StanleyandIris
Louisiana
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Joined: 06/17/2007
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The MH is more expensive to own than a TT or 5vr. Insurance, maintenance, tires, repairs, oil and fuel changes and filters, etc.
If you want to go sightseeing, either you drive the rig around, tow a vehicle or rent a car.
The MH turns the driving time into part of the vacation. It is just fun to ride in the MH and the scenery is better from above.
Not to mention that you pull into a site and in 10 minutes the MH is fully functional. When you are ready to leave, 10 minutes and you can roll.
If it is in your budget, shop well and buy wisely.
Welcome to the MH lifestyle.
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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I beleave you find it a stand off on cost. You will be getting ride of PU so the insurance bill on that dissappears, the same the any riders on the fifth wheel. You find the total insurance will be less by a few hundred.
The Ford V-10 will give 7 MPG and up, depending on the size of the MH. I get around 9 pulling my toad on 31' chassie and never going above 60MPH and tend to favor 55 to save fuel.
The Ford V-10 Oil changes are the same as a car, 6 quarts of oil, and one filter. But they should be done every 5,000 miles.
There are a lot of cars out there that are towable. So that would also act as your day to day or family car during the week.
I see a lot of folks pulling fifth wheels out there so there must be something to them. I know they have great floor plans and can offer more overall space.
The Main purpose for my enjoyment of the MH over the TT is the ease of set up and breaking camp. The ride is also considerable better in an "A" then "C" because for the wider wheel base. Bill
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CJTravler
Southern California
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Joined: 01/24/2006
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We moved from a TT to a MH about 10 years ago and have never looked back. as stated there are some cost considerations but the quality of the camping experience is so much better like pulling into a campground at 11:00 pm, leveling and putting out the slide then going to bed in about 10 minutes all without having to go outside the rig.
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Great-Dane
Antioch, CA
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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Honestly the reasons I switched from 5vr to MH.. 5vr was more work getting ready, setting up, breaking down, putting away. It became a burden that we sometimes opted not to camp vs. the work, because we work all week too.
Add cramped tow vehicle with kids and dogs on long trip, not fun. MH solved both issues, as others said, jump in go. Get to camp press button to level, press button to extend slides, press button to lower awning.\
Only real work I have is connecting the water/electric/sewer.. Same leaving. Because of this, we use it a LOT more! 
I have no regrets besides depreciation but knew that before buying, so were pleased with the move!
-Bob
2004 SouthWind 32VS
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talonguy
Schertz, TX
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Joined: 06/11/2008
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Polishnurse wrote:I beleave you find it a stand off on cost. You will be getting ride of PU so the insurance bill on that dissappears, the same the any riders on the fifth wheel. You find the total insurance will be less by a few hundred.
The Ford V-10 will give 7 MPG and up, depending on the size of the MH. I get around 9 pulling my toad on 31' chassie and never going above 60MPH and tend to favor 55 to save fuel.
The Ford V-10 Oil changes are the same as a car, 6 quarts of oil, and one filter. But they should be done every 5,000 miles.
There are a lot of cars out there that are towable. So that would also act as your day to day or family car during the week.
I see a lot of folks pulling fifth wheels out there so there must be something to them. I know they have great floor plans and can offer more overall space.
The Main purpose for my enjoyment of the MH over the TT is the ease of set up and breaking camp. The ride is also considerable better in an "A" then "C" because for the wider wheel base. Bill
How does the insurance bill "disappear"? Let's see, get rid of the TV and add a towable. That insurance cost is a wash to slight savings. Get rid of the TT and insure MH. Cost is much higher. With a toad added, overall insurance costs will be undoubtedly higher--probably by at least 50% for the average 2-car household.
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TugCamp
Long Beach, CA
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Joined: 01/10/2003
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Thanks everyone for the help. Can anyone shed light on what kind of insurance increase Ill be looking at? Also, am i right in guessing the yearly license fees will be about $1200 in California?
95 24' Mallard (old)
2004 Wilderness Advantage 2952BS
03 Dodge 2500HD 5.9 Cummins TD Quad Cab (old)
07 Dodge 2500 SLT 4X4 Mega Cab 5.9 CTD 6 speed manual
Prodigy Brake Control
EU2000i
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ladymc53
Canyon Lake, Texas
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Joined: 04/20/2007
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TugCamp wrote:Hello all,
We have looked at several models and have been most interested in the Fleetwood (I know there are Fleetwood haters)
I'm not a Fleetwood hater, but wise. I love the floor plans of Fleetwood and that's where they 'get you'. For your own sake I hope you'll consider the downside tho. Safety first if my motto...go to rvconsumersgroup.com and purchase the book and CD that will give you the goods on Fleetwood and all others as well.
Bill & Linda
Ladymc & Shuttlebird
2008 Silver Dodge Diesel Dually 3500 - "The Silver Bullet"
Towing 1998 35 ft. Newmar 5th wheel
20K Husky Hitch & Blue Ox Bedsaver
Handheld Garmin Nuvi 350 GPS AND Sat. in dash mounted GPS in the truck
READY TO ROLL!
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doko
binghamton
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Joined: 05/03/2005
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We moved from a TT to a Newmar Canyonstar bunkhouse model last year. As others have posted, I will just reconfirm, we would never go back given the ease of set up/break down, the fun of the journey in the MH itself, etc. I was extremely uncomforable driving the 31ftTT/SUV combo, but I LOVE driving the MH. We've got the Workhorse W22 chassis and have been very pleased with the power. I don't know much about Fleetwood, but our experience with Newmar has been wonderful. They may be worth your looking. The product is high-quality and the customer service is excellent. Good luck with your decision!
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karmasasha
st paul minnesota , usa
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Joined: 02/22/2004
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Dshultz50 wrote:Remember to consider the MH will need an oil & lube job ($250 approx) and insurance. You have a 2nd motored vehicle to take care of and do maintenance.
Good grief......not on a gasser....highest I have paid is $60.00 and that was for synthetic oil. Motorhome insurance is much much cheaper than a car or truck!!!! Check it out.....
Andrea and Rommel the large gentle Rottie
Inga, my 1989 Winnebago Class A 27 ft (454 P30) with 100,000+ miles and going strong!
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hotbyte
Barnesville GA
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Joined: 08/31/2004
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Interesting replies. When we tent camped, everything I read said a pop-up camper was so much easier to pack, setup, etc. So, we bought one and it was truly much easier. Then, started reading how much less work a TT or 5'er was. Upgraded and it was true, again. Now, I'm reading how much work a TT/5'er is and MHs are so much easier. Guess the amount to be too much work is all relative 
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For pulling...2005 Chevy 2500HD LT D/A and 1998 Dodge Durango SLT 5.2L
To be pulled...2002 Glastron GX205 and 2005 Pilgrim 276BH-5SS 5'er
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