[freestoneangler]

Which one do you own and why did you decide on that type? We've gone round and round on the choice of a Class A, 5th wheel or travel trailer. It will be used for late spring thru early fall regional travels around Montana and then down in the southwest for a few months in winter.

I'm beginning to like the idea of being able to put a truck bed shell on for storage and a place for a wet or stinky dog; so now we're leaning towards a 25-28' trailer. If you have been down the "which one to buy" road, please share the story on your decision.

 

[13223]

Owned a tent trailer for a few years. It was easy to tow but a bit of work to set up and take down and dry out after trips. Then one spring I set it up and was getting it ready for the season and the top collapsed and slammed down. I had just come out of it and was standing next to the door talking to my wife. A little investigation revealed that the lift cable pulleys in the corner had pulled out of the rotten wood. That brought tent trailers for our family to a very abrupt end.

We dumped that trailer and went with a 25' travel trailer and used it for quite a few years. It was great. I have a can-o-pee on my truck with a rack for boat, bikes, etc. It was nice to be able to stop on top of the pass and go in the trailer and make lunch while on the road. It was nice to have a warm dry place for the kids when the weather turned yucky. We used to start our camping season in March and it continued on into October. Since we sold the trailer, our camping season has shrunk considerably. I insulated the underside and all pipes & used the trailer to go duck hunting in Dec & Jan and that was really nice. Pulling a trailer eats gas!

 

[Mark Walker]

We have one of these and are very happy with it. Weighs in dry about 3000# and very easy to tow. Like the pull out bunks because we can sleep separately and not have to climb over each other to get out of bed.
Plenty of room for the 2 of us retired geezers.

 

[dogsnfish]

TT. Ours is a base camp to sleep in and cook meals, almost always in USFS campgrounds. Plus we had three dogs (2 labs, 1 husky) when we bought it, and now have four (+1 husky), and they sleep and travel in the back of the truck in their kennels. It also holds my fishing gear. We set camp, and I have the truck to go fishing or exploring. Ours is 24'. I have seen longer in USFS campgrounds, but that is the right size for us.

 

[Barry]

Lots of pro and con to each. Over the last 35 years we have owned a variety of trailers from 16 to 30 feet and two class A motor homes. Our current rig is by far the most comfortable and flexible of all. It is a 35 ft Class A diesel towing Mazda pickup which we have owned for 9 years . Our use is very similar to what you describe. For the last 10 years or so we spend at least a couple of months each spring and fall on the road aiming for last week of Sept first of Oct in Yellowstone. Occasionally longer trips. Last year was 7 1/2 months through the US and east as far as Prince Edward Island. We use ours year round regardless of weather - have been comfortable in low teen temps into 100 plus.

A 35 ft class A is small enough to be reasonable to drive and fits most, but not all, fishing holes - spent a week parked along the Owyhee this spring for example. If you decide to go the class A route please resist the bigger is better urge. Smaller is always easier to drive and park. Somewhere in the middle will give the amenities you really want (comfortable bed, shower, living area, etc) while allowing you to get to the fishing holes you need. Spending several months on the road makes some nice to have amenities near necessities.

An often forgotten advantage to motor homes over trailer/5th wheel, at least to me, has been getting rid of my 3/4 ton tow rig. Unless you really need a full size truck or just want to feel macho I find the smaller truck much more pleasant and practical for everyday use, and a whole lot more economical. The truck and trailer/5th wheel may get better mileage but only while towing. On the other hand, although I put many more miles on my rv than most I spend less on fuel during a year. Like the majority of rv owners I drive my truck far more than I drive my motor home.

 

[River Is Polluted]

I have gone from a tent, to a camper, to a 5th wheel, finally to a Class A motorhome. Each time it was bigger, better equipped and more comfortable. Each have their pluses and minuses as discussed above and I am sure in follow-on posts...

It might surprise you but larger rigs do have challenges getting into places to stay. I have not been able to stay where I wanted to. For example in some National Parks and State Parks. Also places off the beaten path like further up Rock Creek which has a corner preventing going further. So size does matter...

Now to the subject of cost effectiveness... Unless you use the rig a lot, and I do mean a lot, it is much more cost friendly to rent a nice cabin/place near where you want to be and drive to the fishing spots. No 'mortgage', no campsite fees, no reduced gas mileage, no insurance, no depreciation, no upkeep, no storage fees, no taxes, the expense items just keep on going... BTW each time I changed rigs it cost a lot of money ---> pricier rigs with low trade-in value of prior rigs.

 

[freestoneangler]

Also places off the beaten path like further up Rock Creek which has a corner preventing going further.

I am familiar with that corner and, many years ago, had to help a couple who was in the process of attempting to back down the road with a travel trailer. It was a challenge and the man driving was pretty stressed out. By the time they got turned around, we had about 6 other rigs waiting. Everyone took it in stride and they were headed back towards I-90.

 

[MT_Flyfisher]

My wife and I presently own a 38' and 20,000# gross 5th wheel. I tow it about 1/4 mile in the spring and to get it out of storage, and then another 1/4 mile in the fall to put it back inside for the winter.

We have towed it across the country a couple times in the past, but we are not doing that now. However, I do maintain a dually truck "just in case". This 5th wheel gives us the best combination of spaciousness and comfort for staying in one place for an extended time, versus the higher cost of getting a comparably equipped and sized motor home. Our daily driver during the summer is another truck, a 4x4 F-150 pickup.

We have owned several travel trailers, tents and a pop up tent trailer. In my opinion, if a person is going basically to one location, setting up, and staying put for an extended time, there is noting that beats a 5th wheel, as far as comfort vis a vis the cost. If a person is going to be moving from place to place periodically, then I'd prefer a motorhome. Of course, the types of places you would be staying, what a person could afford to spend for an RV, etc. would affect ones decisions.

I am also presently considering buying a truck camper to take on overnight trips since I already have the truck that would handle it, and that truck basically sits idle most of the year (I have only run about a tank of gas through it during the past year.)

John

 

[Mumbles]

I have a hammock and I'm not afraid to use it.

 

[Jim F.]

I have a hammock and I'm not afraid to use it.

But how well does it tow? Are maintenance costs, license & insurance expensive? Do you have a hammock parking spot at your place?

 

[Jim F.]

Although I don't own any type of RV at present (unless napping in/on my truck count, lol), I voted Class B but if I were to spring for an RV that would be my choice; I already have the Jeep to tag-along behind it. In years past, I've had tent trailers (cramped for space & I disliked having to dry them out) and tow-behind trailers (better, but I grew to be not-so-fond of dragging a trailer behind the truck on long trips although family outings were much more comfortable & enjoyable.). A friend has a Class B & loves it - he made this switch from a tent trailer to tow-behind to 5th-wheel. Over the years, I have shared adventures with him in all of them & I also came to prefer the Class B. All that being said, at my age staying with friends or "camping" in a motel/rental cabin suit my occasional needs in a much more economical manner (and I'm never faced with storing, fueling, paying for/paying taxes & licenses fees, or maintaining a rental place when it's not in use, lol.). I wish you the best in your quest.

 

[Mumbles]

But how well does it tow? Are maintenance costs, license & insurance expensive? Do you have a hammock parking spot at your place?

Tows easy, fits in a small pack. No high cost mechanical or other fees. Can be parked anywhere with trees about 12'-15' apart. Easily leveled and set up by user. Ground slope is not a factor for a good night's sleep.

 

[Gene S]

My wife and I presently own a 38' and 20,000# gross 5th wheel. I tow it about 1/4 mile in the spring and to get it out of storage, and then another 1/4 mile in the fall to put it back inside for the winter.

We have towed it across the country a couple times in the past, but we are not doing that now. However, I do maintain a dually truck "just in case". This 5th wheel gives us the best combination of spaciousness and comfort for staying in one place for an extended time, versus the higher cost of getting a comparably equipped and sized motor home. Our daily driver during the summer is another truck, a 4x4 F-150 pickup.

We have owned several travel trailers, tents and a pop up tent trailer. In my opinion, if a person is going basically to one location, setting up, and staying put for an extended time, there is noting that beats a 5th wheel, as far as comfort vis a vis the cost. If a person is going to be moving from place to place periodically, then I'd prefer a motorhome. Of course, the types of places you would be staying, what a person could afford to spend for an RV, etc. would affect ones decisions.

I am also presently considering buying a truck camper to take on overnight trips since I already have the truck that would handle it, and that truck basically sits idle most of the year (I have only run about a tank of gas through it during the past year.)

John

X2 what John said...."spaciousness and comfort".

 

[jeff bandy]

I am familiar with that corner and, many years ago, had to help a couple who was in the process of attempting to back down the road with a travel trailer. It was a challenge and the man driving was pretty stressed out. By the time they got turned around, we had about 6 other rigs waiting. Everyone took it in stride and they were headed back towards I-90.

I managed it in a 28' class C, towing a little pickup. Just!

Wife had to walk in front yelling out inches of clearance. When she started using fractions, I got real worried.

 

[Jim F.]

When she started using fractions, I got real worried.

Damn, Jeff - that induces some real pucker-factor right there!

 

[Buck]

I have a 21' travel trailer, it's an airstream and I have a Toyota Tundra with a canopy that is above the cab type. the canopy is only 5" above the cab, not the real tall one.
I love this set-up. Pull the trailer and drop it off at the campsite or RV park and go to town. No reason to tow another vehicle behind class A RV. Plus, the canopy affords me all of the storage I need and then some.
Good luck on your decision and let us know what you ended up doing!
Buck.

 

[Tsar Bulba]

I own a 30.5 foot 5th wheel. To big for most fishing spots. Also gravel and dirt roads just take it apart. AND it is a very well built 5th wheel. I cannot imagine how a cheap one would hold up. It is wonderful for living, awful for towing.

I also own a 17 foot Casita. Great for ONE person. Even the dog cannot come inside since there is not enough room for the two of us. Love towing this trailer!!

Traveling in Alaska and the Yukon this past month I saw a few truck campers mounted on a flat-bed trailer and towed like a trailer. One guy even had a six foot deck on the back complete with fence. Most were pretty ugly looking and self-built.

However, towards the end of the trip I saw a guy with a very well built trailer and truck camper combination. He came through the campground, but did not stop so I never did get to ask him who built it. Lots of storage and it looked like the truck camper was perfectly mated to the trailer.

I suspect the reason there are so popular up north is people use them as trailers during fishing season and carry the boat on the pick-up canopy. Then during hunting season, they just go ahead and load it into the truck bed.

Somebody could make a lot of money building these type of trailers if well designed.

BTW....my one ton diesel truck is limited to a 3000 lb truck camper when placed in the bed. I can tow about 22,000 plus pounds IF it is a trailer.

Good luck with your decision. There is no perfect RV. I do know quite a few people that OWN two RV's for that reason. I thought they were nuts until I purchased MY second RV.

 

[freestoneangler]

A truck camper towed by a specially built trailer does sound interesting and versatile. I've not seen any like this. It kind of reminds me of those who are now towing 5vers with full size semi trucks that also have the truck sleep cab. We'll likely keep our pop-up truck camper as it allows access almost anywhere. This decision on type has taken so many turns and completed several circles... the TT seems to be holding up this time around.

 

[Freestone]

I have a Class G but that wasn't on your list. It is a 4x4 pop-top micro-RV. It sleeps 4 and has seat belts for 6. It fits one person just fine or 2 people and 2 setters if everyone has patience. I love the all-in-one rig and it is small enough, I can go anywhere. It's so portable, I use it for steelheading day trips as it is great to be able to warm up inside and heat up lunch. Plus, an indoor potty is great for a female as dropping my waders roadside isn't always appreciated by the locals!

Anyway, with a lot more work, my little rig will look like this one someday.

But right now, my 30 year old Class G (G for Ghetto) needs some sprucing up - and a paint job! With the help of a friend, a roof leak got patched yesterday (the camper part is all fiberglass) and we tore the camper headliner out. The headliner foam had dried out and crumbled to the point that orange dust blew everywhere when driving, including in my eyes. By the time we're done with the roof project, I'll have 2 roof vents, an additional ceiling light as well as Yakima racks. I also plan to Rhino line the roof white and someday, add solar panels. When the top is fixed, the bottom side will get air bags as the leaf springs are shot.

So far, she is fine mechanically and made the trip up from Oakland in '09 when I bought her without a problem (unless you count going up passes at 35 mph as a problem, LOL) and since has made it as far as the headwaters of the St. Joe. At some point, the whole thing will get painted white because black paint in Eastern Washington is brutal in the summer. Alas, I might not have a Class G anymore so I will worry more about break-ins. Right now, thieves leave me wads of bills under the wipers as they feel sorry for me, LOL!

Oh, and I can also easily fit lots of hammocks inside, although I prefer to set them up outside!

 

[Gene S]

"It is wonderful for living, awful for towing."

There are reasons for owning a trailer over a 5th wheel but towing should not be one of them. I've owned several medium and large 5th wheels, along with goosenecks for heavy equipment....none have swayed and all were easy to tow. With weight of the 5th wheel directly over the rear wheels (or close) it's an ideal towing package when mated to an appropriately sized truck making it very stable and almost impossible to sway. In adverse weather conditions 5th wheels really shine. Even considering a trailer with an equalizer hitch and spring bars the 5th wheel still tows much easier IMO.

When it comes to towing a trailer over rough roads my experience has been that the trailer and content inside get bounced around a lot more because of the pivot point of the trailer hitch compared to a 5th wheel. And when comparing the same length units the 5th wheel ends up towing much shorter than a trailer with a good portion of the 5th wheel inside the truck bed not 3' or so behind the tow vehicle.

But storage capacity is hard to beat when it comes to having a camper shell on a truck when towing a trailer. Somewhere to put all that fishing/camping gear, stinky dog, etc.

Then there are motor homes and their advantages. Great to have choices....