Deciding: towable vs coach - RV-Dreams Community Forum

PangeaPlanet · RV-Dreams Family Member

Deciding: towable vs coach

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

I can only talk motorhomes. Older diesels were purely mechanical engines and seem to get a bit better mileage. People with late 90s diesel pushers seem to get 9 to 11mpg, while the electronic engines like my 2004 get more like 7 to 9mpg. Older gas engines are not as happy with alcohol in the gas since they were not designed for it. Our 2002 8.1 GM gas engine lost over 1mpg when using 10% ethanol, going down to 6 to 7mpg from 7 to 8mpg on on pure unleaded. With all the farm states that mandate adding ethanol plus emissions rules, you will be putting ethanol mix in a gas vehicle.

For diesels a tow car seems to not affect mileage much at all, for gas it might be a bit more but I don't rememeber towing our Honda CRV doing much to our 2002 gas motorhome's mileage. But that tow vehicle can get much better mileage than a truck or a motorhome, so you can save a lot when camped. There are some higher mpg towable cars like the Honda Fit.

Diesel pushers rarely are under 35 feet because the engine overhang makes the wheelbase too short, but there are 32 and 33 foot ones. Look for an old Safari Trek for shorter diesel pullers.

No slides can be better insulated since slide gaskets can leak plus slides add square footage that needs to be heated or cooled. But if that is important do check how thick the walls are, many RVs have thin walls. I know a guy with an older Holiday Rambler gas motorhome with no slides that said he could keep it cool up just using the 11,000BTU A/C in the bedroom most of the time and not use the front 13,500BTU A/C except at night when it made the bedroom quieter. Holiday Rambler had thick walls, but they are not the only ones.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Sunday 1st of May 2011 11:15:09 AM

Merikay · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have absolutely NO experience in this, but I have given it a lot of thought. We plan on getting a Motor home and pull a tow car because we expect to do a lot of sight seeing and travel around our campgrounds. We think a car will be more cost effective than a truck big enough to pull a fifth wheel.

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

"People with late 90s diesel pushers seem to get 9 to 11mpg, while the electronic engines like my 2004 get more like 7 to 9mpg."

When did those newer electronic engines start showing up on the DPs and MDTs? We're still researching, and this may be a deciding factor for us.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

I know someone with a 40' 99 Monaco that has a mechanical diesel engine and someone else with a 40' 2001 Monaco that has an electronic diesel engine and both were Cummins. The electronic engines are needed for emissions rules, it is not the electronics that are making them less efficient it is the rules.

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

PangeaPlanet wrote:
1. How does a 30ft motorcoach (or diesel pusher) compare in terms of mpg to a diesel 1/2 ton truck or heavier hauling a 30-ft 5th wheel? I'm concerned about being friendly to my budget as well as to the environment, since it's no good if I can't afford to go anywhere.
2. What does adding a small towed vehicle add to that? (Or maybe I could get away with a motorbike and/or bicycle).
Man, if I had the money, I'd hire an RV matchmaker! So many decisions and things to consider! LOL
Beverly

Beverly, we have a 35 ft. 2005 gas coach and I can tell you that the best mpg we've ever gotten on a tankful is about 8.5. That was without a toad (tow vehicle) and traveling on roads with a 55 mph speed limit. We've found that when towing we can deduct about .5 mpg and running the generator (to power the roof A/C units) will pull it down another .5 mpg. Add a head wind and we sometimes only get about 6-6.5 on short trips with stop-and-go traffic.

If you read Howard's journal he gets a pretty consistant 9-11 mpg with their Ford F-450 towing their 39 ft. 5th wheel.

If I were you I'd view fuel mileage and the resultant cost as just one component of the cost of RVing. Think about how much you're willing to pay for diesel vs. gas or motorhome vs 5th wheel and make a decision on all the factors.

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

I just wanted to mention that, for full-timers with no S&B, storage space to carry all your belongings should be a primary concern. MPG is not what I would consider a main point in making the decision. No matter which conveyance you purchase you will need to buy fuel.

PangeaPlanet · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the info and good points, everyone. I think I'm leaning back towards the towable option also because I have the option to upgrade the separate components, and not have to buy a toad in order to commute.

Bev

Waggin Tails · RV-Dreams Family Member

My Dodge 3500 6.7L diesel gets 19+ MPG on the highway NOT LOADED. I get about 14 MPG in town driving very conservatively. Pulling my fiver, I get 9-10 MPG.

janni · RV-Dreams Family Member

Here is another vote for not deciding by mpg alone. Our coach is a 2001 and we get 9-10 pulling our trailer. This life requires fuel and we are going to buy it regardless. The biggest deal breaker for us was storage. We gave up just about everything we owned for this life and definately appreciate the storage bays for what we wanted to keep.

RVPAINTER · RV-Dreams Family Member

Drive less by staying longer - use a toad to see the area instead of just passing thru it. I invision full time RV-ing to be seeing and enjoying this country - not seeing how fast I can go from corner to corner. Of course I plan on doing a lot of Plein air painting, so staying in one spot for 3-4 weeks will be the norm for us.

PangeaPlanet · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the input, everyone. MPGs is definitely not my only criterion, nor is it the most important one for me, but it was the question I posed in this thread. I am both budget-conscious and environmentally-conscious, and if there was a big difference, I would have wanted to take that into consideration in making a choice that feels best for me. I don't hear there's a huge difference, and where there is, there seems to be some desirable tradeoffs like storage space that make it worthwhile.

Whether it is by coach or trailer, it seems RV-ing full time will STILL be more environmentally-friendly and less expensive than maintaining a traditional house and commuting to work every day! :)

Warmly,
Bev

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

When we first started talking about going FT, I made up a spreadsheet using some guesses. I figured on 5000 miles per year traveling from one campground to another, and another 10000 sightseeing, shopping, going to church, etc. I wanted to see if a MH with a toad or a 5'er would be cheaper to drive. My numbers were off quite a bit, but the comparison I made then was that the difference was around $200/year. Of course, I was figuring on $2.50/gallon for regular and $2.75/gallon for diesel.

It seems to me that going down the road, there isn't much difference between a DP and a 5'er for fuel use. The difference comes after you get to the campground and unhook.

As others have said, storage space is the biggest issue. Another important factor is the floor plan. After school is out and I have some time, I'm going to check with my insurance agent about what insurance will run on a MDT/5'er vs a DP/toad. Obviously I can't give her any specifics, but we can probably play around with the numbers a bit and I'll have a pretty good idea about whether or not there will be any significant differences. Again, when the day comes for us to actually start looking for our rig I'll research insurance quite a bit more than I'm going to do this summer.

ahoweth · RV-Dreams Family Member

When we moved from a fifth wheel to a motor coach, the deciding factor for us was the benefit of having the toad vehicle. It is much nicer to drive around in a car after arriving at your destination than a truck suitable for towing a large fifth wheel. Also the ease of fueling up a motor coach while on the road is something to consider. We ran into many instances where we could not maneuver our fifth wheel into a gas station to fuel it up with the fifth wheel in tow. With our DP we fuel up at truck stops where there is usually lots of room.

Another huge consideration for me was the fact that, should you have a drive train failure, with a motor coach and toad, you have a second vehicle to get you to help or safety. Many places even today, do not have cell phone coverage, especially where you would want to camp. The extra vehicle is a wonderful security blanket for me. Of course that is just me!

PangeaPlanet · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks, Alan. One thing I had worried about was a coach breaking down, and then having to give up my "home" while it was in the mechanic's shop, whereas having a towable would mean I could still stay in my trailer. That was one big consideration for me.

The advantage of having the toad on hand for emergency breakdowns is a new perspective I had not thought about, though.

Bev

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Beverly, There are pros and cons to both. Just to add more confusion to the mix is that in the 3 years we've had our 5th wheel, it's been in the shop a few times for the inevitable warranty work and occasional repair. Had we not still had the house, we would've been left without our "house" as well. So there's really no difference there... Wish I could help more.

For us, we currently have a 5th wheel and are searching for the right motorhome. The reason for the change is that as Johnny gets older and his rheumatoid arthritis progresses, more of the driving and set up duties are falling on me. I feel more comfortable with a motorhome for set up and driving, so we're looking to make the change when we find the right one. Besides a motorhome is more convenient for those inevitable potty stops on the side of the road.

PangeaPlanet · RV-Dreams Family Member

David,
That's a good point about insurance. I would be interested to compare a Fiver and a truck verses a coach plus a toad in regards to vehicle registrations, insurance and regular maintenance.

PangeaPlanet · RV-Dreams Family Member

Carol,

Thanks for the knowledge about the trailer needing to go to the shop now and then, too.

Another couple of things I thought about as I was driving my cat across town to the clinic today:

1. A coach would also be nice when I'm on the road and can be in the same "room" with my cats at the same time. Whereas in a trailer, they'd either need to ride inside pet carriers in the truck cab with me (and meow incessantly), or unsupervised back in the trailer, where they would be more comfortable, but I couldn't monitor any potential problems.

2. I'm also wondering suddenly if one mode offers an advantage over another when visiting rugged areas, such as Chaco Culture National Park in NM, which involves lots of travel over undeveloped roads to reach the park.

No. 2 also got me thinking that I'd want a toad with AWD or 4WD, if I were to go the coach route.

This exploration is wonderful to be able to do here with y'all! :)

Warmly,

Bev

bonnie and clyde · RV-Dreams Family Member

The past 3 years we had a 29 foot Class C, with gas mileage of 8.5 mpg when towing our Honda CRV. Loved having the CRV when we got to the campsite and discovered the surrounding area. Traded in towards a 33.5 foot 5th wheel and a F250 diesel pickup. Love all the extra living space and kitchen space when we arrive at our destination, verdict is out on 5th wheel vs motor home. We get about 11 mpg towing, and 15 when not towing. Liked how the motor home towed the toad; still getting comfortable with the pickup towing the 5th wheel. Either way-it is great-gets one out and about. Good luck.

nikkib4fl · RV-Dreams Family Member

My thought about a motor home with a toad vs a travel trailer was that having to maintain "two engines" was a negative. Any thoughts on that?

Roz · RV-Dreams Family Member

First, we have a 40' DP and a Honda Element 4WD. We are not fulltime but some years half time or just a little over half.

Maintaining a diesel cost a bit more, depending on how many miles it is driven annually. If you have a diesel truck to pull a 5ver and to provide general transportation not towing, you will rack up more miles on the diesel.

In a prior life (boating) the debate is power boats or sailboats. I have had both and enjoyed the sail more. We absolutely love our MH and toad situation. There will be equally as many who prefer the trk/5ver situation. If you ask anyone, they are most likely to reccomend "their situation". That does not make it right for you. Simply listen to their reasons

More importantly, in my mind, is selecting an RV of either configuration that has carrying capacity, both weight and sufficient volume, for your "stuff".

The best advice is go sit in both at a dealer and ask to be left alone. Your choice will be best for you. There are pros anc cons for both.

-- Edited by Roz on Friday 24th of June 2011 06:38:07 AM

PangeaPlanet · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the insight, Roz. Your rig prompts a question. With your 40', do you encounter any limitations on camping that have kept you from enjoying more remote areas?

PangeaPlanet · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks to this thread, I've been thinking really hard about the importance of the floorplan, and what really works for what I'm going to need. I notice that class A and class C motorcoaches all tend to have similar floorplans, respectively, while towables can have rear-kitchen, rear living room, or rear bunkhouse/bath configurations, etc. I know the motorcoach configurations are the tried-and-true best use of a limited space.

I've got two space issues to consider. One is having several cats, and needing to give up some storage space for the litter box, and the other is being able to work at a computer for my job with healthy posture and room for scanner, printer, etc.

I have really liked some of the fifth wheels I've seen with the rear living floorplan, from the perspective of being suitable for setting up my workspace. I also know some people have taken out the couch or dinette to put in desks. Anyone have recommendations on how they've made a motorcoach or towable suitable for their mobile business needs?

Best,
Bev

P.S. I think I could start "making space for an office" as a new topic, if it hasn't been started elsewhere on the forums.

-- Edited by PangeaPlanet on Friday 24th of June 2011 08:25:47 AM

Roz · RV-Dreams Family Member

In answer to your question about the size precluding staying in some places, I am sure the answer is yes, but we have not found that a problem. We look for areas, types of cgs that can handle our MH.

As far as finding a place for the cat litter box, that has not been a problem, as we have a cat that loves to go looking for it. When we are rolling, it is in a different location than when we are stationary.

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

The only places where you will find length problems are some older state and federal campgrounds. In the grand scheme of things it's not and issue. This is going to be your home 24/7/365 - you want to be comfortable. If there is a particular park that you want to see that won't take your length, simply find one near that will and drive in for the day.

PangeaPlanet · RV-Dreams Family Member

Roz and Fred,
Good to know. I've been wondering if I dared go over 30' from a camping and maneuvering standpoint.

Bev

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

Howard and LInda have a 40' fiver, and we have a 42' fiver. We pretty much go where we want. Con you go EVERYWHERE? No. But as Fred said, it really is not an issue. Buy what you feel is comfortable for you. But make SURE you buy enough tow vehicle if it is a towable.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Beverly,

I am presuming that you will be RV'ing solo as all you mention is yourself and your cats in your posts and your signaure line. With that in mind, here are the considerations that I would bring up.

If you were concerned with whether a site was big enough for your rig, with a motorhome and toad, you could unhook the toad and go check out the RV sites in that. If you were in a fifth wheel, you would just have to unhook your tow vehicle from the fifth wheel to do the same. In either case, the RV would have to be left somewhere while you were scouting.

As for fueling with a fifth wheel, you can also use the truck stops for fueling, giving you plenty of room to maneuver. Or, prior to leaving an area, you could drive to a gas station with diesel to fuel up your pickup before hooking up to the fifth wheel. So, in a sense, you would have more options of fuel locations than a big motorhome would have.

While it is the two of us, Jo and I like the sense of different "rooms" that comes with a fifth wheel. In our case, we have a Mobile Suites with the Level-Up system, which gives us 6 hydraulic cylinders to stabilize and level the fifth wheel. That system makes "set-up" and "close-up" as simple as the pressing of a few switches.

In our two years of research, we looked at 36 to 38 foot fifth wheels and 40 to 42 foot motorhomes because our RV is now our only home. Never again will we own another stix and brix, although if our health deteriorates enough, we may rent someplace. If you choose to go with a fifth wheel, follow Jack's advice and seek good guidance as to how big of a truck you will need to pull your coach. Choose your fifth wheel first, and then buy a truck big enough to "handle" it. Don't buy a truck just to find out later it won't "handle" your trailer/coach.

By "handle", I mean that your truck must be big enough to handle the weight in capacities, towing and braking. For our 38 foot Mobile Suites, I would NEVER have anything less than a Ford F450 or MDT. If you wouldn't be comfortable with driving a big dually, then continue to look at motorhomes. If you aren't sure, search out someone with the "appropriate" sized truck and ask to drive it.

When looking at a motorhome, ask to do a test drive so you can be sure that you would be comfortable with something that big as well. When we looked at the 40 and 42 foot Tiffin Phaetons, I insisted that Jo drive them. I knew she could handle them (being raised on a farm), but I wanted to make absolutely positive that she would be comfortable with driving one.

If you can, spend some time in an RV park. Go and ask questions of people who have either kind of RV. Ask a fifth wheel owner to show you the procedures for hookup and unhooking. Make sure you can reach over the bed to pull the fifth wheel lever. (I have to use a small step stool to be able to reach over the bed of our F450 to pull the lever, and I'm 5'8" tall.)

Good luck with it all, and keep asking questions. If something seems too good to be true, question some more. Feel free to use the private message feature of the forums to ask specific questions of specific people.

Terry

PangeaPlanet · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks, Terry.
I feel good about driving the big trucks, for sure. As fate would have it, the first vehicle I ever drove was a 72 Ford Supercab Camper Special my uncle used to pulled his Prowler 5th wheel. Took my drivers' test in it and everything. And I'm 5'9" :)

Since it's just me and the cats for now, I'm leaning towards the 29-32 foot range. When I decide to invite Mr. Right along, we should shop for a new rig that's right for both of us. But yeah, I'd really like to visit a lot of RVs in a non-sales environment and talk to owners face-to-face.

Best,
Bev