What are the major disadvantages of owning a 5th wheel or trailer compared to an RV?

Question

My wife and I are considering full time RVing. We saw a nice new RV for 70,000, than noticed that 5th wheel and trailers, which look about the same are MUCH cheaper. Obviously you have to tow the trailers, but what, if any, are the other disadvantages????

Thank You,

Brian.

Answer 1

You'll save gas, money, and frustration by going with a 5th wheel. Some have slide outs to make them alot more roomy than a RV. You wont be driving in your home with a 5th wheel which means you dont have to have a 2nd car to go to town. You just unhook your 5th wheel and take off in the truck. 5th wheels are easier to use and get repairs/parts. Some places wont do work on the chasis of a RV and some places wont do work on the housing part of a RV. In my opinion come down and get a 5th wheel.

Answer 2

Fire bird is right on. Also, I would make a Pros and Cons list personalized to you. The main questions are of importance to you for mpg, comfort and how often will the rig sit when you are not on the road. Say you and your wife have 1 car each. You buy a motor home. That adds another power train to take care of which is not good if it will sit alot.

Answer 3

The biggest disadvantage, as far as I know, is that you're not traveling in your house.  You're traveling in a pickup truck.  The accommodations in an RV for travel are splendorous compared to a pickup truck.  You can take a big crowd along in an RV, and it's huge fun.  Not so fun in the pickup.  This may not matter to you.  It depends on what you're going to do with it.

Keep in mind, I'm not saying a motorhome is better - I'm just answering the question that you asked.  Motorhomes have a longer list of disadvantages.

If I was going to leave my camper parked all the time, I'd rather have a trailer.  If I was going to travel all the time, I'd rather have the motorhome.