fimk
westcentral illinois
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Joined: 05/30/2006
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My wife is a consultant so we travel while working. But she flys from place to place while I drive the motorhome from place to place. Therefore I usually need to back the motorhome into our assigned space and set it up by my self. I have gotten comfortable doing this alone. Here is the question...We are looking to either upgrade the motorhome or switch to a higher end 5er. I have no experience with 5ers. So would a 5er be harder/easier for a person alone to back into a site and set up?
Ken and Cindy Frericks
2 Shiba Inus: Sox and Ditka
2007 Sportscoach Cross Country 382DS
2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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www.frerxadventures.com
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dons2346
Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of So. CA
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Joined: 11/21/2001
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After driving a MH and a 5er, no way would I have a towable, especially if you move often. You could always have someone at the campground assist you backing in.
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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Joined: 07/03/2005
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The simple fact that a TV/5'er has a joint in the middle makes it harder. Your rear view mirrors are blocked by the 5'er when turning while backing. It can certainly be done alone but it will take a bit more skill.
Jim
2005 Coachman Sportscoach Elite 402 40'
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Jayco-noslide
Galesburg,Il., USA
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Joined: 11/24/2004
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We have a 5th wheel and the 5er is going to be more difficult to back in and set up, especially if your MH has a camera. When I'm backing our 5er, much of the time I can see absolutely nothing behind and on 1 side if the trailer and truck are not straight with each other. Also, there is the unhooking, raising the front supports(push button) and manually lowering the rear jacks. Not a big deal but more than a MH.
Jayco-noslide
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kennethwooster
Perryton Tx USA
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Joined: 11/21/2003
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I think it comes down to what you are comfortable with. I've pulled many trailers while farming for about 40 years. I did try a MH, and traded it back for a 5th. For me a MH added another motor to take care of. True when you back a 5th there are times you cannot see. I just get out check how I'm doing. Really not a problem. Our new Cameo has Big Foot levelers, and thus after unhooking just hit a button, and go on and set up. My diesel pickup is a lot easier and cheaper to service then the big diesels in a big MH. The upperend 5ths are very nice and comfortable.
kenneth wooster- retired farmer. Biblical History Teacher in public HS, and substitute teacher.
wife Diana-adult probation officer, now retired.
31KSLS Full Body paint Cameo
Ford F250 2011 model, 4X4, King Ranch.
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remoandiris
Florida
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Joined: 07/13/2011
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Lots of CGs out there with pull-thru sites. IMO, the least of your worries should be about backing in. Look at the lifestyle. If the MH fits better, stick with it. If the 5er fits better, get one.
2011 GMC 3500 Dually
New to me 2006 Jayco Designer 38RDQS
2 Boxers and a Maine Coon
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rodeoboy
Indiana
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I would think that since most motorhomes, larger ones anyway, have self levelers; therefore once your in the site all you have to do is hook up water/electric and sewer. I know I was jealous of a guy who pulled in his site next to me and was setup in less than 15 minutes. Whereas I was putting wood down and leveling out my camper for 15 minutes alone and another 15 minutes hooking up water/ sewer and disconnecting from the truck.
Just my observation.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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Setting up a 5-er involves un-hooking, and leveling and such.
Setting up a Class A for overnight on a pull through site.
Pull in
Set parking brake (Less it's an auto brake)
Press a few buttons to level it
Press a few buttons to run out the slides
Optional if in a campground: Plug in an hook up hoses (Same as your 5er)
For longer stays: Unhook towed. (on my towed this involved twisting a collar behind one wheel, pulling two pins, unhookin 5 cables (2 big, 2 electrical one small) In short, perhaps 10 minutes and only 2 of them real "Work" (Unhooking the towed)
Since we full time we carry a bit more "Junque" than fits well so there is some moving back and forth, but if wife is not here I'd not do that since we are in a bath and a half model and the "Back" is her bathroom (I use the half myself) so I'd just leave the junque in the back.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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jtall
Idaho
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Pffffft!! Backing either once you get used to them is not an issue. I can give endless pluses and minuses for either, as can anyone who has owned both. The fact the a 5er or TT is jointed in the middle is a plus because it help mitigate your length, it also is a minus because it takes a little more practice to master.
I took a job driving trucks out of H/S, took me two weeks before I could back into a blind alley on the passenger side of the truck, it's not that difficult. Buy the one the DW likes the most, and don't worry about it, within a couple of weeks you'll master either.
John
John and Patti
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Joy
Henderson KY 42420
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Had both - much prefer the MH back-in & setup.
See ya' down the road!
Don-SCPO USN Ret.Corpsman
Joy-Ret.Off.Mgr.
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LIFE ISN'T ABOUT HOW TO SURVIVE THE STORM BUT HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN.
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