A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

Hello. My name is Anne and I'm currently in the market for a new rig. I was hoping for some advice. I'd like to full time for 5 years, wintering in Cali and summering in Colorado but traveling around here and there. I full timed in an Airstream for one year several years ago and liked it very much. My only objection was that I'm tall and my head would hit the kitchen cabinets when washing dishes.

What I'm thinking about is an older 34' Motor home, gas, like a Pace Arrow. I had a salesman at a RV store in Phoenix tell me recently he would not recommend a 5th wheel as a motor home would be much safer for a single lady.

Thanks for any advise. I'm so looking forward to getting on the road and being free!

Anne

Hi and Welcome Ann.

Oh, those salesmen. I feel more comfortable in a motorhome (Class A or C) however you should get what YOU would prefer ... not what some man thinks would be better for you. The gall of them. If you like 5th wheels do NOT take them off your list. Go through all the pros and cons and make that determination for yourself. We have women traveling alone here in everything. Oh, and you need to get in anything you are interested in ... the ceiling height will vary from one to another. I'm short, so that's not an issue for me, but reaching things can be Including the pedals.

HI Anne, well I cant tell you what would be good or bad as we all have our own level of comfort when choosing our rigs. What is important to one is totally immaterial to another. I am also tall and I have a 35ft Winnebago. It has 7'2" ceilings...works for me ha ha. I like the Motorhome as I feel very safe in it as nobody knows how many people I have in there with me. (NONE). I bought a MH because I didnt want to have to hook up a TT or 5er. Personal preference only. I still have to hook up my toad but that is very easy for me.

karen

Welcome to the forum. As replies imply....preferences are very individual. What recommendation works is to look at and get inside as many different rigs and styles and sizes that you can. Most everything has pros and cons but the weight of the actual importance of different features will vary. You will recognize what will work when you see it... or sit in it or drive it.....

yea, dang those salesman, I have a fifthwheel and headroom was one of the things I noticed in it. Go do some looking and
checking out the different ones. You'll find what fits you comfortably.
Oh, and welcome, glad you found us.

Thank you all so much. Just starting this new journey. Really looking forward to all it has to offer.

Glad to be here.

Anne

Welcome, Anne....we have a 5er that we love....but looking to the future, we may some day get us a Class C , but for now we're happy....As others have said, it's what works for you....take your time, look at everything....you'll know your "house on wheels" when it finds you.....

Greetings from California!

Phooey on that sales guy! Safety isn't contingent on they type of rig you're in. It's where the rig is parked. That said, I've got a 26' Starcraft Autumn Ridge that's so tall I need to use a stepstool to reach the roof vents. Yes, I'm short, but this ceiling is exceptionally tall.

What I like about anything you pull is that once disconnected you've got your sightseeing vehicle -- no need for 2 engines. And who says that if you're only going to be somewhere for a night or two that you have to unhitch? I've done that plenty of times.

Again, welcome, and have fun trying to find your dream rig. You'll know it when you see it.

Laura

Hi and welcome to the forum. Ditto what the others have said. We all have our different needs and wants when it comes to choosing an RV. Size is an issue for us as well. My DH is 6' 7" and I am 5' 8". At this point we are not full timers. Just a few weeks here and there. DH is disabled and has a hard time walking. In my mind I wanted a 5th wheel because I did not want to pay the maintenance, registration and insurance for 2 vehicles, ie MH (class A, B or C) AND a tow car (TOAD). So in October we bought a 35 ft 5th wheel. I loved it. Big and roomy and had all the whistles and bells as luxurious motorhomes. I was able to do all of the hooking and unhooking of the elec, water, cable, etc. myself. I liked having the truck as our touring vehicle. DH had a hard time walking and getting in and out of the truck multiple times to hook up and unhook the hitch We took a 3 week trip out west and the DH became annoyed hitching and un hitching- Among other things. So in January we traded the 5th wheel for a 35' MH. I have to admit, I like the MH. The things I like? When you pull to a rest stop you just use your own potty. Half the times we stop at a rest stop, the potty was closed. So I would have to pull out the steps on the 5er and go up there. Same to get snack, drinks, etc. With the MH we pull in and DH can use the potty and get snacks without going up and down the stairs while I walk the dog. Hooking up all the other stuff is pretty much the same At this point we are not towing a car. We rent a car when we are somewhere for more than just a day.

Good luck with choosing your perfect RV and you adventure is about to begin.

Great information. Thank you so much. I think it helps tremendously to hear other peoples testimonies.

Anne

Welcome, Anne!

When I got my first RV, I chose a travel trailer to pull with my limited tow capacity sienna can. I had a husband then (2008) and just couldn't see leaving him at the campsite with no rig while I ran for groceries. Hence, the TT choice.

Now that I'm alone, I'm not sure what I would do if I had to do over. I think I would still pick a TT cuz that's what I'm familiar with. My personal opinion is that hitching up the van/trailer is no more difficult than doing the same with a toad and motor home combo.

Think about it, and read, read, read. It'll come to you.

Join in whenever and wherever you want...we're glad you found us.

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Welcome Anne! Advice? Yew'll (sorry, "yew" key not working) find plenty here In response to yore qwestion, I have a small 17ft class B Roadtrek & definitely feel safer than if I were towing something--never have to get owt of my "HarBor" (his name ) for breaks or getting in late to a rest area, etc. I've also "parked" at a long stop light to grab a bottle of water from the frig, with plenty of time to catch the green light! Keep posting on yore progress & decision. Don't know abowt the "tall" thing --certainly yew'll find the one that's right for yew!

Something things to consider. If you plan to finance, since the MH has the engine and is self contained you can normally get a better "package rate" on your "house/RV". If you go the 5th wheel or TT route you will get one rate on you 5'r/TT (similar to a house mortgage) and a separate loan at a different rate on the tow vehicle (car loan rate). So for the same monthly payment you might get a better deal on the MH.

Also beware of sales men and their opinion of tow vehicles. Many of the larger 5 wheels will require a 1 ton pickup and often a dually. Read the spec's of a given truck carefully. If you own a truck, know what your specs/limits are when you look for a 5th wheel. Look at gross weights not empty/dry weights, Also make sure you truck can handle the pin weight. Older trucks tend to top out at 20,000# gross combined weight. Newer trucks are a little higher but it depends on gas or diesel and if it has the proper tow package. I found the 5'r I wanted and then bought the truck to match. 5th wheels in the 14,000 - 16,000# gross weights (10 - 12,000# dry) are not uncommon. There are light weight trailers(8,000# dry / 10.000# gross) but they tend to have less options. If you want the washer/dryer, 2nd A/C unit and other options that make life nice, your looking at 14,000 - 16,000# gross trailer (pin weight 20%, 2,800 - 3,200# plus hitch weight of 2-300#) and an F350 / 35000 series diesel/dually to pull it (8,000#) 22,000 - 24,000# gross. If you don't like dual's be careful of your rear axle/tire ratings. When you look at tanks on the RV they add weight quickly. I have a fresh water tank (53 gal) 2 blacks (80 gal) and 2 grays (80 gal) = 213 gal x 8 #/gal = 1,704# (adds to gross trailer weight)

Truck + Camper + fuel + passengers + hitch + your stuff (1 - 2,000#) + liquid in your fresh, gray and black tanks, etc = gross combined weight (GCVW)
Example: rig in signature, the 3 of us, water tanks empty, full of fuel (39 gal) I scale out at 19,500# gross. We are pretty average for a 5th wheel.

At 6' tall I found I liked the room of a 5'r best. Also I like to be able to drop the trailer and run around in my pick up. As my hitch cover states "Silly boys, trucks are for girls."

Whatever you decide, enjoy the journey.