We upgraded from a 5'er and to us it is much less work. We do not use a toad so we've simplified lots of our setup so if we need to drive MH somewhere, breaking camp is easy. Some of things we've done:
- quick release on water hose
- no awning lights
- use small 5lb standalone propane tank for grill/stove instead of plumbing into MH tank (like we did to 5'er tank)
- usually can find level enough spot within campsite to park MH without having to use leveling blocks
- keep inside ready to go. Don't put out lots of stuff that would need to be packed away to drive MH
There are things about 5'er we miss but the MH is working great for us!
We moved from a TT to our Motorhome a little over a year ago and have no regrets. In my opinion its easier to setup and breakdown, hooking up the toad is easier than hooking up the trailer. Most everything else is about the same. The convenience of being able to use the bathroom and kitchen while on the road is great. I find it easier to maneuver the motorhome than the TT, realizing that I have to make sure I don't get into a situation where I need to backup with the toad. We have used our toad on all but one trip, If we didn't have a toad, I might feel differently.
The one down side to the motorhome is that it is more difficult to level the motorhome since I don't have have leveling jacks.
From two PUPs to a 2006 ROO 21SS and now the Sunseeker. Out on the road every chance I get and also Camp Driveway whenever the urge is there. During Hurricane Irene I lived in it for 6 days while the power was out. There are pros and cons but right now I am pleased with the change.
Scott
2011 Sunseeker 3170DSF
2 great sons, Scott & Alex (23 & 20)
"Courage is the thing. All goes if courage goes."
I went from 24' class c to 30' TT. I like the trailer a lot better even though it is harder to set up. I really like having the TV to drive rather than the class C. (I did not have a toes).
We went from a travel trailer to a class A gasser. I wouldn't say the difference in prep time is any different. Still have to hook up the toad, pack up the clothes and groceries, etc.. The part we like is having a fully stocked house (bathroom and fridge mostly) available while your on the road. The driving is no less a job. You have to be on your toes all the time while moving.
In my view there is no right and wrong way to RV. The upside to the travel trailer is having the house set up for a week, or whatever while your camping. We really enjoyed the travel trailer. I hated towing it and think that pulling the CRV behind the motorhome is probably easier than towing the trailer. But, looking back, I never really had a great tow vehicle like a cummings Dodge. That would have been nice. Nevertheless, the RV is nice because we have everything on-board all the time. Power, water, heat, AC, TV, fridge, full bath, bedroom, microwave, and all while enroute to the next destination. Also, we can get by very well for a few days with no hookups. The travel trailer wasn't much more than a tent with water and a toilet without hookups. It's the Onan generator that makes the RV nice.
If I may, the deciding factor I think depends on what you like to do. If you spend a week here and a week there then a travel trailer might be best. If you move a lot and need dry camping capabilities then the motorhome might be best. My wife just really likes to kick back on the sofa and read a book while we are making a long drive. I can drive for hours and the only stops we make is when I have to pee. We stop once a day for gas. I never drive out a whole tank in a single day. That's too far for me. With a full tank I can drive 960 miles if I were to drive the tank dry. I'll usually don't do more than 500 miles in a day.
We usually leave the RV mostly stocked. When we hit the road it doesn't take very long to pack. I usually don't even turn the fridge on till a few hours before we leave. We just seem to leave more stuff in the RV than we did in the trailer.
If I had a good trailer now and a really capable tow vehicle I don't think I would switch. I would however, buy a portable generator. Something in the 5000 watt range. That makes a travel trailer capable of dry camping even in the hot summer. My RV has a 4000 which is plenty to run the air, microwave, etc.. However, the portable 4000 might not pull everything as well. I would spend a few extra bucks and get a 5000. The Honda 2000 ain't gonna do the trick. I have seen travel trailers with generators mounted on them in various places. The Champion has a remote start feature. But, you can't get by using a contractor grade unit at a campground. They are too loud for that. They would work for the occasional dry camp and side of the road picnic. When we had our travel trailer we found a parking lot to eat lunch and walk dogs many times. A generator would really have made these nicer when it's 100 degrees out.
We are once again contemplating on trading in our TT in on a class c or a small class a. We like our trailer fine, but there are some of areas that we think going to the motorhome would be better for us. First of all the ease of setting up. No stabilizers to crank down. If it's raining when you arrive, just pull in. At most you will need might be electric (unless you can run the genny). Get a little wet hooking it up, if you dare. With the TT, it's a matter of backing it in, stabilizing it, then hooking up the electric and etc. Get a lot more wet. Not to also include unhooking from the truck. There are different situations that could make one easier than the other, but after contimplating it on trying to take things down in the rain this past weekend, it would of been easier with the motorhome for sure.
There are only 3 of us, so we don't need a lot. Our TT has 4 bunk beds and that entire end of the TT is a waste of space for us. Our daughter usually falls asleep on the sofa anyways.
Having everything available right there while going down the road is also nice. We can't even get into our TT with the slide in.
The main thing is that we like to get out, drive and explore. It kills us with the F250 V10. It costs more than twice as much to fill it up over my small daily driver and we get about half the distance out of a tank of gas. while the truck is not considered a daily driver for us, it does have to be driven occasionally by my wife. That gas is killing us as well.
Overall, I think we will just be happier with a class c or small class a. While we will lose a little space, we will make up more in comfort and ease. We usually end up spending a lot of time outside. 90% of the cooking is done outside for one thing.
We have figured that with trading in our TT for a class c and trading in the truck on a small car, that we will save money each month. About $100 on payments, but not to include probably another $100/month on gas easily.
* This post was
edited 09/08/11 01:46pm by wbwood *
Brian RVing Illustrated
2010 Keystone Sprinter Select 31BH
2001 Coleman Santa Fe
Offline
 (99x51).jpg)
