Motorhome vs 5th Wheel

Last updated on October 10th, 2018 at 09:38 pm

You have arrived at the point where the decision is made, you are going to buy a motorhome or a fifth wheel or camper as some call them.  This brings you to the fork in the road, it’s the first of several.  As you consider the merits of a motorhome vs a fifth wheel, you will need to consider that in choosing either, there are additional choices.  For example, if you decide on a motor home, will it be a class A,B or C?  If a fifth wheel, will it be a classic, bunk house or toy hauler?  The number of decisions and the ultimate financial impact on your budget will probably have at least some bearing on your decision.  Perhaps the following information will help in the selection process

Motor Home

Class A motor homes are usually larger than class C and B motor homes.  Diesel and gasoline engines are offered in Class A.  Class B and C are generally gasoline but some diesel options are available.  A class A motor home is usually built on a truck chassis from ground up using only the factory steering wheel and some drive components.  The driver and passenger area is designed and built by the motor home manufacturer.  The Class B and C coach drive area are part of truck chassis delivered by the manufacturer e.g. Ford to the motor home builder.  The seats in class B and C are usually truck seats like those found in a large box truck.

 

Class A motor homes are more refined, they have better quality materials partly because they are built on heavier frames and can haul the additional weight e.g. stone flooring.  While Class C motor homes can get long, over 35″, class A motor homes can be in the mid 40′ range.  Class B motor homes are usually built on stock van chassis’ such as the Mercedes Sprinter and Dodge Ram Van.  They are more compact and built for two to four people.

If you decide to purchase a motor home, you have choices of engines, diesel or gas. Diesel powered motor homes are usually more expensive than gasoline powered units.  As far as mileage, no one agrees on which type is better.  You can research the reasons for buying diesel over gasoline.

Motor homes generally come with a generator and some higher end units with an inverter which allows for residential refrigerators to be used.  Thirty amp units can run one air conditioner and fifty amps can run two.  A motor home can run overhead air conditioners while the unit is driving using the generator.  This may be necessary while going through a desert during midday.

Fifth Wheel

Fifth wheels have to be towed so while we discuss the unit, it is important that you match the hauling truck with the weight and tow requirements of the fifth wheel.  There are many light weight fifth wheels available that can be towed with a ½ ton pickup.  This was not true just a few years ago when most required at least a ¾ ton with many requiring a full one ton to pull a large fifth wheel.  Changes in materials used and build methods have reduced the overall weight of newer fifth wheels in some cases considerably. Some heavier fifth wheels can be towed with a ¾ ton pickup where as a one ton with four rear wheels was the norm.  Remember to check the manufacturer’s list of pin weight and tow weight requirements.

If you plan to purchase a toy hauler with three axles, you will need a BIG truck.  Toy haulers are designed to carry “toys” and they have onboard fuel tanks which adds to the weight.  Part of the weight calculations on all towables is to include what you have on board including fresh and waste water.

Fifth wheels come in many lengths, most are about the same width, around 8′.  They are designed with bedrooms in the front or rear, with kitchens in the front or rear etc.  There is more flexibility with a fifth wheel in design for obvious reasons, there is no steering wheel and windshield.

One major difference between a motor home and fifth wheel is that fifth wheels generally do not come equipped with generators and most motor homes do.   The towing truck alternator will charge the house batteries in the fifth wheel during transport.   Some better equipped fifth wheels will come with inverters which will permit the installation of residential refrigerators and their operation on the road.  The inverter uses the house battery and power from the truck to power the refrigerator.  Many smaller fifth wheels will use a combo refrigerator, one that can use battery/shore power or propane.  These are convenient if you are boondocking or camping without access to electrical power.

A 40′ fifth wheel has more usable square feet than a 40′ motor home.  This may be a key consideration when comparing both types of RV’s.

Observation

There is no right or wrong decision.  Each unit has its special qualities and its unique challenges.  It is not uncommon for someone to buy a fifth wheel and sell it to buy a motor home and the reverse is true as well.  The fifth wheel is more spacious and therefore more comfortable than most motor homes when you arrive at your destination.  Motorhomes are ready to go, no hook up and you can attach a tow car so in the end, you can gain similar convenience when compared to detaching the tow truck from fifth wheel.

If you are on the go a lot a motor home may be a better choice because you have a constant source of power with the generator.  You can install a generator in most fifth wheels but without a fuel tank, you would be filling it up with gasoline or diesel or changing propane bottles.  Comfort during travel is a consideration for some seniors or individuals with back or with issues walking.  In a motor home you can relax and put your feet up or lay on a bed without stopping.

Driving in a pick-up truck for hours is not as comfortable as driving in a motor home.  Passengers can stretch their legs in a motor home.  You can pull over with a fifth when and use the unit to prepare food and rest as well but if it’s hot, you will not be able to run the AC unless you have a generator.

On the issue of cost.  A new fifth wheel will almost always be less expensive than a motor home.  While you can buy a new motor home for $70,000, you can buy a similar length fifth wheel for $50,000.  It’s easy to see the differences if you browse the web.  If you are considering for example a 36′ diesel class A for $150,000, compare this with a 36′ upscale fifth wheel at $65,000 plus a ¾ ton truck in the $60.000 price range.  You will be comparing $150,000 vs $125,000, a considerable difference between the two.

Maintenance

Motor homes require more maintenance than do fifth wheels.  There is a maintenance schedule for the engine, transmission, generator plus other areas. All RV’s require some maintenance e.g. winterize holding tanks etc.  Pay attention to your tires, wheels and axles if you choose to buy a fifth wheel.   Be advised that most RV’s will have problems even if you buy them new.  AC units fail, water pumps go out, slides freeze.  Be prepared to deal with “unexpected” issues.  When you purchase a unit, take it on a shakedown run as soon as possible if it’s under warranty.

Most RV repair facilities are booked up nearly all year around with the work.  The Winter time is the best time to put your unit in the shop for an extended period waiting on parts etc.  If you plan to use your unit for an important trip in the summer and you need some repairs, either cancel your trip or find someone who will “squeeze” you in.  Skilled employees are very difficult to find, most shops could do much more business and turn units faster if they could only find talent quickly.  Plan well ahead for trips, it may take more than one month to get your rig into the shop then one or two months while it is there.  If you believe the repair shops, manufacturers are notorious for delaying warranty approvals.

The Purchase

When you have decided to buy, shop around.  Use the internet.  Some dealers will advertise the MSRP while others use a discounted price.  Never pay more than 70% of the real, actual MSRP.  Some dealers create their own MSRP so they can discount the unit.  If you look around the internet at various dealers you will soon zero in on an MSRP that is consistent for the same unit.   Everyone has a story about what they paid and why and some will dispute the statement about not paying more than 70% but, that seems to be about the going price for those who show discounted prices, again you can compare them as well.  Make some calls.  The following was offered by a motor home dealer for a NEW current year motor home.  Note the 38% discount.  This happens to be a motor home that is a 2018 while the 2019 motor homes are now available for sale.  Buying a year older as you can see results in a discount over the newer model year.  Some dealers have holdover inventory from not one but two model years and yet the units are new.

Example:  This 2018 Class C motor home is being offered by a motor home dealer in Texas for $51,999 which represents a discount of 38% off the MSRP of $83,794.

Distance should not factor into your decision when you can find exactly what you want for the price you want.  Compare the cost to travel for the purchase vs buying it near your home.  If it makes sense to spend several hundred dollars in fuel (and air fare if you fly to pick up a motor home), why not do it.  If you know that the dealer near your home can deliver to you exactly what you want, not a close second and they will meet the out of town dealers price, go for it.  If not, call the out of town dealer and ask if they will reimburse your air fare if you buy from them, there are dealers who advertise this.

If you are buying a unit from an individual, you should have it looked at before you complete the deal.  There are great reasons for buying used and the two largest is that the person you bought it from has taken the big depreciation hit and they have hopefully fixed everything that needs fixing.  The original owner may have also added things e.g. solar panels, more batteries, a generator making the deal much better than buying new.    Always consider buying a pre-owned unit first for the financial consideration and for stress reduction (things have been fixed).

Consider the add-on’s as well.  Some dealers give you a starter package.  If this is your first RV you will need a sewer hose, fresh water hose, RV toilet paper, and a few other things.  You may see a dealer prep charge, so tell the dealer that you expect to have it fully prepared for you for the price you paid.  Why would they sell you a unit without preparing it?  Dealers will usually fill the tank for a motorhome or at least fill it half way.

Take time to walk through the unit.  Be sure there is a charged battery so you can check how everything works under battery power.  Plug it in and test everything again.  Try the water in sinks and toilets.  Turn on the stove, they should have filled at least one propane tank.  Push out the sides and back if applicable, the awnings.  Have them show you the water system e.g. fresh fill, city water, gray water and black water discharge.  If there is an inverter have them show you where it is and how it works.

Many an interested buyer wanted to start the motor home engine or turn on the house lights of a fifth wheel to find that the battery was dead.  This is very common.

If you are buying a motor home, be sure there are at least two house batteries, more are better.  If the fifth wheel comes with one battery, ask for another in the deal.  It won’t hurt to ask for them to thrown in at least one solar panel to keep the batteries charged.

Most warranty’s is good for one year.  Use your unit as much as you can in the first year to catch anything that is wrong and there will be.  It’s almost a fact of life that you will have issues with your new unit.  There is no need to buy their extended warranty.  If you want an extended warranty there are many companies that offer them.  Always, always negotiate the extended warranty if you desire to buy one from the dealer.   It’s amazing how much they will knock off the price if there is any push back.

If you have any problems during the walk through and you do not need the unit at that time, best have them keep it and fix it immediately.  As mentioned above, appointments are hard to get and if you demand to have the items fixed before you take it, they will push it ahead of others.

One of the first things that you should do after buying the unit is to buy a solar charging panel (if there is not one installed already).  If you cannot trickle charge your unit in storage with shore power, buy a large solar panel unit that is designed to sit upright outside the unit and has a long cord with a regulator on the end.  You can connect this to the battery and set up the panel to face the sun.  It will keep your batteries ready when you are.  You can buy a long cable and lock the panel to your unit.

If you are parking the unit in a high humidity area, buy a small de-humidifier that works on battery or AC. A large solar panel will charge the batteries and power the de-humidifier as well.  There is a good dehumidifier that does not come with a battery cable but you can order one from the manufacturer with a cigarette plug.  You can order a set of small battery clips on-line, and wire them to the dehumidifier and connect the battery clips to your house battery.

About registration and sales tax.  Some states will eat you alive with sales tax on the MSRP even if you paid less.  Some will charge on the total sales price even if you traded in another RV and yet others will charge you sales tax on the sales amount less the trade in such as Mississippi.

Registration fees vary.  Some states may consider your RV as a live in unit and will charge a stiff fee every year.  Others charge fees similar to larger trucks.  There is nothing you can do about the sales tax except to register your unit where you live.  If you have two homes you can make a choice unless you live in California and regardless of where you have another on home on the planet they may argue that you owe them money.

Summary

You will not go wrong on any decision even if it’s to camp out at a hotel instead of making an investment in a depreciating asset.  Be aware, once you go down this path of RV ownership, expect to make more decisions down the road.  Many RV owners have owned several units often switching from a Fifth Wheel to Motorhome and back.