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Thread: 5th wheel or class A
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08-25-2019, 03:02 PM #11
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I agree to what DMB states above. Our story is we had a class A many years ago, before kids. It was great for my wife and I. But then when my daughter was born, I didn't feel at all comfortable buckling her car seat to a chair that appeared to be lag bolted to the plywood floor. Life changed and we moved away from RV'ing till now. But this time I'm thinking about those car seats again with grand kids possibly in the not-so-distant future. So that's one big reason why we chose a big truck w/ all the safety features and will stick w/ towing something.
2021 Solitude 310GK: Linen/DP windows/gen prep/slide toppers/king bed/EOH disc brakes/Cooper-H tires
2019 F-350: Lariat/CC/LB/Diesel/DRW/4x4/Bakflip MX4/B&W 20K/AirLift 5000
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08-28-2019, 02:59 PM #12
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We started with a Class A and did love it when moving a lot - but over the 13/14 years we had it we encountered MANY, MANY costly issues that you would not have on a 5th wheel. Diesel engines are made to be driven so when they sit bad things can happen. And when they do, you usually need a specialist to fix them (i.e. RV dealer, Diesel dealer, Transmission, etc.) With the 5th wheel, we are driving the diesel truck all the time and when it needs service we find the GM dealer or any reputable repair place. Even if you get a gas Class A you are still maintaining 2 engines (RV and your Toad). We did really love the Class A, but we really hated the expense.
Marcy and Marybeth
Milo and Bean (rescue pups)
2021 Reflection 337RLS
2020 GMC 3500 Denali
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08-28-2019, 05:43 PM #13
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The rubber shock absorption matt of the rotoflex slide out of the back of the pin box. Lippert did not have any in stock so had to upgrade to top of the line pin box. We did not have an airbag or shock that the new inbox has included.
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08-28-2019, 05:50 PM #14
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Moving around in a RV is never safe but if you are sick and you do not have to pull into the breakdown lane to get to the bathroom one could question which is safer. Wearing a seat belt is always saver just as in an airplane. Are there really definitive studies indicating that pickups are safer than buses?
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08-29-2019, 12:35 AM #15
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lacking any scientific peer reviewed studies to back it up, I feel the same way as well. The kids are held in with their booster seats and safety belts and we have air bags all around a 9500 lbs dually truck. I would love a Class A, but I can’t wrap my mind around the potential safety issues of a Class A.
2017 Ford F450 - our kids call her "Big Red"
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08-29-2019, 07:25 AM #16
I would just miss the maneuverability of a trailer if I had a bus. It will be easier to back up for sure, but cannot fit into the same spaces since it doesn't bend in the middle - would need a wider area due to the larger turn radius.
For me price and only having to maintain one engine/drivetrain instead of 2 were big factors. My wife does look at me in the middle of a driving day sometimes though and dream about the freedom inside a class A haha2019 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali Diesel DRW (Crew Cab | 8 Ft bed | OEM Puck System | Curt Gooseneck Ball for OEM Puck | Timbrens on rear axle)
2019 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3740BH-R Fifth Wheel (Onan 5500W LP Generator | MORryde CRE3000 and HD Shackles/Wet Bolts | 3x MORryde Cross Members | 8k Axles and Disc Brakes | Sailun S637 ST | Reese GooseBox 20k 2nd Gen | Splendide Stackable Washer and Dryer)
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10-29-2019, 12:43 AM #17
We used to have a nice older Class A DP, drove wonderfully, but switched to a fifth wheel for many good reasons (some previously mentioned by others) including:
- Floorplan - we needed a bedroom/bunkhouse for our daughter
- Safety - trucks are crash tested, Class As are not (and are not good for child carseats either)
- Cost - one less engine to maintain, and also much cheaper maintenance. Seemed like when anything went wrong on our Diesel Pusher it was at least $2k and up...
Finally, even though our DP drove great alone, it didn't drive as well when we were towing our "toad" vehicle. We like the ride a lot better now towing our fifth wheel.
To each their own though! We have many friends in Class As and Cs that are happy. This path was right for us, but it might not be right for you!Eric, Ashley, & M (3 y/o)
Full Timing!
2018 Reflection 28BH /// 2017 Nissan Titan XD
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10-29-2019, 05:00 AM #18
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Thanks for your feedback!
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10-29-2019, 10:36 AM #19
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We moved from a newmar dutchstar to a fifth wheel, first a drv mobile suites and now our momentum.
The days we were on the road were low, compared to the time living.
You can't compare floor plans, fifth wheels have many more options and are better hands down.
We still use our fifth wheel when we stop, it's not as accessible as the class a but we work with it. Certainly a downside but it still works for us.
Price, no comparison again. Truck and fifth is way cheaper unless you troll the very bottom of the barrel class a brands. My truck was 49k and the momentum 69k for 118k I would be hard pressed to find anything, much less something comparable.
Maintenance is a pia on any RV, double so on something with drive train. My fifth wheel gets pulled down the road. If I take care of the wheels, I'll get decades of use out of it. It will literally last as long as I'm willing to look at it and take care of it.
The class a repairs can get very expensive and the maintenance adds up. The older it gets, the bigger they money pit.2019 Momentum 395
2018 Ram 3500 DRW 4.10 AISIN
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10-29-2019, 04:43 PM #20
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Came close to moving to a motor home from a 5th wheel but then decided I would have to tow a car behind the motor home and if I'm going to pull something I may as well stick with a 5th wheel. They are cheaper, more room, livable when the tow vehicle has to be towed for repair plus an old motor home is practically worthless in re sale but many people still want older trailers to put down on a permanent site so in my view trailers have better value when old. Also a big Class A takes some getting used to when driving in narrow spaces and traffic.
Bottle Jack
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