It is only 2 of us and we are interested in traveling around the US in our retirement and we obviously dont want to spend a ton of money on gas. We would like to stay in one place for 3 to 10 days and still be able to drive around without towing our camper. We don’t need something huge but do want to be comfortable. Should we get a motor home and tow a car or get a fifth wheel and tow the camper. A small car would be cheaper to drive after we get to the destination. I want to know experiences on cost considerations for driving and buying each kind and which kind is more expensive. Or are there other options? Please let me know your experiences.
Here are some things to consider, beyond the price of gas.
First of all, if you are going to be travelling extensively, you want at least a 25 ft trailer or motorhome. Anything smaller and you will be less than comfortable. Whether or not you want something larger will depend on your own desires and circumstances.
You don’t want to have to turn your table or couch into a bed everynight, trust me. That is fine for camping trips or a short family vacation, but for a retired couple seeing the country, you want to just be able to get into bed without the hassle.
As far as gas usage goes, it depends in part how much driving you will be doing while staying in one area. If you anticipate going 100 miles or more every day, the small car would probably be best. Otherwise, its not going to make a lot of difference between the two options.
One thing to consider, especially the more frequently you will be setting up, is that it takes more time, energy and effort to unhook and set up a fifth wheel, then hook it back up to the truck, than it does to set up a motorhome and attach-detach the the towed car (called a toad, lol). Another consideration along these lines, is that in a motorhome, you are right in it all the time, no having to get out of the truck to go get into the trailer at rest stops, parking lots, and the like.
On the other hand, if you like going into more rugged areas, you may find the truck/fifth wheel combination preferable, esp when the trailer is parked, you can take a truck places you cant take a small car.
I would not recommend the SUV/travel trailer option, as they are more susceptible to problems on the road with swaying behind the tow car, etc.
Other thoughts: if you have slideouts, make sure you can get to the bathroom and to the refrigerator/sink without having to first open a slideout a little bit. Doesn’t sound like a big deal, but there are areas in parking lots, rest areas, wide spots in the road where you may pull over to use these, but there isnt room to safely open a slide out even part of the way. I recommend getting a vehicle with at least one slideout, the room it gives makes a huge difference.
Make a list of things that you want, or will want to take with you, then take this with you when you look at available floorplans and vehicles.
October 12th, 2006 at 11:48 am
get a 4star trailer
References :
October 12th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
My parents did this after their retirement. You actually don’t even need a fifth wheel to tow a trailer.
My parents had a 15 ft fibreglass trailer. The dining area converted very easily to a bed, and the toilet and bathroom sink were in a little alcove at the very front. In between was kitchen. No shower facility, but then most campgrounds have these available. It was all tight and compact, and about as much living room as most 40 foot boats provide.
They towed this using heavy duty shocks and transmission on a 6 cylinder engined car (2 different ones over the 10 years they travelled). Supremely easy to tow with the mini SUV’s available now. And that way you still have your vehicle (not too large) to disconnect and get around with, once you’ve set up your campsite.
References :
October 13th, 2006 at 12:30 am
Here are some things to consider, beyond the price of gas.
First of all, if you are going to be travelling extensively, you want at least a 25 ft trailer or motorhome. Anything smaller and you will be less than comfortable. Whether or not you want something larger will depend on your own desires and circumstances.
You don’t want to have to turn your table or couch into a bed everynight, trust me. That is fine for camping trips or a short family vacation, but for a retired couple seeing the country, you want to just be able to get into bed without the hassle.
As far as gas usage goes, it depends in part how much driving you will be doing while staying in one area. If you anticipate going 100 miles or more every day, the small car would probably be best. Otherwise, its not going to make a lot of difference between the two options.
One thing to consider, especially the more frequently you will be setting up, is that it takes more time, energy and effort to unhook and set up a fifth wheel, then hook it back up to the truck, than it does to set up a motorhome and attach-detach the the towed car (called a toad, lol). Another consideration along these lines, is that in a motorhome, you are right in it all the time, no having to get out of the truck to go get into the trailer at rest stops, parking lots, and the like.
On the other hand, if you like going into more rugged areas, you may find the truck/fifth wheel combination preferable, esp when the trailer is parked, you can take a truck places you cant take a small car.
I would not recommend the SUV/travel trailer option, as they are more susceptible to problems on the road with swaying behind the tow car, etc.
Other thoughts: if you have slideouts, make sure you can get to the bathroom and to the refrigerator/sink without having to first open a slideout a little bit. Doesn’t sound like a big deal, but there are areas in parking lots, rest areas, wide spots in the road where you may pull over to use these, but there isnt room to safely open a slide out even part of the way. I recommend getting a vehicle with at least one slideout, the room it gives makes a huge difference.
Make a list of things that you want, or will want to take with you, then take this with you when you look at available floorplans and vehicles.
References :
mostly full-time RV’er; 30 ft fifth wheel-3/4 ton chevy truck.