Community Forums

jdux999 · 11-25-2017, 05:44 PM

Class C or 5th wheel??

Bob_C · 11-25-2017, 06:12 PM

I prefer a 5er.....don't need a toad, easier to get around with pu, better mileage, and etc...

V3600 · 11-25-2017, 06:27 PM

Some people buy a 45 foot diesel pusher as their first RV. Goes with that saying to buy your last RV first.

Freqz · 11-25-2017, 06:44 PM

I'm a towable guy myself but I can see the allure of a MH. There is what works for you and your budget and everything else. It's all good.

Do you already have a 3/4 ton truck or larger? If so, the a FW is a no brainer. If you don't have a truck already, cash outlay is likely to be similar between a class C and a FW+truck. The big difference is you can trade in your current car and make use of that expensive drive train all the time instead of just when the RV is in motion.

Does one of your cars qualify for flat towing and weigh less than 5000 pounds? That's a budget friendly plus for a class C.

Family coming along or just a couple? Bunkhouse models seem to be easier to find in FW but certainly many class C floorplans can accommodate a crowd.

You can handle either one.

okcnewbie · 11-25-2017, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdux999

Class C or 5th wheel??

Sure. ..or DP, TT or whatever you choose.

ALLOY · 11-25-2017, 08:34 PM

Consider what the kind of outings do you like to do. Set up camp for a few days-weeks works better for a trailer or move sites every couple of days works better for Class C.

**TonyDi** · 11-25-2017, 08:46 PM

Glad to have you here in the forum with us. You're gonna like it here.

I've never owned an RV shorter than 43'. You adjust to them very quickly.

Happy Trails!!!

oldbird1965 · 11-25-2017, 09:10 PM

Thirteen years ago I started with a 27' fifth wheel and have worked up from there.

We have something in common, we both have post #1!

wingnut60 · 11-25-2017, 10:38 PM

It took me from '78 when we started towing a TT until 2007 to convince my wife to go to a fiver--her comment about a month later was "why didn't we do this sooner?"
We have never considered a C or an A--just not for us.

jeffwill13 · 11-25-2017, 11:30 PM

We never owned an RV before and we purchased a 43' 5th wheel and Dually Diesel to pull it. We are full-time so we just wanted the feel of a house that we didn't get from a MH. Towing for the first time 2 months ago was really easy. No regrets at all with the decision we made.

AtomicRT · 11-26-2017, 07:42 AM

One huge benefit of a 5th wheel is the ease of service/repair of your truck while on the road. Ram-Ford-GM dealers are everywhere. I've had a couple of issues (that turned out to be minor) while on the road and in both cases was able to drive a short distance to the nearest dealer and get the issue quickly resolved. Try that with MH. A Class C would be easier than an A for sure but many dealers do not service the 450-4500 chassis that many Class C are built on or Class C's in general because they physically don't fit in their service bays.

Cumminsfan · 11-26-2017, 08:55 AM

If you have a MH and want to travel around after set up, you'll need a small car/SUV to tow behind the MH. If you have a car in tow you'll need to unhook it to use a back in spot.
Not so with a TT or 5er. Makes it a little more of a hassle for a quick over nighter.
MH's can develope rattles and squeaks form all the twisting and bouncing around. You'll hear those when driving down the road. Most newer trucks are tight for many years.

Craig36 · 11-26-2017, 11:10 AM

A couple of thoughts from a guy on his 4th MH.

If you already have a heavy duty pick up fine, but if you need to buy both a new truck and the 5th wheel the pros and cons are different.

Clearly, a big 5th wheel can have a more home like floor plan, but you can't use it while you are driving down the road. Sending the wife to make you lunch, using the bathroom all require stopping. When my current girlfriend is tired, she has the option to walk back to a couch or the bed and take a nap

If your truck breaks down, you are stranded. If your MH breaks down you have your tow car.

For most people parking a 5th wheel at a campground is more difficult, because the truck mirrors don't help and there is no backup camera.

I had three young daughters and a wife, and when I made my first purchase decision, and having a bathroom you could use while driving was top of mind.

It is a personal choice that is more determined by if you plan to travel frequently or just park for months and use it as a summer home.

THenman · 11-26-2017, 11:30 AM

Wife and I got this as our first RV in many years. I had not used an RV since I was a kid with my parents.
Anyhow we went for this because we knew ourselves! We would not have used a smaller RV as much. We also would have been unhappy with poor finish. Same as far as luxuries/extras go.
We bought what fit us, what we wanted to do, and would be happy with. When we started looking we were looking a MUCH cheaper units including 5th wheels. Just keep going until we found level we knew we would be happy with then found a great deal.
The last thing you really want to do is buy something you do not use or enjoy. It does not matter if it's $10k or $2mil. If it just sits it's wasted money. If you do use it and need to upgrade or want to downsize it also cost more than getting what fits you to start.

If you are worried about all the things to learn take notes, make check lists, and ask questions. Really all good things to do anyhow.

Tom