flhtse05
Pace, Florida
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Joined: 10/30/2006
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Well, with the market where it's at I'm thinking of changing from a 5th wheel to a Class A. I would like input from those that have made the change either way, from 5th to A or from A to 5th. thanks in advance.
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sandnsurf
California
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Joined: 09/25/2002
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We made the change..the ride in a Class A can not be beat! If you are a mechanic minded person and can fix anything (my husband can) then do it! Things are always coming up to be fixed..this last trip out for 3 weeks and mostly local with little driving we had the jacks go out and the water heater. Our coach is going on 2 years old. He fixed them both in the campground (fuses and power-gear manual off the internet....
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sp8gold
Colorado Springs, CO
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Joined: 08/27/2004
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After years of being a "towables" man, we moved to a class A. We are now on our third A. It's nice not to have to get out of the rig when it's raining, cold, hot, etc.
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driveby
Vancouver BC Canada
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Joined: 01/07/2005
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I went from a C to a TT and immediately back to an A. Why? The C meant we could start the holiday at our doorstep. The TT meant the drive *then* holiday started. The A means we can have more room 
however if you're the kind of person who drives then parks for a long period I think a 5er is a good choice. We happen to be the type who doesn't stay very long in one place, don't need a big TV during the week as a daily driver so an A makes sense for our style of camping.
2008 Itasca Sunova 35J Class A
1997 TJ Sahara, hard and soft tops and AC
Held together via Roadmaster Falcon 2 tow bar and stopped by US Gear Unified Brake system.
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CoolJourney
Fulltimer
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Joined: 04/17/2007
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About 15 months ago we made the change from 5th wheel to a Class A. We enjoyed our fifth wheel, but we love the motorhome. The luxury and features of the MH far surpass the 5th wheel, but at 6 times the cost they should. I think the biggest change for us was how quiet the MH is compared to the Ford diesel truck we used to pull our 5th. With the engine in the back and a large one-piece windshield traveling down the road in the MH is quiet and almost like a movie (with the view out the windshield) on wheels. Also, we got a Honda CR-V to drive around once we stop somewhere. It is FAR easier to maneuver around town than our 18' long truck with a manual transmission.
The Class A works for us. We are fulltimers and probably travel more than the typical weekend RV'er. If we still had a permanent home and only took short trips we probably wouldn't have bought the motorhome.
Bill
2007 Monaco Diplomat 40 PDQ
2007 Honda CR-V
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Economical Handyman
S. California
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Joined: 02/19/2004
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We did a trip with friends in their 5th and us in our MH for a week headed toward Ind. We decided to drive each others unit for a day on the trip. For us, the wife missed the use of the bathroom and I did not get served the food as we drove down the road. Plus the view was not near as good. Our friends liked our MH, but their needs are different than ours. But they did change their TV, got a Volvo tractor. He said he felt safer, more power and better control in the down grades and the view was a lot better.
DeWayne & Judy
04 3810 Dutch Star
ISL 370
Frank's autoformer
01 Sahara Jeep-toad
F 374382
It is hard to kiss the lips at night, that has chewed your butt all day long!
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Joined: 08/24/2003
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We switched from a 97 F350 Diesel Towing a 2001 37 Foot 5er with Slide to a 1990 Class A Gasser towing a Tracker! Would never go back to Towing for several Reasons all have been mentioned above!
The Most Important in Our case has to do with the On Board facilities and Driving a Small SUV is a lot easier than a Truck where we go!
Rob & Jean 90 Southwind John Deere/Oshkosh/Freightliner Class A Ford 460/ Toad 92 Tracker 2 wd 5sp Convert Still running Great!
" Everything in it"Still" Works"
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Admiral
Lodi, Ohio
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Joined: 06/08/2003
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Are you a traveler or a camper? That's what I considered before choosing a Class A. If I were to frequently park and camp in one area for an extended time, 2 weeks to a month, and only traveled to that destination to home I would have a 5th wheel. We seldom stay anywhere more than 4 days.
I find the class A better to travel with and park overnight at truck stops, shopping centers and Walmarts. One time that comes to mind was when we were sleeping in a Walmart in a seedier part of town and we were wakened by screaming and swearing. There was a gang fight taking place outside our door. It was rock throwing and baseball bats swinging. I started up and pulled away in my pajamas and DW called the police. We watched from across the street, checked for rock damage, then went on our way when the police arrived. Sorry, but we left the 2 trailers parked next to us to fend for themselves since they would have had to get out of their trailers to pull away and they weren't about to to that. Just that one incident I was happy I had a MH.
2004 Damon Daybreak 2960F
05 Honda Element LX
In a democracy two wolves and a sheep can vote on what to have for dinner.
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4kiddad
Garber, Oklahoma, USA
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Joined: 01/22/2003
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Just moved from 5er to MH. Love it!! Should have done it long ago. However, I have noticed some differences.
1. Have given up some storage space. More in 5er.
2. Travelling w/ the kids is so much easier. They go in back & watch t.v. We stsy in front and enjoy the quiet. We are not crammed in a truck w/ little or no room.
3. Set up is SO MUCH EASIER!! I get to the space and push a few buttons. If it is raining, I don't have to go outside until it stops!
4. Bad thing is (and doesn't it always happen this way!) I just got the 5th wheel where I wnated it (all stuff fixed, etc.)
5. There's another engine I have to worry about! A generator to maintain.
6. There are some design defects I need to remedy in the MH. Obviously, the people who build the things never use them (e.g. the sewer hose connection actually tilts upward!!)
And add all the tings others have said above.
These are just my opinions.
4kiddad; dad; mom; 2 daughters; twin sons;
2002 Georgie Boy Cruise Master
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