Thinking about switching from a MH to a 5er

[jagnweiner]

Hello, all! Long time forum member but I haven't been real active the last few years. I've been thinking about getting rid of our 2000 Itasca Horizon 36' DP for a few years now. I originally thought we would someday get into a small TT that is towable behind our Dodge Durango. However, we are now looking at swapping the Durango for a Ram 2500 diesel for a variety of other reasons. That would open up a variety of towable options.

I'm now toying with the idea of a used "medium-sized" 5th wheel. I'm just starting the research process and had never thought I'd be interested in a 5er before. I'd be interested in your thoughts on pros/cons, etc. Here's a little background: The wife and I are in our early '50s, not retired so our longest trips are 1-2 weeks. We usually try to take a big trip at least every couple of years and don't do a whole lot of local weekend camping. Our three kids are now adults with two of the three married and one new grandbaby. The kids still like to come along on RV trips when the schedule permits. We prefer state and national parks/forests to commercial campgrounds (in ten years we've only stayed in one commercial campground). We don't mind driving big vehicles, but don't have experiance towing big trailers other than a flatbed car trailer. We enjoyed the riding experience of the motorhome for the passengers and know we will be giving that up. The MH is getting pretty long in the tooth and I'm ready for something newer.

With all that said, any thoughts or recommendations? Anything you think we would love or hate about a 5er? One of the things I'm concerned about is being able to use the same types of campsites we currently use. I've seen it suggested that 5ers can be difficult to back into a campsite. Is that a legitimate concern? i.e., would a 30-35' 5er be any more difficult to maneuver than the 36' motorhome.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Scott

 

[Oldgator73]

we had a 37’ triple axle 5th wheel. I found it extremely easy to back in. I never used a spotter. We camped in many state and national parks and never had a problem finding a site for the trailer.

 

[jagnweiner]

we had a 37’ triple axle 5th wheel. I found it extremely easy to back in. I never used a spotter. We camped in many state and national parks and never had a problem finding a site for the trailer.

Thanks, Rod!

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

You need to go window shopping and see what size & style of 5W will suit your wants & needs. Maybe it's 35-36 ft or maybe something a bit smaller - the floor plans tend to be quite different than a Class A coach. The typical layout is a front bedroom, rear lounge and a nice galley in the middle, but there are other variations too.

Backing a 5W is a knack you have to acquire, but it's easy enough once you get over the learning curve. The problems occur when the campground access road to the site entrance is narrow, restricting how you maneuver the tow vehicle when backing. Obviously a pull-thru is no problem, right?
Lots of videos on YouTube that will show the technique. Here's one:

 

[jagnweiner]

Thanks for weighing in, Gary! Good to hear from you. (You and I had lunch once about five years ago when we camped at Silver Springs SP)

 

[Kirk]

I've seen it suggested that 5ers can be difficult to back into a campsite. Is that a legitimate concern?

What is easiest to park tends to depend on the person who is driving, but most experienced RVers can adapt to a different one with a little planning and some practice. I have known one or two people who were never comfortable parking a fifth wheel and another who gave up on parking travel trailers but those are the exceptions. I have also known one person who went from a medium size travel trailer to a larger class A as always said that the travel trailer was easier to park. For most of us, the easiest one to park is the one that we do a lot of recently. I doubt that you will find it that difficult once you have done it a few times.

It has been my observation over the years that some folks seem to prefer travel in one type of RV over another and find it difficult to be happy if they change. For that reason I'd not rush into the change. We downsized from a motorhome to a travel trailer and while we have mostly adjusted, we do still miss the motorhome style of travel. Since you aren't frequent users that should make the change less difficult, I think. I would consider what things you like best about the present motorhome and see if you can get most of them in the new RV you are considering. Also, consider any negative factors of the present RV and see what you can improve with the one you are considering. The key is to build a like that favors the RV you are moving into.

 

[jagnweiner]

Thanks, Kirk. That’s sound advice. We’re on the same page re: motor home style of travel.

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

I went from a 30’ 5er to a 34’ MH towing a 14.5’ trailer. There were no real issues with the 5er, towing, livening, or parking.
I like the Class A a lot better.

 

[jagnweiner]

I went from a 30’ 5er to a 34’ MH towing a 14.5’ trailer. There were no real issues with the 5er, towing, livening, or parking.
I like the Class A a lot better.

Appreciate all the responses. So, for those who have done both, setting aside differences when going down the road, are there any particular differences between camping in a 5er vs. a MH that make you prefer one over the other?

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

Appreciate all the responses. So, for those who have done both, setting aside differences when going down the road, are there any particular differences between camping in a 5er vs. a MH that make you prefer one over the other?

My 5er was a toy hauler, so my bike(s) and gear were all in the camper on the road. When parked, the bike(s) had to go outside in the elements, but all the personal and safety gear was still inside the camper.
With my MH, it is more like my living area. My bike(s) and all the bike gear is in the trailer out of the elements and ready to go.
Especially now that there are two of us, it is much more convenient to have a Class A and an enclosed trailer.

 

[SargeW]

We have done all types of RV's in our 25 year RV travels. I have done a lot of parking and backing 5vers and TT, along with 4 different MH. I don't find any of them difficult, once you learn the technique that you are comfortable with. The difference between backing a 5ver and a TT is the turning ability of the 5ver. Since the pin is right over the axle of the truck, the fever is easier to "jack knife" which some find harder to get used to. With a TT on the bumper the arc while backing is usually smoother and less abrupt. With practice though you can put a 5ver into a tight spot easier due to the tight turning ability.

I just sold a 40' MH and am going back to a 28' TT. Mostly due to the simplicity of the TT and cost is/was a factor as well. The DW scouted out the rig she liked with the amenities that we were accustomed to in our style of traveling. I purchased a new truck and traded in the Jeep toad.

The DW will miss being able to use the restroom if necessary when on the road, or getting snacks. But the truck will be a quieter ride, and easy to maneuver around town in. And for what I sold the MH for I am able to have everything paid for. That is a huge difference.

Also the MH required a significant amount of regular maintenance, both on the house and chassis, which is another expense/chore I won't miss. And the insurance between the two is night and day. We do shorter, closer trips these days, so the TT will work out great on a variety of levels. We have went in a full circle so to speak as our first RV was a TT.

Do what fits your lifestyle, and enjoy the ride.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

(You and I had lunch once about five years ago when we camped at Silver Springs SP)

I remember that - a "memories" photo of it popped up on my screen recently.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

o, for those who have done both, setting aside differences when going down the road, are there any particular differences between camping in a 5er vs. a MH that make you prefer one over the other?

Some differences, not necessarily pro or con

1. The fiver sits higher off the ground. A MH with air suspension "squats" down.
2. The lounge area of most 5W floor plans is more open, sort of a "conversation pit" style and with panoramic rear windows. Often includes space for a real desk, if you like that sort of thing.
3. For reasons I've never been able to discern, a large 5W floor plan seems conducive to an island kitchen, whereas an island doesn't seem to fit in a MH.
4. The big windshield on a MH is both a plus and a negative. Great for viewing out front, but also great for looking into the interior. It's also a major source of heat gain/loss.
5. The multiple separate basement storage bays of a MH can be a plus or minus, depending on what you carry with you. I preferred the MH style vs the single big cavern that most 5W have.
6. The built-in generator in the MH is handy when needed (but a toyhauler 5W often has that too)
7. Not by a wide margin, but the MH is a little quicker/easier to get parked & set up. Even if towing a car. The difference is more noticeable if the weather is bad. If the 5W lacks leveling jacks, that's a significant factor too.

I'm sure there's more, but these are what came quickly to mind.

 

[Kirk]

are there any particular differences between camping in a 5er vs. a MH that make you prefer one over the other?

I would say that there are and it is a major part of our motorhome preferences. We love the fact that a motorhome is at comfortable temperature while traveling which means that we could stop anywhere safe to use the bathroom, or use the microwave to prepare lunch. Also, we had a side aisle floorplan meaning that she could safely be in the bed while I was driving which mattered due to some of her health issues. (Some folks would disagree since the bed has no seatbelts.) There is no doubt that a fifth wheel has more living space for the size of RV but it also has much more involved in getting ready to use. We also would take the first exit in major traffic issues and spend time or even the night in the nearest parking lot and might not exit the RV at all. When you are parked in a campground, most fifth wheels will have a large window looking out the back while a motorhome has it in front, often meaning that your view is better in the fifth wheel. The motorhome has a flat floor so that the only steps are the entry, while a fifth wheel has steps usually to the bedroom that can be a problem for people with mobility issues. A travel trailer has the flat floor like a motorhome. When traveling and stopping only for a night, the motorhome has some clear advantages with much less needed preparation.

 

[jagnweiner]

The DW will miss being able to use the restroom if necessary when on the road, or getting snacks.

That's a definite. I actually haven't pitched the 5er idea to her yet, but we had talked about going to a TT, so I think she'd be good with the tradeoff. We'll certainly discuss. @SargeW, don't know if you remember but we had lunch or dinner with you guys once several years ago when you stayed at a COE park on the Mississippi near the Quad Cities.

All, thanks for the excellent input. I'm reminded why I used to spend so much time on this forum. ;-)

 

[SargeW]

I knew your screen name was familiar, I just couldn't remember from where! Glad to see your back!

 

[Tom]

Some differences, not necessarily pro or con

1. The fiver sits higher off the ground. A MH with air suspension "squats" down.
2. The lounge area of most 5W floor plans is more open, sort of a "conversation pit" style and with panoramic rear windows. Often includes space for a real desk, if you like that sort of thing.
3. For reasons I've never been able to discern, a large 5W floor plan seems conducive to an island kitchen, whereas an island doesn't seem to fit in a MH.
4. The big windshield on a MH is both a plus and a negative. Great for viewing out front, but also great for looking into the interior. It's also a major source of heat gain/loss.
5. The multiple separate basement storage bays of a MH can be a plus or minus, depending on what you carry with you. I preferred the MH style vs the single big cavern that most 5W have.
6. The built-in generator in the MH is handy when needed (but a toyhauler 5W often has that too)
7. Not by a wide margin, but the MH is a little quicker/easier to get parked & set up. Even if towing a car. The difference is more noticeable if the weather is bad. If the 5W lacks leveling jacks, that's a significant factor too.

I'm sure there's more, but these are what came quickly to mind.

After 35 years of motorhoming, and 8 years ago buying our own lot in WY, we bought a used 5th wheel 2 years ago to stay in one place. I agree with most/all of Gary's comments, although we don't tow the 5th wheel around. Personally, I really miss the 'view out the windshield' of the motorhome, and also miss the basement storage. But, Momma is happy.

 

[JudyJB]

I sometimes co-camp with my son in his large trailer. He has more difficulty finding a big enough space to park in because he also has a truck to deal with. Also, there is more setup with a trailer or 5th wheel. Plus, if we do not have full hookups, I can put slides in, unhook electric, and be at the dump station is about 1/5 the time it takes him to do that. His long rig is also harder to pull into a gas station. I can be on the road in the time it takes a person with a 5th wheel to pull his tow vehicle into place to hitch up.

However, I do enjoy being able to go with them sightseeing in their truck--much easier than driving my 32' motorhome around.

I would say a motorhome is better if you are doing more traveling and less parking, but the reverse is true if you spend longer times in places.

 

[Geraldsh]

I recently traded off my truck and trailer to get back into a motor home. Using a trailer it felt as though I had to hook up and haul everything to the chosen destination before my holiday could start. With the motor home as soon as I get into the driver’s seat it feels like the holiday has started. I tow a small truck (ford ranger) for gadding about when we’re camping.

 

[TheBar]

For many people the difference is not how long you are parked by how often you go. Before I retired we camped most weekends. Wth a MH when I got off work Friday at 5 all we had to do was load any perishable food and start the engine. Gone in 5 minutes. Plus where we live at 5 PM the stars are out in the winter. The MH is way less hassle especially in the dark. We still prefer a lot of short trips over a 2 week stay once a year. No hitching no hassle.