Before we retired in 2007, I spent over two years debating this question. Here is what I came up for both scenarios.
Initial Investment:
Motor Home
Cost $110,000 plus
5th Wheel & Truck
Cost $85,000 (Includes employee vehicle discount)
Pluses:
Motorhome
Set up/Break camp time
Maneuverability (for things like backing up)
Longer range per tank
Passenger access to rear while driving
Ride
5th Wheel
Cheaper:
- Initial cost
- Maintenance & service cost$
- Less hit for trade in value (tow vehicle only)
More room.
More floor plan/models available.
In the end, cost was the deciding factor. If money were no object, I'd go with the motor home and pull a Corvette behind it.
However, living on a fixed income, the initial cost, the value hit after purchase and the continued maintenance costs was just to high to justify a motorhome. One thing that stuck in my mind was when a friend with a large up scale motorhome told me his oil change was $500. While I do most of my own work and would do oil changes myself, his bill gave me an indication what I would be in for should we have trouble on the road. When you add in things like tires (people here think Goodyear G14's are bad!), brakes and the like, the motorhome became less and less appealing.