Community Forums

RandyL · 07-02-2012, 05:29 AM

Hi, I'm a newbie to the RV world. In fact I'm still trying to make a decision on which way to go MH or TT. I've been reading the posts here for a few days but don't seem to be getting closer to a decision. I thought I had decided on a TT, but a MH has a lot of attraction too. I work out of state and am gone about 3 nights a week. Whichever way I go I will live in the RV while at work and leave it parked near my job most of the time. My wife and I will also use it for long weekend trips and 1 to 2 week vacations in the Rocky Mountains and maybe an occasional longer trip to the east or west coast.

I would appreciate any advice about making the decision between MH and TT. I'm looking forward to being part of the forum and the RV community.

Randy

BartLee · 07-02-2012, 06:05 AM

Hello and welcome to the forum I have a fifth wheel and love it. Had a TT and it was ok. The thing that made me go to a fiver was the shower and head room as I am 6'4". So depending on your size and the size of you tow vehicle a fiver may be a idea. As for as the MH never had one or desired one. But I like you work out of town and if you go with the MH you have to think about towing a vehicle with it. Just some ideas and my two cents. Hope you come to your decision soon and begin to enjoy it. Happy camping.

RandyL · 07-02-2012, 06:15 AM

Bart, thanks for the reply. I thought about a 5th wheel but I have a newer half ton Silverado. From what I've read here it may not be enough for a fiver. It looks to me like you get more bang for the buck with a fiver than a TT though.

Steve N Sal · 07-02-2012, 01:23 PM

Howdy and welcome aboard. Hope you have fun on the site and find the answers to your questions. Finding the correct rig for you is kind a personal choice. Everyone has their own opinions. For us the moho works but for someone else well the TT makes a better life for them. Good luck in your choice and hope you have a great time traveling.

Old Trucker · 07-02-2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyL

Hi, I'm a newbie to the RV world. In fact I'm still trying to make a decision on which way to go MH or TT. I've been reading the posts here for a few days but don't seem to be getting closer to a decision. I thought I had decided on a TT, but a MH has a lot of attraction too. I work out of state and am gone about 3 nights a week. Whichever way I go I will live in the RV while at work and leave it parked near my job most of the time. My wife and I will also use it for long weekend trips and 1 to 2 week vacations in the Rocky Mountains and maybe an occasional longer trip to the east or west coast.

I would appreciate any advice about making the decision between MH and TT. I'm looking forward to being part of the forum and the RV community.

Randy

Hi Randy, Good question. different answer from every one that is satisfied with what they have.

Since you already have a late model 1/2 ton pickup, and probably not ready to up date. You might consider a nice used pull type TT that would be weight compatible with your pickup weight limitations. Could find a nice trailer for $8,000 to $12,000. My daughter and son in law recently traded 26 ft Terry 5th wheel for a new 2013 Rockwood windjamer. They have a light duty 3/4 ton 4 door Cheve, 350 engine. He says the new trailer pulls much easier and rides much better with the TT and a good antisway hitch. The Terry was NOT tall like some 5th wheel, but I have drove it, was not impressed.. . Aparently you are a younger man with kids at home. This might be an economical starter, especially since you already have a late model pickup.

I have a 36 ft diesel pusher motor home and love it. Next story, with a tow vechicle I have 2 drive trains to maintain and insure. Tow bar, mounting plates and labor, over $1200. Hard to buy a nice used motorhome for the price of a TT. Already haveing a pickup would make me think about the used economical TT with a good antisway hitch. Good wishes from an old retired cross country trucker..... old trucker

SarahW · 07-02-2012, 03:06 PM

Howdy and welcome!

Good luck with finding the right RV!

4Knights · 07-02-2012, 03:17 PM

Howdy to you, we also live right here in Kansas- west side of Fort Riley.

We have a MH but to each their own. My question for your decision is how much time do you have to travel from home to your out of state job? A MH is fantastic all around but speed is not in that equation! You could pull a TT or 5er longer distance in a shorter time if the tow vehicle is set up right.
We have all types except the 5er but friends have had them and eventually moved back to TT or MH.

**CLIFFTALL** · 07-02-2012, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Knights

Howdy to you, we also live right here in Kansas- west side of Fort Riley.

Hi and welcome. The only advice I have for you is to stay away from Ron. I just visited with him and his lovely family and I gained five pounds.

4Knights · 07-02-2012, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clifftall

Hi and welcome. The only advice I have for you is to stay away from Ron. I just visited with him and his lovely family and I gained five pounds.

More like 10 but the jet ski ride caused him to lose 5

bsirby · 07-02-2012, 06:37 PM

Hello Randy, welcome to IRV2. I am not going to try and say what is best for you. Only you can determine that. Good luck and safe travels. Let us know what you decide.

RandyL · 07-03-2012, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Knights

Howdy to you, we also live right here in Kansas- west side of Fort Riley.

We have a MH but to each their own. My question for your decision is how much time do you have to travel from home to your out of state job? A MH is fantastic all around but speed is not in that equation! You could pull a TT or 5er longer distance in a shorter time if the tow vehicle is set up right.
We have all types except the 5er but friends have had them and eventually moved back to TT or MH.

The Army and Ft. Riley is why I live in Kansas. I was assigned to Ft. Riley in 1980 after ROTC and FAOBC at Ft. Sill. I thought the Army was going to be my career but ended up changing my plans (meeting and marrying a KS girl who didn't like the Army life) and never left Kansas.

I work in OKC now and live in Lawrence. I had planned to move but can't afford to sell the house. So I saw it as an opportunity to do something I had wanted to do for a while, get an RV. Speed isn't much of an issue since I plan to leave it parked in OKC except when my wife and I use it for vacations. I'm definitely leaning towards a used TT to get started and see where it goes.

RandyL · 07-03-2012, 05:24 AM

Thanks everyone for the welcomes and advice.

RandyL · 07-03-2012, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Trucker

Hi Randy, Good question. different answer from every one that is satisfied with what they have.

Since you already have a late model 1/2 ton pickup, and probably not ready to up date. You might consider a nice used pull type TT that would be weight compatible with your pickup weight limitations. Could find a nice trailer for $8,000 to $12,000. My daughter and son in law recently traded 26 ft Terry 5th wheel for a new 2013 Rockwood windjamer. They have a light duty 3/4 ton 4 door Cheve, 350 engine. He says the new trailer pulls much easier and rides much better with the TT and a good antisway hitch. The Terry was NOT tall like some 5th wheel, but I have drove it, was not impressed.. . Aparently you are a younger man with kids at home. This might be an economical starter, especially since you already have a late model pickup.

I have a 36 ft diesel pusher motor home and love it. Next story, with a tow vechicle I have 2 drive trains to maintain and insure. Tow bar, mounting plates and labor, over $1200. Hard to buy a nice used motorhome for the price of a TT. Already haveing a pickup would make me think about the used economical TT with a good antisway hitch. Good wishes from an old retired cross country trucker..... old trucker

No, don't have kids at home. My youngest is 28. It's my wife and I now.

I agree that since I have the truck it makes more sense to get a towable and TT's seem to be the quickest and cheapest way to get started. That was the way I started thinking but got attracted to MH because they seemed to me to be a little more convenient except for the part about having to tow another vehicle around. I'm still not completely convince to go with a TT over 5th wheel though. It seems the cost difference may be worthwhile for the extra room and features you get.

MSHappyCampers · 07-03-2012, 08:49 AM

Hi Randy! Welcome to IRV2! Sure glad to have you join the group! Your question is a "toughie". We started with a 5th wheel 11 years ago and just recently bought a Class A. Still not 100% sure we did the right thing! Don't act too quickly, give it a lot of thought. Two big factors are maintenance and insurance (after getting over the shock of buying). TT's and 5ers are so simple to maintain compared to a MH and there's a huge difference in the cost of insurance. You might want to spend some time searching the motorhome sections of the forums. This topic has been discussed many times. Good luck & God bless!