Motorhome!

Thanks, xyz! We've taken it out on two one-night "shakedown" trips and it is wonderful! I'm getting used to driving it (actually it's quite easy to drive except in high winds and close quarters - both expected and understandable). Also getting everything fitted out inside - my goal is to have everything set up so that loading for a short trip (less than a week) will take less than an hour after we bring the coach over from the storage lot. Someone from church who also RVs clued me in on extra-giant size Ziploc bags (available on Amazon) for storing towels, bedding, etc. and for transporting clothes, etc. back and forth. Wonderful discovery!

We even unintentionally tried out the cold-weather tolerances as it went into the high teens the night we went up north of Dallas. Nothing froze! We don't plan to use it in that kind of weather often, but it's good to know it can take it.
 
REWahoo said:
Congrats! You got what you wanted and saved a bundle by buying slightly used.

Tell us more: Which chassis, Ford, Chevy or Dodge? Gas or diesel?

We're also heading out on a long western road trip later this week. I'll be watching for a black lab - and a new Bengal driver with a huge grin on his face. :D
Click to expand...

Well, I am looking at RVs again. During my last western road trip, I was offered a few thousand $ more than I had invested in the Bengal Tiger so I decided to sell. The buyers were a couple from Alaska. The pup and I logged almost 10,000 miles in the Tiger during our brief ownership and had a great time. The gain on the sale covered all of our ownership costs and travel expenses (including over $3k for fuel) with a bit of cash left over.
 
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Lakedog said:
Well, I am looking at RVs again. During my last western road trip, I was offered a few thousand $ more than I had invested in the Bengal Tiger so I decided to sell. The buyers were a couple from Alaska. The pup and I logged almost 10,000 miles in the Tiger during our brief ownership and had a great time. The gain on the sale covered all of our ownership costs and travel expenses (including over $3k for fuel) with a bit of cash left over.
Click to expand...
Good news: You got to use it free and made a little money! :dance:

The bad news: You gotta go RV shopping again! :nonono:

Are you planning to buy something similar next time?
 
REWahoo said:
The bad news: You gotta go RV shopping again! :nonono:

Are you planning to buy something similar next time?
Click to expand...

I will likely stay with something similar in size since I enjoy spending time in somewhat remote areas (of national forests or other public lands) and rarely use developed sites/campgrounds. There were times when I would have enjoyed a bit more room but not sure the trade-off (less mobility) would be worth it.
 
MBAustin said:
Thanks, xyz! We've taken it out on two one-night "shakedown" trips and it is wonderful! I'm getting used to driving it (actually it's quite easy to drive except in high winds and close quarters - both expected and understandable). Also getting everything fitted out inside - my goal is to have everything set up so that loading for a short trip (less than a week) will take less than an hour after we bring the coach over from the storage lot. Someone from church who also RVs clued me in on extra-giant size Ziploc bags (available on Amazon) for storing towels, bedding, etc. and for transporting clothes, etc. back and forth. Wonderful discovery!

We even unintentionally tried out the cold-weather tolerances as it went into the high teens the night we went up north of Dallas. Nothing froze! We don't plan to use it in that kind of weather often, but it's good to know it can take it.
Click to expand...

I just saw the pics of the new rig, congrats!! She's a beauty. Do you have any trips planned for the summer?
 
Update - we got back Saturday night from our first really extended trip: 24 days and 4317 miles from TX to CT and back with LOTS of stops to see family, friends, and museums. It was wonderful!!! Only a few mechanical issues and nothing that delayed us by more than a few hours. Already planning a long trip for the dog days next year - it was awesome to have a break from the interminable summer heat down here.
 
Cool. We spent two months in Alaska - got back middle of August. Really didn't want to come home, but DW insisted...


Michigan on Monday...
 
We just purchased one this spring. The decision was made after we rented a Winnebago Class A this spring for vacation. The life style is not for everyone but we love it. Our plan is to do short trips until we retire in 2015 and then hit the road part time. After a lot of searching and test driving we ended up with a Winnebago Adventurer 35 footer. See if you can get hubby to do some long weekend close by trips. We started that way to save drive time and visit places we never see close to home. That gave us both the bug. Have fun.
 
I am looking for a Pleasurey Way Traverse, Sportsmobile RB11 or a Roadtrek N6. Can't seem to find any in georgia. Any suggestions?
 
dnorton50 said:
I am looking for a Pleasurey Way Traverse, Sportsmobile RB11 or a Roadtrek N6. Can't seem to find any in georgia. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
I can only offer general suggestions, but have you tried the sites that search all of Craigslist? If you're open to widening your search area and buying one from a neighboring state, that could help expedite the search.

All of Craigslist
 
I would also suggest that you not restrict your search to GA, particularly if you are looking for a specific make/model. I bought my previous RV from a couple living in AZ - I was in Alabama at the time.
 
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I would strongly suggest searching online for units in FL, AZ, TX, NM. Common place for "snowbirds" to park their homes for the final time. Also, these geographic regions don't cover their highways with salt as often that will eat the undercarriage of the vehicle! Worth the road trip!
 
I'm miffed that I can't figure out a way to justify buying this: 2009 Carriage Cameo F33CKQ 5th Wheel RV | eBay

This is a very nice, well cared for quality 5th wheel trailer at a really good price. I know the couple selling it (health reasons) and I have looked at all sorts of ways to justify buying it, but can't get past the cost of having to buy a bigger truck - mine is undersized for hauling a trailer this heavy. It's a true bargain and someone is going to get a real buy if they bid high enough to meet the reserve.

Sigh...
 
Scanning this thread brings back some memories.

Two years ago, when fighting my serious illness, I thought that if and when I got through I would get myself a new class C or class B. What's money? One cannot take it with him.

And now, looking through rvtrader-dot-com and seeing all kinds of new RVs, I no longer feel the desire to spend money. I am back to my frugal self. Or perhaps I am thinking I might just live till 90 like many posters here expect, and have to have financial reserve for it?

Nah! It's just frugality. My current class C has served me well. Getting a new one will not get me excited for long. The only advantage of getting a new and smaller one would be so that my wife feels confident enough to drive it. But if and when I can no longer drive, perhaps my wife can't either, or I might just want to stay home.

So, only RV web shopping for now.
 
I am making plans to join the RV community this fall. My frugal nature will not allow me to buy new. My 6 months of research has me planning to purchase a 10 year old, 45 foot class A by October 1st this year. 10 years old appears to be the sweet spot in the depreciation vs functionality of diesel RVs.


I have never spent time camping in an RV. So, big changes are forth coming as DW and I target a 4/1/2016 retirement. We need to purchase the RV, downsize the home situation, sell a couple of older cars and purchase a towed (2015 Jeep Cherokee trailhawk).


We don't plan on full-timing... just long trips in the spring and fall.
 
Are you comfortable driving a 60+ foot long vehicle? (45 foot rv and 15 feet for the towable)
 
>> Are you comfortable driving a 60+ foot long vehicle?


No choice but to become comfortable... both DW and myself. We have never experienced this. The only driving school for RVs that I have found requires you to bring your own RV. So, the first season of ownership will have us taking small practice trips.


The really scary part is buying a unit out of state and driving it home as a first timer. I live in AZ, but Florida has the best used RV selection.
 
I've got a 35 foot class A. I've had it for 10 years. It's a great way to travel. It's not cheap, but it is fun. I like sleeping in my own bad and having my own kitchen.

It is big and driving it is different then a car. But, it is enjoyable to drive, just don't be in a hurry. The engine is about 30 feet behind the driver so it's pretty quiet. You are sitting up high with big windows and have a great view.

Like I said, it is expensive, tires are $700+ each. I had a slide motor go out and it was $1,500 to fix.

But, the places we stay beat motels hands down. Staying a few extra days aren't a big deal.
 
We've never had an RV, but DW and I (okay--mostly "I") are starting to think it might be fun. We're not hard-core campers: we want a place to get clean, stay cool and stay warm. But, I'm cheap, and we're not >sure< that this is for us, so we don't want to drop a lot of cash. I'm considering these options:
-- Buying a used truck (can always use that the other 90% of the days) and getting a used truck camper. They seem to depreciate fairly quickly in price, and we were surprised by the room inside, even without "slideouts". Having that bed in the overhead frees up a lot of real estate in the main body.
-- Buying a used SUV (4Runner, Pilot, etc) and a lightweight trailer (Casita, Scamp, R-pod, Bigfoot, etc). The SUV would have a bit more utility for us than a truck when not hooked to an RV. I'm guessing an SUV with a lightweight trailer would get better gas mileage than a truck camper (just due to reduced frontal area)
-- A used Class B. Would be very nice on the road, but would not get much use the other 90% of the time we aren't vacationing. Plus, probably less room than the TC or trailer. And, they start out fairly expensive and by the time they get down to my range their reliability is questionable. But if we found the right one . . .
-- Maybe a used Class C.
-- The tinkerer in me would love to build a travel trailer (a bargain-priced used truck camper on a utility trailer--with streamlining of the front, room for gear/toys under the "overhead" and in lockers in the side "sponsons", etc.) It would be a blast, and cheap, and with care I could finish it at under 3500#. But not one person in a million would want to buy the blasted thing when I tired of it.)

I need to do more research, and then rent something for a short time to see if it is for us.
 
samclem said:
..........-- Buying a used SUV (4Runner, Pilot, etc) and a lightweight trailer (Casita, Scamp, R-pod, Bigfoot, etc).......... .
Click to expand...
I can tell you more that you want to know about the small fiberglass campers like Scamp, Casita, etc. The good news is that they hold their value very well. The bad news (in buying used) is that they hold their value very well, especially lately.

I get 21 to 22 mpg pulling my 13 footer at 55 to 60 mph with my Escape. A minivan makes a perfect tow vehicle for these light campers.
 
Sam, I'll second what travelover said. Those small fiberglass campers are pricey, both coming and going, but if I were in your shoes that would be the route I'd take to make my entry into the RV scene.
 
travelover said:
I can tell you more that you want to know about the small fiberglass campers like Scamp, Casita, etc. The good news is that they hold their value very well. The bad news (in buying used) is that they hold their value very well, especially lately.

I get 21 to 22 mpg pulling my 13 footer at 55 to 60 mph with my Escape. A minivan makes a perfect tow vehicle for these light campers.
Click to expand...

Depends on where you live and where you travel. We have a 16' trailer with GVWR of 3300 pounds. In coastal NJ it was very doable to tow it with our minivan. Once we got to Colorado it was extremely clear that the minivan was no longer up to the job. The combination of less power from a naturally aspirated engine at altitude and big, steep inclines to deal with on a regular basis meant it was no longer a minivan-capable job.

I think the small trailer is a great way to do this, especially if your current vehicles can tow it. If not, its more debatable. Perhaps one of your daily drivers could tow an A-liner?
 
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