?
Do you want to store your RV at home?
Do you want all the comforts of home? Or do you want to change things up?
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)

NekkidFish
Explorer
Explorer
Man, you all have given me so much to think about, which I am so appreciative of!

Speed .... Thank you for the breakdown of the various styles and the initials yall use.

What will we use it for. Well, we are in our 50's and hubby still works full-time. I see us using it on the weekends to go to lakes around here ... and then for a week here and there to take a vacation.

We will be traveling with our 4-legged kids, and that wasn't something I was really taking into consideration. When we rented the motor homes, it was convenient, because every one could settle in for the drive, but not be all on top of each other. With a TT or 5er, they would have to be up the truck with us while we are in the road.

However, the negative side to the MH, was not having a toad (see, I'm catching on 🙂 to run an errand or go exploring. We ran into this in Vegas one time, and hubby spent $99 for a rental car because he just had to go hit the strip. ROFL

We are not camping, camping kind of people. We are the kind that will sit up late at night watching a good movie and having an adult beverage .... all after building a little camp fire, just so we act like we are out in the great outdoors!

When looking at the financial side of it, it does appear you get a whole lot more bang for your buck with TT's and 5ers versus a MH.

A lot to think about for sure! I sooooo appreciate all of the things you all are bringing up!

HUGZ! Jules
2014 Coachmen Leprechaun 319DS
Let the adventures begin!

Speedogomer
Explorer
Explorer
PU = Pickup Truck
TT = Travel Trailer
5er = Fifth Wheel RV
MH = Motor home

We use these terms to differentiate the types of RVs. We don't really often call them just "towable RVs" or "motorized RVs" but here's a breakdown.


-PUP= pop-up RV. This is an RV that is towed from the rear of your vehicle and collapses down for towing. The sides when camping are made of canvas. People often buy these as a first RV,or if they have a very small tow vehicle. Some people prefer a PUP as it is similar feel to tent camping which some folks love.

-HTT= Hybrid Travel Trailer RV. This is a small trailer towed from the rear of your vehicle that looks like a regular travel trailer, but has canvas pop outs, generally with a bed that pops out surrounded by canvas. People often buy these as they can be sometimes towed with small vehicles like smaller trucks, and provide quite a bit of room for the size. Some people like the convienence of a trailer with the outdoorsy feel of sleeping under canvas.

TT= travel Trailer. A standard trailer, that is towed from the rear of your vehicle. These are a great all around choice. They require less set up than a HTT or PUP, and offer a huge variety of sizes floor plans and weights. From 14ft long trailers than can be towed by a smaller SUV, to 38ft long monster trailers that need very large trucks to pull.

5er= Fifth wheel RV. A larger RV that is towed from a hitch mounted in the bed of your pick up truck. Typically larger and heavier than an average Travel Trailer. These are not generally bought as a first RV, as they tend to be more expensive and requires generally a larger tow vehicle (3/4 ton or higher trucks). They also come in various sizes and floorplans, except there are very few truly "small" 5ers.

MH= Motorhome. These are your "motorized RVs". They come in a few styles. Class B are small units based off a Van. Class C are your motor homes with a modular box in the rear and a normal vehicle cab (like a van) up front. Class A are t he Motorhome which resemble tour buses, with no resemblance to a van. They tend to be the largest. The cheapest motorhomes are typically as expensive as an extremely expensive TT or higher end 5er. The advantage is they do not require a separate vehicle to tow. Larger Motorhomes can tow what's called a toad, which is a separate vehicle attached to the rear that tows behind the Motorhome and is unhitched at the campsite to drive around in.

Everyone has preferences, all have positives and negatives.
2016 Ram 1500 Big Horn, "Katy"
2014 Outback Terrain 260trs "Alice"
2011 French Bulldog Shelter adopted edition, "Roscoe"
1982 DW, "Rachel"
2016 DD "Harper", the newest lil camper.