Need Help

[DisCamper]

I'm looking to upgrade we have a very very small motorhome and we have out grown it. We are looking at Diesel bounders but yesterday I looked at a travel trailer. Can any one give me the Pros and Cons of both a motorhome and a tavel trailer....

 

[stacktester]

That's a tough question because everybody is different. If you have a light car to tow behind a driveable I guess it's not too bad. I have a toy hauler travel trailer which is multi-use. When I 1st bought mine I never really thought about camping anywhere else except where we ride our 4 wheelers then the light bulb came on lol.

One thing to consider if you get a driveable is you're going to have a much larger insurance bill and the maintanance is going to be a lot more too. Just things to consider. If you don't have a toad you are pretty much stuck at the cg unless you have a scooter. I like the tt idea but that's just my .02.

 

[FloridaTeacher]

We started with a 30 ft. fifth wheel and upgraded to a 37 ft. motorhome. Like you, we simply outgrew the fifth wheel. We loved our fifth wheel - it was our first rv, and we really found out how much we love to camp.

There is, however, simply no comparison! The motorhome makes the journey way more comfortable (2 sons, 2 dogs, my husband and me). It is also much easier and quicker to set up once we've arrived. My husband is more comfortable driving the motorhome opposed to pulling the fifth wheel (this includes pulling a tow along vehicle). He also says backing the m/h into a campsite is much easier than manuvuering a tt or 5th wheel into one.

Let's just put it this way - it would be hard to go back to a 5th wheel after having the m/h. If it was the only way I could camp, I'd do it - but it would be tough.

Happy Camping,
Laurie

 

[DisneyDadinOhio]

There are pros/cons of each, but IMO it comes down to personal preference and $$$. In most cases the MH would be more expensive, but then you MAY be able to claim it as a second home on your taxes. TT's are typically less expensive, and you can really find some great deals on them. But you better have the right tow vehicle for the trailer - nothing is more important than towing safely. We found such a great deal on our TT, that we bought it before the truck (long story)..! If you are even considering the purchase of a MH, I would highly recommend that you rent one first. For us, we prefer a TT and will stay with one until the kids are much older. Either way, do as much research as you can and make the decison that's best for you and your family..

 

[DisCamper]

I own a F250 and a F650 duely so a tow vehicle is not a concern. I own a a small Motorhome now so I know about them.

 

[dblr]

I drive tractor trailers for a living so I favor a 5th wheel I have had a tt and now the 5th wheel and I prefer the 5th wheel we also found more family floorplans with the trailers then MH plus we use the truck as our 2nd vehicle when needed.

 

[DisneyDadinOhio]

Then is really comes down to personal preference, and probably even more so how you will use it. How often will you be camping? How many people do you need sleeping arrangements for? We went to a camper show last weekend, and the most poplular units were the new style "expandables". Part TT and part Pop-up - and very affordable. It seems to me that the 5th wheels are getting bigger and bigger, with more amenities (washer/dryer?). We did notice that even with the larger units, they still would only sleep 4. With a TT or 5th wheel, you would have the use of your truck to get around, and with a larger MH, you would have to pull something to get around. You've already got an excellent tow vehicle, so IMO, I would lean towards a TT/5er. Either way, have fun looking.. !

 

[mikron]

We have had 3 motor homes, all class a style. We like the motor home over a tow behind for the freedom of moving around during the trip. We would rent a car when we got to the camp area, found that cheaper then towing 4 down. loved camping at Disney, didn't need to rent a car, had the camp fire, pool and Disney to visit.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

If you are looking for a family TT or 5th, my parents have a 5th by KZ that has plenty of room for them and me and mine when we go for a short trip and don't want to tow ours the 11 hours to get there.

http://www.kz-rv.com/sp_sportster/floorplans.html.
They have the 38SB with the loft option(provides a queen size bed). The garage area has it's own AC(optional I think), so when we set up, that space easily becomes a bedroom with a queen size areobed and some rods with hanging shelves for clothes. Over the year my mom has outfitted the room with palstic drawers for nightstands and has had my dad install a kitchen type fold down TV. Makes for a nice private room for me and DH and the kids get the familyroom.

 

[CCIntrigue]

Last year we upgraded from a 32' Airstream to a 36' motorhome with slides. IMHO there is no comparison, and we would never want to go back to a TT. Most of our trips are longer - 600-800 mile range, and the comfort of travel in the MH is far superior. Setup is a breeze compared to the TT, unhooking/packing up to leave a campsite is so much easier, etc. Even when we tow the trailer with the car and golf cart, it takes less than half the time to load those and hitch up than it did to hitch up the travel trailer.

I agree with Laurie - it would be hard to go back, but I guess I would if that's the only way I could camp.

 

[loveDmouse]

We love our motorhome and I couldn't see going another way. It was really nice getting up and going to the bathroom or grabbing a snack or drink. We would stop for gas and that is when dh took his break and we were good to go.
We have a 31' Class C and it is fine for us. It is just dh & I and one of our dogs who loves to travel. I would love to upgrade to a Class A for a little more room but right now it is just too much $$$$$$$.
We don't tow a vehicle with us. We decided that we would just rent a car if we went on a trip where we needed it. At the Fort we didn't need it. We just rented a golf cart which did speed up things getting around the Fort but we managed fine when we had to turn it back in. I think the bus system there works well. We like Disney transporation.
Good luck!

 

[Disney Campers]

while visiting the RV show recently I noticed a lot more motorhomes with a bunk bed option, which is nice for families.

 

[bcvillastwo]

First, my disclaimer, we don't have that much experience with a towable or drivable RV but we've had both so just think about what I'm about to say.

We weren't sure we wante to spend the money for a motor home and we already had a F-150 (small V-8) so we decided to buy a small travel trailer. It was very nice and it had everything we needed but I did not like to tow the darned thing. I had experience towing planes around on the flight line but that was completely different than pulling a trailer behind our truck.

So, we sold the travel trailer and purchased a small RV (it's just the two of us) and boy has that made a difference.

We aren't campers, we use our RV's for sightseeing so having a vehicle to get around after we park for the night isn't a major issue at this point.

Everyone's circumstances are different (as others have said) and towing vs driving is in my view a personal preference thing.

I would give the following advice...........really think things through before you buy (even then, you could find you've made a mistake).

Good luck

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

We currently have a Winnebago Adventurer (class a mh) In my opinion, there could be no more comfortable way to travel with little kids. I can constantly dish out snacks, we let them play musical seatbelts on line rides, and there is no unloading for potty breaks. We were even stuck sitting in traffic in MA one time when my youngest DS was struck with an uncontrollable need for the bathroom. What a disaster that would have been in car/truck. We absolutely love it. We rarely tow a vehicle but have (once from MD to WY).

Having said all that, we can't wait to get a 5th wheel. Once the kids are a little older and can travel a little better in a truck, we'll be buying a Keystone Raptor toy hauler. It will give us so much more freedom when we travel and the kids can't wait to be able to bring their toys with us. The biggest plus, is it gets my three kids OUT OF THE LIVING SPACE! My biggest peeve with camping right now, is having three kids and all their stuff in the living space of the MH each night.

So, I guess since my opinion is so different from the others, it really does come down to personal preference. Godd luck with your decision.

Disney Camper; you're right about the bunk beds. We just saw the model like this at our local dealer. Suhweeet! It was the only MH we would even consider at this point. However the 5th wheel gives them their own bedroom, own TV and queen size bunks, which was the deciding factor. I'm sick of tripping over their stuff everywhere.

 

[mrsgus06]

I have a 37 foot fifth wheel. We looked into the class a but after watching my parent's work the "kinks" out of theirs, we decided on a camper that is towed. Their motor home broke down a lot of times when they first bought it. I have had major "kinks" with my fifth wheel, but Lazy Days was very good about fixing them (after threatening the lemon law and our attorney on them ) and I have had no other problems. I love the fact that I still have a vehicle to get around in after the camper is parked. I know the motorhomes are large, but my fifth wheel has 3 slides, 2 bathrooms, 2 a/c's and a central vac plus washer/dryer. Not to mention that the price was 1/3 the amount of the motorhome and you already have the tow vehicle!

My fifth wheel is a 2005 and is used only in the summer when we stay at Ft. W. We usually check in sometimes in June and stay until the beginning of Aug. It works well for my family (me, hubby and 5 kids under the age of 12). The issue I am having now is I am thinking about selling my fifth wheel and daully and buying a condo in Fl. We go every other month and the winter months I end up renting a condo or hotel room so hubby does not have to pull the camper down. I know I can learn to pull it down there, but the kids would drive my crazy while going 65mph and learning how to tow. I think right now the condo is a good choice for us. Like the camper, I can leave everything in it and don't have to worry about packing clothes and eating all the food so I don't have to pack it up to bring it back home. I won't have to worry about not getting the ressies I want, which is becomming a big problem at the Ft. I am still close enough to the campground to drive over and enjoy it when my friends and family are there, but I am getting off the subject.

It is a personal preference. The fifth wheel is just as large as the motorhome, but has to be towed. The motorhome has the convenience of getting up and moving around while traveling, but you either have to rent a car or tow one behind the motorhome. If price is an issue, you want to go with the fifth wheel. If convenience is an issue, I would go for the motorhome. Darn, I typed all of this and was of absolutely no help! Sorry!

 

[jason_rving]

Where will you typically travel to? If it is FW and you only live a couple of hours away then consider a towable. I think I told you when we had the good fortune of camping next to you last month at the Fort that we nearly bought a MH that was located in West Palm....then I called to find out how much the insurance would be compared to a towable. I did not like the sound of what it would cost in insurance compared to a towable. That and the fact we'd have to buy a small car to use as a dingy sealed it for us. We could probably afford a diesel pusher but there are other things we need to plan for in life and we would not get the value out of it for where we typically go. And neither my wife nor I wanted a small car as our full time driver when not RVing. When we retire and can travel the country a diesel pusher might be right for us then but until then, or unless we win the lottery, we will keep a towable. You might also consider if you are planning on expanding your family with kids in the near future, how might that impact the decision you've made financially? Or would it not impact you much and make it easier to travel? All personal questions but ones you'll have to ask yourself.

 

[DisCamper]

Thank You everyone for your input we have a large RV Show in our town in two weeks we are going to. After looking into the future and seeing your travel plans and budget it looks like we are going to get a towable and keep the little motorhome sents it paid for. We realy have no plans of going more than 600 miles from home in the next 5 years.

 

[adrianwsmith]

Before buying anything "new" I would definitely wait and see what the 2008 Workhorse UFO Gas Pushers have to offer before buying anything "new" in the immediate future. The Workhorse UFO Gas Pusher could be revolutionizing RV's and have the same effect on value of non gas pusher rvs that slide outs had on non slide out units. They are going to provide most of the benefits provided by a deisel pusher and not be priced WAY out of reach. The technology will actual improve both the workhorse gas pusher AND the workhorse diesel pusher; as the whole cabin will sit above the suspension; allowing for many NEW floor plan options.

I personally have decided to wait until 2010 to upgrade because I won't buy brand new and I won't buy the first year of a new technology.

Just a thought....

check out more on the work horse UFO at workhorse.com

 

[DisCamper]

Just back from RV Dealer saw a fifth wheel that blown my mine it was a Elite suites nicer than my home.

 

[PJ]

I can give you a pretty broad perspective considering our 1st trip to FW was in 1980 in a tent, and we've since been back in an 18 ft TT, 30 ft TT, 35 ft class A MH, 38 ft 5th wheel, and last year in a 31 ft TT. I personally liked the 5th wheel and TT's, since I felt less like I was in an RV - you still see the "cockpit" in a MH. Hubby prefers MH - likes the better visibility while driving, and convenience of having the fridge accessible while travelling. (I've even made lunch during a 45 minute construction delay!) He also feels there is more on-board storage in the MH.
With a MH with a car towed behind you also aren't having to do your touring in a truck once you get there. MH is also easier to park than towables. He did say that the 5th wheel is more stable going down the road though.

Hubby won out - we sold the TT and in May we're going to FW our new 34 ft MH with our new Jeep Wrangler towed behind it!