Anyone go from a MH to a 5th wheel

[Ron and Patti]

We are thinking of trading in our 36 ft MH with 2 slides and getting a truck and 5th wheel. Has anyone done this and had any regrets about getting rid of the MH. The 5th wheel we are looking at is 35ft and has 3 slides. Ron and Patti

[Ron and Patti]

We are thinking of trading in our 36 ft MH with 2 slides and getting a truck and 5th wheel. Has anyone done this and had any regrets about getting rid of the MH. The 5th wheel we are looking at is 35ft and has 3 slides. Ron and Patti

["007"]

Ron, I'll link this up with 5th Wheels and Tow Forum may get some answers there also.

[C&C R]

Yes, we've done this 3 times. We're back to a motor home. Nothing like a motor home for traveling.
When your set up, the fifth wheel has more room. With both you have a second vehicile.
It's a personal preference. I personally like the fifth wheel, but hubby the MH. Since he is the one to hook up and set up, it's back to the MH. Much easier for him.

Carol

[TXiceman]

We have gone from trailer to motorhome to 5er and back to a trailer. Each has it good point and it's bad points.

I like the towed RV for long term stops and not having another drive line to maintain. With the motorhomes, we seldom went anywhere that we did not tow the dinghy.

We currently have a vintage 1979 travel trailer and while smaller, it has a lot of storage (not found in the newer traielrs).

So it all boils down to ...what do you like?

Ken

[ISLAPP]

I would ask if you have ever owned a trailer or fifth wheel before? If yes, then it probably boils down to which you prefer for overall usage. If you have not owned one before, I would suggest posting in the trailer and fifth wheel section and getting their thoughts on the pro's and con's of a towable unit.
There are alot of differences, in my opinion, between the two types of rv'ing. If you travel alot, the MH is much easier. If you are parked alot, the fifth wheel is great.
Mike

[Ken Lenger]

I've had a 5th wheel for 7 years and a small TT for 3 years before that. Now thinking about a Winne Sightseer 34M Class A. From my point of view, the whole debate about diesel truck + 5th wheel vs gasser MH changed in 2008 with the new diesel emission laws. New diesel trucks have had many problems and none are getting great milage.

My current theory is to get a gasser MH and hope for around 8 MPG, but it doesn't use any gas when it's parked. I'll get a small toad (Honda Fit?) that gets 35-40 MPG for commuting. Overall, my fuel costs will actallly go down a bit and I'll enjoy the convenience of a MH for traveling and a small car for commuting. I like the idea of having a small toad vs a full size truck for transportation when camping because our kids live in NY City and San Francisco, neither a good place to drive a large vehicle around and try to park.

I'm driving my DW nuts with all of my research on this. Someone please put me out of my missory and shoot me.

[450Donn]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ken Lenger:
I've had a 5th wheel for 7 years and a small TT for 3 years before that. Now thinking about a Winne Sightseer 34M Class A. From my point of view, the whole debate about diesel truck + 5th wheel vs gasser MH changed in 2008 with the new diesel emission laws. New diesel trucks have had many problems and none are getting great milage.
My current theory is to get a gasser MH and hope for around 8 MPG, but it doesn't use any gas when it's parked. I'll get a small toad (Honda Fit?) that gets 35-40 MPG for commuting. Overall, my fuel costs will actallly go down a bit and I'll enjoy the convenience of a MH for traveling and a small car for commuting. I like the idea of having a small toad vs a full size truck for transportation when camping because our kids live in NY City and San Francisco, neither a good place to drive a large vehicle around and try to park.

I'm driving my DW nuts with all of my research on this. Someone please put me out of my missory and shoot me. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

BANG
I think it all boils down to your traveling style. Do you travel lots of miles a day and a lot of days a month? Then a MH might be a better choice for you. Are you physically able to do the setup, including backing in a large trailer? Do you generally stay in one place for several weeks at a time? Does towing intimidate you? Lots of questions that need answers. I think generally you will see more full timers and snow birds in a TT or fifth wheel because of their life style. On the other hand you will see more MH's on the highway, spending a night here and a night there, but not usually in one spot for extended periods of time. The advantages of a fifth wheel or TT over a MH are, less maintaince, lower initial cost, less insurance, just to name a few.

[Bayway]

We pulled a 32 ft fifth wheel for 6 years. Now have a 2005 Itasca 33V. I would not go back to the 5'er. The MH is much easier to travel in, not to mention set up. Example: Pulled into Raton NM in a big rain storm. We sat waiting to get out and un hook, etc from the 5th wheel. Guy pulled in beside me in a MH, he never got out, put his level legs down, put out his slides, started the genset and was eating dinner before the rain let up enough for me to get out of the truck.
That did it for me.


2005 Itasca 33V Workhorse Chassis
Old Odyssey Toad

[d.duin]

I agree with all the postings here, each unit has it pros and cons. My solution was to have one of each. We use the Itasca Horizon for travel and the Excel 5th wheel for snow birding in the winter. A little extreme but it works for me. Have fun with what ever choice you make.
Ace

[Ron and Patti]

Thank you for all your postings.I guess we really need to look at the pros and cons. We fulltime in florida now and the motorhome sets for 2 weeks at a time and then we move it 12 miles down the road for 2 weeks. With the pickup we would gain a second vehicle wich would make life easier with working. Again thanks to all will keep you posted on what we do. Ron and Patti

[ISLAPP]

Ron, then I would say the fifth wheel is probably better for you guys. You stay in one place for a while and the fifth wheel is certainly nicer for that and then you have a need for the truck for other things so I would say go for it. Just make sure your truck and fiver combo is correct. Do not get "under truck" for the size of the fiver. It becomes nothing but a hassle when you try and use a truck that is not capable of the haul.
Mike

[Jeeperrmartin]

We got a MH because my wife has to take water pills. If we towed anything we would be stopped all the time.

Don't even have to get out to get set up if we don't want to. I also pull a trailer so backing up is no problem with MH, and don't have to worry about the tow vehicle on all 4 wheels.

[FenceMan]

In 38 yrs. of marriage, we started with the pop-ups, then the T/T, then a M/H, then a 5 th. wheel, then a 5 th. wheel, then a M/H, then our M/H now -- enjoyed them all -- but at this age, we prefer the M/H -- ease of set up, everything on board, small car to travel and site see, festivals, shopping, etc. -- plus on a long haul, you don't have the ride in a pick-up, like you do in a M/H -- much less tired with the M/H when I get there.