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5th Wheel vs Motorhome

Fifth-Wheels vs Motorhomes

It's a decision every camper-in-the-making has to come to at some point, and it's a big one—do you want to tow a trailer (in this case, a fifth wheel), or do you want to drive a motorhome?Consider these questions instead if you're not sure which is best for you: how much are you willing to spend? What kind of daily driver do you want to bring along? Who is traveling with you?When you break it down and look at what each type of rig has to offer (and what their main drawbacks are), the decision becomes a lot easier. Below, we'll take a look at the biggest benefits and disadvantages of each, help you weigh your options, and get you one step closer to the rig of your dreams.
Fifth Wheel and Truck

1. Price (and the Real Cost)

Before we get into anything else, let's talk about one of the most important aspects of any RV shopping experience: your budget.There's more to consider here than just the straight-up price tag. Generally speaking, new motorhomes are significantly more expensive than new fifth wheels. This goes not only for the rig itself, but also insurance—it's considerably cheaper to insure a fifth wheel. Class A motorhomes can end up costing as much—or more—than an actual house!However, this fails to take a few other considerations into account, such as whether you purchase a gas or diesel motorhome (diesel engines cost more to maintain, though they offer greater fuel efficiency and resale value). If you purchase a fifth wheel and don't already own a truck capable of towing it, you'll need to buy one. On the other hand, if you plan on towing a vehicle behind your motorhome, you'll need to add the cost of this setup to your total. You could very well end up spending just as much on a fifth wheel/truck combo as you would a Class A motorhome.Also consider any upgrades or additions you might want to make after you purchase your rig. For instance, most Class A motorhomes come with an on-board generator, but many fifth wheels below a certain price range do not. You may want to purchase your own portable generator after the fact. Motorhomes also generally come with higher-quality tires than fifth wheels do, so you may end up replacing a fiver's cheaper tires with upgrades soon after your fifth-wheel purchase.Finally, there's the maintenance costs. Any RV is going to require regular maintenance, but you'll typically see a higher cost for a motorhome in the long run when compared to a fifth wheel. Think about your typical vehicle maintenance costs—now imagine your vehicle is 30'+ long, and it also functions like a house. Motorhome problems cost a lot more to fix than regular car problems and are also susceptible to issues stemming from long-term storage stays. Like any vehicle, motorhomes are meant to be driven, but because most campers store their motorhomes for the winter, the drivetrain, fuel, fuel tanks, etc. are out of commission for months at a time.
Tow Bar Dinghy Tow Vehicle

2. Tow Vehicle vs Towed Vehicle

Having to tow your fifth wheel with a truck means that your truck is a constant companion; you have a daily driver on hand wherever you go. Simply unhitch once you reach the campsite, and drive around town to your heart's content.The downside, of course, is that you have to have a truck that can tow your fifth wheel (we recommend at least a 3/4-ton truck like an F-250 or Ram 2500, but 1-tons like an F-350 or Ram 3500 are even better). As mentioned above, if you don't already own a truck, this will be an added expense. You can buy used, of course, but this can still be expensive. A new 1-ton truck typically starts in the $30,000 range and goes up from there.Motorhomes pose a different issue. You don't need a tow vehicle, that's true; however, many motorhome campers will still tow a daily driver behind their rig so they can have access to it when they reach the campsite. No one wants to pack up camp and drive a motorhome for a quick run to the grocery store—it's much more convenient to have a daily driver on hand.There are a few different ways to tow your vehicle behind your motorhome. You can use a flat trailer to haul your vehicle (4 wheels off the ground). You can also use a tow dolly (2 front wheels off the ground). Lastly, you can flat tow (4 wheels on the ground). The best option depends on your particular vehicle. Check your owner's manual for any restrictions or requirements before towing your vehicle in any capacity.
Vehicle Towed on Trailer
Vehicle Towed on Dolly
Vehicle Flat Towed Behind RV
The upside here is that you can keep whatever vehicle you currently have—it doesn't have to be a truck. If you're perfectly happy zipping around town in your Ford Focus, you don't have to give that up.The downside is that setting up a vehicle to be towed is an added expense. Are any of these options going to be as expensive as a new truck? No. But if you're already spending more for a motorhome, spending a few hundred or even a few thousand more on a towing setup might not be appealing.For more information on flat towing a car behind your motorhome (all 4 wheels on the ground), check out our article on the topic or take a look at the best flat-towable vehicles.
RV Interior - Big Truck, Big RV
Image Credit: Big Truck, Big RV

3. Driving Space vs. Living Space

There are three main points to consider in regards to driving space and living space in your rig:
  • How much space you need when driving
  • How much space you need when not driving
  • If you want space between your living/driving areas
KYD - Driving 5th Wheel
Image Credit: Keep Your Daydream
How much space you need when drivingIn a motorhome, everyone (driver and passengers) rides in the rig. Many states do not allow passengers to ride in a fifth wheel while it's being towed, and even the states that do often have restrictions. Fifth wheels were not designed to be driven down the highway with passengers inside.This is something to consider when deciding between a motorhome and a fifth wheel. Who is traveling with you? Can everyone comfortably fit in a truck, or would you prefer traveling in a more spacious motorhome? How long will you spend on the road between destinations? If you're only traveling short distances or for short periods at a time, a truck might suit you well. But if you're spending days on the road at a time, a motorhome might be a more comfortable means of travel.
KYD - 5th Wheel
Image Credit: Keep Your Daydream
How much space you need when NOT drivingKeep in mind that because fifth wheels were not designed to haul passengers while being towed, they will typically be more compact inside when the slide-outs are closed. Since they can be made so compact, the slide-outs can be wider, which in turn means fifth wheels are often larger than motorhomes when slide-outs are fully extended. You may not love packing 3 kids and a dog in the truck, but once you reach your destination, you can enjoy a roomier camper.On the other hand, motorhome slide-outs are typically narrower to allow room for passengers while on the road. Although Class A motorhomes aren't lacking much in space, they are typically slightly smaller than a fully opened fifth wheels by necessity.
KYD - Driving View from Truck
Image Credit: Keep Your Daydream
If you want space between your living/driving areasMaybe you drank that third cup of coffee too fast, so you suddenly need a bathroom break. With a motorhome, you don't even have to stop at the gas station. Everything you need is barreling down the road right along with you. With a fifth wheel, you're in a truck, so it's much more similar to a traditional road trip, with gas station bathroom breaks and snack pit stops. In terms of safety, although passengers are permitted to ride in a motorhome while it's being towed, some campers go with fifth-wheels because they prefer having passengers closed safely in a crash-tested truck.On the other hand, many motorhome owners like the safety benefit of not having to get out of the RV. If an emergency arises, you can just pop in the driver's seat and take off. This isn't the case with a fifth wheel. You can bunker down in your rig if necessary, but there's no leaving a situation without climbing out of your camper and into your truck to drive away.Will you ever be in this situation? Probably not. But many campers prefer the peace of mind of knowing they could hop in the driver's seat at a moment's notice. Plus, it comes in handy during those surprise storms when you don't have to get out of your rig to drive off.
Driving View - Keep Your Daydream
Image Credit: Keep Your Daydream

5. Drivability

Which is easier to drive? It depends who you ask. There's no getting around the fact that driving/towing any large RV is going to take some getting used to. Smaller campers are easier to handle in general. But campers from both sides have their own preferences when it comes to which is actually easier to drive.We can say that you may appreciate the tight turning radius of a fifth wheel, but you may also enjoy the unobstructed view out of a motorhome's huge windshield.
Toy Hauler - Big Truck Big RV
Image Credit: Big Truck, Big RV

6. Toys (The Kind with Wheels)

Two words: Toy. Hauler.If your adventure is nothing without your four wheeler or the family's set of dirt bikes, you almost certainly want a fifth wheel. Toy hauler fifth wheels have a designated space at the back specifically for heavy-duty "toys," so you can bring the adventure with you wherever you go.If you really wanted to, you could tow your ATV behind your motorhome on a trailer and strap it down. But if you're towing a car behind the motorhome, this isn't going to work, and you're going to end up having to choose whether your car or your toy makes the cut.
RV Interior - Big Truck Big RV
Image Credit: Big Truck, Big RV

7. The "No Place Like Home" Factor

This is a matter of opinion and personal preference, but if you're going to be spending a lot of time in your rig, you want it to feel comfortable.Many fifth wheels have a "homey" feel, possibly due to the layout. The wide slideouts and upstairs cab living space in fifth wheels gives this rig style a uniquely home-like aesthetic. Not to mention, fifth wheels offer more layout options, so you're certain to find a setup that works for you. (Although if you're not a fan of steps, you may prefer the single-level layout of a motorhome over a fifth wheel.)Although newer motorhomes are stylistically at the level of high-end houses with beautiful countertops, backsplash, fireplaces, etc., there's something about the steering wheel stuck at the front of your living room that takes away from the aesthetic. You just need to glance at it to feel like you're inside a particularly fancy bus (which you are).Is this a deal breaker? Probably not. But you want to maximize your camping enjoyment, and you want the rig at the center of it all to suit your preferences as closely as possible, so this is just one more thing to keep in mind.
Still have questions?Give our experts a call at 800-298-8924, or contact us online. We're happy to assist any way we can!
Amber S.
About the AuthorAs a content writer for etrailer, I might spend my morning loading and unloading a bike on five different bike racks to figure out which is easiest to use. I might be in the parking lot, taking pictures of an impressive RV battery setup our techs came across in the shop and discussing the benefits of the setup with the owner. I might spend an afternoon in a manufacturer training classes for some hands-on experience with new products, and then sit down to assemble all this information into a coherent article.At etrailer, one of our core values is that we are always learning, and I learn something new every day. I start each morning with the goal in mind of taking all of this information and figuring out the best way to answer the questions people ask us (and the ones they don’t know to ask yet), and helping people get the solutions they need to make their lives easier, safer, and more fun. I’m a DIYer at heart, so it brings me great joy to help a fellow DIYer find what they’re looking for, whether that’s a product, an answer, or a community.
Related ArticlesRelated ProductsWritten by: Amber S.Updated on: 2/14/20


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