Going to an RV show and hoping to get advice from the brain trust
 

i've decided an RV is in our near future. My little boy likes camping but I am done sleeping on rocks. I've been looking at several forums but I can't decide if we're going to go with class B, C or travel trailer route. If you are an RV'er, what would you do/buy differently? I plan to rent a motor home before buying but the thought of that grosses me out. Better bring a black light with me.

I have nothing against an RV. Wouldn't mind one myself one day. Please Please do not tell your boy that is camping. It is nothing remotely close to camping.

My family (wife and son) do 5 or 6 primitive camping trips a year. My son loves it and so does my wife.

Good luck on finding what you want at a good price.

I have some friends that live on the road, traveling all over to do Renn Faires.

The problems they see with RVs is that if you are out somewhere, and have mechanical issues, you have to move out of your house to get it fixed. And, you probably need to tow a car, or have a second driver for a car.

If they were here posting, they'd probably recommend a 5th wheel toy hauler - the "garage" in back can easily be converted to a second bedroom.

I have a Class A motor home. Many people find out that when you buy a Class C you have limited field of view when driving and that things like auto levers and rear view cameras bring you close to the cost of a Class A. The one thing about my 2013 Coachmen Mirada the I don't like is that the ass end doesn't "swoop" up for bottoming out on gas station curb cuts. In 2014 I think they fixed that.

If you buy a new one shop around for extended warranties. If the unit comes with a one year warranty, buy an extended warranty at the end of that year.

I don't tow a car. On the rare times I've needed a car I rent a wreck for $30/day locally. The cost of a brake-assisted trailer or a brake system for a towed vehicle is around $3,000 or more. I can rent a wreck lots of times for that kind of investment.

I wish I would have asked more questions before I bought my first (only to date) RV. I wanted a separate RV, not a trailer, not a 5th wheel at the time. I thought I might pull my boat out and go camping, fishing, skiing - never did.

I bought a Class C RV before I knew anything about RVs. I did get a good deal on it as a used RV (for a reason). I discovered the secret issue no one talks about in the RV industry - Dry Rot and Water Damage. I found it by ignoring my senses because I thought I was getting a good deal. The RV smelled musty when I bought it but I assumed that was due to it sitting for an extended amount of time - nope. After a rainstorm I discovered the entire front overhead cab area had been leaking at the overhead window and had rotted the entire bunk and front wood.

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As the RV ran great I decided to rebuild the front overhead bunk - and do it the right way! I found that the manufacturer had only used pine framing (with very little metal supporting structure underneath) that was stapled together at the joints. The whole front overcab was ready to fall at any time.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1412787310.jpg

I then set out to rebuild it...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1412787361.jpg

And here is how it looks today...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1412787533.jpg

Now sorry if this lengthy response appears to hijack your thread, not my intent. I am really just suggesting that if you are thinking about an RV you check it VERY CAREFULLY for signs of dry rot and WATER DAMAGE. These things are not maintenance-free like your home roof. They are basically rolling earthquakes that open up and trap water. Granted, my RV is an 89 and things have changed with advent of rubber roofs and the like - but they all need periodic re-sealing and sometimes pressure-testing to maintain their warranties.

Would I do it again? - you bet. I love my RV and will likely not go back to tent camping. What I would differently would be to get a travel trailer. What I find is once I set-up the rig at our camping spot and if I do not have a tow vehicle, if we want to go out and take a drive to explore the area I have to pull up stakes - for that reason my next RV will be a trailer to a 5th wheel. That way I can drop the trailer and use the tow rig as a way to go out to the store, gather wood, or explore.

Good luck on whatever you choose to do.

I recently upgraded from a class C to a class A diesel pusher.. Fuel economy is the same.. Don't buy new,, these things depreciated like a rock!! the internet is your friend ,, look for deals from private sellers, also do your homework on what chassis they are built on and what the issues are for the particular model you're looking at..
No it's not camping ,, I agree..

For as long as I can remember my parents owned some version of a RV. Started with a simple popup trailer, to a standard trailer, to a C class and ultimately A class rig of which they have had several (25' to 40' pusher).

Sure the A class rigs are a big upgrade but the point of traveling is to see stuff. Getting situated in a camp ground takes a bit of work and sitting around in the camp ground gets boring quickly. A class A, or even C, rig sucks when trying to see sights. YMMV. Hugh has a point about renting local but that also involves preparation and/or willing to waste part of the day getting the rental. If you already have a tow capable vehicle I would get a USED trailer and get on the road.

I bought a new 2010 version of this MB Diesel rig.
26 mpg Hwy & 18 - 20 City.
Bought it to travel the US to look for my final home. Loved it!
Queen bed in rear...more sleeping area up front.
Slept 4 and laid 8. :cool:
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Sold it a year and a half later...I found my home in AZ.
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2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Sugar Hill GA - 112969092 - RVTrader.com
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RVs For Sale On RV Trader- New and Used Fleetwood,Airstream,Winnebago,Keystone,Forest River,Newmar RVs and More-RVTrader.com

Great advice so far guys. Thanks!

I am definitely not going to buy new. I have been perusing eBay and craigslist for deals and there seem to be plenty. Class A's are super attractive because they are small apartments on wheels. However, I can buy a tow vehicle plus a travel trailer or fifth wheel for less money and be mobile once the rig is situated. Class B's and C's are cool too but might get cramped especially if my folks come along on our trips. Not sure how each option compare in safety and driving experience. I plan to test drive all if possible.

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That is super cool!

Don, thanks for the link to RV Trader.

Does anyone know of shops that will do PPI's?

We currently have a 30" Dutchman TT with bumper pull hitch behind my diesel F-250 4x4 Ford truck. I like the idea that I need the truck for so many other things to do on the farm rather than pulling a camper, that a separate camper makes sense for me. If you don't need a towing vehicle for anything other than towing a camper, I would buy a motorhome.

Not your parents Coleman:cool:

Tow that behind one of these 'cause Daddy needs some a/c:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1412795210.jpg

Another way to go is a truck camper if you own a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. It gives you the ability to tow a boat or utility trailer behind and still have all the creature comforts. Sure it's smaller inside but the idea is to camp/hike/enjoy nature not sit inside and watch TV. I would never buy new they depreciate quickly. Good luck have fun.

GF wants me to buy one. I said you buy it and I'll support you all the way. That changed her mind.

oh hellyes!!!

the best RV on the planet is a friend's RV..hahahha.

get a cool Class C, RV with a diesel motor. let me know when you go shopping..IN!

While towing a car, you really can't back up due to the front wheels of the car having to be able to turn.

We're going to the RV Show at Cal Expo on Saturday!

You mean at Pomona? We're going with friends as well who want to buy a 30' or so diesel pusher.

Considerations:

A walk around bed is very nice, try making a bed you can't walk around.

A gas unit is better unless you're going to do lots and lots of driving,

If you have direct TV at home go with that and pull a receiver out of the house and get a Direct antenna for the RV. If not I know a pretty, good trick with Dish and their "Tailgater" system where you can buy 30 day installments, that they would have you believe is a continuous month, but in reality you can turn on for 3 or 4 days and then "pause" it and make the 30 days of rental time extend for a year or so.

If you want to be "like" camping than a popup is perfect. Remember that with any self-contained RV... If you pull into the spot and hook up, unload all your stuff, and then realize you need to go into town to by toilet paper... Pack it ALL back up.

With a popup, trailer, or 5th wheel just unhook and go. I'd consider what you want the experience to be like. A posh hotel in the woods, or just sleeping off the ground with some heat and hot water....

I had DirecTV in my motor home. Turn it on and it would unfold (unstow), do a little searching for the signal, and Boom!...HD TV right there.
It was great!

I am looking forward to learning the tricks about satellite TV from you guys!

Hugh, I'll be at Cal Expo RV Show in Sacramento.

A couple of years ago I bought a 21 ft travel trailer that I tow with Chevy 1500. Same reason as you - I was tired of the tent thing. Plus one of the really nice things about most RVs or trailers is they have bathrooms, refrigerators, TVs and AC. I went the travel trailer route because I wanted something small enough to fit in tight spaces at some of the smaller RV parks and forest service campgrounds, be able to park at the house when not in use and have transportation when camping. Plus I already had a truck.
A couple of things I would definitely recommend are a walk around bed and a slideout. Without the walkaround bed someone is going to have to climb over someone else for midnight bathroom trips, and the slideout gives you a ton more interior space once you get set up.
A few other points to consider are that a lot of RVs are equipped with what are referred to as ”RV queen” or more accurately “short queen” mattress which is 75” instead of 80” long. I found that out the hard way. The trailer literature just said queen size bed & it never occurred to me that it wasn’t the same as a normal mattress. So if you’re tall that might be something important.
My best advice is to first decide how you intend to use it. Once you know that you can make a more educated decision about which type of RV will suit your needs. Here’s a link to site with a lot of good background info that you can use to help make your decision.
RV Camping & RV Lifestyle - Changin' Gears

Nothing that a warm week, half a days work, and a $25 upholstery/carpet cleaner rental won't fix. ;)

A buddy of mine used to move mobile homes, but the Indiana factories now are mostly shut down.
Between equipment failure$, fuel costs, licensing, insurance, flaky dealers, flag car drivers, and especially government restrictions he'd sometimes make only a few hundred bucks for a 3,000mi trip.
That industry is dead AFAIK.

So he went into shifting travel trailers.
They are a versatile and cheap alternative to RVs. Makes sense and I want one.

But now, the same high costs and restrictions apply to professionals, only.
Run one for yourself, and you can do whatever you want.
Run as a business and you have to keep log books and limited road hours, even when TO(tractor only)

Really great advice from everyone. Barrpete, thanks for the link.

I had the SlimLine Winegard TRAV'LER Antenna. Watching this first video and the noise the antenna made brought back memories.
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http://www.rakuten.com/prod/winegard-trav-ler-ska-733-antenna/228882122.html?listingId=343171496&sclid=pla_googl e_ShopEddies&adid=29963&gclid=CN_dyPGVnsECFaY-MgodMlwA7A

If you want small, light, nothing to rot, and dual axle for safety:
2013 Livin Lite Camp Lite, Lake Alfred FL - 113253651 - RVTrader.com
"this coach weighs only 2750 pounds with a tongue weight of ONLY 230 lbs...that means you can pull this trailer with some Sedans!"
$15K.

Add some areo and save gas: ATS Aerodynamic Trailer Systems - SmartTail and WindTamer products to reduce aerodynamic drag

When I was a kid I worked at an RV Dealership on the Peninsula. Accordingly, I shall never own an RV (class C, van conversion based). As pointed out, they are made from stapled pine 2x2's. My list of horror stories, from swapping out a starter motor while the new owners were taking possession to crumbling the corner of a customer RV by barely touching a car bumper to my set of master keys that I could make in five minutes and would open any door or storage compartment of any mainline RV, and on and on. Talk about a seemly underbelly. I swear the RV sales guys were too dishonest to sell used cars. Blah.

IF if wanted to go camping, I'd get a small trailer for sleeping/storage and tow it behind a deluxe diesel SUV. Then you could go offroading, go into town, etc.

IF I wanted an all in one, I'd get something based on a Merc Sprinter. Or a Class A Prevost - something based on a bus chassis. Live like a rock star.

YMMV.

Now you're talkin'. ;)
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I'm afraid to step into a Sprinter or deluxe Class A because whatever I end up with will only pale in comparison. I don't plan to spend anywhere near new 911 money.

Look up Winnebago Man on youtube

Buy used.
I took a $30k loss on my MB in 18 months.

The first question you need to ask yourself is what do you want to use it for? I have a 5th wheel toy hauler that I pull with a chevy 2500HD diesel

http://http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/a...1/DSC_6739.jpg
I can haul two motorcycles and still have my truck if I need to go into town or use the motorcycles.
To me it offers the best of all worlds.

Dave

Funny I just set out today with my brother for a big road trip with his rig, 30' airstream trailer and ford 250 diesel.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1412820977.jpg

We did a trip a few years ago which really got the bug started in me. It's called aluminatius in airstream circles. There is quite a community of airstream lovers, not too different from the Porsche cult. And for similar reasons, unique iconic design, quality build, long lived if cared for.

After out first trip I started hanging on the airforums to get up to speed and search for one for me.
After a while I went for a 35' airstream motorhome it's a classic airstream built on a Chevy truck chassis with a 454 Big block.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1412821558.jpg

Found it in Fla and headed out three days later for Az. Had a relatively trouble free trip
Which speaks well for a machine over 25 years old and of this complexity.
You might want to check out the airforums if interested. Fun reading.
I will be looking into rigging the SC to be towed with the motorhome soon.

Good luck finding the right ride for your family.

Cheers Richard

couple more pics to get you thinking.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1412822788.jpg
Coming down from Tahoe this summer.
Just north of S F
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I do love touring around with it.
Get around 8 mpg tho.
Quite worth it with the comfort and accommodations it offers.

Lots of choices out there, each fits a different need.
At this point I'd have to say I somewhat prefer driving the motorhome, as you are in the living area as you cruise. Plus I think it will be fun to drive the SC from where I park the stream. To check out new areas. As opposed to using the big truck.

Here is where we stopped tonight.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1412823514.jpg
Cheers Richard

I owned a 22' Lazy Daze class C for 10 years, my in-laws were 5th wheelers, my brother has a 36' class A diesel pusher. They all have their benefits and it really does depend on how you plan to use it.

At the race track we bring the 36' class A and it is an ideal base of operations with plenty of room for tools, tires and track parties.

For National Park trips I prefer to use the smallest rig so we can get into remote spots at high altitude with few people. We tend to spend most of the day outside and use the rig for sleeping and bathroom. I like to travel light so we may end up with a 22' Sprinter at some point and do a lot of cross-country travel. If we get into heavy weather and begin to feel cramped we will just find a nice hotel for a few days. A small MH with a 250cc motorcycle or even a pair of bikes on the back offers a lot of flexibility.

I liked to camp too, but also wanted to get off the ground. We went with a somewhat minimalist pop-up, but man...was it ever nice. It was an "A" frame with solid construction. No fabric that could be cut through and locking doors. Best of all set-up was ~30 seconds. And it could be towed by any vehicle.

It was called an A-Liner.

Your classic Airstream motorhome is very cool, Richard. Thanks for the pics. Airstream travel trailers are on top of my list.

I plan to use a rig for long weekends on the beach, exploring up and down the west coast for a week or so. In the next five years, I'd like to do a road trip to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone.

After this summers trip in Cal. I did find that size matters. There are many parks there with size restrictions. Hugh went for a 30' unit with that in mind, if I remember correctly. And I found that quite a surprising number of places allowed 25' or less.

I hear you in not wanting to drop new 991 money on a RV. As mentioned earlier there is a BIG hit the first year or two of ownership. I've got a good bit less in my motorhome than Don mentioned losing in selling his sprinter (that MPG does sound good tho). Mine is something of a rolling project, at its age, it's a 1989 model.
The top of the line 30' classic limited trailer( around $120 new) that my bro bought in 011 is an 08 that was in near new condition when he got it as a bank repo for less than $ 40k.
There are classifieds on the airforums that will help with price guidelines for used streams. I was glad to buy from an enthusiast owner rather than off a lot. Got lots of maintenance history and can call him when stumped by something in the motorhome. Plus a friendly transaction.

There are many models of airstreams in each size range offering different floor plans and interior finish details. The big RV show may give you an opportunity to compare the models and zero in on which suits your needs best. Then hit the used market knowing what to look for.

You might look at casita trailers too nice simple trailers in the under 20' range.

Those A liner pop ups are a neat design , Hydro. I like em!

Let us know what you liked at the show.

Cheers Richard