Community Forums

OswegoLion · 09-12-2013, 02:28 PM

Pulling an RV with truck seems the better choice. Aren't you more likely to have more costly problems with a Class A or C? I need different views on this topic. Thanks. No new to pull a car.

Go Dawgs · 09-12-2013, 03:45 PM

My first questions would be: Do you have an adequate TV? 3/4 ton or 1 ton for either choice, diesel would be best. If so then the maintenance on the TV would be just like that of a MH. The house part for both would be about the same. If you have a MH and want a toad then you either have to adapt your current vehicle or buy one. With a trailer and TV you have a vehicle to travel with. Maintenance wise is about the same on either. I have owned a TT, Class A, and now a Class C and I saw no difference in maintenance on any of them. I'm a little OCD and stay on top of all working items.

TXiceman · 09-12-2013, 04:00 PM

With a motorhome, you will need to tow car to sight see...we just use the truck and only have one drive train to maintain. Motorhome chasis are large and require specialized shops to work on them. My F350, just goes to local Ford shop.

If your chassis has a problem, your whole house goes to the shop.

For full-time, the 5er and truck makes better sense tous.

Ken

CampDaven · 09-12-2013, 04:47 PM

You have a decision to make.
Go to campgrounds and ask and look and such. You will find what fits YOU.
Pros/cons on both sides.

You can test drive a MH, not so easily done with TT or 5er. How they handle and ride counts.

BTW, with MH and toad you are never stranded or without transportation.

Just my 2c

WesinRockies · 09-12-2013, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CampDaven

BTW, with MH and toad you are never stranded or without transportation.

Just my 2c

Agree! 100%

FIRE UP · 09-12-2013, 07:10 PM

Oswegolion,
If this is your first attempt at RVing, which I assume it is, then there's lots of reasons for any of them. In a travel trailer or a fifth wheel, there's no drive train, no engine, trans, differential, fluids to change, belts, hoses and much, much more to worry or think about. The floor plans vary so much in all of them, you'd have to check out several to determine just what's important to you, not any of us.

Storage is a huge issue. Depending on how much you travel, full timers or not, storage can be a big problem, if you don't have enough. I really can't speak for fifth wheels in storage but, I've seen some and, to me, it's not enough. But, that's a personal observation. The available amount might be just fine for many. Travel trailers seem to be the most lacking in available storage.

User friendliness is an issue too. Something like driving along and just pulling over and making a sandwich. For motorhomers, it's pretty easy and user friendly. But, fifth wheels and travel trailers, not so easy but, not the end of the world.

Depending on just which Class A one purchases, you can pull up in to a camp spot, or RV park space and just push a button and the rig levels itself and all you have to do is just hook up a hose and electrical.

Driving any of them has its own set of issues. Some are uncomfortable with driving a large square box. A truck pulling a trailer is more at ease to them. That's something you'll have to determine on your own. You say there's no need to pull a car. Well, if you get either a C or an A, it sure makes for nice security if that motor home breaks down and, you have a run-a-round little, way better gas mileage run-a-round car for checking out all the sights and running to the store for groceries.

It's a lot to think about. No doubt about it. Good luck.
Scott

Selah · 09-12-2013, 07:20 PM

I believe that an v-10 on an F53 chassis or cummins engine on a Frieghtliner or Spartan chassis is just as reliable as an F250 or F350. A comparably equiped 5er will have many of the same amenities as a MH with pretty much the same chances of something failing. Same with a TT. There all going to have refrigerators, air conditioners, furnaces, water pumps, 12 volt and 110 volt systems etc. Many 5ers have slides, slide toppers, washer/dryers and such. So, is there more to go wrong on a class A, well that all depends on what all you get. The more amenities you get the more chances there are of something going wrong.
If you want to reduce your chances of something going wrong you need a stripped out bus, throw a mattress on the floor and carry your water in gallon milk cartons.
Could you do that, of course you could; but do you really want to? Everything has a cost more than the initial outlay. Convenience is no different.

TXiceman · 09-12-2013, 07:24 PM

This is not our first attempt at RVing. We have had class C's, pop ups, travel trailers, class A's and 5th wheels.. Unlike the above post, we have experience all but class B and can speak from experience sine 1984.

For us and full time use, we decided the 5th wheel was the most liveable and affordable. But you have to decide what fits you. If you have never RVed, visit some dealers and a local campground to talk to owners. Most older RVers are happy to tell you their views and preferences.

With the first timers, whether they realize it or not, they will write a justification of what they bought.

Ken

Toyduck · 09-12-2013, 07:39 PM

I think it would depend on the RV experience you are looking for. We like to travel (we don't full time) and like to move from spot to spot. Doing so in a TT or 5vr was too much. We also like to use state and federal parks, and the smaller class C with a jeep as a towd allows this but still give us plenty of room for the tow of us and our two furry friends. We can park and be set up in 5 minutes, and towing the jeep 4 down, allows us to disconnect quickly and easily.

wa8yxm · 09-13-2013, 10:44 AM

A lot depends on your use pattern.. For a full timer (ME) moving often (every 1-2 weeks usually, longest time in one spot 3 months) a class A means I can set up and take down quickly,, I have crappy Gas millage when going CG to CG but fantastic Gas Millage (20-30) when running to store or church. And heaven forbid I'm driving in a pouring rain and need to make a "Rest stop" I need not get wet.

I trully enjoy my class A

A trailer, on the other hand, means I get roughly the same millage CG to CG, but, at best half the MPG running to the store and ... I get wet.

On the other hand... I've seen some folks who only travel a couple months or even a couple of trips a year.

If you let a trailer sit and sit (But take care of it otherwise) you gonna need new tires sooner rather than later.

But if you let a MOTOR VEHICLE sit like that..

Bigger tires cost more
Engine
Brakes
And other stuff

may all need replacement. Again SOONER as opposed to later.

Oh, one other advantage to an "A".. It has a generator.. I have been in a couple of RV parks where either
1: Power fail (3 times at least)
2: Power.. not good (Several times) and if you used too much the click of darkness was heard (Tripping breaker)..

Of course you can add one to a trailer too if you wish.

My motor home has been "Modified" (Added wiring) to "Side feed" (NEVER BACK FEED) my house (Side means a proper inlet and generator transfer switch on the back side of the house)

Came in handy a few times There too.

edgray · 09-13-2013, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CampDaven

You have a decision to make.
Go to campgrounds and ask and look and such. You will find what fits YOU.
Pros/cons on both sides.

You can test drive a MH, not so easily done with TT or 5er. How they handle and ride counts.

BTW, with MH and toad you are never stranded or without transportation.

Just my 2c

Normally I would agree, but that word "never" should not be used in an RV context.

Our friends in a fancy DP, towing a Jeep Commander, are stuck in a motel right now because their coach is in the Cummins shop, and the Jeep had to be towed into a dealer when it quit.

They are considering renting a car just to get back home.

To the OP:
I can't disagree with the claims FOR going with a 5th wheel & HD pickup rig, but you should at least consider that your view and ride going down the road will be that of PU truck and not the more "expansive" view and bus-like ride that many Class A motorhomes provide.
Ed

vsheetz · 09-13-2013, 12:57 PM

Not having owned a 5th wheel but watching and helping others setup it is more effort than a motor home.

We have a Jeep for off-roading so a motor home to tow it is the need.

George Schweikle · 09-13-2013, 01:13 PM

I have driven 380,000 RV miles since 1977 with one class C and three class A motorhomes. I neither want or need a Coach conversion, Diesel pusher, trailer, 5th wheel, or pickup camper. We like a smaller motorhome that can tow our race car trailer, and are also happy traveling and camping when not towing the trailer. I don't know if costs would be less for a truck and trailer since since a motorhome has always been our choice of RV over the other styles.

But, but, but. The solution to my needs in no way might suit your needs. As others have recommended, talk to other owners. Each variation I listed above has supporters who consider their choice as best. Unless you must use absolute cost to differentiate between RV types, first consider which type will suit your lifestyle then see what cost level you can afford for that type.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OswegoLion

Pulling an RV with truck seems the better choice. Aren't you more likely to have more costly problems with a Class A or C? I need different views on this topic. Thanks. No new to pull a car.

TXiceman · 09-13-2013, 04:23 PM

The solution is up to the OP. He needs to digest all of the information posted and decide what works for him.

But having run motorhomes and towed cars with brake systems, it is none the less difficult to move into or out of site. The only real difference is in bad weather, you can just pull in an level, if you have levelers and run the generator until the weather lets up.

The generator is an added expense and more maintenance.

Ken