Need help deciding - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Edwing · RV-Dreams Community Member

Need help deciding

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome, Edwing. The general advice is that a MH is good if you are going to be driving it at least 30 miles at a time at least once a month. If the coach is going to remain parked for long periods of time a towable is a better choice.

"We have been very happy with it and its perfect for the two of us but we usually bring others along." Are those others small grandchildren or adults? Married couple or brother and sister? If there is enough space in your present coach you know what your minimum space requirement is. Larger will make things easier inside, but at the cost of not being able to use some campsites.

We chose a DP for our full-time coach because it was the best fit for us at that time. Our needs have changed, and we're now thinking about a towable.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

We started out in a campershell on a shortbed pickup, upgraded to a 10ft Chassis mounted Camper and then to a 24ft TT. The TT took care of us for 16 years. We've taken two trips in a 35ft MH and a 25ft MH with another couple. For the past 20 years we have a 38ft 5th Wheel.

Although my DW would not agree, I have to say my favorite was the 24ft TT. It would sleep up to 7 comfortably and had a very roomy bathroom layout. The only problem with it; no comfortable place to sit for a long time like to watch TV or socialize. It only had bench seats with the typical foam cushions used in the 70's. Due to it's size we never had to worry whether we would fit in a campsite. It's my favorite because it was easier to go away for a quick weekend trip with little planning.

With the 38ft 5th wheel it's like having an apartment with you. Very comfortable and spacious. We once had 12 people in it for a sit down Thanksgiving dinner. When planning where we are going we do have to make sure an RV park/ campground is big rig friendly. We've always been able to find a place to stay within daily driving distance to places we want to visit. It will only sleep 4 comfortably.

We have been trying to decide to get a new 5th wheel, MH or just spend some money to do some upgrades on our current. We are leaning towards the upgrades since we both are very happy with the 5th wheel.

I agree with you, it is tough to justify the cost of a MH when you already have a good truck as a tow vehicle. A new TT or 5th wheel will be at least 1/2 the cost of an equally equipped new MH.

Edwing · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks, David the "others" are all that you mentioned. Now the kids, their spouses and grandbaby think we are cool to hang out with😉. We sure don't want to buy something based on bringing family with us but it would be nice to have a bit of extra space.
I would like to be able to assist with driving without my husband having a nervous breakdown. When I see some of the 5th wheels on the highway they appear a bit intimidating. We have looked at a 37' tt that would fit our needs but am not sure how much more difficult it would be to pull and get into a park.
I hope we are lucky enough that our next one keeps us happy for 20 years! I didn't think they held up that long. Thanks for your thoughts!

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

A few hours behind the wheel will do wonders for your confidence. Our MH is not as tall as the new ones, but I sit higher off the ground than most others, so I look semi drivers in the eye. The first time I drove anything this large was the test drive, and the second time was the 300 mile trip home. I now have 3000+ miles under my belt, and I'm fairly comfortable driving it. I realize that I'm still a low-time driver, though, so I am careful about where I go and how fast I drive.

Remember that you can't have too much truck, but you can easily have too little. Sales people know very little beyond the price of the truck or trailer. Get the gross weight of any towable you are considering. Figure 25% of that weight for a 5'er's pin weight, and 15% of that for a TT's tongue weight. Get the gross weight, cross combined weight, and rear axle rating for the truck. If you already own the truck, load it with full fuel, and all of the stuff that will be in it when you hit the road. If you don't already own the truck, estimate the weights of the stuff in the truck (people, fuel, dogs, tools, etc.) and be sure to be on the high side. The hitch or pin weight will be carried by the rear axle. (Yes, I know about equalizing/weight distributing hitches. I'm simplifying.) Do you have the capacity for that much weight? The weight of the loaded truck plus the gross weight of the trailer must be less than the gross combined weight for the truck.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Edwing wrote:
Thanks, David the "others" are all that you mentioned. Now the kids, their spouses and grandbaby think we are cool to hang out with😉. We sure don't want to buy something based on bringing family with us but it would be nice to have a bit of extra space.
I would like to be able to assist with driving without my husband having a nervous breakdown. When I see some of the 5th wheels on the highway they appear a bit intimidating. We have looked at a 37' tt that would fit our needs but am not sure how much more difficult it would be to pull and get into a park.
I hope we are lucky enough that our next one keeps us happy for 20 years! I didn't think they held up that long. Thanks for your thoughts!

There is much to consider here. If you are looking at a 37-foot travel trailer, your pickup might not be big enough to safely "handle" that size, especially in crosswinds or over mountain passes. We had a 26-foot travel trailer once and then traded for a 26-foot fifth wheel. The ease of towing and stability of the fifth wheel really surprised me. Something as long as 37 feet is definitely going to need good equalization and anti-sway bars. If you are hoping to ease your husband's burdens of towing all the time, you might find that a fifth wheel would actually be easier to tow than a long travel trailer.

Depending on where and when you stayed in places, you might consider carrying along a tent. In the RV park where we are located, a number of us are long-term residents (over a year in our case), and one of our neighbor's daughter has spent the summer here and staying in a tent. However, we recently went camping ourselves and are darn glad we had good cots and air mattresses, even for only 4 nights. Then again, I'm 69 and the wife is pushing very close to 63. A tent would get you more space for sleeping as well as more privacy.

While my wife was raised on a farm, she wasn't familiar with towing a 38-foot fifth wheel. When she drove the rig the first time, she did fine on roads that were both 2 lane and 4 lane. She just won't attempt the backing yet. That may come when we finally get to start traveling; maybe in another year or two.

You can also look around and see if there are any RV driving schools near you. I don't know anything about them, so you might have to have your own rig for your driving.

Terry