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

[cantdrv55]

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.

[osidak]

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.

[id10t]

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.

[Hugh R]

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.

[mikeatfhc]

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.



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.



I then set out to rebuild it...



And here is how it looks today...



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.

[9dreizig]

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..

[JavaBrewer]

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.

[Don Ro]

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.
.
Sold it a year and a half later...I found my home in AZ.
.
2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Sugar Hill GA - 112969092 - RVTrader.com
.
RVs For Sale On RV Trader- New and Used Fleetwood,Airstream,Winnebago,Keystone,Forest River,Newmar RVs and More-RVTrader.com

[cantdrv55]

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.

[Moses]

[cantdrv55]

That is super cool!

[cantdrv55]

Don, thanks for the link to RV Trader.

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

[ckelly78z]

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.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Moses

Not your parents Coleman

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

[rfuerst911sc]

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.

[Bill Douglas]

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

[vash]

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!

[Hugh R]

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

[cantdrv55]

Originally Posted by vash

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!

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

[Hugh R]

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.