32' Motor Home or 5th Wheel????

[CumminsPuller]

My dad is starting to look at one or the other. He wants the 32' trailer... . Just for the fact that he already has a truck with a good engine (99' 2500 CTD, auto, 3. 55 LSD) but mom can't ride in the truck for long periods without laying down... she has back and neck problems. He was saying all the trailers that are that long now days all seem to have slideouts so she wouldnt be able to lay down in the trailer while he was driving. On the other hand if they got a 32' motor home he said he would have to pay extra to get a diesel (or do most that are that long already have a diesel?) But then mom could lay down while he was driving. He hasn't decided on how much he wants to spend yet... . so the options are open.



He is thinking with a motor home that is just one more engine and transmission to have to worry about. Any opionions from you veteran RV'ers and what kind of prices you have paid and maybe what ballpark figure it sounds like he will be looking at, your take on the situation and any ideas ideas.



Thanks,



Jason

 

[klenger]

If he is actually thinking about have your mother lie down in the trailer while under tow, I would definitely recommend the motor home. Safety is much more important than economics.

 

[CumminsPuller]

Very true... ..... Does the trailer bounce that much... ... . ???? I am sure it is like any other... ..... Ya, it would probably be uncomfortable.



Jason

 

[The patriot]

If money isnt a problem, and they'd get enough use out of it, get the motorhome.

Oh yea, and what Klenger said.

Eric

 

[phoekema]

trailer or motor home

One othier option to consider - a 5th wheel. Most states will allow passengers in a 5th wheel while going down the road, while it is not legal in a travel trailer. Even a 5th wheel with a bedroom expando, like we have, will allow full use of the bed with the expando in.

Both have their advantages. One fellow we met while camping said it rather nicely " with a motor home, travel is primary and living is secondary; but in a 5th wheel living is primary and traveling is secondary". Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[JTMcCracken]

This may or may not be practical for your folks, but, a van as a tow vehicle would allow your Mom to lay down in the back. Some friends of ours(who's wife can't sit up for long periods due to a back injury in a car accident) had a very nice conversion van that let her get comfortable at all times. The only problem: no Cummins available! Another option is to take that nice truck he already has and add: a carpet kit to the bed, a nice shell, a passthru rear window, and a bed or RV type couch for your Mom. That way they can still communicate while on the road. Hopefully the A/C & heat would keep up? JTMcC.

 

[billr]

While it is legal in most states to have passengers ride in a fifth wheel they generally require some kind of communications between the trailer and truck at all times. A set of walkie talkies would suffice.