Motorhome VS 5th Wheel - RV-Dreams Community Forum

buffetoflife · RV-Dreams Community Member

Motorhome VS 5th Wheel

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Tim,

Under normal conditions, we would need to be asking how you planned to be traveling. For instance, it has been stated that if one moves fairly regularly, a motorhome is better than a truck and trailer. If one will be staying in one place for some time before moving on, then a truck and trailer might be best.

I will go out on a limb, based on your comments in your introductory post, that a motorhome might be better. However, it also depends on whether you will be driving a lot once you get to each location. With a motorhome, be sure and look into its towing capacities with respect to towing a vehicle.

Terry

Selah · RV-Dreams Family Member

Agree with Terry and Jo. If your going to snow bird and sit the winter out in one or two places then a 5th wheel makes more sense. If you plan to travel and see the US then a MH makes the most sense.
For DW and myself, the travel is almost as important as the destination. Looking out the big windshield is like watching an ever changing IMAX movie. Scenic routes and the mountain passes are often spectacular.
Also look at usable storage, both inside and outside.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

We chose a 5th wheel mainly because we have a need for a truck and it didn't make sense to have MH and large pickup truck plus daily driver cars. We use the pickup to tow the 5th wheel and then drive the pickup around to sight see and run errands once we setup in an RV Park.

The other reasons;
> More RV for the money- you automatically lose from 2 to 4 feet of useable living space in a MH due to the dash in the driving area.
> If the drivetrain, engine or trans goes bad in my pickup, I can have it fixed without tying up my living space. Or I can by a new pickup a lot cheaper than buying a new MH.
> If the RV portion gets old or unuseable, it's cheaper to buy a new 5th wheel than it is a MH.

lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We had been in the process of finalizing a short list of 5th wheel trl that we would consider for our full timing needs. Then out of the blue we found the unit in my signature block, and the search was over. A lot of thought into the choice will fall to the fact "How does this unit feel to us?" When we first walked in the coach below we knew that this was the unit for us.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

which will totally fill your need?
are you staying a month at a time or a day at a time?
what is your comfort level...

difference between a 5ver and a Motorhome........one has an engine already!

that being said....I buy used and change up on 3 years usually......kinda like a renter!!!

manycats · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bear II listed our reasons to prefer a 5r. We've traveled and full-timed in all kinds of units - pop-ups, MHs, TTs, tents, you name it - and we found the 5rs gave us the most space and comfort. We do keep two pickups, both capable of towing if needed. We don't drive too many miles per day so following in the lighter truck is no problem. As working RVrs we needed two vehicles if we were working in different locations. Fuel and maintenance costs were offset by the convenience of two vehicles. Our rigs according to our needs.