From Class A to 5th Wheel? Any Regrets?

[Papa_Jim]

We have been quietly exploring the idea of converting to a 5th wheel.

Our greatest concern is that we overnight dry camp a lot as we travel. Our coach has a 6.5kw generator, 800AH house batteries, a 3000W inverter, 125 Amp Converter. We don't even think about needing electricity as we travel.

Has anyone converted their 5th wheel to do the same?

Jim

[BrianGlenn]

Originally Posted by Papa_Jim

We have been quietly exploring the idea of converting to a 5th wheel.

Our greatest concern is that we overnight dry camp a lot as we travel. Our coach has a 6.5kw generator, 800AH house batteries, a 3000W inverter, 125 Amp Converter. We don't even think about needing electricity as we travel.

Has anyone converted their 5th wheel to do the same?

Jim

Yes - in my last 5th wheel I replaced the converter (80A) with an inverter/charger (3000W/150A charger) and 4 6V batteries (520AH). Had an 3000W Honda EU inverter style generator. Biggest challenge was finding/creating the space for the new battery bank. Ended up with AGM batteries to eliminate venting issues.

Brian

[Dogpatch]

Originally Posted by tderouchie

SRW or DRW f350?

Likely because I will be driving the truck for work, the SRW is what I'll buy.

[Mr_D]

Personally I think a 5th wheel would work better if you were snow birds and stayed in one place for several weeks or longer. For us a MH made more sense and the DW likes the bathroom right there.

[Dogpatch]

Originally Posted by JDT

I seem to be chiming in a bit more than you may need so I'll quit. My only excuse is it is so hot outside there isn't much else to do. Good luck with whatever you do.

Jim, I am totally green with the idea of a 5er, truck, hitch and anything to do with all of it. Keep it coming please!

If I decide to go this route (which we are heavily leaning towards)
I need all the education I can get from you veterans in this field.

I don't want to make costly mistakes being dissatisfied with a choice we make.

[KerrTx]

We just did this trade, a class A to the 5th wheel. I already drove a truck all the time, I just up sized to a RAM 3500 SRW, Crew Cab 4 X 4. It rides rough on the ranch road when it's empty, but tows the 5th wheel like a dream. We never cared for the way the Class A drove, it was all over the road and we sank $1000's into safety steer, and air bag and shocks and sway control, It was always something else. We always had to stop the MH to take bathroom breaks and fix drinks, so that was no change. The new 5th wheel does everything by remote, auto level, slides, lights, awning. It takes us less time to set up the 5th wheel than it did to unhook the toad and set up the MH. The drive in the RAM is as nice as it gets and staying in the 5th wheel is like staying in a apartment. Our only regret is we put up with the MH for years, we will never go back!

[Scottybdivin]

We went the opposite direction this year. We tend to drive a lot of miles and move around a lot. I was even able to incorperate my F350 DRW into my work and it litterally paid for itself. It made perfect sense from a financial standpoint. Still, we found the 5th wheel inconvenient while traveling with the dogs, and moving every few days. We love the relaxed feeling for all (dogs and us), while cruising in the MADP. And the CCC is amazing. If it fits, it ships.

[Dogpatch]

As you can tell by my signature, the Beaver coach sold and I've made the leap to a different set up.

[JohnBoyToo]

I was always on the other side of the argument...
Having had 3 large dezzle pickups and 5th wheels, I thought I had the best solution for us... and argued how nice and easy it was with the almost 17k 5er... even with the serious problems we had with it (enough so that they bought it back!)

Now, my big trucks - I loved 'em,
and hated to get rid of them...

Not until we got the new to us DP did I find out how wrong I was arguing against the MH...

Driving all day in the pickup, leaving the ground on some of the bridge expansion, sweltering to set up, and the large 5'er taking HOURS to cool down, ceased to be fun right away...

Now with the 3 THREE ac's going with the 10k genny, we can be frozen when we get to the rv park

To each his own, but until you've tried it, don't knock it good luck on your decision...

As far as cost ?
my truck and 5er cost almost as much as the DP and monthly, it's only $100 more than the truck without counting the 5'er (but a wee bit longer term !)

and the 5'er had many, MANY less features,
insurance is actually cheaper for the MH and jeep than with the large $60k truck as a daily driver ...
good luck on your decision !

[trickto322]

We just sold our 42 ft DP and bought a montana 38.5 ft and a Ford F250. That was the happiest day we have had in a long time. The work you have to do on a DP to keep it moving is crazy. It did have its benefits but if you look at the cost of just the fuel and insurance and finding a place to work on it if we had trouble was a real stressor. Making the move was very good for us. good luck

[Dogpatch]

Like I may have mentioned somewhere, we've had 6 Class A's so I know the merits of what they offer. The conveniences don't mean anything to us if we're not comfortable when we get there.

I'm really looking forward to the 5er we just bought. The roominess and other appointments far out do the DPs we've owned.

Here's a couple of examples of what I mean:

Huge Living Area

Big Screen TV and Fireplace

Large Open Dining Area

Huge Kitchen

And a King Size Bed

[glennwest]

Beautiful unit. We don't like the enclosed island. We had that in our DRV and when 2 end up in kitchen it's a problem. Our current unit has a stand alone island. Much better. That was actually a deal breaker when we were shopping.

[Dogpatch]

Originally Posted by glennwest

Beautiful unit. We don't like the enclosed island. We had that in our DRV and when 2 end up in kitchen it's a problem. Our current unit has a stand alone island. Much better. That was actually a deal breaker when we were shopping.

What's a kitchen???

I've heard of them. Never been in one.

[stanleyz]

Been towing for 15 years now. The only down sides to the 5er is hooking and unhooking the trailer and driving the truck (DRW in my case) in a lot of busy tourist towns and crowded camp grounds.

I will tell you that there are a lot of 5th wheels out there that are pretty poorly built. I'm on my second one and it is head and shoulders above the first. Current one is a Mobile Suites, the first was a Cardinal. Cardinal had a lot of neat stuff but when I got into it I found some really flimsy construction. The MS is built like a tank but there is still a good bit of breakage. Look hard at the trailer, size of frame, brakes, axles, springs and spring hangers, and look very hard at the construction where seams are. Those areas take a beating as you tow and are subject to come apart over the years and leak. Front and rear caps are very important and both should be one solid unit from roof to below the bumper.

I think as a general rule Motor Homes are better built and will last longer than most trailers. But, if you pay attention to the construction and not the dazzle you can find a solid 5er. Good luck.