People have asked Denny and I why we chose a fifth wheel over a motorhome. If you have been reading the pages of this website at all, you know that we have owned two motorhomes and three fifth wheels. I decided to create a comparison list of some of the good and bad points of each. Those of you who own RVs will have many of your own points to add, and I welcome your input and will add valid points to the list for those "RV lifestyle dreamers" who wish to know which RV may be best for them. Certainly newer motorhomes are gaining features formerly only found in fifth wheels and trailers and vice versa, but there are still enough differences to make careful consideration of those differences worthwhile.
MOTORHOME vs. FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER
Passenger can move around inside RV while traveling vs No access to trailer while traveling
Can tow an fuel economical vehicle for sightseeing/errands vs Large tow vehicle may be fuel hog
With a motorhome you have to fuel two vehicles; the motorhome and your tow car vs With a trailer you only fuel your tow vehicle.
With a motorhome you need to change the oil/maintain the engines of two vehicles vs With a trailer you only need to maintain one vehicle engine--your tow vehicle.
Oil changes on a motorhome will run $300+ vs Oil changes in a diesel truck may run $75
Will usually have bin space for a generator for boondocking vs Installation of generator will severely limit storage space and can cause your rig to be overweight
In most cases, you can move about MH with slides closed vs Often closed slides means no access to the interior of RV
Backing a motorhome is like backing a very large car vs Learning to back a fifth wheel/ trailer competently takes a while
Insurance costs are higher for a motorized vehicle vs Insurance costs are less since there is no engine in a trailer
Setting up a motorhome and unhitching a tow vehicle is relatively quick and easy vs Setting up and unhitching a trailer is more time-consuming
Leveling a motorhome on a very unlevel campsite can be impossible vs 5ers can be leveled with the use of leveling blocks or length of 2x6 boards easily
You can leave quickly in an emergency with a MH vs You cannot leave quickly with a trailer due to the hitching up required
There is usually no desk area in a MH vs Most 5ers have nice desk areas
Motorhomes lose living area with dashboard/driver's area vs Trailers are all living space
Living room TVs are placed overhead over the windshield vs TVs are placed at a reasonable height and angle Edited 11/17/11: Motorhomes now have better TV placement on many rigs.
Motorhomes are much more expensive vs Trailers are more reasonably priced while equipped the same as a motorhome
Most motorhomes have only all-in-one washer/dryer combos vs Trailers have stacking washers and dryers
It can be difficult to find a repair location based on the size of the MH vs Any truck dealer can work on on your tow vehicle
If engine repairs are needed, you will probably need to stay in a motel vs You can stay in your trailer while your truck is being worked on
A diesel motorhome will ususally have the weight carrying capacity to add solar panels and batteries for boondocking vs Space and weight considerations may make installing the extra batteries needed impossible
Many motorhomes are affected by the draft created by passing semis and high winds in general vs Trucks pulling fifth wheel trailers are not affected by drafts and are much more stable while traveling on roadways under high wind conditions
Motorhomes have to be driven off your campsite to fill the onboard propane tank unless the campground provides a mobile propane servicevs Trailer propane tanks are removable for filling.
As a motorized vehicle some states may require your motorhome be inspected for annual registration purposes vs Trailers usually don't need to be inspected for registration purposes.
Motorhome tires are larger and therefore more expensive than trailer tires vs Even if you have a triple axle trailer your tire expenses will be less than of a motorhome.
Motorhomes are all one level once you get inside vs Fifth wheels can have at least one and possibly two sets of interior steps/levels inside which can become a problem as you age.
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