Going from Class A to Fifth Wheel. Need advice.

[KODIAKHERSHEY]

Thanks, ALL. The getting wet to get a sandwich or a bathroom break are valid points. We also travel with 2-3 German Shepherds. We have rescued them all... One has cancer and does not have a long life expectancy.
That is on my wife's short list. Volunteering at a Dog Rescue Facility.
Thank you, All, for the advise and info.
Something new every time I visit here....

 

[steveblonde]

We have a 34' dp and tow 4 down a Honda CRV. We average 9 mpg. So far only in Florida so very flat. When camped and we drive the Honda around, we get about 22 to 25. Love the convenience of being able to stop at a rest area in the rain and being able to fix lunch or get snacks, and to use the restroom without having to get wet.

get wet? how long does it take you to walk 20ft? the biggest issue with a MH is you loose the first 6 ft to the drivers chairs and staircase so your 34 ft MH is only 28ft of living space my 40 5er is 40 feet of living area

 

[Larry N.]

the biggest issue with a MH is you loose the first 6 ft to the drivers chairs and staircase so your 34 ft MH is

Ahh, but in all the class A coaches I've seen (and owned) the driver/copilot chairs rotated to become easy chairs in the living room area, so not nearly the loss you depict. In a class C you lose that much or more, though.

 

[WILDEBILL308]

WOW. Thanks for all the reply's.
We think it is not feasible to fix up the current rig. It is a 98, 36S Bounder.
Love the coach. Over 115k miles on a gas 460 ford.
You give us lots to consider. I did have a tow dolly for a while, just too much work. So the wife drives behind me. We usually go only about 100 miles away.
Now that we are going full time, well, just don't know yet...
More research and a few trips to rv and truck dealers.
Thanks, So much.
John and Shirl
Currently; Valrico, Florida
Going; Who knows where.

I think it is time to up grade. You can find a nice newer coach that will get better milage and find a towd that can be towed 4 down. and have money left over compared to buying a truck and fifth wheel. You will also have more storage space than a 5th wheel and that will be important if you are going full time.
Bill

 

[lone_star_dsl]

I have some questions.

a Ram 3500 DW weighs about 7500 lbs. and a loaded big 5th wheel weighs 15k lbs,  so that's 22.5 lbs total weight.
that rv setup will get around 10-12 mpg.

The average diesel class A weighs ( 28-30k lbs.),  with a toad @ ( 4k lbs.) that's about 32-34k lbs. of RV.
  this very common class A rv setup will get 7-9 mpg,  so that explains the difference in mileage.

..where is the extra 10-12 thousand pounds (5 tons) of weight? .... is a 5th wheel built with that much lighter materials?
even the 100 gal tanks of each water and fuel only weigh about 1700 lbs.

something's not adding up....

My Ram dually weighs 9,600 lbs outfitted.  It came from the factory at 9,100 lbs. ~ 1,600 lbs higher than your estimate.

Large fifth wheels that are fully loaded are now approaching 18,000 (or more) lbs. ~ 3,000 lbs higher than your estimate

The Cummins engine in my Ram weighs around 1,100 lbs. The Cummins ISX in a DP is roughly 3,200 lbs.  Once you start adding in the weight of the heavier frame and drivetrain of the DP, you will quickly find out where those extra 3,300 pounds are hiding.

The typical weight for my combination is 27,000 lbs.

 

[malexander]

We went from 2 5ers to a class c motorhome. Had the C for 10 years, went back to a 5er. Missed the motor home within the first 5 miles of home. Kept the 5er for 5 years, went back to a motor home.

I doubt I'll ever have another tt or 5er. Motor home is just too convenient. As always YMMV.

 

[TonyDtorch]

My Ram dually weighs 9,600 lbs outfitted.  It came from the factory at 9,100 lbs. ~ 1,600 lbs higher than your estimate.

Large fifth wheels that are fully loaded are now approaching 18,000 (or more) lbs. ~ 3,000 lbs higher than your estimate

The Cummins engine in my Ram weighs around 1,100 lbs. The Cummins ISX in a DP is roughly 3,200 lbs.  Once you start adding in the weight of the heavier frame and drivetrain of the DP, you will quickly find out where those extra 3,300 pounds are hiding.
The typical weight for my combination is 27,000 lbs.

so, what kind of average fuel millage does your 27k rig get ?      11-12 mpg?

 

[lone_star_dsl]

so, what kind of average fuel millage does your 27k rig get ?      11-12 mpg?

9-11 mpg is typical for me.

 

[TonyDtorch]

back on point,  the original poster wanted to go to a 5th wheel so he could achieve 12 to 15 mpg...

just about every gas or diesel class A will get 9+ mpg especially on flat roads,.... but is there a full sized 5th wheel rig that will ever get 12-14-15 mpg ?

 

[lone_star_dsl]

back on point,  the original poster wanted to go to a 5th wheel so he could achieve 12 to 15 mpg...

just about every gas or diesel class A will get 9+ mpg especially on flat roads,.... but is there a full sized 5th wheel rig that will ever get 12-14-15 mpg ?

I had a 30' "lite", fairly low (you couldn't stand in the bedroom) fifth wheel with one manually powered slide.  I pulled that trailer with a 2002 F-350.  I could usually get 12-13 mpg with that combo but that was about it.

I don't see any truck/fifth wheel unit getting 14-15 mpg.