How to Choose Between an RV and a 5th Wheel
From: Jeff Radich
The Recreation
Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) describes an RV as a vehicle that combines
transportation and temporary living quarters for travel, recreation, and
camping. RVs are categorized as either towable or motorized. The choice boils
down to personal preference, and there are advantages and disadvantages to
both.
Towable RVs are
towed behind a vehicle until you reach your destination. Then they are
disconnected from the tow vehicle, giving you the benefit of having a vehicle,
usually a truck, available for a trip to a restaurant or store or to go
siteseeing while you are camping. This group includes Folding Camping Trailers,
Truck Campers, Travel Trailers, Hybrid Trailers, Sport Utility Trailers, and
Fifth Wheels. For the purposes of this guide, we will refer to Travel Trailers
and Fifth Wheels only.
Besides the
convenience of having the tow vehicle on hand for short or long jaunts, the
towable RV is smaller, since it saves the six or eight feet taken up by the
driver’s seat. This makes it easier to find a place to store; in fact, often it
will fit into your garage (if it’s not already filled with cars and junk). It
is also more economical as far as gas consumption. Towables also keep their
trade-in value better than a motorized coach because there is no drive train to
wear out.
Some towables are
quite simple, providing only basic sleeping arrangements and cooking
facilities, and therefore are very inexpensive, which makes them a good choice
for young, inexperienced families itching to try the RV lifestyle.
This is not to
say that towables cannot be luxurious. Many Fifth Wheels (the largest, most
luxurious, and most expensive of the towables) rival the interiors of the most
exclusive motorhomes and contain all the latest appointments and accessories.
They are also the most expensive towables.
If you decide
that a towable RV is the right choice, you will need to learn about trailer
towing, weights, hitch work, and backing. You will also need to be sure that
the towing vehicle you own, or plan on getting, is capable of towing the RV,
and it is critical that you clearly state in the purchase contract that
ownership is dependent upon that point.
Unless you are
towing a very small unit, the tow vehicle must have a special load-distribution
hitch and other devices designed to control the sway of the trailer because the
load is all behind the tow vehicle. These are often expensive and add to the
cost of the towable.
Also remember
that as length and height increase, it becomes more difficult to manage the
towable on hilly terrain or windy roads. Traveling west from Las Vegas, I saw
an 18-foot Travel Trailer on its side because the wind was more than the truck
pulling the vehicle could handle (another good reason to make sure your pull
vehicle has the muscle to do its job).
Larger trailers
are difficult to tow, and everything from a cross-breeze to the passing of a
semi-truck can affect the stability of the trailer. Towing a vehicle takes practice.
Trucks are the
most common tow vehicles for large Travel Trailers, although sports utility
vehicles, including Jeeps, Broncos, and Rangers (many with four-wheel drive),
have recently emerged as popular tow vehicles for mid-sized Travel Trailers.
The combination of sports utility vehicle and Travel Trailer provides the
flexible living options of a motorhome with a wilderness access capability not
available in most RVs.
Self-propelled
RVs, much like towables, come in all sizes, shapes, and prices. They can be
basic or loaded with every feature you could want. For many RVers, “motorized”
is the only way to go, and over 60% of the 350 people I surveyed prefer gas to
diesel. Motorized RVs are categorized by the industry into three classes: Class
A, Class B, and Class C.
So how do you
decide which type is best for you? Ask yourself a few important questions.
1. How do you plan to
use your RV? If you
really like to get away from it all and go camping in the backwoods, you will
be limited to what size RV will work for you. In this situation a Travel
Trailer might be the best choice. On the other hand, if you are planning to
travel cross-country and not spend much time in any particular spot, a
motorized RV might be a better choice. If you have a favorite destination like
a lake that you go to all of the time, a Fifth Wheel will probably work better
for you.
2. How many people
will be traveling with you? If it is just you and your spouse, a Travel Trailer or a Class C motorhome will
work just fine, but if you plan to bring along a larger group you will need a
Fifth Wheel or a Class A motorhome. But consider that even if they might be
able to travel in the Fifth Wheel, will they want to. If not, you will need
room in the truck.
3. Are you on a budget? Do you hate unforeseen expenses? The cost
of ownership is far less with a towable, simply because there is no engine
maintenance. Other considerations, like insurance, are also cheaper for a
towable.
Not surprisingly,
RV owners are almost equally split between towables and motorized, with slight
majority interested in motorized vehicles. In a study I did of over 300 people
who currently are searching actively to purchase a motorhome, 51.1% were
looking for a Class A, B, or C motorhome; 33.8% were looking for towables,
including Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, Toy Haulers, Pop-ups, and Truck
Campers; and 11.3% had not yet decided. In the end, only you can decide which
type of RV is right for you and your family.
The type of RV
you choose is based largely on personal preference, although there are some
basic differences that might help you decide.
Jeff Radich is a
professional research writer and active RV enthusiast. |
