Community Forums

Llamamontana · 09-06-2016, 05:47 PM

I've been lurking around here all week so I figured I should say hello. I just hit the big 6-0 so my wife and I decided this is the right time! We've decided to unload everything and enjoy the rv lifestyle. Our dilemma is choosing between a 5th wheel and a nice used DP. We are in the 100k range so I know my selection of DP's are limited to coaches that are mostly around ten years old. I know it's a matter of personal preference and we don't have much to look at in Montana, so I have been looking online. I had my heart set on the DP but the 5th wheels seem to have more room and more livable space. I have read a lot of horror stories on this forum about rv's pretty much falling apart as they leave the dealership and I'm almost afraid to make a move. I figured a good used RV will have the bugs worked of of them.
I know I'll need either a toad (jeep) or a tow vehicle (3500 diesel)

How the heck do we decide what is right for us?

(It's a rhetorical question)

ahicks · 09-06-2016, 06:06 PM

I can tell you how I made that call. I could not justify the use of a PU that would do a good job with a 5'er as a daily driver - when we we not on the road. If I could have done that, say as a construction worker or similar, it would have been different. Further, I felt side trips in a toad would be easier/more economical, possibly to the point of helping to offset the DP's mileage. Consider a PU trying to make it's way into down town New Orleans or on a tight twisty mountain road while sight seeing for instance.

Last, our DP cost about what a nice tow vehicle might have....and I'm not talking a medium duty tow vehicle either. With careful shopping, 50k (or even less) can do a nice job on a DP.

Our situation, YMMV.

sdennislee · 09-06-2016, 06:31 PM

Hi

and

MSHappyCampers · 09-07-2016, 07:55 AM

Hi !

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

For fulltiming I would prefer a good used DP. We love our Windsor! Hope you find the perfect rig for your needs!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

Geocritter · 09-07-2016, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahicks

I can tell you how I made that call. I could not justify the use of a PU that would do a good job with a 5'er as a daily driver - when we we not on the road. If I could have done that, say as a construction worker or similar, it would have been different. Further, I felt side trips in a toad would be easier/more economical, possibly to the point of helping to offset the DP's mileage. Consider a PU trying to make it's way into down town New Orleans or on a tight twisty mountain road while sight seeing for instance.

The above consideration is what convinced me to go with a Class A and use my 2005 Dodge Caravan as a toad. Except for inadequate ground clearance at times, the Caravan makes a wonderful exploration vehicle and is great for short term (or long term) car-camping expeditions. For example in May I left my 6mpg Class A in storage and used my 26.5mpg Caravan for a two month 12,000 mile road trip through western Canada and Alaska, camping in the Caravan nearly the entire trip. I had a great time and saved over $3,000 in fuel expenses alone. Most recently I spent four days in the Caravan exploring southwest New Mexico and spending overnights camping for free in national forest land.

Steve

psi500 · 09-07-2016, 08:08 AM

Welcome. Either way get out and enjoy.

Llamamontana · 09-08-2016, 08:43 AM

Looked a new Palazzo & A new Winnebago Destination 5th wheel yesterday.....The Palazzo was new (on sale) at 170,000. The 5th wheel was 102,000.

Like I stated earlier we had been dead set on a DP. We once saw a 5th wheel that was being towed over the causeway near Corpus Christi.It was pretty windy and the 5th wheel was being shoved around a lot.Wagging the dog, I guess it is called.(we were behind them in a suburban) A big gust hit the rig and pushed the whole outfit into the oncoming lane, causing a hell of a crash! Nobody was killed or even seriously injured but the 5th wheel, (about a 40') was totaled, as were two cars. The tow vehicle was a Ford 250.

If we do the 5th wheel. I would buy a 2wd (most likely Dodge) dually with a diesel to pull it. We talked about rv haulers but the dually is as big as we want to go on the truck.

roothoss1282 · 09-08-2016, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Llamamontana

Looked a new Palazzo & A new Winnebago Destination 5th wheel yesterday.....The Palazzo was new (on sale) at 170,000. The 5th wheel was 102,000.

Like I stated earlier we had been dead set on a DP. We once saw a 5th wheel that was being towed over the causeway near Corpus Christi.It was pretty windy and the 5th wheel was being shoved around a lot.Wagging the dog, I guess it is called.(we were behind them in a suburban) A big gust hit the rig and pushed the whole outfit into the oncoming lane, causing a hell of a crash! Nobody was killed or even seriously injured but the 5th wheel, (about a 40') was totaled, as were two cars. The tow vehicle was a Ford 250.

If we do the 5th wheel. I would buy a 2wd (most likely Dodge) dually with a diesel to pull it. We talked about rv haulers but the dually is as big as we want to go on the truck.

I went with the 4x4, you get in some wet grass with a little slope you will be glad. I have only used mine a couple of times but would have been screwed if I didn't have it...... Yeah big mistake pulling a 40'er with a 250. I decided on the 5th wheel but it mainly depends on how you will be traveling. We plan on staying a week or 2 or 3 before heading to the next place. Good luck and have fun.

wam16 · 09-08-2016, 02:11 PM

Your decision is obviously a personal one, but a major part of the decision is how are you going to use it. By this I mean, if you are not going to travel across the country several times and you want a roomy, comfortable RV for short trips a fifth wheel will work. We had a fifth wheel for 8 years and drove cross country twice and that was enough for us. With a DP the units are much more comfortable for cross country or long trips. Plus with a DP you will have a toad to run around in while you are parked. The big dually tow vehicle for the fifth wheel was a pain for us while parked. While visiting many of the popular sites you will want to visit, parking seemed to always be a problem. We drove around about an hour to find a place to park in Vegas, the parking garages have a height restriction and we couldn't get in most of them. As stated earlier, this is a personal decision and what works best for you is the right answer.

Allen