I have spent so many hours online my eyeballs are going to bleed (LOL) but yet no closer to an answer to the infamous question "MH or 5'ver?"  I will be heading out next year to be a first-time full-timer.  I am a single female in my early 40's and will be doing this alone (two cats will be accompanying me but they won't be much help with maintenance and parking.) 

My question is, from a safety and ease (parking/driving) which will be better for me?

If I were single and traveling alone, I would probably go with a small MH, something in the Class C range. Rent one for a week, and it will help you make a better decision.

Charlie

I have read (somewhere in the many, many books and websites) that they are not as safe on the road as a Class A or truck/5'ver.  It was due to them being essentially built on van frames.  Do you agree or have personal experience with them?

I've tested them all, and plan to go with a larger class C for my daughter and me...  I am completely comfortable driving them and prefer the added security of having my steering wheel "handy" at all times!  Hope to never be in a "situation", but if something happens as described in other entries (wild teenagers circle the rig, someone comes knocking and won't go away) I can crank up and head out!   Plus if it is pouring down rain when we arrive, we can at least go potty without getting soaked!!  Priorities, you know...

It is a totally personal decision... just play with them all and see what "fits"!  You'll know it when you find it...

Kerri in AL 

-- Edited by Kerri on Tuesday 24th of August 2010 08:33:22 PM

-- Edited by Kerri on Tuesday 24th of August 2010 08:34:08 PM

Kerri -

You bring up good points!  I am leaning more towards the MH due to costs and convenience, but worry how much I will miss having a car to run around in when stopped.  I have considered keeping my current vehicle but it isn't paid for (yet) and is quite heavy to tow, so therin lays more issues.

What size are you going with?  What were you most comfortable with and found had the most room?

We are looking at the bunk models that I plan to modify...  My Little One definitely wants a "monkey house" for her stuff.  She is always disappointed when a rig has an entertainment center up there!    I haven't zeroed in on a particular mfg because I will be buying used.  I've driven several that were 30 feet or more, and they handle great!  If I was soloing, I would not get one that long, but she is 9 and will need her own "space".  Not sure yet what to do about having a door for her to slam in a couple of years, but I'm sure I will think of something... lol!

I don't want to tow the first year or so that we are out, but plan to get a scooter (probably a Honda) to buzz around on.   They look like SO much fun!  The great people on this forum can give you all the advice you need about tow vehicles... I didn't know that many can't be towed at all! 

Thanks!  I thought about the Scooter route, too!  Right now I have a Hummer H3 and I am damn certain it is not a good tow vehicle.  LOL.

You should be able to TOW with that!!!  Yeah, the scooters look like fun.  I used to ride motorcycles in another life, and thought the scoots would be a good option with the Little One.

i haven't bought anything yet but my early research on class c's and b's suggested that they were actually safer than class A's since they are built on van chasis's since those must follow all the guidelines cars have to for safety... the class A's and 5ers do not... nonetheless we are now in the market for a 33-36 foot class A.. good luck to you...

Thanks Duke, that is helpful!

Kerri - the H3 is actually a useless towing vehicle - only about 3500lbs it is built to tow.  But I did check into it and I can tow it "dinghy" style behind the RV, so I could still go the route of MH w/ my current vehicle.

I will have a much better idea after Saturday.

Ok. Went shopping. Class A diesel it is. 38' maximum I think. Not sure of make yet - I looked at Fleetwoods today.

I think you made a great choice :) Are you buying new or used? If you want to do some "window" shopping and price comparisons have a look at my dealers site: DeMartini in Grass Valley California. They normally have some great deals on used coaches.

Having owned a 35 foot gas motorhome, and now a 40ft 5th wheel, that's the way I would go... Have fun shopping!

Hello
We are leanng towards a MH ,was bouncing around with the thought of a class C but decided they looked to campy,,please no boos from Class C lovers please,lol
We have a harely davidson Tryke so cant go with a 5th wheel,,and dont want toy haulers,do to the fact we would have to buy a good truck and dont have the funds etc...we are as  is giving up the car,,hubby wont part with his  toy lol whats a gal to do right

There are a lot of good used motorhomes on the market...especially with the current recession. Just do your homework and be sure that you will be within you weight limits (including towing weights). An open trailer is lighter but a closed one gives you a little more storage.

Norcal - definitely used. Both for financial reasons - new diesel pushers are too expensive - but so that someone else takes the depreciation hit! Now that I know "what" I want I need to start shopping manufacturers/models. But it is still quite a while off so I have plenty of time. I am just gathering info, printing off flyers for models I like, etc. Now - a very important question. I am also on another rv'ing site and there seems to be some disagreement on the issue of gas vs. diesel. What do you all think?

And thanks for the website Norcal - will check it out.

well stinnc we have gone back and forth with the gas vs diesel issue and I have pretty much decided that I will just let floorplan be the deciding factor... would prefer diesel but would take a gasser in a heartbeat if it is "the one" good luck shopping and hope we don't compete for the same rig :)