Fiver vs. A

[Horsevoice]

For full timers...what are some of the reasons you chose a fifth wheel over a class A or vice versa? Not which is better...just why you made the choice...
We're facing that dilema...

[Horsevoice]

For full timers...what are some of the reasons you chose a fifth wheel over a class A or vice versa? Not which is better...just why you made the choice...
We're facing that dilema...

[RV Wizard]

I needed a service truck so I needed a class a that could pull it. If I went with a fifth wheel I would need the truck to pull the fifth wheel. We liked the ride in a class A. We like the ease at stopping, staying and leaving so we opted for the class A.

[1Thom]

We are going with a fifth wheel because they seem more open and may have more livable space. both options are usable, the fifth seems to be more flexable in how you use it as well. We wanted a truck to haul stuff as well as tool around in any way. Oh and We choose not to maintain two drive trains

[Gary RVRoamer]

We are "part-timers (6 months/year in RV) and we've had both types - have a motorhome now. I think it depends mostly on your usage. The motorhome is more convenient when you travel and stop for a few days at a time. The 5W gives a bit more interior space (and home-like floor plans), so is nice when you are parked for longer periods.

Toads & trucks...
Some people love a truck. Others can't even picture themselves ever "driving a truck", especially to the shopping mall. Some people want an economy car to toodle around, so a toad makes more sense than a large tow vehicle.

Bottom line: different strokes for different folks

[EngineerMike]

Gary's comparison is a good one. We were at a Country Coach show where a gal announced she was going to by a class A rig & trade in their 5er. Reason- they pulled in for the previous night, hubby made the rounds doing the setup, and alongside pulled a class A. The motorhomers had drinks in hand in about 10 minutes, while her hubby was still completing their setup after 30.
So its all about the margaritas.

[Doc Mark]

Hi Horsevoice - you might want to paste this thread on the Full-Timers Area (near the bottom of the forums). Might generate some more advice - cuz.

[rvgrandma]

We lived FT in a TT for 5 years, went into a house and bought a 5th wheel. It was a 36 ft with three slides - huge. I hated it. My hb thought it would be so easy to park - just jackknife it in! - but he never did get the hang of it. He could put the TT anywhere but not the 5th.

After a year we traded it in on a MH. The reasons included the 5th wheel had too many steps that hurt my hips and knees; too big (had 3 slides but very bad design); the truck was uncomfortable. If we kept the 5th or traded for a different one we would have to buy another truck to do the traveling we wanted to do. The cost of another 5th wheel and truck was close to the cost of the MH so we bought a MH. If not a MH I would have settled for another TT.

We bought the MH and have never regretted it. We have traveled around the country and stayed put in one place for an extended time (1 year). We did pull out every 2 weeks to empty the black water tank since my sister's did not have a dump (we drained the gray out into her lawn) and fill the propane. It is so nice while traveling to get up for food, drinks or go to the restroom. The seats are comfy and the dog and cat likes the freedom to walk around.

One negative is propane. We are Workampers at a park that does not have propane delivery so we took the tank off our BBQ and use it. Since our electric is included in our FHU package we use a ceramic heater thereby using very little propane.

We have plenty of room (we travel with the computer,two printers, and inventory for our two home based businesses). When we go to street fairs/flea markets the MH home is much easier to park in our space where we then set up in front of it. The storage underneath is also great. In the 5th we really did not have enough for all our personal things and business inventory - we do in the MH.

I know I am happy with our MH because I have no interest to look at the new/used ones at RV shows. For us the timing was right as in the past I was very much against a MH.

Good luck on your choosing.

Charlotte

[Horsevoice]

Many thanks for all your input. I guess it is about more than just the margaritias!

[diandtom]

I always have had a pickup for use around the house and it my everyday driver. If I had a class A I would still need the pickup. I pay enought for insurance now and also don't want the up keep of another vehicle. I also like to room in the fiver. If you have a problem with the drive line in a class A it would for me harder to get someone to work on it as compaired to the pickup.
Tom