Hello everyone....I'm using my hubby's account here to ask this question. Now I know it's been discussed over and over, and is simply a matter of preference. What I would really appreciate is feedback from those who have actually had a motor home and gone to fiver (this is what we're considering) and also would love to hear from those who went from fiver to motor home.
We have a 38' Winnebago Journey, diesel pusher. Tow a Honda CRV. I'm the primary driver, and I'm mainly the one wanting to go to 5th wheel. The biggest drawback for me is the amount of storage space I'd lose in the basement of the motor home if we do go to a fifth wheel.
If we did go this route, I already know the fifth wheel I want, Jayco Northpoint 377RLBH.
Appreciate any input!
Here's a list of what I consider pros/cons:
MH easier to drive/set up
MH more (especially outside) storage
Tow smaller vehicle so easier sightseeing.
MH has queen bed, need king
No recliners
5er feels more homey/has more appealing (to me) layout.
5er has defined grandkids space/craft space for me (bunk room)
Our MH has a lot of extras, full washer/dryer set, top of line satellite tv receiver set up (we added)
Road master tow package with proportional braking, etc, (we added) Tyron tire blowout protection on front tires (we added)
Tire Minder tire pressure/heat monitor system (we added)
These are just a few things...I've just always preferred a fifth wheel.
Lightfin said
09:12 AM Aug 31, 2020
Update: after reading thru many posts here I've found Hdrider's blog comparison going from Class A to fifth whe, and it has been quite helpful. Thanks Hdrider!
Someday said
10:32 PM Aug 31, 2020
Bob, we had a large 5er back in 1999 until 2003 and we absolutely loved it being our first RV, and back then we were road warriors grabbing as many week, weekend and ten day trips we could. I personally hated the Ford F350 as our driver at locations we set up at, and O/N's we never unhitched or levelled enroute.
Hubby really fancied a MH, A Class, and whilst he wanted a DP, at the time I struggled to justify the additional cost of C$100K more at the time over the Fleetwood Southwind Gas engine we ended up with and still have and enjoy (bathroom too small aside) today, where we now boondock/dry camp 99.9% of the time in and have added full solar array and residential fridge etc. We ironically haven't ever towed but we could easily if we so desired, just never needed to personally.
I would strongly urge you to consider how you intend to roll. Will you be like us spending a few days to an odd week in one location (travelling RVers) or will you be spending a few weeks at a time in a set location to enjoy the "homey" feel of the 5er. Also how will you feel about having a truck as your daily driver so to speak or will one of you follow with a toad?
Both types have there pros and cons. For us moving often, we enjoy the convenience of the MH for setting up in rain without leaving or even just climbing into bed at the end of a travel day, bathroom as we are going down the road etc.
Dave and Diane HDRider are an awesome couple and we love their write ups, but be sure to read how their way of travelling the past couple of years or so has changed, with their spending weeks in one location at times.
Just saying there's no right or wrong way in all this, but do seriously consider how you travel before you change. Happy Travels.
Hdrider said
06:40 AM Sep 1, 2020
THANKS!!! I'm glad you found the blog update useful!! And yes, as Someday mentioned we have changed our RVing habits a tad bit and for us we knew thats what we wanted to do and was a big part of why we switched to a 5th wheel but I'm sure I mentioned our reasons in that Blog update.
With that said, If we were still moving every week think we did the first 5 or so years on the road we would probably still be in the Class A and on travel days we would still rather be in the class A BUT for the reasons we switched having he 5th wheel has fullfilled what we hoped it would and we are pretty happy with the change.
Good luck with your journey.
Hubby really fancied a MH, A Class, and whilst he wanted a DP, at the time I struggled to justify the additional cost of C$100K more at the time over the Fleetwood Southwind Gas engine we ended up with and still have and enjoy (bathroom too small aside) today, where we now boondock/dry camp 99.9% of the time in and have added full solar array and residential fridge etc. We ironically haven't ever towed but we could easily if we so desired, just never needed to personally.
I would strongly urge you to consider how you intend to roll. Will you be like us spending a few days to an odd week in one location (travelling RVers) or will you be spending a few weeks at a time in a set location to enjoy the "homey" feel of the 5er. Also how will you feel about having a truck as your daily driver so to speak or will one of you follow with a toad?
Both types have there pros and cons. For us moving often, we enjoy the convenience of the MH for setting up in rain without leaving or even just climbing into bed at the end of a travel day, bathroom as we are going down the road etc.
Dave and Diane HDRider are an awesome couple and we love their write ups, but be sure to read how their way of travelling the past couple of years or so has changed, with their spending weeks in one location at times.
Just saying there's no right or wrong way in all this, but do seriously consider how you travel before you change. Happy Travels.
With that said, If we were still moving every week think we did the first 5 or so years on the road we would probably still be in the Class A and on travel days we would still rather be in the class A BUT for the reasons we switched having he 5th wheel has fullfilled what we hoped it would and we are pretty happy with the change.
Good luck with your journey.