Very nice 5er, well equipped, WAY cheaper than an "average' MH.
TV not as expensive, cheaper upkeep.
Insurance on Truck and 5er is cheaper than on MH
More room for living and storage in the 5er.
I can back up the 5er with my Truck hooked to the front of it
bottom line...money....it is what it is.
Jim & Kathy
2013 Dodge 3500DRW Longhorn 4X4/CC/LB/Aisin tranny/4:10/Cummins: 385HP/850TQ
06 HR Presidential Suite 37RLQ/ 4 slide/ dual pane windows/Winegard SK3005 Satellite/Splendide XC2100 W/D
Boxers;Buddy& Sheba II
USAF 71-75 Nam Vet
When camping in cool weather water condensates on the front window of a motorhome and you have to take towels to soak it up before you can hit the road in the morning. We've had large puddles on the dash from this condensation. In really cold weather this condensation freezes over......on the inside.
Had a 98 Bounder for 6 years. Loved it for the easy setup and just plain convienience. When you are moving most every other day, the MH makes more sense. I now have a 5er now and stopping enjoying the area for several days or weeks is a joy. It just seems that in todays times, the MH is overkill. Again, loved the MH, but he 5er is just a different thrill.
As a recent "convert" after owning a Class A d.p. for nearly nine years, I also got tired of paying through the nose for maintenance, plus debt service, plus depreciation. I was very lucky when I ran an ad for the m.h. in the local paper. Sold it within 8 days for a price that was reasonable, not what I wanted, not what I owned, but reasonable.
We're spending our usual Christmas week on Mustang Island, Texas (rain,wind, and chilly) in our 07 Select Suites we purchased in November. This is our first trip. Like many have said, livability is superior over a motor home; taller ceilings provide a residential feel, three deep slides that you couldn't have in a m.h. since you couldn't walk down the aisle in transit, and at least in our case, a big upgrade in electronics.
I must admit the traveling part isn't what I expected. The roads in Texas are pretty good, but the jarring and chucking between the fifth wheel and the truck provided a harsh ride that was tiring. I was used to a 450 mile day in the d.p. without much fatigue. What I parked the trailer the first night out, I was bushed.
Another thing, fuel economy. We have a new Chevy Duramax 3500 towing a 15,000 fifth wheel, and the mileage was just less than 10 mpg on the way down. Ran from 60 to 65 most of the time. I'd heard 12 to 14 mpg. Anyone get that kind of mileage?
On the whole, I'm pleased with the change. Sure if I win the lotto, I'll order a Newell, but until then.
Dave & Robin
Boxers; Big Jake (2002-2011)& Lady Katydid
Grey Cat: Big Papa (aka) Stinkley
2012 Dodge 3500 Club Cab Long Horn edition
Max Tow, 4:10 rear end,
2007 DRV Select Suites 36TKB, Trail Aire Tri Glide
12 to 14 mpg is pretty hard to get. Some guys with certain older Fords and Dodges make those claims fairly regularly, and they can't all be lying.
My last trip, my typical tank was 11.5 with a much smaller 5er than yours, at the same speeds as you. The newer trucks don't seem to do so well. I guess they do take a long time to loosen up, though.
You might need an air-cushioned pinbox for the ride. It should be fixable.
I get right at 10 mpg towing, maybe a little more if it's on mostly level interstates. The newer diesel trucks (since 2008) have a lot more emissions stuff on them that makes them get worse mileage than the older ones. For the harsh ride, I found air bags (Firestone Ride-Rites) to be a big help...they level the truck and help the ride. I was surprised how much difference they made and my trailer isn't real big.
To me one of the huge advantages over a MH is that you can upgrade the truck and the trailer individually. Plus all the reasons others have given.
Happy Holidays to all....
2008 Ford F250 Super Duty, Lariat, 6.4l PSD, Super Cab. Long Bed
2006 Jayco Jay Flight 27.5 RLS Fifth Wheel
I like nice cars. I've had 3 Lexus V8's, 3 Porsches, and wife's driver is a Benz E350 4Matic sedan, currently.
When we had the motorhome we had a Lexus LS 400 sedan. I refused to tow it behind the motorhome, a 36 foot Beaver Monterey. My wife drove our car separate. We enjoyed the MH when parked at Outdoor Resorts in Palm Springs area but frankly the MH was not as good for lake camping in National Parks, BLM, or boondocking.
I much prefer having my Duramax pickup with Canopy and towing my 21T Komfort trailer. Drop the trailer and do our running around in my 2500HD SRW pickup. Besides in LA traffic you need a 6800 # rig to feel safe in traffic.
5er bigger bang for the buck
Only 1 vehicle to maintain
Insurance less on TV and 5er compared to an MH
More living space
Can drive the TV anywhere
More storage
Just a better buy for the $$$
cherry
12-14 mpg towing in NOT hard to get at all with pre DPF diesels and you can do it also with your truck! The secret is how fast you drive and how much you use the brakes. Remember that you had paid for the fuel used to bring your rig up to the speed it's at and then lose that gained speed and burnt fuel by using the brakes to slow down. Drive between 55 and 60 with easy startups and smooth acceleration from a stop and be sure to let the rig slow down naturally as much as possible for a stop by only using the brakes for the last under 15-20 mph. Yup, that means keeping a lot of space between you and the vehicle ahead of you. Good idea anyway! Keep tires at max inflation and keep air etc filters clean.
Our 2004.5 Chevy D/A CC 4X4 LB in our signature has always gotten 13.4-14.3 mpg hand calculated towing our 29' Carriage Carrilite which scale weighs 12,400 to 12,800 lbs loaded to travel including the pin weight. Truck with 124,000+ on the clock has only used for RVing as we have other vehicles. That is with the total 5er sitting on the scale with out being on the truck. Our family own half interest in a gravel operation and they have certified scales I can use anytime without cost. Averages about 3/4 to 1 mpg lower in the mountains or when our 2150 lb boat/trailer is behind the fiver and makes the total rig length 64'11" as I had to cut 14" off the trailer tongue to keep it under the 65' limit in the states we double tow in. Cruise control is always 58-60 on interstates and 55 on reg highways. IT WORKS!
Wasting of your fuel you had purchased and then complaining about your economy will never change your outcome. You are the only person behind the wheel and making the decisions and controlling your actions. But then, it's only money so what the heck!
Newer diesel pickups do get less mpg's due to the DPF regens However, Ford and GM diesels are getting much closer to pre DPF years now with using the DEF systems.
A superb CC LB 4X4, GM HD Diesel, airbags, Rancho's, lots more
Lance Legend TC 11' 4", loaded including 3400 PP generator and my deluxe 2' X 7' rear porch
29 ft Carriage Carri-lite 5'er - a specially built gem
A like new '07 Sunline Solaris 26' TT
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