@Mackeyser
I've never owned one... but I have friends who have, and some of them still do. Here's what they've shared with me through their experiences.
If you get an RV instead of a trailer, make damn sure it is one that can tow a vehicle behind it... and a golf cart doesn't count. It is a must to not have to drive your "house" around everywhere with you. There are times when that wouldn't even be possible if you wanted to. Having a regular size vehicle or truck with you just to go buy your groceries is a vital requirement. If you get a fifth wheel trailer you can disconnect it from your big dually truck and drive that where you need to go without your house behind it.
I would recommend that you rent both types if you possibly can before making the purchase. You don't have to go far here in Florida to find a State park/campground to stay in. Try a few different locations too. It can be very eye opening staying at these locations with the neighbors you'll have, the rules/restrictions, and the prices involved.
The friends of mine who have purchased 5th wheel trailers have all sold them. They started out gung-ho and then turned their trailers into permanent eyesores on the side of their homes... or had to pay monthly storage costs for a place to park it because many subdivisions don't allow them to be parked in yards. They almost never used them after experiencing many aspects at these campgrounds and State parks, and just parking them and backing them turned into a major disaster for one of my friends. The big dually trucks became one of their daily vehicles to drive because they are not cheap... and you'll definitely need a diesel.
No matter what option you decide to get... make sure that you get the largest refrigerator/freezer option possible. Preferably a full sized one or something that equals the same. I know some have the pullout drawer style for space... but the ability to store as much as you can at home is a MUST.
Our friends who have a true RV still have it. They never drive it though. They have a driver drive it for them. It sounds weird... but she's super wealthy... and they realized after they got it that driving the beast was a real challenge. They only use it for 1 thing. They have their driver drive them down to the Keys in it from here in Orlando most weekends. They like being able to drink and chill during that long drive down without having to stop for bathroom breaks or food. They have a small home down in the Keys where they also keep their boat. The RV is only used for the trips up and back. They pay for the driver to stay in a hotel while they are there.
The other common complaint all of my friends have shared... the costs for repairs and maintenance are worse than what comes with a boat... and sometimes that's not even the worst part of this. The worst part can be the wait time for the repairs to be completed. These things can be hard to work on properly, and the qualified places that do the work can have a long line of customers ahead of you. Sometimes just finding the unique parts for these things can be a major challenge.
Anyway... not trying to be a Debbie Downer here, but I've heard these things from a number of people who have gone through the whole process and these things seem to all be a constant from each of them. It's a very expensive thing to do and maintain.
