boobdocking - M'home or 5er?

[jhamlin]

My wife & I are planning to be fulltimers soon, and will be doing alot of dispersed & BLM camping out West. I plan to install a sizable solar setup so we can operate pretty much independently for several weeks at a time. My question has to do with maintenance costs. Would a 5er, say 32ft, along with tow truck, be less expensive to maintain than lets say a 37ft class-A motor home & toad? As for the initial purchasing costs, it looks like we could get into a used MH for the same price as a used 5er & tow vehicle (say 50 grand for example). A consideration for us is mobility - the wife has good old "arthur" and one bad knee that will need to be replaced down the road, so that's a plus for the MH option, but I'm wary of a resultant increase in maintenance costs.

Jim

[daveshan]

I'd say smaller 5er with a 4wd/SRW truck. We do mostly boondocking in our 37' motor home but are somewhat limited in just how far off the beaten path we can go, my good Jeepin' buddy with a ~32' 5er can drag it down roads that limit me to the truck camper.

[portscanner]

Well, for Boobdocking you would be better off with a truck camper. Then you can get on the beach - the best place for boobdocking.

Sry - couldnt pass up on it.

[wintersun]

It is much easier to back a 30' motorhome into the average western states campsite than a 30' trailer. I have been impressed in particular by the Class B+ Phoenix MH (built on the Ford E-450 chassis) with the double slide-outs.

The 5th wheel trailers will require a heavy duty vehicle and involve a lot more steps everytime your wife goes in and out as well as getting up to the sleeping area. The 5th wheels work well when you are planning to stay in one place for weeks at a time and can unhitch the tow vehicle and use it for personal transportation around the area.

[wilber1]

I love boobdocking.

[Aridon]

Personal preference. MH is a bit more convenient but will have higher costs overall. 5ver will generally have more home like layouts since you don't have to account for the drive part.

Both can be geared up with solar. The MH having its fuel source for the genset come from a larger single tank is nice as well.

[Bobbo]

I am a died in the wool MH owner. That being said, if I was full timing, I would have a fiver.

[lanerd]

You typically have more living space in an equally sized 5'er than a mh. And, I agree with those who say maintenance is cheaper with a 5'er due to having two driving trains to maintain; however, with my mh, my yearly maintenance consists of oil and filter change....the same that you would have with a large 3/4 or 1 ton pickup. My toad also requires an oil/filter change. The difference is only a few bucks....hardly worth mentioning.

And yes, I also agree that if your mh breaks down, you're without a place to stay until it's fixed. However, if you're traveling and your tow vehicle breaks down, you are at the mercy of getting some one out to tow you. With a mh, if it breaks down, you have your toad to keep you mobile.

About the only reason we went with a mh, was due to the fact that I didn't want to be driving a large PU in congested streets and parking lots, not to mentioned the amount of fuel required to do this. Our toad is small, gets great mpg, easily parked, carries 5 and with the seat down will accommodate a large amount of stuff. Granted, I can't put a 4x8 sheet of plywood back there, but I can put 8 foot long 2x4's. Of course, I can't imagine needing either.

Personally, I feel that one is just as good as the other and your personal preference is what will make the determination of which you choose. If you have experience towing, maybe a 5'er is more for you. Driving a large mh, takes a little getting use to, but not any more than a large PU.

Ron

[Jim_Shoe]

With a 5er and a tow vehicle, you have one engine and drive train to maintain. With the MH and toad, you have two. OTOH, with the MH, your wife can change her seating choice from cabin to couch, chair or even bed, which may be a bonus for her knee. And you have two drivable vehicles.

[restlesswind]

Boobdocking...Certainly got my attention! In answer to the intended question,I would,and did choose a 5er over a class A.
Maintenance costs,higher on a motorhome than the fiver and TV.Insurance on two motor vehicles,If the truck breaks down,you still have a place to stay while repairs are made. Many more places to have repair done on a truck than a motorhome.
There are those that feel a motorhome is the best way to go and you will hear from them also. There are pros and cons either way,bottom line,it will be up to you to decide after the homework is done.
Whatever you decide...Enjoy your new lifestyle!
(BTW,you may get more response from the folks at the Full timer section of this forum.)

[mockturtle]

boobdocking?? :B Seriously, I know what you meant. There are folks who successfully boondock in both fivers and MHs. A MH usually has a built-in generator and (though I've never owned a fifth wheel) possibly more room on the roof for solar panels. If you're going to leave a rig in one spot most of the time, a fifth wheel can be more accommodating. However, towing a small car with a MH will give you cheaper transportation into town & exploring than a tow vehicle.