Are you dreaming of hitting the open road and embracing the freedom of full-time RV living? Choosing the right rig is a big decision, especially if you’re planning to make your RV your home for the long haul.
Two of the most popular options are the Class A motorhome and the fifth wheel, each with its own set of perks and quirks. But which one truly shines for full-time living?
To help answer this, we found a great video from the channel “Why Wait” where Chris and Megan share their fresh, honest, and often hilarious take on their recent switch from a fifth wheel to a Class A motorhome.
1. Driving Experience: Smooth Sailing or White-Knuckle Rides?
Chris and Megan wasted no time addressing the driving differences between a Class A motorhome and a fifth wheel. Chris enthused, “Way better than driving in Tona fifth wheel, man, I’m loving this.”
Megan confessed that travel days in the fifth wheel left her a “hot nervous wreck” even after six years, and she sometimes refused to ride in the truck, instead following in a separate vehicle.
The Class A, on the other hand, brought “a sense of peace and calm.” Chris joked about the stress of the fifth wheel: “Two days before breakdown she’d just be nervous, I’d just be like, I kind of shut down and I don’t know, like, oh crap, what’s going to happen this time.” If your idea of adventure doesn’t include white-knuckling it down the highway, a Class A might be your ticket to Zen. Bonus points if you can convince your spouse to ride in the same vehicle!
WINNER:
Class A Motorhome – It’s the clear winner for a more relaxing, less stressful driving experience. Your nerves (and your marriage) will thank you.
2. Build Quality: Fort Knox or House of Cards?
One of the standout differences for the couple was the build quality. Chris raved, “The build quality is unbelievable on there… I’m just kind of blown away about the build construction.”
He specifically praised their Newmar motorhome and noted the overwhelmingly positive feedback from other owners: “We haven’t heard anybody say really anything [bad].” In contrast, he described fifth wheels as having “bare minimum” construction, with lightweight materials that can lead to issues. “It was always something,” Chris lamented.
Megan chimed in that the Class A was much quieter during storms, noting, “I didn’t hear the rain hardly at all.” If you want your RV to feel less like a tin can in a hailstorm and more like a cozy bunker, Class A wins—plus, your neighbors won’t hear your top-secret bun-smacking family traditions.
WINNER:
Class A Motorhome – With sturdier construction and better insulation, it’s built like a tank (but with more throw pillows).
3. Ease of Setup and Travel: Hit the Road or Hitch Headache?
When it comes to getting on the move, the Class A makes life simpler. Chris summed it up: “It’s like, turn on the engine, put the slides in and go.” He compared it to the more complicated process with the fifth wheel: “You had to get the truck, you had to back it up, you had to hitch it up, line it up, that takes time, chains, workway cables.”
Megan added, “It just seemed like it was quicker just to get ready and go.” In the world of RVs, less time spent hitching means more time for adventure—or for searching for that one missing sock that always vanishes on travel days.
WINNER:
Class A Motorhome – The setup is so fast, you’ll have to find new ways to procrastinate before hitting the road.
4. Storage and Capacity: Pack It In or Play Tetris?
Storage is a major concern for full-timers, and the Class