Last week, Thing 1 and I went on two all day dates while Thing 2 was at Cubscout Camp. Our dates were “his choice” and he chose to go look at RVs.
Awwww…the youngest old man.
Since the birth of our on-the-road-dream, we’ve always imagined living life in a motorhome. In my dreams, it’s a vintage bus conversion. So far, we haven’t found anything that suits ours needs and is in our price range.
This week I thought we had found an almost perfect RV. It was a low mileage diesel pusher in our price range with many of our desired options.
A large bedroom with lots of closet space.
A perfect place to build an “office” for Brent in the bedroom.
A decent sized kitchen for me to experiment cook.
A living area just waiting for new fabric and paint.
A blank slate just makes me giddy.
But then….
….we saw the space where we wanted to build bunk beds is about 6 inches too short.
Boo.
With much trepidation, I agreed to look at some 5th wheels and I was surprised by how much I liked them.
A crazy amount of space for a girl who likes her clothes. Not that I know that girl…
A separate bedroom for the boys. A year on the road makes this option very appealing.
More counter space than the diesel pusher.
This particular model even had an “office”. Unfortunately, it was in the back bedroom so we would probably still end up building one in the front bedroom but still it’s a possibility.
So now I’m making lists. I love making lists.
Advantages of a Class A Diesel Pusher
- Comfortable moving down the road
- I’ll have my little CR-V to drive around.
- Basement storage
- We already own a perfect tow vehicle.
- If it breaks down we have an extra vehicle.
Disadvantages of Class A Diesel Pusher
- Bunks next to the one bedroom
- More difficult to get serviced
- Higher maintenance expenses
- Length: Could be too long for many places.
- Two drive trains to maintain
Benefits of 5th Wheel
- More living space
- Better floor plan, i.e., two separate bedrooms
- One drive train to maintain
- Lower cost
- Length: Easier to get spaces to stay
- Diesel trucks are easier and less expensive to repair.
Disadvantages of 5th Wheel
- Confined to truck cab while traveling
- I’ll have to drive a big ole’ truck around when the boys and I go on excursions without Brent.
- If the truck breaks down we are out of luck.
- Just doesn’t seem “like us”. Interpret that how you will.
We are torn. Thing 2 and I are all about the class A. Brent and Thing 2 are all about the 5th wheel.
It’s an important decision but really it’s not. At the end of the day, all of us just really want to get on the road to have some adventures and makes some memories.
Advice? Experience? We are all ears!!!
with love,
Jenn
July 26, 2011 at 2:00 pm
I have no advice unfortunately. But I know you’ll make the right decision and will end up with what will work best for your adventure!
July 27, 2011 at 1:33 am
No experience except that we used to go to San Diego with a 5th wheel and loved it. Then again we were kids and didn’t look at the practical things.
The 5th wheel seems somewhat more practical with the exception of being worried about taking the big truck on excursions. and the confinement issue. Hmm. I’ll be interested to see what you end up doing.
August 3, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Oddly enough my boss is in the market for a 5th wheel and we went looking at them yesterday and I read this today! I never thought they would have the space they do. He is looking for one with bunks as well, which isn’t as common, lots of 1 bedrooms!?
Something to consider is the 5th wheel power supply. If you aren’t at a site to hook up on you may have to add a generator to your purchase list.
Also he has a gas powered ford truck with “flex fuel” to pull but he fills up with the E85 fuel so that is much cheaper, gas now is around $3.75 but he filled up with E85 for $3.08 BUT its hard to find E85 in some places.
Apparently some states let you ride in the 5th wheel, not saying it’s the greatest idea but its an option for some space?
There are soooo many options in camping vehicles its crazy. Can’t wait to see where this adventure takes you!