5th wheel vs Class A - which is better for US?

[Acei]

We will be full-timing by the time we purchase this unit.

We will most likely to look for places to stay for 2 - 4 weeks at a time, and look for scenic or trails to hike around frequently. This means lots of driving around the camping site, perhaps up to 100 miles radius or more during the stay. We will do this throughout the year, at least for the first couple of years.

So far, our thoughts is to get a diesel puckup (3500 series) dually and one of DRV, Excel or Lifestyle.

But I'm beginning to wonder if I'm better off with a Class A + a economy toad vehicle since we plan to move quite frequently?

What would be the pros and cons for each setup for our case?

[John_Joey]

Acei wrote:
We will be full-timing by the time we purchase this unit.

We will most likely to look for places to stay for 2 - 4 weeks at a time, and look for scenic or trails to hike around frequently. This means lots of driving around the camping site, perhaps up to 100 miles radius or more during the stay. We will do this throughout the year, at least for the first couple of years.

So far, our thoughts is to get a diesel puckup (3500 series) dually and one of DRV, Excel or Lifestyle.

But I'm beginning to wonder if I'm better off with a Class A + a economy toad vehicle since we plan to move quite frequently?

What would be the pros and cons for each setup for our case?

I've own both and PT in both. I will tell you my vote would be for the 5'ver. Yes having a dully as a daily driver will be a pain at times, but the increase in living comfort will be worth it. The other reasons would be that the truck will be driven daily which is a good thing. Leaving a MH sit for a month or longer will create issues (especially around salt air.) Last but not least is the fact that having two parts mean you can upgrade each one if the need arises. Having a MH means you need to swap out the whole thing, just to get one half right.

[hone_eagle]

pronstar wrote:
I'm just not seeing how a fiver takes an hour to get unhitched...it's like a 2-minute dealio.

Anybody who takes that long to unhitch should be stepping down to a MH. 🙂

[pronstar]

I'm just not seeing how a fiver takes an hour to get unhitched...it's like a 2-minute dealio.

[Pauljdav]

msmith1199 wrote:

Pauljdav wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
While you are setting up the 5ver, I'll push the level button, run out the slide and have a beer and watch you out in the weather doing your thing.

Is that the same weather that the 5th wheel owner will be enjoying drinking his beer while you unhook your toad to go to the store because you need something from the store?

5th wheels have built in groceries that Class A's don't have?

No toad to disconnect when you need something. The class a owner enjoyed his beer while the 5th owner was setting up. Now it is time for the 5th owner to have his beer while the class a owner disconnects the toad.

Paul

[Jim_Shoe]

Because I'm a solo RVer, I drive a MH and pull a toad. The biggest reason is that, if I have to take a back-in site, I can unhook the toad and back the MH into a spot while watching both back corners. Pulling a TT or 5er, as soon as I would turn the TV's wheel, one of the corners would disappear from my mirrors. FWIW, a backin has happened exactly once since 2004.
But the icing on the cake is being in the same vehicle that has the bathroom when its pouring rain outside or I'm in a horrendous traffic jam, and both have happened.

[et2]

dbbls wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
While you are setting up the 5ver, I'll push the level button, run out the slide and have a beer and watch you out in the weather doing your thing.

Level up systems are available on 5er now so push button set is not an exclusive for motor homes. Motor homes are nice to travel in, 5er's are nice to live in when you get there. It seems like there are more floor plan choices in a 5er than motor homes.

Exactly. Motor homes have all the same hoses and cords to stow away prior to departure. I can unhook my fiver faster than a motor home having to unhook their tow vehicle and then back the MH in. Hit the leveler button and done. Everything from there on out is the same.

[John_S_]

The idea of a Highline Motorhome and a jeep might be the best choice. The highline coaches have much more water and grey and black tank space aswell as the other benefits as mentioned. I have 110 gallons of water and 80 black and 110 grey. I can eaily go two weks before dumping.

[msmith1199]

Pauljdav wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
While you are setting up the 5ver, I'll push the level button, run out the slide and have a beer and watch you out in the weather doing your thing.

Is that the same weather that the 5th wheel owner will be enjoying drinking his beer while you unhook your toad to go to the store because you need something from the store?

5th wheels have built in groceries that Class A's don't have?

[msmith1199]

Bird Freak wrote:

robatthelake wrote:
If there was a perfect RV for everyone there would be no choices! Each type has its own pluses and minuses.
For Us that decision was based upon the following!

On a trip down the Baja while Listening to " Welcome to the Hotel California"

A new line was added to the lyrics!

I have to Pee!

Those of You who are over 60 and have driven this stretch of road will relate! There is nothing resembling a "Rest Area...No Pullouts..Steep inclines...narrow Road...Boulder Fields!!!

In short there. Is No Place to pull over with that 37 Foot Long 102 Inch wide Trailer and The Four Door Truck!

Nuff Said!

What do you do when the driver has to pee?

When traveling long distance in the car our time between stops is dictated by the size of my wife's bladder. With the Class A it is dictated by the size of my bladder. Now we can do about 50 miles longer between stops! 🙂

[ol_Bombero-JC]

.

ONLY *you* can pick the right answer!

Based on a myriad number of factors as to which would be better.
(Most of which we don't know).

No matter which you choose, you will be towing "something".

Good luck drawing straws..:B

~

[2gypsies1]

We full-timed for 8 years in a 33' 5th wheel with one slide. Friends got us hooked on 4-wheeling and it was time for a new RV anyway so we got our 40' motorhome and Jeep. We never did like driving the big diesel truck around but we have absolutely loved the fun we've had in the Jeep and met so many other 4-wheelers out there on the trails and made some very good friends through it.

Both the 5th wheel and the motorhome served us well but if we get another RV it will either be a motorhome or a Class C. In the end - it's all up to the way you want to RV and what your interests are. Good luck!

[Bird_Freak]

Pauljdav wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
While you are setting up the 5ver, I'll push the level button, run out the slide and have a beer and watch you out in the weather doing your thing.

Is that the same weather that the 5th wheel owner will be enjoying drinking his beer while you unhook your toad to go to the store because you need something from the store?

The leveling thing was a good point in the past but not today.

[Bird_Freak]

robatthelake wrote:
If there was a perfect RV for everyone there would be no choices! Each type has its own pluses and minuses.
For Us that decision was based upon the following!

On a trip down the Baja while Listening to " Welcome to the Hotel California"

A new line was added to the lyrics!

I have to Pee!

Those of You who are over 60 and have driven this stretch of road will relate! There is nothing resembling a "Rest Area...No Pullouts..Steep inclines...narrow Road...Boulder Fields!!!

In short there. Is No Place to pull over with that 37 Foot Long 102 Inch wide Trailer and The Four Door Truck!

Nuff Said!

What do you do when the driver has to pee?

[Pauljdav]

Tom/Barb wrote:
While you are setting up the 5ver, I'll push the level button, run out the slide and have a beer and watch you out in the weather doing your thing.

Is that the same weather that the 5th wheel owner will be enjoying drinking his beer while you unhook your toad to go to the store because you need something from the store?

[msmith1199]

You already know the main issue you are worried about and that's getting around in the giant monster truck. Personally, I have a Class A DP and for the way I use it it's the best for me and my wife. If I was going to full time, I would likely consider a 5th wheel. The only draw back is I share your concern about the every day driving vehicle being the giant one ton dually truck. That's up to you to decide if it's workable or not.