I'm Going In Circles

[CMelder]

Originally Posted by dexters

B or C

With a 5th you will need a pick up in the 3/4 ton class ford 250 or ram 2500 that you will not need when you aren't towing.

With a B or C all you need is a car to tow behind and sometimes you may not even need that.

Also towing a 5th out of the Mid Atlantic region would be a pain.

I'm curious why towing a 5th wheel out of mid-atlantic is a pain?

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by CMelder

I'm curious why towing a 5th wheel out of mid-atlantic is a pain?

I'm guessing ...roads/traffic & tolls

[Cumminsfan]

Have you ever towed a trailer of any kind and have you ever camped?
It's not ponys and unicorns all the time.

[Arch Hoagland]

I'd suggest you rent a class C for a week. It will help you decide what you want or DON'T want.

Your problem is going to be getting around to see the sites once your RV is setup at a campground. Renting a car is not an option at lots of places.

[6x16inside]

Originally Posted by manwithnorv

Thoroughly confused with myself. Don't know what to buy because I'm not sure what we want to do.

Here's what I think we'll do and maybe recommendations will help.

We're in our mid 60's so I doubt we'll do any type of RV'ing for more than 10 years max. We live in the Mid Atlantic area.

I know we don't want to spend more than 4 or 5 mo./yr...so not interested in Full Timing.

I don't want anything over about 35' long.

Would probably like to make 2 or 3 long trips during that time for 3 to 4 months each coast to coast. Traveling 4 - 8 hours between site stops where we'd spend 2 - 3 days before moving on.

Years in between, we'd probably spend 4 - 6 wks / spring to fall at local State/Fed. campgrounds near local lakes, or the beach. Not driving more than 500 or so miles.

Don't want a Class A
Don't want a Travel Trailer
Fifth Wheel, or Class B or Class C?

Rent, don't buy.

[drdit92]

Originally Posted by manwithnorv

I'm finding it impossible to find a 5er 30-35 ft that I can pull with a 3500HD Diesel with a SRW (based on the specs). A DRW, however will pull all in that range. I just don't want to have a DRW for the daily drive.

I'm trading in my TT today on a fifth wheel. 33'8" long with a GVWR of 12,000. Will tow with an F350 SRW. It's not a "lite" but definitely within comfort zone of a SRW. They're out there.

[RoadEyePie]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

Have you ever towed a trailer of any kind and have you ever camped?
It's not ponys and unicorns all the time.

yes I have towed utility trailers and large trucks on many occasions. I've been camping all my life.

[RoadEyePie]

Originally Posted by 6x16inside

Rent, don't buy.

I did not know you could rent. Who rents RVs. But if I'm going to do that, I'll just stay in hotels.

[SuzanneH]

Do you have a place to store whatever RV you decide on? That may influence your choice.

We had two Class A's before we had our current set up (Fifth Wheel). There were a couple factors for us for our change: Most importantly, it felt like "home" to a greater degree. From a financial perspective, the investment in the actual fifth wheel was a fraction of the cost of a Class A; since all RVs are a depreciating asset, it was nice to be able to feel like we are depreciating a much smaller chunk of money. The truck we bought to tow it was an enormous husband-pleaser in terms of fitting his 6 ft 4 in frame (and frankly, it is an awesome truck all around--I love it too.) Much nicer to have payments for a few years on just the truck and the RV paid for (and WAY less invested in it). I think if we ever decide to sell the truck, we'll stand a much better chance of getting a higher percentage of our investment back. With your plans, I wonder if this reasoning might apply to your circumstances too...?

Bottom line is, you just need to make a choice based on your own circumstances. No one out here has any better understanding of what you want and need than you do

[RoadEyePie]

Originally Posted by SuzanneH

Do you have a place to store whatever RV you decide on? That may influence your choice.

I live on 4 acres in a rural area. Plenty of room to park whatever. If and when I decide on an RV, I plan to build a carport (pole) style building over a concrete slab to store it under.

Also, I agree with you on the cost advantage of the truck / 5th wheel over other options. Resell of truck also much better.

So, right at this moment, it's a 3500HD (SRW or DRW) and a 5'er. Tomorrow going to an RV show and it might be a Class B or C, then by next Tuesday it could be back to no RV just travel and stay in hotels.

[RoadEyePie]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

Have you ever towed a trailer of any kind and have you ever camped?
It's not ponys and unicorns all the time.

BTW, exactly what percent is ponys and unicorns?

[archer75]

Originally Posted by manwithnorv

BTW, exactly what percent is ponys and unicorns?

98.37%

[RoadEyePie]

The other 1.63% must be hell.

[CF-104]

Originally Posted by KJD

We have a 35ft. 5th wheel with opposing slides in the living area and one slide in the bedroom area. Plenty of room for the two of us along with our Boston Terrier.. One thing you might think out is your tow vehicle. Mine is a F250 3/4 ton and it is at its limit on weight rating. If I could have a do over I would have got the F350 single rear wheel and 6 1/2 foot bed just for the extra wiggle room on weight. The price difference on them are really small comparing both with the same options. Even ride quality there isn’t a lot of difference..

SAME

F250 (2012) 6.7 with 3:55 rar. with a 2017 Chapparal 30RLS (34 foot). GVWR is 11K. Bleeding limit for my truck ....... IF $$$ come my way I'd get a F350 SRW/DRW either with the 6.5' bed (long bed is too long).

Tows like its not there.