We have a 36 ft motorhome and are considering going back to a fith wheel (had three over the years). Any sites showing pros cons of each? Or, anyone else who did the same and would like to comment, please do so. Thanks.
You know, all I think about is going from my 5th wheel to a MC in my retirement years, which is still a number of years away. Your comment has me re-thinking that strategy. Can you comment a little on your costs while static.
We moved from MH to 5er this year. Had 2 5ers back 10 years ago or so. Moved to MH's and had 4 over the last 10 years. Last one was a Country Coach 40ft Inspire. We had a great time in them all. Had a few breakdowns along the way but never stranded. We loved traveling in the MH.
So what happened you ask? We had our MH in for it's first year service (air brake filter, 2 fuel filters, oil change, powerplant service, lube, allison filter change, at a cost of over $1,000.00 ) when the nightmare began. While the dealer had our home on wheels it was damaged. Another MH ran into the side just before the front wheel and literally took the front end off windshield and all! It was a mess inside and out. The dealers insurance bought it back from us. Since we had a special trip to the mountains planned and it was too late to reschedule everything we decided to just buy a truck and trailer so we could go on our vacation. Very good decision. We enjoyed our trip way more than we expected! Had a great time in the 5er. Not one complaint. The setup and hookup is really no harder than a MH and tow vehicle. Way better fuel mileage in the truck/5er than the MH too!
Anyway, we are glad we made the change. Things happen for a reason and now that it's over we are happy again because we love our 5er. The MH was great to travel in but the 5er is better to camp in. Seems more like home. Yea I miss some of the MH stuff but not enough to buy another one. Cost is sure a plus with a 5er. Much easier to maintain too. I doubt if we will ever buy another MH now. Been there, done that, got the tee shirt.
I have to admit that if the accident had not happened then I would still be in a MH today and probably for a long time. We spent way too many $'s on it and it would have cost me a bundle to sell. They cost a bundle to manitain too. All said and done were glad everything worked out this way. We are happy to be back to 5th wheel camping. It's the best for our current needs. I can see that now, but boy I wasn't happy when all this happened!!
Good luck with your decision. 5er's are a great group of folks. You will find this Fifth Wheel RV.Net forum very helpful. Tex
* This post was
edited 10/22/07 03:44pm by TexGeorgiaBoy *
We had 2 5vers and while we liked them, neither of us were ever going to be proficient at backing them, it seemed. Either of us can back the MH easily. Plus it is easier to set up the MH. We enjoy driving the MH much more and having all the facilities available without having to go between truck & 5ver is very handy, too.
Like others have mentioned, we have enjoyed the MH, but too much maintenance, too many things to go wrong and not enough living space. As far as pulling, setup, etc, I don't see that much difference in time and effort when I consider toad,etc.
I was hoping to find a pro/con comparison somewhere, but I guess I can prepare my own.
Upkeep cost of our MH is $125/month insurance and $125 month extended warranty, not counting TOAD cost.
Wife and I have a 5er, inlaws have a MH.
We camp with them probably 50% of our trips so we have lots of compare / contrasting happening.
My thoughts,
They are dead even with the decision as to which way to go being based on what you do when you are 'camping'.
For example.
We bring a 'toy' with us about 90% of the time when we camp. The toy usually being either atv's or a boat. With a 5er you can double tow then use your towing truck to launch the boat or get around. With a MH you can directly tow the boat or the atv's but launching a boat and getting around is tough without a toad. We fish tourney's quite a bit, lauching the boat at 6am with the MH and waking up the wife/kid would cause a rift in the relationship so having a pickup available is a plus.
If you aren't bringing toys then the MH is sweet as you can get around the rig on the go and you can drop a toad behind. Additionally the range on the MH is pretty large (inlaws holds over 200 gallons of diesel) vs. my truck that holds 24 gallons.
Driving a MH vs. a 5er is a wash in my opinon, both seem to handle wind / hills about the same.
Costs are kinda hard to compare as there are many variables. IE, if you get a fully loaded Open Road with a new 1 ton diesel you'll be more money then a class C. Or if you compare a Prevost to a Montana then the MH is quite a bit more.
Maintenance:
MH's typically have more piddly things going wrong / needing work. But then again they are a house and car all put together, it's exspected. 5er's seem to be better but they don't have a power train.
For us,
The 5er works best for my wife and I and the MH works best for my inlaws. Our next camper will be a 5er and their next will be a MH. The ultimate solution would be to own 2
This has been a topic in this forum several times. MHs are beautiful and yes you can go to the bathroom while your moving. Hippie!
But here's my overall take on it:
MH - Driving a big bus
5er- Driving a much easier truck
MH - Living area has dashboard and Steering wheel
5er- All living area
MH - 36' = 32' living 4' of cockpit
5er- 36' = 36' living
MH - 36' + 4' hitch + 18' car = 58'
5er- 36' + 18' truck = about 50'
MH - Maintenance expensive
5er- Much less and most can be done by average person
MH - $150,000. up to 1,000,000. plus car
5er- nice truck & 5er under $90,000 up to $150,000.
MH - over $2,000. to put on new tires
5er- $560.for new tires
MH - Very large turning radius
5er- Much easier to manuver
MH - cannot back when towing car
5er- Easy to back
MH - Not much variety in floor plans(cockpit in front, bdrm in back,kitchen living in middle)
5er- Wide selection of floor plans.
MH - Exit door always in front
5er- Exit door front, middle, back, whichever you prefer
MH - W/car= 2 Motors, 2 trans, 2 alternaters, 2 water pumps, 2 of everything to go wrong
5er- Can buy new truck without buying new RV
5er- Can buy new RV without buying new truck
MH - Breakdown= Have towed to dealer and go to motel
5er- Breakdown= Have towed to campground and enjoy your RV
MH - Insurance extremly high
5er- Very resonable to insure
MH - very expensive to license in my state
5er- Much less (46.00 for me)
I'm sure there's some advantages to a MH but for the average guy without unlimited funds, a 5er makes sense to me.
Anybody have anything to add to this list?
You know, all I think about is going from my 5th wheel to a MC in my retirement years, which is still a number of years away. Your comment has me re-thinking that strategy. Can you comment a little on your costs while static.
brakes (complete frt and rear rotors and calipers from sticking), exhaust manifolds TWICE. Cylinder head... etc. those are the biggies for us. Plus normal engine maintenance. For us right now these expenses are more than we want to deal with.
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) when the nightmare began. While the dealer had our home on wheels it was damaged. Another MH ran into the side just before the front wheel and literally took the front end off windshield and all! It was a mess inside and out. The dealers insurance bought it back from us. Since we had a special trip to the mountains planned and it was too late to reschedule everything we decided to just buy a truck and trailer so we could go on our vacation. Very good decision. We enjoyed our trip way more than we expected! Had a great time in the 5er. Not one complaint. The setup and hookup is really no harder than a MH and tow vehicle. Way better fuel mileage in the truck/5er than the MH too! 
so having a pickup available is a plus.
