Well, I just couldn't stand watching the trawler vs motorhome thread head way off course so I started this new one.
So I will start by attempting to answer the fifth wheel vs Class A question.
A Class A puts a lot of investment in the powertrain and driving compartment. Otherwise the back end is essentially the same as a fifth wheel. As a result a new 40' Class a diesel pusher can go over $300,000.
Besides cost, the other downside to a motorhome is that once you set up at a campsite it isn't easy to go the convenience store for a six pack or use the motorhome to see the nearby sights. But many big Class As tow a small car to get around in.
A fifth wheel is much, and sometimes much more cheaper than the equivalent motorhome. A 35' is probably close to equivalent accommodation space to a 40' Class A, but costs $250,000 less. But you do need a decent size truck to pull one. A 35' will require at least a 3/4 ton pickup, diesel preferably. These aren't cheap but the package is still a couple of hundred grand less than a 40' Class A. And you can use the truck for other things.
There are smaller/cheaper versions of both. I owned a 24' light weight fifth wheel that I pulled with a plain vanilla pickup and both cost about $50K together. An equivalent 28' Class B motorhome (gas) will cost at least a little more and some Class Bs of that size go for double. But you can't really pull a car behind, well maybe a Smart.
For maneuverability, a fifth wheel beats a motorhome hands down due to the pin at about 40% of the overall length. I was able to back in to all but one site out of 50 when I owned my 24' fifth wheel and at least in western campgrounds I was never too long for the sites.
In terms of safety, I think that they are similar. A fifth wheel is without a doubt the most stable kind of trailer as the hitch pin sits on top of the rear axle of the truck. So there are no weight distribution hitches to worry about and sway is almost non existent.
A Class A is a big monster to drive. But being up high gives you a grand perspective and can keep you out of trouble ahead.
A diesel pickup truck pulling a 35' fifth wheel gets slightly better fuel economy than a 40' diesel pusher Class A.
David
So I will start by attempting to answer the fifth wheel vs Class A question.
A Class A puts a lot of investment in the powertrain and driving compartment. Otherwise the back end is essentially the same as a fifth wheel. As a result a new 40' Class a diesel pusher can go over $300,000.
Besides cost, the other downside to a motorhome is that once you set up at a campsite it isn't easy to go the convenience store for a six pack or use the motorhome to see the nearby sights. But many big Class As tow a small car to get around in.
A fifth wheel is much, and sometimes much more cheaper than the equivalent motorhome. A 35' is probably close to equivalent accommodation space to a 40' Class A, but costs $250,000 less. But you do need a decent size truck to pull one. A 35' will require at least a 3/4 ton pickup, diesel preferably. These aren't cheap but the package is still a couple of hundred grand less than a 40' Class A. And you can use the truck for other things.
There are smaller/cheaper versions of both. I owned a 24' light weight fifth wheel that I pulled with a plain vanilla pickup and both cost about $50K together. An equivalent 28' Class B motorhome (gas) will cost at least a little more and some Class Bs of that size go for double. But you can't really pull a car behind, well maybe a Smart.
For maneuverability, a fifth wheel beats a motorhome hands down due to the pin at about 40% of the overall length. I was able to back in to all but one site out of 50 when I owned my 24' fifth wheel and at least in western campgrounds I was never too long for the sites.
In terms of safety, I think that they are similar. A fifth wheel is without a doubt the most stable kind of trailer as the hitch pin sits on top of the rear axle of the truck. So there are no weight distribution hitches to worry about and sway is almost non existent.
A Class A is a big monster to drive. But being up high gives you a grand perspective and can keep you out of trouble ahead.
A diesel pickup truck pulling a 35' fifth wheel gets slightly better fuel economy than a 40' diesel pusher Class A.
David
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