Update: In November 2015, Winnebago decided to reintegrate its Itasca vehicles under the Winnebago name. These great models will continue, but under the Winnebago name instead of Itasca.
In our last two Guaranty RV blogs, we talked about RVs that can be pulled by smaller tow vehicles, and which are perfect for summer camping and family vacations. If you’re ready to take up the RV lifestyle on a more long term basis, however, you’ll probably be looking at much larger RVs, and particularly at fifth wheels and Class A motorhomes. Here at Guaranty we hear from our longtime customers that these tried and true RVs offer the most living space, drivability, amenities and convenience for long term RV travel and living. But how do you choose which one is right for you? How do you weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each?
Of course overall affordability is an issue. In general, a Class A motorhome from a dependable manufacturer is likely to cost more than a fifth wheel, but there are excellent pre-owned models that make both motorized Class A’s and diesel pushers very comparable in price to the best fifth wheels. Also, if you are purchasing a tow vehicle as well as a fifth wheel, your overall price is about the same. Spend some time figuring out which type of RV you’re looking for, choose manufacturers that you trust, and then set out to find the perfect model in your price range, because livability is key when you’re on the road for weeks or months at a time. Read on for things to consider when choosing between fifth wheels and Class A motorhomes.
Life on the Road
One of the big advantages of a Class A motorhome is the convenience and overall comfort you’ll experience when you’re on the road. Even in a model with multiple slide outs that are pushed in for travel, Class A’s are designed to give you easy access to the kitchen, the dinette and the bathroom while you’re traveling down the road. Fifth wheels, on the other hand, tend to have deep slide-outs that take up more room when they’re retracted. In models with multiple slide outs, oftentimes they are set so that they meet in the middle when they’re pushed in for travel, making access to the kitchen and bathroom difficult or impossible. In other words, you may not be able to make a quick roadside stop to grab a soda from the refrigerator or take that quick bathroom break. When you’re looking at fifth wheels, be sure to consider how things are arranged when the slide outs are pushed in to see if you can get to the refrigerator and the toilet, and think about whether or not having access to those things matters to you while you travel.
Of course, another point to consider is driveability. Sometimes people worry that towing a fifth wheel will be stressful, primarily due to sway on the road and the issues of backing up a long trailer. However, because the hitch point is over the rear axle of your tow vehicle, sway isn’t an issue for well-manufactured fifth wheels like those from Heartland, Keystone, Lifestyle Luxury RV and others. And mastering backing one up is just a matter of practice.
Other RVers are afraid that they can’t manage a vehicle the size of a Class A motorhome on the road, and are particularly nervous about the visibility issues in backing up and changing lanes. Today’s RV manufacturers have largely eliminated this concern with the use of backup and side cameras that give you full visibility. The best Class A motorhome manufacturers in the nation, such as Newmar and Winnebago/Itasca, give their Class A’s outstanding safety features that protect you and the people around you. For both affordability and driveability, be sure to take a look at Newmar’s Bay Star models, and take a test drive in an Itasca Tribute, which won RVBusiness Magazine’s ‘2015 RV of the Year’ Award. You can learn more about the new Winnebago/Itasca retro RVs in our blog from September.
If driveability is a concern in your decision making process, visit us at Guaranty RV and we’ll help you learn the ins and outs of driving and backing up your RV, no matter what you choose.
As you look for the perfect fifth wheel or motorhome for your RV lifestyle, also be sure to pay attention to the storage space offered in the models you like, and make sure that the RV has adequate capacity limits to actually use all those storage areas. While you’re parked, you’ll be able to spread out under your patio awning and into the campsite, but on the road, everything will have to fit, so think about what you want to bring with you and make sure the RV you choose can accommodate it all while you’re travelling. Again, in Class A motorhomes, look to Newmar and also Monaco for lots of storage, and both Heartland and Keystone can’t be beat in the fifth wheel market.
Life When You’re Parked
As we’ve mentioned, long term livability is obviously a key factor when making a choice between a motorhome and a fifth wheel. You often lose living space with a motorhome because the cab area takes up square footage and usually the slide outs aren’t as deep as a fifth wheel’s, although a model with three or four slide outs, such as a Monaco Diplomat or Dynasty, is going to give you a lot of living space. Still, fifth wheels have the distinct advantage of giving you a homey, almost apartment-like feel, with the upstairs bedroom leaving you extra room in the main living space. Today’s models often feature deep, opposing slide outs that make for even more square footage in the areas where you want it the most: the living room and the bedroom. That extra space means that fifth wheel manufacturers can now offer the same kinds of amenities that used to only exist in Class A motorhomes: residential-size appliances and furniture, large bedrooms and bathrooms, fireplaces, laundry centers and more. Also, because you don’t have the big windshield, fifth wheels are easier to heat, saving you money and keeping you cozy when it is cold outside. For the home-away-from-home feeling, fifth wheels are ideal. We recommend looking at award-winning models such as Keystone’s Montana line, which has been one of the top-selling fifth wheels for more than a decade. Also be sure to look at Heartland fifth wheels such as the Landmark models, and don’t forget Lifestyle Luxury RV fifth wheels as well—for a true blend of form, function and luxury, they’re some of the best.
The one drawback for some people when it comes to fifth wheel living, is the raised bedroom/bathroom area. While it is ideal for adding living space and gives you an added bit of privacy when you have guests, the stairs are problematic for people with bad knees or disabilities. For RVers who need everything on one level, a motorhome is the way to go.
It’s also important to think about how you are going to travel around when you’ve reached your destination and parked your motorhome or fifth wheel. Class A motorhomes usually mean you’ll need to tow a car so that you have something reasonably-sized to drive when you’re heading into town to do your grocery shopping or sightseeing. That means two vehicles to maintain: engines, transmissions, tires, oil changes and all the rest. If you’re towing a fifth wheel, however, you can park your RV and you’ll have your tow vehicle to drive. A good way to consider this point is to think about the lifestyle you want to have. If your goal is to spend most of your time traveling, the convenience and comfort of a Class A motorhome will make your life on the road even better. You’ll have the best view of your surroundings, and the refrigerator and bathroom will be at your disposal without having to stop. If, however, you intend to park your RV at a single location for weeks or months at a time, then a fifth wheel may be more ideal. You’ll have the extra living space and you’ll have your tow vehicle to drive into town.
Other things to compare when you’re trying to decide between a fifth wheel and Class A motorhome are holding tank capacities, generators and inverters, height clearance on the road, capacity for towing, warranties and maintenance costs. If you want some help figuring out what is going to be best for your lifestyle, give us a call here at Guaranty RV, or come visit us in Junction City and take a test drive. We’re here to help you find the motorhome or fifth wheel that will become your home away from home.
Photo: Guaranty RV
