89k1500ny
poughkeepsie,ny
New Member
Joined: 10/22/2004
View Profile
|
Was wondering for those who are fulltiming in a class A what was your reason for choosing over a 5th wheel or other trailer? Do you also tow a small vehicle? If not why? If so why? What do you see as the benefits? It will be a while before the wife and I retire but justed wanted some input . Thanks Mike
|
Diggin
Wherever I may wander
Senior Member
Joined: 10/26/2005
View Profile
 Offline
|
My current MH is our fourth motorized RV. I think the reason I was drawn to the motorized RVs is that I have never really been a truck guy, and never had a reason to buy a large truck other than to pull a 5er or trailer. This carried through to our fulltime plan as my lovely co-pilot would not find any joy in driving a large truck to the grocery store and other errands.
Another big reason that has become very evident over time is that with our travel schedule, Angie would go nuts being stuck in a truck cab during our traveling. She enjoys sleeping while we travel, and is rarely in the passenger seat. She plays with the dog, reads, plays video games, etc. There is also the multiple bathroom trips for her and snacks and beverages for me. I enjoy having a pot of coffee or two while driving.
We have seen some great 5th wheels, but I think with our travel idiosyncrasies, the Class A works out best for us. We typically move once a month or so and tow a 4-door Jeep Wrangler. Great toad, BTW!!
--kevin
Kev's Blog: When the Geek Hits the Road | NüRVers - The Next Wave
2006 Monaco Knight 40PLQ
2008 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited 4x4 w/Blue Ox Baseplate and Aventa LX Tow Bar
|
phil crouch
NW Oregon
Senior Member
Joined: 06/18/2001
View Profile
|
When we first started fulltiming, we had a 5th wheel.. Bought a motorhome within a year..
Our reason, we just liked it better.. Wife could use the bathroom while underway.. Make a sandwich, or just get up and streach.. Yep, we know about the safety and laws that can/do affect this while underway and was very careful when she did it..
We could stop anywhere without getting out if we so choose, especially if the weather was not agreeable.. Also take off just as quick, if needed, without getting outside the motorhome..
We had more storage space outside.. Needed it more than inside, for us...
Pulled a small p/u.. gave us pretty good gas milage.. around 30mpg with the 4/banger and 5/speed trans..
I think a 5th wheel/trailer or motorhome makes very good fulltime RV.. Just boils down to personal preference.. above are mine..
|
br549
On The Road
Full Member
Joined: 06/17/2002
View Profile
|
Always been a MH guy for the above mentioned reasons plus ease/speed of setup/takedown. We're usually having our spanish lesson with Perfesser Cuervo before our travel partners have unhooked their trailer.
Gerry & Louise
2007 Tiffin Phaeton 36 QSH
01 Chevy S10 4X4 X Cab PU
1926 Oakland Landau Coupe in Storage
|
2Rovers
On The Road
Senior Member
Joined: 11/09/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I (DW) do not like those big, loud diesel pick-up's or trying to find a place to park them in a crowded parking area. DH was concerned that as we age a 5th wheel would be more effort that we would want. Now, for both of us, the ease of traveling, i.e. restroom breaks, getting up to get snacks etc. While I don't like to move around in the MH while traveling, it does allow me the option.. We like to do jeep roads so we tow a jeep. Big plus is I can drive the MH and wouldn't care to drive a truck/5th wheel. Other than that just plain personal choice. Both have their plusses and minuses.
|
|
|
tkcas01
Roaming Fulltimer
Senior Member
Joined: 10/11/2005
View Profile
|
Seems one rule of thumb is that if your version of full-timing is sitting in one place for months at a time - such as south in the winter, north in the summer, then a 5er is the way to go. It is not good for motorized vehicles to sit around so much, and with a 5er you wouldn't have as much machinery to maintain. I think a 5er also has more usable room inside than a MH since you don't have the somewhat wasted cockpit area. But, as someone else said, your primary means of transport while camped would then be a large truck.
A MH on the other hand is best if you move alot. Somewhat easier to park and not as much work to set up/break down camp. Then, you have the vehicle of your choosing as a toad for running around.
I chose a MH because I planned to move every 4-6 weeks. Being single, I did not want the hassle of trying to park a 5er by myself - I suspect I can back this rig solo better than I could a 5er. I also didn't want a big diesel pickup as my only transportation when parked.
Working out of my roaming home office... (currently here)
|
ruth_anne_b
Central Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 03/15/2004
View Profile
|
A bunch of our full-timing friends try to talk us into a 5th wheel, but when you have a 5th wheel, you still arrive at your destination in a truck. With a class A, when you travel, you are in your apartment on wheels.
Ruth anne Baker
ruth_anne_b@cfl.rr.com
|
trkrhelp
On The Road
Senior Member
Joined: 06/20/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
As an ex-trucker I've had my share of pulling trailers and driving around in a bobtail big truck. So number one on our list -
1. Do not want to have a big diesel truck for a everyday car.
2. Can carry the bike and the toad without needing a toy hauler and the resultant loss of inside space.
3. Ability to get up and move around on the go, get a snack, make lunch, etc.
4. Ease of setup and tear down.
5. More overall space and carrying capacity (full basement for storage, tag axle for additional weight rating).
John Ewing
2007 Allegro Bus 42QRP ("TisIt")
2005 Sportster/HydraLift ("Dinky")
2002 Miata toad ("Mellow Yellow")
www.jandse.com
FMCA 104106
What goes around comes around - always treat others the way you'd like them to treat you.
|
DON-B2
WAYLAND, MICHIGAN
Full Member
Joined: 02/07/2005
View Profile
|
another thing to think about at tax time is you can deduct the interest on the motorhome loan, u can on a 5'ver too, but not the truck
DON ROBERTS
|
ArtDude
Oakland, TN
Senior Member
Joined: 07/15/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
All the above plus:
- MH is easier to pull-in for one night stay, no set-up required, just pull in
and go to sleep.
- I felt that a MH was more secure. If get spooked, don't have to go outside to
drive away to safety.
- With MH you do have two vehicles. This is one more to keep up but is also an
extra one to go for help if you break down.
Me, The DW & Curly Sue
34' Winnibago Adventurer
|
|
|
