Motorhome or Fifth Wheel preference for fulltiming?

OnTheGo · 11-13-2013, 04:17 AM

Just curious what your preference is, or would be, for fulltiming - and why.

Doug · 11-13-2013, 07:32 AM

5th wheel would be my preference.
I like the floor plans better.
I like using my TV more and not having the drive train setting a lot.
I like to be able to have a larger vehicle to explore in with 4WD.
Additional storage in the bed of a full sized truck TV

Those are things I can think of. I would be happy to own either if I had the $$

Doug

Clayton4971 · 11-13-2013, 11:29 AM

Dale, have a friend that has full time for quite a few years. They have a diesel pusher MOTORHOME and are looking to get a fifth wheel. When we had lunch with them they said they like the floor plan of the fifthwheel and that the cost for maintenance was getting too much with the MOTORHOME. Their problem is selling and getting enough money to change. Personally if money is not a issue it's whatever you like. Myself I have had both and feel the fifth wheel and truck is cheaper to keep and maintain.

Jagiven · 11-13-2013, 11:39 AM

I think a lot of it is very personal. I think the big class A MH tends to be more plush and feel a little higher end. We have rented MHs before. The one thing I really did not like was the sound of the pots and pans clanking as we drove down the road. We put paper towels, paper plates, and towels in the cabinets to quiet things down. I have a coworker that had a 5th wheel. They sold it, because she did not like walking up and down the steps to the bedroom and bathroom.

Personally I think if I was looking at going full time, I would try to do a multi week rental of a unit similar to what I would be considering purchasing and try it out first. This is usually easy with a MH, but not so easy with a 5th wheel.

Rob_Fla · 11-13-2013, 09:49 PM

Again a personal choice, we chose a 5th Wheel, taller ceilings, more open feeling.

We are not all about the "Plush" we just wanted a solid, durable, reliable "Home on Wheels"

Also, if our Tow Vehicle needs repairs, our home is not in the shop.

OnTheGo · 11-14-2013, 04:58 AM

Rob_Fla says: "We are not all about the "Plush" ..." That describes us, too.

The scenery doesn't change whether your in a Class A diesel or a tent. Comfortable is good - seek your own level.

Zinkow · 11-15-2013, 02:15 AM

I've been fulltiming since May, 1988. My choice is a Class C MH. Had an A, rather have a C. The trick is to find the floorplan and length you can live with and live in, plus the necessary options - i.e. Washer/Dryer, # of slides, etc. I've towed Jeeps and cars, currently a 2008 Hyundi Elantra on a dolly. Never lost more than a day or two for service, never had a major breakdown - maybe I'm just lucky or maybe preventive maintenance pays off. Usually stay in a motel while the rig is being serviced.

clutch · 11-15-2013, 09:06 PM

Only you can decide what is best for you. In the park we stay in for the winter there are about 4 full timers in 5th wheels to every 1 full timer in a motor home. It also depends on your budget. You will loose a LOT more money through depreciation with a motor home.

msturtz · 11-17-2013, 02:24 PM

We don't full time RV but just switched from a TT with a 1 Ton TV and I can say that for us there is no comparison. We don't stay in the same place for long and it is much less hassle even with our Tahoe as a toad. If you are staying in one pace for a long time then a towable is a good option however if you move a lot it can be more hassle than a MH. My wife can feed our infants while I'm driving as well as get me food. Our 8 yo watches TV when I'm driving. Cannot do any of that with a towable. We use the seat belts at all times when seated except when we get up to get something.

slabat · 01-04-2014, 01:48 PM

I am not a Full Timer yet but we are going to get a TT or fifth wheel when we do. I have known ppl that have had MH's and the costs to maintain them are high

msturtz · 01-05-2014, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slabat

I am not a Full Timer yet but we are going to get a TT or fifth wheel when we do. I have known ppl that have had MH's and the costs to maintain them are high

That is what i thought as well. However, class c motorhomes are similar to large pickup trucks in the maintenance department. There are other factors as well. With a TT or FW you have two vehicles to maintain, insure etc.

Seann45 · 01-05-2014, 08:51 AM

I choose neither... I would rather have a TT. Everything is on one level. I just wish manufactures would make TT's as nice as they do 5ers.

msturtz · 01-05-2014, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msturtz

That is what i thought as well. However, class c motorhomes are similar to large pickup trucks in the maintenance department. There are other factors as well. With a TT or FW you have two vehicles to maintain, insure etc.

On the purchase side I had thought that it would be less expensive to purchase a TT and truck combination. I discovered that not to be the case. A good 3500 comfortable truck new will set you back $60k. A nice good sized TT will set you back $35. Most TT units do not include a generator that is an additional cost of $2000. So the cost of a TT and combination is about $97,000 if you include an apples to apples comparison. We have always used A TT and truck combination. However after our twins were born it became impractical. We had a one ton long box crew cab truck and 30' TT. Now we have a Greyhawk. The kids can watch TV while we are driving and get food etc. a much nicer experience. Btw a Greyhawk can be had for less than 70k and a Redhawk for less than 50k. Other brands are even less expensive.

clutch · 01-11-2014, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seann45

I choose neither... I would rather have a TT. Everything is on one level. I just wish manufactures would make TT's as nice as they do 5ers.

I couldn't agree more. I have my entire truck bed and no steps to deal with in the trailer. A travel trailer is also easier to heat in cooler weather because there is no high ceiling. We traded a nice Montana in on our present travel trailer. We would never go back to a 5er. In the spring it is interesting to see the problems people have with their motorhomes that have been sitting for 5 or 6 months. Engines that don't start and automatic jacks that don't want to go back up. I drive my truck just about every day and use the drive train I paid for.

msturtz · 01-11-2014, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clutch

I couldn't agree more. I have my entire truck bed and no steps to deal with in the trailer. A travel trailer is also easier to heat in cooler weather because there is no high ceiling. We traded a nice Montana in on our present travel trailer. We would never go back to a 5er. In the spring it is interesting to see the problems people have with their motorhomes that have been sitting for 5 or 6 months. Engines that don't start and automatic jacks that don't want to go back up. I drive my truck just about every day and use the drive train I paid for.

Yes if you use the truck every day then it is not the same as my situation. The truck sat most of the time except when we were towing the TT.

Redhorse 823 · 02-06-2014, 04:58 PM

I would think it would depend on how much moving you intend. If its the "getting there" then a MH would be your choice. If its "being there" then a 5er or TT would be a better choice. IMO
For me, if I go full time it will be a 5er or TT.

msturtz · 02-06-2014, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redhorse 823

I would think it would depend on how much moving you intend. If its the "getting there" then a MH would be your choice. If its "being there" then a 5er or TT would be a better choice. IMO
For me, if I go full time it will be a 5er or TT.

That is well said. We found that we spend about 50% of our time out at a destination and 50% traveling around. What we discovered however, that it is much easier for us to tour around using the motorhome if we are touring a place like a National Park etc. because we don't have to pack a picnic or pay for overpriced food while out for the day. It also was much easier since we have twins in diapers and the constant feeding and diapering in a truck or SUV is difficult because you have to stop constantly. With our motorhome my wife goes in the back and cares for the babies when needed and we can still keep going. Frankly I was surprised at how easy it was to setup camp and break camp every morning with the motorhome. I was used to the TT truck combination that was a major hassle to setup and break down. With our Greyhawk I press a button for the auto-leveling jacks hook up power, water and sewer and that is it. When we left for the day I just dropped the sewer & water hoses on the ground and unplugged the power cord pressed the button for the auto-leveling jacks and was off to the races. It used to take me 45 minutes to break camp with my TT & truck combination and about the same amount of time setting up. Compared to about 5 - 10 minutes with the motorhome.

Seann45 · 02-07-2014, 09:21 AM

Just remember this if your motorhome develops a mechanical problem your whole house goes into the shop and depending on how bad it is it could be there for days. Engine rebuild... figure on 2 weeks in a .. gulp ugg.. hotel...

Camper_bob · 02-07-2014, 09:55 AM

This is a very interesting conversation, and kind of relates to how we ended up with a TT instead of a Class C.

The outlaws have a Class C; we stayed in it a few times, and discovered we needed more space and a different floor plan. Also, we decided that if we were out somewhere and wanted to go explore a nearby destination, we wouldn't want to take the whole camp down to go there, especially for just a day trip. On a side note to that, I've found myself making a beerrun at least once every time we've been out (not always for beer though; ice, firewood, snacks...), can't really do that with MH or Class C. That brings us to a C (or MH) with a Toad, and then you're back to the cost and maintenance of 2 vehicles; only now you have 2 engines, 2 drive trains... I totally agree with the fear of having my home in the shop, and having to stay in a hotel (gasp!). And what if you're full-timing and you want to or need to work? Would you take the MH to work with you every day? I would imagine that despite how easy it is to setup and take down, doing so twice a day for 4-5 days a week would get old FAST.

I don't know because I haven't been in the game long enough, but if I were making the decision today, it would most likely be a TT or a 5er.

msturtz · 02-07-2014, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

This is a very interesting conversation, and kind of relates to how we ended up with a TT instead of a Class C.

The outlaws have a Class C; we stayed in it a few times, and discovered we needed more space and a different floor plan. Also, we decided that if we were out somewhere and wanted to go explore a nearby destination, we wouldn't want to take the whole camp down to go there, especially for just a day trip. On a side note to that, I've found myself making a beerrun at least once every time we've been out (not always for beer though; ice, firewood, snacks...), can't really do that with MH or Class C. That brings us to a C (or MH) with a Toad, and then you're back to the cost and maintenance of 2 vehicles; only now you have 2 engines, 2 drive trains... I totally agree with the fear of having my home in the shop, and having to stay in a hotel (gasp!). And what if you're full-timing and you want to or need to work? Would you take the MH to work with you every day? I would imagine that despite how easy it is to setup and take down, doing so twice a day for 4-5 days a week would get old FAST.

I don't know because I haven't been in the game long enough, but if I were making the decision today, it would most likely be a TT or a 5er.

Yes each persons needs are different. I do bring my toad however since it is my daily driver it isn't an extra expense.

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