Sluggo
Active Member
I thinking about getting an RV.
Who has one, what is it and what would you do different?
Who has one, what is it and what would you do different?
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RVs
- Thread starter Sluggo
- Start date
This is right up AZ Pete's alley.... ( so to speak )
:thum
Driving (Class?)? Trailer? Tent Trailer?
kb3
Well-Known Member
RVs? Are you talking tow behinds or just motorhome RVs? I have had everything from a small tongue pull trailer, a large toy hauler fifth wheel and now cruise the road in a 43' Class A diesel pusher. I am happy to share my list of pros and cons, but need to know where you are aiming first.
AzPete
Well-Known Member
If you are using it once in a while....most of the cost will be fixing it so you can use it. Everything dries out or rots away when not using. We know many that spent their weekends fixing before the trip plus a couple repairs on the road....makes a good vacation. Consider the amount you will really use it to the cost of owning.
The rent is many parks is up to $600+ by the month, $30+ by the day and the spaces are getting smaller it seems. What you get for your money varies greatly too. Close to fun things....price goes up.
Major parks in the heart of the fun may have waiting lists....cannot just drive into many and get a space. Web sites that give the info were found to be outdated for our use. Must phone and reserve if you want to stay in a certain location.
Our choice was the class A. Made it nice traveling as everything is easy to use and easy to handle. Full truck style frames and drive train. Not a van modified. We looked at class C's but did not care for the cab over bed for us old folks for either sleeping or storage.
Ours was 1999 34' gas powered V-10 on a Ford F53 chassis. No issues with the drive train at all. Average 9 mpg loaded with a 24' enclosed car trailer or not and would cruise 75 mph with said trailer loaded. Diesels we talked to got better mileage but cost more to maintain. Most, when honest, brought it down to personal preference as to gas or diesel.
Many used ones are really a crap shoot. Would rather buy a Mustang cross country than a used RV sitting n my front yard to look at. SSSSOOOOOOO many issues that the average guy can miss unless you have been thru several units.
There are actually places you cannot drive them because the areas are to small. Also, the selection of cool cars to flat tow on the ground is weak. I towed in a trailer and a short time on the ground. Towing flat on the ground is the way to go.
If you buy used, get a warranty....just like the used car business....ours paid off three times worth. Three of four hydraulic leveling jacks replaced for $100....cost over $900. New microwave specific for built in space for $100....cost $975. Awning retract spring broke at night, done for $100....cost $450. Those are just a few repairs we had but the warranty cost about $2500 for 3 years. A flat on the road at night will run you $300 for a tire plus $3-400 for labor if you are not close to a town.
I have an aunt and uncle that had RV's for years....never one more than 2-3 years old....continuous payments but as they said, they never broke down where they had to pay. Glad they had the bucks.
There are many who enjoy ownership...I am not knocking their choice. It seemed to us that we got into.it about the same time the costs went up. We could do it financially but with my wife's medical issues, it got to be more issues with her comfort and ability to climb into the rig. We really enjoyed ours and do miss it at times but most of the time, we are glad to.be out of it. We had no issues living full time in the small space. We say many who would pull into a park and go their separate ways just to get away from their spouse.
Traveling in one is nice. Wife has dinner ready...you pull over and eat. Tired, locate a Wally World and park...even though they say no officially.... You have everything with you you will need and the storage in the big ones is great. Load limits and towing limits surprised me. I think many on the road are overloaded without knowing it.
I would suggest anyone wanting to buy, rent one for a couple of vacations to get the feel of using one. You won't get the repair feeling but just using one for a couple of vacations can change ones mind. To me, unless you are living in one full time, the cost of ownership is not worth it.
Other than that, I might have some info on ownership but am by no means the expert on the matter.
The rent is many parks is up to $600+ by the month, $30+ by the day and the spaces are getting smaller it seems. What you get for your money varies greatly too. Close to fun things....price goes up.
Major parks in the heart of the fun may have waiting lists....cannot just drive into many and get a space. Web sites that give the info were found to be outdated for our use. Must phone and reserve if you want to stay in a certain location.
Our choice was the class A. Made it nice traveling as everything is easy to use and easy to handle. Full truck style frames and drive train. Not a van modified. We looked at class C's but did not care for the cab over bed for us old folks for either sleeping or storage.
Ours was 1999 34' gas powered V-10 on a Ford F53 chassis. No issues with the drive train at all. Average 9 mpg loaded with a 24' enclosed car trailer or not and would cruise 75 mph with said trailer loaded. Diesels we talked to got better mileage but cost more to maintain. Most, when honest, brought it down to personal preference as to gas or diesel.
Many used ones are really a crap shoot. Would rather buy a Mustang cross country than a used RV sitting n my front yard to look at. SSSSOOOOOOO many issues that the average guy can miss unless you have been thru several units.
There are actually places you cannot drive them because the areas are to small. Also, the selection of cool cars to flat tow on the ground is weak. I towed in a trailer and a short time on the ground. Towing flat on the ground is the way to go.
If you buy used, get a warranty....just like the used car business....ours paid off three times worth. Three of four hydraulic leveling jacks replaced for $100....cost over $900. New microwave specific for built in space for $100....cost $975. Awning retract spring broke at night, done for $100....cost $450. Those are just a few repairs we had but the warranty cost about $2500 for 3 years. A flat on the road at night will run you $300 for a tire plus $3-400 for labor if you are not close to a town.
I have an aunt and uncle that had RV's for years....never one more than 2-3 years old....continuous payments but as they said, they never broke down where they had to pay. Glad they had the bucks.
There are many who enjoy ownership...I am not knocking their choice. It seemed to us that we got into.it about the same time the costs went up. We could do it financially but with my wife's medical issues, it got to be more issues with her comfort and ability to climb into the rig. We really enjoyed ours and do miss it at times but most of the time, we are glad to.be out of it. We had no issues living full time in the small space. We say many who would pull into a park and go their separate ways just to get away from their spouse.
Traveling in one is nice. Wife has dinner ready...you pull over and eat. Tired, locate a Wally World and park...even though they say no officially.... You have everything with you you will need and the storage in the big ones is great. Load limits and towing limits surprised me. I think many on the road are overloaded without knowing it.
I would suggest anyone wanting to buy, rent one for a couple of vacations to get the feel of using one. You won't get the repair feeling but just using one for a couple of vacations can change ones mind. To me, unless you are living in one full time, the cost of ownership is not worth it.
Other than that, I might have some info on ownership but am by no means the expert on the matter.
guruatbol
Always on vacation!
We had a 30' Southwind. had a 454 and drank gas. We used it a few times, it was convenient but we were happy to get rid of it a month after we bought it. We borrowed a toy hauler trailer. I think it was 25'.... We had 11 people sleeping in that darn thing. the living space was nice and open. We really enjoyed it. It was heavy and our Expedition would not tow it. I always have a truck around so we used the 88 F250 I had. It was a nice vacation.
We just finished our vacation in a 23' Miniwinni Class C motorhome. It was ok, and we didn't have to drive it since we just used it as a home base. As long as the weather is nice and you do not have to spend a lot of time in it, it was OK. the cab over bed is ok for a few nights, but by night 7 I was wanting to get a motel room! Even Motel 6 would have been an improvement.
We like the trailer best since we can ride in relative comfort and when we get where we are going we have our truck to drive. I like the trailer since if you store it correctly and maintain it when not in use you have loads less to repair and go wrong! We also like the openness and room in the toy hauler.
We have recently been looking at RVs as well, we will likely wait a bit longer and buy a Toy Hauler unit. I am looking for one large enough to put the Jeep or one of the Mustangs in. I will likely buy a new truck at the same time.
Just my .02. I am really not an expert, but have a few observations. Oh, thanks to Pete for bringing up lots of things I never thought of before too!!!!
Mel
We just finished our vacation in a 23' Miniwinni Class C motorhome. It was ok, and we didn't have to drive it since we just used it as a home base. As long as the weather is nice and you do not have to spend a lot of time in it, it was OK. the cab over bed is ok for a few nights, but by night 7 I was wanting to get a motel room! Even Motel 6 would have been an improvement.
We like the trailer best since we can ride in relative comfort and when we get where we are going we have our truck to drive. I like the trailer since if you store it correctly and maintain it when not in use you have loads less to repair and go wrong! We also like the openness and room in the toy hauler.
We have recently been looking at RVs as well, we will likely wait a bit longer and buy a Toy Hauler unit. I am looking for one large enough to put the Jeep or one of the Mustangs in. I will likely buy a new truck at the same time.
Just my .02. I am really not an expert, but have a few observations. Oh, thanks to Pete for bringing up lots of things I never thought of before too!!!!
Mel
AzPete
Well-Known Member
Toy haulers.....never saw one strong enough or balanced properly to fit a car in the back. I have to appreciate my older sisters view on RV traveling. As long as someone else makes the bed, cooks the food, and pays for the gas, she has no problem riding along....oh.....she gets the back bedroom, not the living room to sleep in...lol. There is a class A out there that carries a Mercedes (I think) in the belly just behind the front axle.
Number of slides is another issue. We liked the double as a minimum but they have up to 5 that I have seen. It really opens up the living space. One of mine broke a shear pin which is not unheard of. I noticed it when it was 6" out of the travel position. A real bear to get it back in to get down the road with. Only had to tear out half the bed system and storage to replace a $1 shear pin....two hour repair.
I loved the basement storage in the class A. Just tie strings to small items that may end up just out of reach. The diesels do have more usable storage due to most being a pusher (rear engine). Most big units have no jack and lug wrench but some do have a spare....dry rotted most of the time when needed.
One thing I always notice when traveling....look to see how many RV's are in motel parking lots.
Number of slides is another issue. We liked the double as a minimum but they have up to 5 that I have seen. It really opens up the living space. One of mine broke a shear pin which is not unheard of. I noticed it when it was 6" out of the travel position. A real bear to get it back in to get down the road with. Only had to tear out half the bed system and storage to replace a $1 shear pin....two hour repair.
I loved the basement storage in the class A. Just tie strings to small items that may end up just out of reach. The diesels do have more usable storage due to most being a pusher (rear engine). Most big units have no jack and lug wrench but some do have a spare....dry rotted most of the time when needed.
One thing I always notice when traveling....look to see how many RV's are in motel parking lots.
Teebone
Active Member
I love RV's, especially when I am sitting on the balcony of a hotel room watching them go by. 
bj
bj
kb3
Well-Known Member
If you are looking at a tow behind, make sure you have plenty of truck. It is an endless circle, purchase a trailer that is just within the limits of the truck....after a few years buy a new truck. Then you end up buying a larger trailer.....and yes, a new truck. That is how I ended up with a F450 capable of towing a 20,000 lb trailer and a 16,000+ lb toyhauler. :rr
There are quite a few toy haulers out there that are more than capable of handling a Jeep or similar vehicle. The length may be an issue as my old 40' toyhauler would handle the weight, but the garage was only 12' long!
We moved up to the Class A when my son quit going with us. We no longer needed to bring all the toys along and my wife was really looking for a more comfortable ride. 10 hour days in the cab of the pickup got to her. 12 hour days in the motorhome are cake. She can rest, eat...and yes I don't have to pull over for the every other hour restroom breaks.
Our Class A is very comfortable. With 4 slide outs, we have plenty of room and a nice Sleep Number bed in the back bedroom we sleep better in it than we do at home.
There are quite a few toy haulers out there that are more than capable of handling a Jeep or similar vehicle. The length may be an issue as my old 40' toyhauler would handle the weight, but the garage was only 12' long!
We moved up to the Class A when my son quit going with us. We no longer needed to bring all the toys along and my wife was really looking for a more comfortable ride. 10 hour days in the cab of the pickup got to her. 12 hour days in the motorhome are cake. She can rest, eat...and yes I don't have to pull over for the every other hour restroom breaks.
Our Class A is very comfortable. With 4 slide outs, we have plenty of room and a nice Sleep Number bed in the back bedroom we sleep better in it than we do at home.
Sluggo
Active Member
"KBMWRS" said:
Motorized, Class A or a Class B on a real truck chassis. Actually I think I'm more interested in a bus conversion. The budget dictates used.
I have looked at a few and most smell like canned ass inside.
Actually ran across a 95 American Eagle with a 425 horse cat pusher in it with 25k miles for 25 grand. Ad said the previous owner had passed and not used it much in last 15 years.
The low mileage made it tempting but I wonder how many problems it would have had. It needed 4 grand worth of tires just to make it home. I see most advertisers list the tires by remaining treadlife which is misleading if you don't know anything about tires. I doubt an 18 year old 22.5 would make it far no matter how much tread is on it.
kb3
Well-Known Member
"Sluggo" said:
6-7 years on the tires is all you want, beyond that you are asking for a blow out with devastating effects.
An older unit with low miles is more problematic than a newer one with lots more miles. Those that use them, and put miles on them, are more likely to take better care of them than those that sit. Sitting, unused, outside is a death sentence for an RV.
The 425 horse is plenty (actually you never have enough Hp). I have 400 horse pushing my 43' towing a newer Explorer. 9 MPG at 60 MPH. The faster I go, the mileage drops rapidly.
A Class B is actually a van conversion. A Class C is a motorhome on a van or truck chassis utilizing the cab of the van or truck like a GMC Top Kick. For some reason the labeling is out of order.
A
Anonymous
Guest
"kb3" said:
Kinda along the lines with the OP but I was curious how the 450 done with a 20k trailer? I'm thinking about upgrading.
kb3
Well-Known Member
The 450 is a beast. It can handle 6,000 lbs in the bed and has a 15,000 lb frame hitch out back. My toyhauler had a 3000 pin weight and it wouldn't even squat the rear end of the truck. With the Allison designed Ford transmission it can hold a down grade with the best of them. I had a gooseneck with a backhoe and came down a double digit downgrade at 25 mph without touching the brakes. With the toyhauler on the back, I could still spin the tires from a dead stop.... Tons of torque.
All that being said, it is a 2008 and with dpf filtered exhaust it got at best 8 mph towing and 13 mpg unloaded with a 4:30 rear end.
I love the truck. Kept it when we sold the fiver, it is overkill for anything else, but still gets the looks.
All that being said, it is a 2008 and with dpf filtered exhaust it got at best 8 mph towing and 13 mpg unloaded with a 4:30 rear end.
I love the truck. Kept it when we sold the fiver, it is overkill for anything else, but still gets the looks.
O
opentrackerSteve
Guest
I've been looking for a few years. I have a 39' Fleetwood rented for the beginning of next month.
We had rented a trailer and know we don't want that. I'm leaning towards a 36 foot diesel pusher.... Winnebago most likely.
We had rented a trailer and know we don't want that. I'm leaning towards a 36 foot diesel pusher.... Winnebago most likely.
kb3
Well-Known Member
"opentrackerSteve" said:
slide outs are your friend! They really open up the space and make it much more livable. I would stay away from Fleetwood units as they had a terrible reputation prior to their bankruptcy. Winnebago has always been a decent brand!
A nice sized generator, inverter and auto leveling would be a must on any rig I was looking at. Aquahot heating, a tag axle and air leveling will be a must have on my next Class A.
O
opentrackerSteve
Guest
I'm only renting the Fleetwood to experience the diesel pusher of that size.
I'm fairly set on getting a Winnebago.
I'm fairly set on getting a Winnebago.