class a vs 5th wheel. (park, trips, highways, airport)

[countrykaren]

If Hubbie and I retired to FT RVing- even if only for a few yrs, which is better? A small Class A with a towed car or a 5th wheel?


Which would have better resale value when the time came?


Which would be better to handle? Maneuverability?


We want to retire but can't decide where, thought we could travel and check places out.


What did you do and why?


Thanks everyone.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by countrykaren

If Hubbie and I retired to FT RVing- even if only for a few yrs, which is better?

Rent a few of each.
Make your own observations.

Try it THIS year

[StealthRabbit]

How often will you move the RV? (Long stay, 5r preferred)

Do you do a lot of exploring when at a site? (Towed jeep or car?if yes... Class A preferred)

Will you be on country back roads, or super highways?

Do you want access to smaller sites / national parks and national forests?
What is your budget?

Do you currently have a rig to tow a 5r?

If you are concerned about resale, then buy used. There are many sweet deals out there! On all types of RVs. Many, good or better than new. ( lots of free extras when you buy used)

New is a Pita... Lots of bugs to fix, huge depreciation.

I use a 20 mpg class C, but prefer my 52 mpg 'free fuel' used cooking oil burner, and $10/ night guest homes.
Often I Fly / drive ($12/ day rental car) much cheaper than I can RV at 20 mpg. I run my spreadsheet calcs for each trip. RV is nice for exquisite camp sites; beach, national park, back country...

Several friends love their years as FT RVr.
I love my years in private guest homes, helping on farms, building at camps, teaching at trade schools, harvest crews...
My mom did a combo... FT RV, with condos at 3 USA destinations, and a house boat on Lake Mead. She had 3 class A's, but one 5r was enough for her.
She most enjoyed her Class B roadtrek and going between condos.

Glad we are all different . I tend to be more cost concious since I retired pre age 50, w/o pension and like to travel a lot (internationally too). You might be flush with cash flow, so can use a $1m ClassA and pump $500 fuel in it every few days. Great, go for it at your preference.

Spouse and I have much different preferences for travel, so we do some of each, and lots of solo or apart, with friends and family. Quite common to drive RV together to a destination, then one will fly home or most often elsewhere, then meet RV to move somewhere different. $15 to $80 flights for 1200 to 2000 mile trips doesn't buy much RV fuel. Nice thing about our C, is it can live in a car park at airport while we each fly somewhere different (often for eldercare, or volunteer needs of eldely sick friends, or to 'farm-sit'.

[countrykaren]

Thanks for the info. Lots to think about.