Years ago, when Dave and I decided to live full time in our fifth wheel, we discussed that by the time we were in our sixties, we wanted to be in a motorhome. That seemed a long ways away back then. . .but now, eight years later. . .those days are just around the corner. . .and we’ve been having big discussions about it.
We agree on the premise that a motorhome will be much more comfortable to travel in, while the fifth wheel is great living quarters. . .and therein lies the rub. . .although we do travel some. . . we still also work some. . .so we often find ourselves staying in one place for several weeks at a time.
We’ve gone back and forth, back and forth in our discussions. . .let’s go ahead and get the motorhome. . .no, let’s just wait a couple more years. . .and FINALLY. . .this past weekend, I think we’ve come to a firm decision. . .to just do some updating in the fifth wheel. . .and hold out on purchasing the motor home for a couple more years.
I’m plain old worn out from all the discussion. . .and I was just wondering. . .are we the only ones who have these conversations going on?
How do you guys come to a concensus on major decisions?
Being by nature, a planner, organizer, analyzer. . .I like things lined out in a neat little order, it’s taken a bit of work to learn to go with the flow. . .
Would love to hear your stories on the subject!
We have just finished the same discussion and not for the first time. Went to a RV Show Friday and saw nothing I wanted to put money down on. We have discussed it so much in the last few years my head hurts. We, too, made the decision to stay with our 5th wheel and do some updating. We just replaced the carpet in the living and bath area with tile with a wood grain finish. Next project is kitchen with new backsplash and redone pantry.
ReplyDeleteThank Laurie. . .it's nice to know someone else's head hurts from the discussion.
ReplyDeleteThe other part of the dilemna has been the "no debt" part of the discussion. , .since we can't swing the "paying cash" part. . .helped with the decision also!
Hi Janice...you're like me...I want things planned out in advance and in an orderly manner. Uggg...does that make me anal? Regardless, it sounds like you guys came to a good decision about staying where you are until you are completely sure of what you want.
ReplyDeleteRemember the secret about women. We talk to our husbands about our thoughts, let it sink in for a couple of weeks when, lo and behold, they come back to us with the same ideas!
Our conversations are generally on the same page simply because our tastes are similar. I think you're doing the right thing. Go for it...I've got your back!
having experienced both 5th wheel and Motorhome living,,, we feel that for stays over 4 weeks in length,,5th wheel is the best,, but for those that move frequently the Motorhome is the best (ease in setting up and taking down campsites).
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I am not full-timing, I finally decided to purchase a 5th wheel (Dec 2009) instead of a motorhome. I knew when I retired in three years, I wanted to travel (be a most-timer), but staying in one place for at least 3 to 4 weeks at a time to explore the area in depth or at least try. :-) Since I would be in one place for a few weeks at a time, having more liveable space made more sense for me. When setting up the 5th gets to be too much down the road, I can always purchase a motorhome. I will have just turned 58 when I retire, so I figure I have lots of years to use my 5th before going the motorhome route.
I agree with your decission. I think a 5th wheel is the better way to go. I also agree with some others comments on the money part. Money directs my decissions almost always between wants and needs.
ReplyDeletePaul and I weren't sure what we wanted to full time in. We listened to others tell why they preferred this or that. Paul did a ton of reading about every RV possible. We then made a list of pros and cons of a MH vs a 5th wheel. After a ton of nights going over the list, we settled on a MH. One of our biggest deciding factors was that we would be traveling the country. IF we were going to stay in one area for a good amount of time, we would have chosen the 5th wheel. This is such a personal choice that each person has to do what it best for their situation. I am sure you two made the right decision for your situation!
ReplyDeleteSo many RVers have this discussion as the two diferent styles are similar yet diferent in many ways. Tweet and I have been disussing what our next rig would be also. We move every few days or couple alas at the most, and I will be driving the RV while he drives the testing rig.
ReplyDeleteThis weekend sealed it for us. We wwanted to see more Route 66 icons, but dreaded the couple hundred miles riding in a very uncomfortable vehicle. We stayed in town.
It will be a fifth wheel for us. Because even though we can use the company MDT to bob tail around on weekend, its NOT very comfortable. A pickup truck is more of a personal vehicle and can do double duty pulling the RV.
Besides, the prices of good quality motorhomes is way out of our range at the moment.
So now I guessyou will need to decide are you going to move out of your fiver and get everything done at once, or be in a constant state of remodeling for a while???
Decisions, decisions. Or choices, choices. Its all how you look at it.
Please take before and after pics, we would love to see them.
Vickie, I loved your bouncing ideas comment. Dave's off teaching a class, so now that we've come to this decision to update, I was deciding how to get him agree to my ideas! LOL!
ReplyDeleteWhen we originally decided to full time, we already had a fifth wheel that we vacationed in and the truck to pull it. That influenced our decision as to what we would choose. Had we known the PU was not adequate to pull the big full timing trailer, and that we would be purchasing a bigger truck, we might have made a different decision at the outset. . .however, we've been thrilled living in this rig for the past eight years. It's just getting a little older, and things are starting to need work. . .you know how it goes. . .but as was stated. . .right now for us, the motorhome is just a want and not a need. . .so we will continue to stick to our
ReplyDeleteDave Ramsey. . .Financial Peace. . .stay out of debt plan. It's worked really well this far. . .
I love the ideas of posting before and after pics. . .thanks for the suggestion!
Candace, it's gonna be mostly minor remodeling. . .changing out some cabinentry, and faucets. Hubby needs a different desk. . .we've been putting it off while we were debating the motorhome upgrade. We changed out the carpet and vinyl a couple of years ago, . .this will be very minor compared to that!
ReplyDeleteWe discuss something TO DEATH. We talked about buying a house for more than two years. Then last summer we made the decision to just do it while prices and interest rates are still low in Georgia. As soon as we decided which house to buy, the discussions began about what improvements and changes needed to made immediately and which could wait until we get back from Arizona in the fall. The answer to your question is, we talk and talk and talk then talk some more until we both agree on a plan.
ReplyDeleteGreat discussion. We also compared 5th wheel to MH. Since we like to hang out a while in each location, we decided the MH would not be the best option since it is better suited for travel. Now, our big decision is a standard 5th wheel or Toy Hauler. We run our business on the road and need an office. Plus we have a lot of toys (full-size grill, scooter, and inflatable raft w/engine).
ReplyDeleteWould love to hear thoughts on a 5th wheel pulling a small trailer to help us with our decision.
Connie
http://simslandyacht.blogspot.com
When George and I met he had a 5th wheel, I had a Lance camper (and had previously lived full-time in a motorhome). We traveled in both and then had to decide should we keep one or sell them both and get something preferable. We ended up keeping the 5th wheel, though each type of RV has its pluses and minuses. I wrote about our decision (with photos) at http://www.rvlifestyleexperts.com/free-rv-info/getting-started/buying-a-new-rv/ if you'd like to read more detail.
ReplyDeleteJaimie Hall Bruzenak
When we first ventured into camping we bought a barely used truck/5th wheel from an elderly couple as a package. After traveling for 1 1/2 years camphosting we wanted a few items in a newer 5th wheel and upgraded that way - larger refrigerator, better insulation, hydraulic slide/jack system and w/d. He feels like so many have said - a MH engine should not be sitting up as long as we end of working in a location. I still would like the MH option when we don't have to work for our site and stay in one area, but the cost factor has prevented our pursuing it any further than looking and dreaming. Our 5vr is like a rolling apartment and has worked for us.
ReplyDeleteI've argued that same dilemma back-and-forth with the dog. I love living in the motorhome -- to move it requires stepping outside to unplug from shore power, and here we go! And a quick overnight (e.g., WalMart parking lot) doesn't require you to step outside at all! Plus the bathroom and refrigerator are available to passengers, albeit at traveling 70 mph down the road!
ReplyDeleteHowever, for me, I'll eventually change over to the fifth wheel. My primary motivation is, with the fifth wheel, I only have the one engine to maintain. Plus the fuel efficiency will be significantly better. Plus the larger square footage.
Jaqmie, I would have sworn I had read everything you had ever written, including all your books. . .but I somehow missed this discussion. . .thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I usually come up with the big idea. . .Dave rolls his eyes. . .then after it marinates in his brain for awhile. . .we discuss it to death. After 37 years of marriage our tastes are pretty similar, so we usually come to a mutual agreement or compromise that works for both of us. Ha Ha! Now if only he'll agree with ALL my ideas for the upgrades. . .sounds like you guys are settling in to the house. . .and enjoying the process. . .good for you!
William, that's our thinking when we eventually buy the motorhome. We never, ever boondock, or even park at Walmart. We chose to not lose storage space to a generator. . .so are completely dependent on shore power.
ReplyDeleteThe motorhome should have a generator onboard, plus automatic leveling will be a bonus!
Mollie, I agree with your premise of a rolling apartment. When friends come over, who've never seen our rig. . .they always say, WOW. . .this is like a little condo. I agree, that is exactly what if is. . .
ReplyDeleteConnie, we originally considered a toy hauler. I love to do crafts, and though I might do the craft show circuit selling stuff. . .but back then, they all seemed to be designed for weekend warriors, and the living quarters were not that great.
ReplyDeleteI think manufacturers finally caught on to the full timing concept, so there are some really great ones out there now. . .good luck. . .keep me posted as to what you guys decide!