[REDNAX]

I based my decision on what I had grown up with. My grandparents had a lovely STREAMLINE with which the traversed the U.S., Canada and parts of Mexico after retiring in the mid-1960's. My parents had several small trailers, then a 29' Class A. That thing ate money, was noisy, etc, etc. Then, they switched to a SILVER STREAK in 1976 and only just sold it a few years ago.

Here is the way I ordered my thinking on it (with a wife for whom this was new):

First, a motorhome means I have to tow another vehicle to get around after parking. That now means two vehicles to maintain which have drivetrains. I can't afford to restore a mid-1980's BLUEBIRD (time or money), so any motorhome would be a compromise in design, build and reliability. Throwing away a LOT of money in depreciation. Not to mention the towed vehicle wouldn't likely be the car my wife or I drove for business when home. From two, now I'm up to four vehicles to maintain, insure, store and -- worst of all -- try to keep track of.

Second, they don't drive worth a hoot until you get waaay on up there in money. They're okay, but not that great. They're basically a converted furniture delivery truck. Proven systems, but, still, truck service shops are more expensive than even a car dealership. Okay to rent, but not buy, IMO.

Third, by comparison a well-built all-aluminum aerodynamic trailer is light, long-lasting and a heckuva lot cheaper to own. You can park them off the road for years and then spend the money to get them back into roadworthy condition for only a fraction of what a motorhome would cost. IMO, a motorhome that sat for five years is a great parts source. That's it. My folks parked their trailer at a nearby lake when things were tight for a few years (both my sisters in college, etc). Took a good-sized John Deere to get it out of the dirt, but took little past new tires, a brake job, etc, to return it to function.

With a nice tow vehicle that doubles as the family hauler a trailer can be a long-time faithful servant. In buying ours I knew that living on the Gulf Coast meant we could lose our home to Nature's vagaries. I'm not willing to live in rental housing anymore. The trailer is not only our escape from town to new or familiar places, but an instantaneous movement of our lives if need be. With next-to-no interruption.

When we get around to remodelling this mid-century house we just bought, the trailer also serves as temporary home during the worst of the work. Despite its length it is much easier to hide than a motorhome of equivalent living space, keeping my neighbors happier (which is only fair).

We will see improved vehicles to tow our trailers in the next half-decade, and can upgrade our "tractor" as desired. I cannot do this with a motorhome.