This topic interests me also. We've had a fifth wheel for four years; it is our first RV and our only experience. I recently developed arthritic knees and am thinking that a Class A might me easier since there would be only one set of stairs to negotiate...in and out. Everything is on one level while you are in the Class A. It seems an expensive thing to be experimenting to see if I'd like it better. We are looking at motor homes but don't know if we'll ever pull that trigger. So we would be interested in hearing from those who have done it both ways also. Pat K

AZbillsfan, We're certainly no authorities on this subject but we looked for well over a year at many, many different kinds and layouts.  (plans to go full-time 2016)    We ended up with a 36 foot 5th wheel  (Grand Design Solitude 305)  One of the things we loved about it beside the fact that it isn't like hauling a freaking freight train, was  the openess and amount of windows.  They are amazing!  The storage is also tremendous and we feel pretty comfortable that we'll have more then enough room for everything we will need on the road.  I know you're looking, but I'd take a look at this newer company and their products.  It doesn't feel like an RV, it feels like a home.  PS...has a 6 point auto leveling system.   :)  Take Care! 

My wife and myself both have some mobility issues, particularly my wife (but I was really bad a year or so ago) so we enjoyed our class c for over 9 years, the last 6 were full time. It had only one set of stairs and they weren't too bad until my bad spell. We now have a large fifth wheel that we live in. Yes, it has two sets of stairs, and being further off the ground there are more outside steps. BUT, there are more of them so the rise is not too bad.

We had been avoiding fifth wheels on the general principle of the stairs. It seemed that any we looked at had outside stairs that were similar to what is found on boats. But we learned that they aren't all that way, AND replacement outside steps can be installed with more stairs, thus shorter risers.

We didn't, and still don't, like many of the DPs due to the step near the bed over the engine and it just seems that a lot of them need a little platform outside because the first step is so far off the ground.

Here's a little different take on the subject. Last year we traveled 11,000 miles in the motorhome and 34,000 miles in the Honda Fit. For us and our type of traveling lifestyle the "toad" was as important a decision as the motorhome. Three times more miles in the Fit makes a difference in our expenses and enjoyment of the areas we've visited. 35 to 39 MPG's is better than 7 MPG.

We are very happy living in the motorhome but the real joy has been getting out to see the areas we are in. For us it is more about what we see and do than what we live in.

Life is very good..... in almost any RV.

For Cindi and I, the Bear II's comments in favor of the 5er is about 95% of the reason we are leaning that way also.  As a grocery getter, the dually TV will make parking a bit of a challenge (relatively) but heh, a bit further walk shouldn't be a negative... right? I tend to laugh at those that just have to get as close as possible to the retail doors when I pull in with them. I grab the first space I find no matter how far away it is, and I am usually walking in the door as they come around again looking for that perfect spot. It's hard pass up the utility of a pickup, from hauling to helping the next guy in a jam and anywhere in between.

Still, we have a couple of MHs on our short list, just in case our "planned lifestyle" changes. Just tryin' to stay objective.

Everyone can come up with pluses and minuses, but the idea is to find something for you. No one else can decide for you. But if you are 50-50, don't spend all your money on the Rv, since you might change. Even if you are sure, don't spend all your money on the RV, you still might change your mind or circumstances will change them for you.

Welcome to the Big Debate! Lots of opinions for and against each, so you will have to look at your own circumstances and make your own decision. We started out thinking a 5'er would be the best fit for us, but decided that a DP was a better fit after doing several years of research. What tipped it for us was the realization that a MH (which gets poor fuel economy) can tow a more fuel-efficient vehicle that will do most of the traveling. With a 5'er you either have a truck to tow the coach and a separate car for running around or you use the truck for your daily driver. If you need the truck for other purposes and having the hitch take up a fair portion of the bed isn't a problem, then a 5'er may suit you.

You don't say whether you are a full-timer, but if you are, you can look at how you travel. Do you move frequently (two or more times a month) or do you tend to stay put for months on end? How you travel may have a bearing on what coach you pick.

As for the steps, if you look at a DP that uses the airbags for the leveling (Foretravel and Newell come to mind) you can dump the air to get the coach closer to the ground. Once you are inside there are no steps to deal with. Should your wife's knees get too bad there are companies that can fit a lift device to the door.

Yes, maintenance on a DP can be expensive, but oil changes/transmission fluid changes are annual events (or even longer if you do fluid analysis). The engines and transmissions are the same ones that go in the big over-the-road semis, so they are designed to last.

Bill is right. You might change your mind and want something different. We researched 5th wheels and motor homes to death. Then chose a gas MH with two slides. We loved everything about it and couldn't imagine wanting something else. After six months of living in it full time, we realized it would be nice to have a little more room. We are now looking at a MH with three slides. Two opposing slides in the front. Could we live with two slides sure, but when it's your home that extra living space makes a difference. Good luck!

You're more likely to encounter low hanging obstructions in less travelled or more restricted places. Will those extra 8 inches make a difference? Most of the time probably not, but then one should always be aware of their surroundings and be alert to low overhead clearances before they become an issue. Funny how driving a car your whole life, makes people oblivious to the clearance above them.... kinda take it for granted.  You'll certainly be much more aware of it whatever rig you end up with.

-- Edited by biggaRView on Saturday 7th of February 2015 10:05:35 AM

Fortunately, you don't hear about overhead "Crunches" very often.. in fact rarely. When they do happen... they tend to get sensationalized. Awareness is the key to prevention. 

-- Edited by biggaRView on Saturday 7th of February 2015 10:52:05 AM

Bill, it's good to know it's minor and easily repaired. The ones that destroy dreams... well, they have to be pretty rare. Or so it seems to me.

I am not A 1% guy, but I do tend to look at 80-20. We will travel the intire US. And it looks like the northeast(where we are from) would be our biggest concerns with the extra height.