Exploring higher-end models for full-time living

[AsenathBarzani]

From all the research I've done, it seems that that Northwood manufacturer is a cut above the rest, in terms of durability and reliability - putting quality products over mass production and profit. Wondering if anyone disagrees with that.

Also wondering if anyone sees some other contenders for quality manufacturers of travel trailers and fifth wheelers.

At this point, I've come to feel that since I'm going to be living full-time in an RV, based in the Pacific Northwest but traveling around the country, and since I have chemical sensitivities and therefore need to have my own washer and dryer units, it is worth the money to invest in a product like the arctic fox fifth wheeler. We're talking about $80,000 now, which is quite a leap from where I started, but is doable with financing.

I'm also wondering if it's true that it's easier to drive a fifth wheeler than a travel trailer. I will be new to RV living and I'm down with the idea of towing something that's easier, as I learn the ropes.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

since I have chemical sensitivities

Would that include formaldehyde, solvents and other adjuncts that outgas from common RV construction?

wondering if it's true that it's easier to drive a fifth wheeler than a travel trailer.

If "easier" is the criteria. would offer that driving a class A is easier than pulling a popup trailer behind my pickup. Nothing to hitch/unhitch, futz around backing up, dork with manual levelers. Park it, push a button to level, head back to the fridge for a cold one.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[DutchmenSport]

Is a fifth wheel easier to deal with than a travel trailer? Is a fifth wheel easier to tow than a travel trailer? Is a fifth wheel easier to back up than a travel trailer? (Is a fifth wheel better than a travel trailer).

The bottom line answer is.... "No". They are equal (IF) and I say a big (IF) the truck and trailer are matched correctly. I've owned both and one IS NOT better than the other. They ARE different. Each one has it's own disadvantages and advantages, problems, and pleasures. They are DIFFERENT, not "better" one over the other. (and I could write you a book on what those differences are).

Your tow vehicle for either a travel trailer or a fifth wheel is more important than the trailer itself! I'm going to cut right through the chafe here. If you want an "trailer" (fifth wheel or travel trailer) that is washer and dryer capable, (especially fifth wheel), then you just need to start thinking about towing with a 1 ton / 3500 or F350 / diesel / dually. And yes, you are probably talking upwards of ANOTHER $80,000 at least.

Now, you can go with less truck, but you'll pay the price in the long run!

I'm cutting through all the BS here and just stating it like it is. You can put all the lipstick you want to a pig, but in the end, it's still a pig. A lesser truck is still a lesser truck, no matter how many air bags, or lifts, or extra leafs, or any other modification you do it to make it work for a heavy trailer. After spending all the money attempting to make a lesser truck work, you'll probably spent Northward of the $80,000 on it and now you still have a truck that isn't doing what you want it to do. You'll sell that truck and eventually get the one you should have started with. Cut through all that BS and go straight to the juggler and put a 1 ton on your highest priority list. Then get the trailer.

 

[rvlifer]

Would that include formaldehyde, solvents and other adjuncts that outgas from common RV construction?


If "easier" is the criteria. would offer that driving a class A is easier than pulling a popup trailer behind my pickup. Nothing to hitch/unhitch, futz around backing up, dork with manual levelers. Park it, push a button to level, head back to the fridge for a cold one.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

i never understood this argument. You still have to disconnect the toad and hook up the water electric and sewer. If you have an autoleveler on a pull behind it is as easy as in a class a. I can disconnect and set up my 5th wheel in less time than most class a i have seen. All depends on the rv

 

[rvlifer]

It is definitely easier to tow a 5th wheel. Far more stable for one thing. It is also a lot easier when you have an oversized tow vehicle. If you want easy towing get a 5th wheel and a tow vehicle with twice the towing capacity of the rv.

The highest quality 5th wheels will cost a lot more than $80k. Check out spacecraft, new horizon, and luxe.

For full time living the first thing i look for is a frame that is more substantial than an i beam. The stronger and stiffer the frame the less twisting and t less problems at least in theory. If you plan to live in it and never move it then that becomes less important.

 

[Kirk]

Wondering if anyone disagrees with that.

That just depends on what you are comparing to and what your budget is. In the market they are, Northwoods are among the better reputations. But they don't compete with people like New Horizons or Bowlus.

I'm also wondering if it's true that it's easier to drive a fifth wheeler than a travel trailer.

For the longer trailers, most would agree that the fifth wheel is easier to maneuver and to tow than a travel trailer, but not all. As you get smaller the difference tends to decrease as well. Both depend to a large extent on what you tow with as well. Sitting still, the travel trailer has a flat floor with for some people makes a huge difference. Some people have difficulty with stairs. The best choice of RV will always depend upon who is to use it.

 

[AsenathBarzani]

thanks for all the feedback, so helpful as i navigate this new terrain!

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

If your needs include a washer/dryer, you will have to step up to a larger RV. Probably on the order of 34 ft, but there are a few 30 footers that squeeze that in. And that size plus amenities is also a step up in price range for the trailer and maybe the truck as well.

As the trailer grows past 30 ft, most RV owners feel the advantages of a 5W begin to shine. The overall tow length is shorter (trailer overlaps truck) and it is more stable in crosswinds and maneuvering. For that reason, larger trailers are predominantly designed a 5W types, but not exclusively. A well-matched truck and trailer handles well whether travel-trailer or 5W.

 

[AsenathBarzani]

very helpful, thank you! i'm waiting on leasing the truck til i know what trailer i get, so i can absolutely go to 5th wheel. also financing the whole endeavor, so it's doable even with a step up in price.

 

[AsenathBarzani]

If your needs include a washer/dryer, you will have to step up to a larger RV. Probably on the order of 34 ft, but there are a few 30 footers that squeeze that in. And that size plus amenities is also a step up in price range for the trailer and maybe the truck as well.

As the trailer grows past 30 ft, most RV owners feel the advantages of a 5W begin to shine. The overall tow length is shorter (trailer overlaps truck) and it is more stable in crosswinds and maneuvering. For that reason, larger trailers are predominantly designed a 5W types, but not exclusively. A well-matched truck and trailer handles well whether travel-trailer or 5W.

Yeah I think I'm going that route! I found an amazing arctic fox that fits all my needs.

 

[AsenathBarzani]

i never understood this argument. You still have to disconnect the toad and hook up the water electric and sewer. If you have an autoleveler on a pull behind it is as easy as in a class a. I can disconnect and set up my 5th wheel in less time than most class a i have seen. All depends on the rv

Very helpful feedback, thank you. This is one of the biggest arguments I have heard for motorhomes. I just found a fifth wheel that I absolutely love with everything that I need.

 

[rvlifer]

Very helpful feedback, thank you. This is one of the biggest arguments I have heard for motorhomes. I just found a fifth wheel that I absolutely love with everything that I need.

From what i have seen 5th wheels are great for maximizing interior space but the external storage isnt as good as other types of rvs

 

[ferfer]

rvlifersaid "You still have to disconnect the toad and hook up the water electric and sewer. "

This is one of the biggest arguments I have heard for motorhomes.

Ok here is what I consider some very general pros of motorhomes:

Is a fully self-contained house that you travel in, resulting in a comfortable temperature during travel and when stop.

The built in generator designed to support motorhome 30amp or 50 amp systems. It can be used while in motion or when no external 120V available. The generator fuel comes for motorhome fuel tank.

Do not have to exit coach to use the bathroom, fix lunch, or take a nap.

Depending on stop’s logistic (layout), toad may or may not need to be disconnected prior to parking. I think this matters in bad weather.

Auto leveler systems make easier setup.

Toad vehicle can be smaller and fuel efficient vs large tow truck.

Maybe someone else will do pull behinds?

 

[rvlifer]

rvlifersaid "You still have to disconnect the toad and hook up the water electric and sewer. "

Ok here is what I consider some very general pros of motorhomes:

Is a fully self-contained house that you travel in, resulting in a comfortable temperature during travel and when stop.

The built in generator designed to support motorhome 30amp or 50 amp systems. It can be used while in motion or when no external 120V available. The generator fuel comes for motorhome fuel tank.

Do not have to exit coach to use the bathroom, fix lunch, or take a nap.

Depending on stop’s logistic (layout), toad may or may not need to be disconnected prior to parking. I think this matters in bad weather.

Auto leveler systems make easier setup.

Toad vehicle can be smaller and fuel efficient vs large tow truck.

Maybe someone else will do pull behinds?

Good points but auto leveling systems arent only found on motorhomes

 

[ferfer]

Good points but auto leveling systems arent only found on motorhomes

That is why I said VERY GENERAL hoping that implied exception because there are lots. I would guess that motorhomes have the majority of AUTO 4 point leveler systems. Note also that not all motorhomes have levelers or have aftermarket

Also aware some trailers and 5th wheels have small propane generators built in, but my understanding is majority buy generators and gasoline. I am unaware of an Class A or C that does not have a generator.

I just highlighted some things that made me prefer a motorhome. I am not qualified regarding pulled RV and would really be interested in what someone thinks is PRO.

 

[rvlifer]

Not a long list like yours but a huge reason i havent bought a motorhome is that i didnt want another drivetrain to maintain and depreciate for something that we used occasionally. After 8 years my f350 has lost about $20k in value. I could buy a new tow vehicle for the amount that the rv depreciated in that time

 

[ferfer]

another drivetrain to maintain and depreciate

You are correct - valid point. I see it as a pro and con. Majority of time we pull the toad but do take trips without the toad and just chill out - a mini vacation.

For me when picking out a RV the access to bathroom was MUST HAVE. I think Dan was thinking trailer but motorhome it was to be. We had a vague knowledge (but mostly ignorance) about truck and weights with concerned Dan might have to sell his beloved truck . Since we went motorhome that is what we spent our time trying to learn.

 

[rvlifer]

for fulltiming i would prefer a motorhome. For non fulltime use there were a lot of benefits to having a towable. I could use the truck for other things so overall the cost was a lot less. If i could easily afford both a motorhome and big truck i probably would have. But i needed a truck anyways so using one for both made more sense.

Even though it costs more to use a tow vehicle as your daily driver it is still less than buying and running two vehicles. It gives you flexibility and options. With a motorhome you never have the option. You either have to take a 2nd vehicle, stay put, or pack up everything and drive the rv.

One benefit of motorhomes is that some states are friendlier to motorhomes than towables. In Pa i would have paid $125/yr for registration on any size class a instead of close to $1k/yr for the 5th wheel. In pa i had to register the tow vehicle for the gcwr of the truck and rv and they charge by weight. For class a's it was a standard $125 no matter what the weight was.

I agree on access to the bath. We picked a floorplan where we could get to the bathroom without opening the slides, but we do have to get out of the truck and put the rv steps down. Cant beat the exterior storage space in a class a either.

 

[ferfer]

Before we get too far toward tread drift apologies to AsenathBarzani. Hope what we are saying is useful about reasoning for choice of RV.

Buying a RV and talking about saving on cost in one direction and then talking about floorplan and must have, want to have would be nice to have and do not want often do not play well together. For us- OK me - access to bathroom was non negotiable. Access to everything else wanted meet. The other issue, Dan likes his 2000 truck so much he is still driving it and I question if he would have been willing replace it.

some states are friendlier to motorhomes than towables

Did not know that.

I look at the motorhome as my mini home.

 

[Larry N.]

I look at the motorhome as my mini home.

We thought of ours as our mobile apartment. And the points made above about storage were rather important to us, also. In addition, and this certainly doesn't apply to everyone, being able to have a Jeep along for those times when offroad 4-wheeling was available was another plus.

ferfer certainly laid out most of the pluses very well.