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Old 11-22-2011, 04:01 AM   #1
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MH to 5th Wheel

Thinking about doing a 5th wheel for the next RV. Anyone have any thoughts or been there done that stories, had 1 5th wheel years ago but it was a poor quality over weight POS. We do a lot of short runs (100 mi) and 2 or 3 longer trips (over 500 mi) about 5000k per yr. the 5th wheel makes good since from a $$ stand point. But then DW is going to have to ride around in a god awful heavy and expensive truck as it looks like most good quality fultime trailers are going to be pushing the 16K and up GVW. We are also toying around with renting the sticks and bricks and trying some fultiming while I'm still working so with the trailer it does not need excersize as a M/H does.
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Old 11-22-2011, 04:45 AM   #2
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For what it is worth, prior to our MH we had a 40' 5th wheel and lived in it for 3 years. The 5th wheel had a little more storage than our present 32' MH. The MH on the other hand is a little easier IMHO to back in and set up. We towed with a Chev. one ton extended cab dually. The ride without the 5th wheel was as good as a lot of luxury cars, and with the 5th wheel had more of a harsh ride, but not uncomfortable. The only add on was an air ride hitch for the 5th wheel, which gave a much smoother ride.
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Old 11-22-2011, 07:10 AM   #3
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We started out backpacking, then tents, pop-up, Class C, and a big gasser A. Sold the A before we went overseas but got the bug again this year and bought our first FW. Seemed to make sense since our second vehicle is a 4WD truck we already had for other purposes.

We like the roominess and quality of our FW, even though it is only 30'. I'm always giving DW grief because I want a 35' or larger FW, but we'd obviously need a larger truck. I don't think the FW is harder to set up, although I have to admit I liked pulling into the CG and having the A level with a push of a few buttons. The FW certainly pulls easy and the only complaint I have is having to drive a truck at my destination rather than a smaller toad.

At the end of the day it comes down to personal preference and money. If money were no object, I'd vote for a sooper-dooper 4-slide +40' DP and Lexus toad. In the meantime, the existing FW will have to work for us.
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Old 11-22-2011, 07:56 AM   #4
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Went from a 35' MoHo to a 40' 5th. Just couldn't take the 6.4 mpg and up keep anymore. When you break down in a MoHo you need to get a taxi, pack up and get a motel room. If you have a dog it can be a nightmare.

The truck air went on our last trip. Got a camp ground, took the truck to a Ford dealer, they gave me a ride back. The next day they delivered the truck back with ice cold A/C. No waiting in dealerships, no packing up, no taxis, no motel room....

The 5th also has a lot more room with 3 slides and we get 10 -11 mpg towing. Set up takes around 15 minutes longer but that's a small price to pay for everything else. Got the 5th wheel for $14,000 and it's only 13,700 lbs fully loaded and looks brand new. Got a great deal on the F-350 07 diesel/dually for $16,000. A lot cheaper than a DP MoHo.

I guess if money was no problem I'd get a 40' DP newer MH but if we want to live decent and travel a lot the 5th will have to do. The difference in cost is amazing.
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Old 11-24-2011, 06:50 PM   #5
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We went from a TT to the Class A and primarily it was because of the comfort WHILE traveling. We much prefer the ability to move around while driving.
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Old 11-27-2011, 05:37 PM   #6
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We went from a TT to the Class A and primarily it was because of the comfort WHILE traveling. We much prefer the ability to move around while driving.
Thats one of the biggest issues we are dealing with.
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Old 11-28-2011, 08:53 AM   #7
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Thats one of the biggest issues we are dealing with.
Doing only a couple of short 100 mi trips and a total of under 5000 mi a year you will be dealing with a lot more with a MH. Diesels like to run and not sit. Same with tires,fuel and all rubber components. When you add up the cost of the MH, maintenance, insurance and fuel the cost per mile will be very high.
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Old 11-28-2011, 09:03 AM   #8
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Seemed to make sense since our second vehicle is a 4WD truck we already had for other purposes.
This is the decision maker for me. Whether or not there is a way to justify the tow vehicle as a daily driver.
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Old 11-28-2011, 02:42 PM   #9
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Here's how we boiled it down... Everyone around us has a TT or FW and only a couple have a MH. We've owned both, several TT and several MH, and for the sake of everyone who gets to ride, a MH is the way to go... My argument fell on deaf ears, because it dosen't matter what I'm in, i'm in the drivers seat and can't roam around, so i htought a truck would be nice... Almost had everyone else convinced, then we started FW shopping... I'd need a truck, and I wanted diesel, and i wanted the Duramax because i'm a Chevy guy, so i was looking at MIN $32k for a truck (used was what we were looking for) without a brazzilion miles on already. Then I was looking at about $5k in negative equity for my Cadillac (trust me, don't ever buy your "Dream Car", it makes you hate your dreams!!) and then we'd have to buy a FW... So we're looking at very least $50k and for $50k i could buy a hell of a MH (used, never buy anything new, unless you plan on dying soon and leaving it to someone...)
Needless to say we ended up with another MH. No one wants to travel in a truck box, even if it is a quick trip somewhere... and we use our MH for our mobile command vehicle... We've used it to do Black Friday shopping and all sorts of fun non-camping things... Soccer games, field day events, etc. etc.. Its another vehicle to maintain, but its cheaper than the alternative.
At least in our situation... We use it more to go ATVing than anything and to buy a FW and truck big enough to haul our 4 4Wheelers it gets to be a bit too much...
THe debate will rage on for years and years to come...
Good luck... let us know what you decide!!!!
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Old 01-15-2012, 06:29 AM   #10
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Question

We're thinking of doing the same thing. We currently own a 40' Fleetwood Providence (2003) and would like to sell it and buy a used FW toyhauler for our golf cart and a used truck. However, we're having a problem with our negative equity in our motorhome! We need $89,000 for payoff, but they only want to give us $40,000 or $50,000 for trade! Looks like we'll have to try to sell it outright. Any advice out there? How did all of you handle the negative equity?? We've put many upgrades into it (3 LCD's, including a 40' in the outside bay, Wineguard Trav'ler, new Michelin tires, etc.) which they don't take into consideration when talking trade.
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Old 01-15-2012, 06:48 AM   #11
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We're thinking of doing the same thing. We currently own a 40' Fleetwood Providence (2003) and would like to sell it and buy a used FW toyhauler for our golf cart and a used truck. However, we're having a problem with our negative equity in our motorhome! We need $89,000 for payoff, but they only want to give us $40,000 or $50,000 for trade! Looks like we'll have to try to sell it outright. Any advice out there? How did all of you handle the negative equity?? We've put many upgrades into it (3 LCD's, including a 40' in the outside bay, Wineguard Trav'ler, new Michelin tires, etc.) which they don't take into consideration when talking trade.
The negative while just keep growing that's the bad side of owning any MH. This is why I have said if you( have) to sell your sticks and bricks for the money to buy a MH it doesn't make financial since. You probably had a 30 years loan to pay it off and will lose it all in about 15 and end up with nothing. I know I'll catch heck for that but it's true.
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Old 01-15-2012, 07:22 AM   #12
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.......We've put many upgrades into it (3 LCD's, including a 40' in the outside bay, Wineguard Trav'ler, new Michelin tires, etc.) which they don't take into consideration when talking trade.
I think any dealership is going to try to low ball you on your trade or high ball the new unit. It depends on how much you're willing to negotiate to get the best deal. I would think you'd get a better price for your unit selling it yourself, but since the economy stinks it's just not the best of times to sell an RV, although I always say there's a buyer out there somewhere and you will have to accept an extended period of time to find that buyer. New tires are a big plus IMHO, but the tvs and Wineguard sort of get lost in the big picture.
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Old 01-15-2012, 07:38 AM   #13
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However, we're having a problem with our negative equity in our motorhome! We need $89,000 for payoff, but they only want to give us $40,000 or $50,000 for trade! We've put many upgrades into it (3 LCD's, including a 40' in the outside bay, Wineguard Trav'ler, new Michelin tires, etc.) which they don't take into consideration when talking trade.
Your payoff is more than the retail value, kinda hard for a dealer to do anything for you there. A quick web search shows them selling in the $75k-$85k range. It looks to me like you're in for a $5k-$10k bath even if you sell it privately.

Another lesson on financing these things. If you don't have a big down, or buy used you are going to get into this issue every time...especially if you don't keep it for 20 years.
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Old 01-15-2012, 08:05 AM   #14
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We're thinking of doing the same thing. We currently own a 40' Fleetwood Providence (2003) and would like to sell it and buy a used FW toyhauler for our golf cart and a used truck. However, we're having a problem with our negative equity in our motorhome! We need $89,000 for payoff, but they only want to give us $40,000 or $50,000 for trade!
NADA Average Retail for your MH is $70K; low retail is $60k. The dealers are offering you roughly the wholesale value which is ~20% below the NADA low retail. When we bought our MH last year we found most units selling at or below low retail. Sorry.
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