new to all this RV'ing and using Post campgrounds

I run a GMC X-Cab SB 6.0L w3:73 ... I like it just fine ... I'm not now, nor will I ever be a diesal driver ... My truck hauls a 2200 lbs Truck Camper and a 3000 lb MC trailer -- I've yet to have any trouble hauling although occasionally on the mountains it slows up some, but always gets me to the top.

Don't know how much your 5er will weigh, but the GMC also comes wtih the 8.1L on some models. That's a lot of truck ... and I like the idea that I can unhook and drive around when I need it. Also, use my MC for sight-seeing and short trips to save gas ...

Personally, I don't buy the extended warrantees -- for one, you can spend that extra money [and the co-pays] after the regular warrantee runs out -- and by that time, you usually know whether you have a sound truck, and if so keep it, if not trade it and get another new warrantee ... just my .02 --- And most of what I've heard about MH or TT extended warrantees is not good ... again, I'd save the $$$ and use the money for repairs if you need them after warrantee.

Can't comment on trucks or 5th wheels. But presciption by mail works great! However, many campgrounds (military and commercial) don't allow personal mail to the campground. In this case, we use General Delivery at the nearest Post Office. We have had mail delayed (lost, but found later) twice in 3 years.

We did purchase an extended warranty (service contract) on our new MH 5 years ago. I guess I let them talk me into it. It cost me $5000 for 7 years coverage. Since then, we've used it once and had $3000 of work done, costing me only $50. So I figure I still need to have $2000 of work done to break even on the purchase price. We have some work to be done and will probably get $2000 worth of work done. The biggest pain has been it takes 3 times longer to have work done when using the service contract. we had to wait for an adjuster to come out and approve the work. Luckily, we're usually in no hurry to be anywhere.

don't know where you are located, but if you are interested in class A, Tiffin Motorhomes in Redbay, Al. will give you a tour of their factory. You can see the start, from bare chassis to the finnish product. You can, or used to, take your time and can ask the workers anything you want to know. A very informative tour and I believe you can order and make changes to your order.

Love my Allegro Bus.

Everything all the others told you are right on, all the salesmen are out to make a dollar anyway they can.

Joe

Oh yeah -- the prescriptions ... I do get mine throught the VA mail system and it works... sometimes a little slow, but it does get there. I always have mine sent to the same place, and then get it forwarded to me either at the base CG if they allow it, or to general delivery if not. It has never been a problem.

Also, as someone mentioned, Escapees has a mail-forwarding system the is designed exactly for RVrs on the road, including prescriptions. Although I don't use it and can't comment on it's effectiveness, many others say it works very well. And it looks pretty efficient whenyou check it out on their website ... and they are in that business -- RV'rs on the road ... check them out. M44

Sounds like you have your mind made up on the 5th wheel, just my $.02 here on some things you might want to think about when you buy your rig that I learned from my training rig.

Waste water tanks: My rig has 1 tank for all waste! This is not the way to go trust me. This really limits the amount of time you can stay some place without dump outs.

Basement storage: I wish I had enough room to store everything I use outdoors, if it won't fit in the basement, it will be taking up space in the RV.

Toys: There are a lot of toys you can add to an RV, be sure you will get good use out of whatever additions you may choose.

I would like to recommend along with going to the RV shows, hit a local campground and talk to some of the people there about their rigs and find out what they do and don't like and why, this will be valuable information in your quest.

One other thing I would like to say, I know you like the 5th wheel idea, but I'm in a class A and I will tell you why. I thought about the trailer thing and decided against it for this reason, if I got a trailer I would have to drive the tow vehicle every day. With a class A or C you can tow a much smaller run around car that gets better mileage, has fewer tires, and is easier to park.

What ever you choose it has to be right for you. Good luck in your search.

Have to agree with "bubblehead" on the Class A motorhome. We have traveled/camped with my family many times. We have only had Class A's from the old, used Georgia Boy (gas) to a new Monaco (gas) to our current Monaco (diesel).

When we started this my dad had a tag along trailer and my brother had a 36 ft 5th wheel. When we got to the RV park I was set up and kicked back in about half the time they were. The 5th wheel took the longest time to get set up and leveled. Plus the 5th wheel was so heavy he had to have a one-ton duelly to tow it and even then the truck was almost underpowered to pull the thing. After going with us for awhile both my parents and brother moved up to motorhomes.

Our first coach did not have jacks so we had to level with boards under the tires. The gas Monaco had manual jacks and was pretty quick to level. The new diesel has automatic jacks. Just hit a button and it levels itself.

If you are planning to spend most of your time in your rig be sure you get one with plenty of room. We have gone from 34 ft with no slides, to 34 ft with two slides and now 36 ft with four slides. Even with our current rig it gets kind of small with two adults and two dogs living together 24/7. (At home in the stick house we can at least get away from each other once in awhile.) Our current rig has a real door that closes off the bedroom so she has a place to go to get away from what ever TV show I may be watching.

One last thing on 5th wheel vs motorhome. We tow a Chevy HHR. With the diesel we can hardly tell it is back there but when we are our sightseeing we get 30 MPG with it. When my brother was pulling the 5th wheel his one-ton P/U got about 9 MPG without the trailer. When they went to Colorado to spend the summer they wound up with his wife driving their car behind them so they would not have to rely on just the truck all summer.

These were just some thoughts on trailer vs motorhome. As far as cost, if you have to buy both the 5th wheel AND a truck to tow it you may be spending about as much as you would on a self propelled motorhome.