Just to muddy the water further I know someone who had a small 5th wheel and after it got in an accident she bought the largest truck camper that would work with her truck. The surprise was she had more room and storage in the truck camper than the 5th wheel. On safety, we have not had a situation come up in our travels when we felt the need to drive off. We have chosen not to camp someplace a couple times since they did not feel safe. We have been full-timing over six years and have camped in 49 states and 6 Canadian provinces.

The only issue I have had with a bumper pull or a 5'er is that you have only a single drive train. If it fails, you are stuck. A "C" or "A" allows you to tow a small auto. This provides a second drive train to get you to assistance. Over 5 years of full timing and many more years than that of RVing, I have never felt the need to drive away. Of course I have decided to not stay in some places because I did not feel comfortable. Common sense will tell you when to stay and when to go. If you do not feel comfortable in a spot, there is a reason. Listen to you feelings.

After almost 4 years and over 250 campgrounds in just about all the states, Canada, Alaska and Mexico, we feel this is the safest, friendliest lifestyle you can imagine. We have daughters and grand daughters and wouldn't hesitate to encourage this lifestyle for them. The choice of MH or trailer is immaterial to me from a safety point of view. Danger comes when danger comes - it's all a crap shoot and I don't think that one or the other is inherently safer. You're much better off choosing the style you'll be happiest living in. Good luck,

Wow... one pizza, some corn-on-the-cob and a glass of sweet tea later and I've got answers!!  lol

Thanks for responding guys.  Again... blown away by this forum...... 

Yep, Bill, that is what I needed.   MORE choices!!  LOL.  I honestly had not even thought about a truck camper.  More storage... hmmmm...  May need to widen my net! ......  49 states and 6 provinces... that is so cool! 

Alan, you are right about the drive train.  I had "started out" thinking I wouldn't pull a toad with "my C"... but then started to consider all those trips to the store and to trailheads, etc...  and came to the astute conclusion  that I might better have another set of wheels around!

So Fred, you really wouldn't recommend one over the other to your loved ones?  That makes me feel better - not so tied down to one being "better" than the other, you know?... Over 250 campgrounds (shaking my head)... that is awesome!   

You all make a great point - we just have to use our common sense...... I'll just have to remember to trust my instincts.  Since I was raised a "good little Southern girl" I do forget to trust myself sometimes.  All that "mustn't be rude to anyone" stuff I learned!!     I have read that some folks feel safer boondocking than in some campgrounds.  I'll sure be checking out the reviews and asking questions before we park our rig - whatever it turns out to be!!

We have camped in a lot of places, we have also refused to stay in some places. Never have we felt unsafe or threatened. I have heard of some novel methods used by single ladies to enhance the safety issue. One is to get a pair of size 13 work boots, muddy them up and put them beside the step into the rig. Get a tape of a large dog barking and play it if threatened. Post a note on the door, telling Bubba you will return in a couple of minutes, watch out for Bowser, he bit a guy real bad a day ago. LOL If in a 5er or TT, you will always have a safety alarm available to you. Just hit the horn button on the TV (tow vehicle) remote to set it off. I would get the rig you THINK you like the best and be prepared to change in a couple of years to what you KNOW you like best.

It's a much different world we live in today...we shouldn't have to have this discussion...

While DW and I have only been full-timing 2 years we have never felt threatened in an RV park. We plan to meet some friends in Q-town for a night or 2 in the BLM area. I would never try it alone, but since our friends are there...safety in numbers I guess. Traveling and/or camping with friends is one way to increase the safety factor.

FWIW, I see no advantage in the type of rig as far as safety.  I would go with whatever meets your needs and budget. 



-- Edited by NorCal Dan on Wednesday 25th of November 2009 10:00:35 AM

Hi Ken....  thanks so much for the advice!  I did NOT know about the safety alarm in TTs/5vers (THAT is how new I am to all of this!!) That is really good to know.
 
My son wears a size 14 (he's a big boy - 6'4"/230) so I could just take a pair of his old boots with me! .... I also read about one lady who put a big dog bowl and a huge collar with spikes on a heavy chain by the front door - genius!!!

One of the reasons (besides the fact that we love her!) I am willing to "put up with" traveling with our dog is that she is a good little watch dog.  She is a Boston/Jack Terrier, and has a really big bark for such a little girl!  She is really well behaved and loves everyone (especially kids), but is really vocal if something is moving around at night that doesn't need to be!   Right now our nocturnal intruders consist of armadillos, but they COULD be vicious predators!!  lol 

What you said about changing in a couple of years to the rig I "know I like best" is exactly why I don't want to put a ton of money into my first choice.  I know that many people hit it right the first time, but knowing me....  

Thanks so much.  Hope to see you and the Missus down the road!

We have a single lady friend that has a mannequin (just torso & arms). She props him up in the passenger seat and places a cowboy hat down over his face like he's sleeping when she drives the RV. She also props him up in the dinnette at night so he adds a shadow on the blinds. It looks like two people are in the rig. Only problem, she has begun talking to him....just kidding. I would look at a small Class A MH, in my opinion they are easier to drive then a Class C and have more useable room and better bed setup. I find used class A's are cheaper than used Class C.

Now if they start dancing, she has a problem!!    That is a great idea!

I have not yet tested an A... What makes you say they are "easier to drive"?  More power?  Do they handle better?  I've been pretty comfortable in the Cs I've tested so far... we used to have a large conversion van and it isn't much different from driving that... I guess I'm a little scared of the As... they seem so... big.   

In an A you are sitting up higher and have much more window to see more than in a C. I think power and handling vary more between different C models and different A models enough that you can't make a judgment on it. There are A motorhomes starting at about 24 feet (Safari Trek) but most are 30 feet or larger.

I agree with Bill. In an A you're sitting much higher and the visibility is so much better than a C. Also, the drivers area of a C is almost useless when parked, where in an A you can usually turn the front seats around and use them for additional seating.

A's can be a little intimidating at first, but are really not any more difficult to drive once you get used to them.

Jim

My advice is to get the best arrangement for living.  You'll be living in your RV every day, so it needs to be comfortable & useable.  The time when you might not feel safe or need to "drive off" will be so rare (if ever) that it doesn't make sense to buy a unit based on a situation that will probably never happen. 
I favor 5th wheels, as they seem more homey to me.  I also like having a truck to drive around in, explore the back country, etc.  Even if I were going to FT alone, I'd still get a 5er.  My 2nd choice would be a class A & a toad. 

Also, you may consider the fact that some RV parks do not allow "C's" and "B's", only "A's" and 5th wheels. 

In our experience, very few parks refuse B or C RV's. We more often see restrictions on soft sided trailers and tents.

B and C restrictions are usually at high end RV resorts or Motorcoach only resorts which also restrict trailers and 5th Wheels.

One thing for sure, if you get in an accident in a class A, you will be the first one there.

Hi Everyone!  Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving...

I had read that some parks restrict older RVs, but didn't know that some also restrict based on "type"... I probably couldn't afford those parks anyway!! 

You have all made me feel SO much better about this topic.  THANK YOU!  I guess I was "borrowing trouble" like my Mammow used to say!   

Test drove another C yesterday.  Liked it but needs some mechanical work.  More than I want to tackle...  Drove an A on Wednesday... didn't like it as well, but will reserve judgement until I drive a few more.  Hoping to get to "play" with a 5ver next week - friend coming into town.  We'll see!

Thanks again to each and every one of you for your comments.  I love that we can have different opinions, but no one gets slammed for it!!  This is the best forum EVER!!