Motor homes

[WTR]

I'm surprised by the bargains that seem to be available in the used RV market.
http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2013-Co ... -118972394

I'm not. People realizing what a huge mistake they made and want out badly.

I'm not either. I bought one for half price. The folks picked it up from the factory, drove to Ft. Bliss and parked it until the tires dry rotted. The husband passed away and the son sold it.

[PUCKER]

TAM: To quote my wife: "We're not motorhome people...." LOL....yeah, we're not your typical "motorhome" folks, I suppose...mid to early 40's in a 40' diesel pusher (2014 Tiffin Phaeton QBH)...we rarely visit campgrounds, due to overall length with enclosed race trailer (I've found a few places where we can fit, although I've had to back out of spaces and tight quarters - people ask "are you a truck driver?" LOL) - besides race tracks we are typically found on highways/interstates, rest areas, truck stops and Wal-marts - our favorite (free!) place to camp! LOL! We use ours for a very specific purpose: racing - transporting the race car to the track, accommodations along the way and at the track. Can I justify it dollar-wise? Nope, not at all...however, we have a massive apartment on wheels, with jacks down and 4 slides out the living space is AMAZING...the fridge is nicer than what I have in my kitchen at home, it has 1.5 bathrooms, etc....

Yeah, as mentioned, usually the depreciation is KILLER on these things - however, sometimes you are able to waltz into the right deal and come out ahead/even on the depreciation curve. Our local dealer, VOGT, offers same amazing deals/blowouts, granted, we have bought a few motorhomes from them over the years.

So, TAM, my advice, like others, rent both and see what you like. You may not like driving a bus, you may not like driving a big truck with a big trailer - you may prefer the smaller motorhomes or trailers. My Dad has a neat Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van Motorhome, it's the normal size for a Sprinter, still has a slide out and a full bathroom (with separate shower, not a wet head). It's very easy to drive and you can park it in normal spaces. So many choices.

Buying used can be a good thing - as long as you are not buying someone else's problem.

[Keith B]

We had travel trailers over the years. Several years ago we decided to go in partners with the in-laws on a motorhome. I wanted a Class A (regular style motorhome). Found a really good deal on a Fleetwood 36' unit. We took it out for a drive and it handled great. My Father-In-Law got behind the wheel and was intimidated by it because he had so much windshield in front of him, so he got cold feet. He say's 'We need to get one of the smaller ones that built on a van body (Class C). I tried to tell him that the exterior height and width were really not that much different because of the body that hung over the top and off the sides of the frame. Even with me showing him the dimension comparisions he swore they were smaller. Bottom line we didn't buy one at that time.

A couple of years later (1991) I found a smoking deal on a 34' Class C that had a large slide-out that had 3000 miles on it. Family of four had bought it to live in while they renovated an old family farm house. Once they got in it they realized it wasn't going to be big enough to live in for a year, so had traded it in for a large fifth-wheel to park by their house. The dealer that had it was a trailer dealer, and just wanted to move it, so the family took a large hit on it and we got it for about half of what they had paid for it about 4 months earlier.

Anyway, while it was a good motorhome and handled just about as well as the Class A, it was harder to for people riding in the back to see out, so I didn't like that part when inside or if I was riding in the back. We had it for about 10 years and we got into the mode where we didn't use it, so decided to move it. Got a fair price for it and let another family enjoy the well-kept unit.

A lot of choice will need to based on how you will use it. Will you spend a lot of time on long trips and a lot of miles behind the wheel? or will you drive short distances and park it and stay for a long time? Will you be pulling a heavy vehicle (dingy)? Will you be doing a lot of time in the mountains and driving steep grades? If so, you may want to look at spending the extra money for a Class A diesel pusher that will have more power/torque to handle the climbs and tow weight better. The diesel comes with a large jump in price, but they also hold their value well, so can be a plus when you sell/trade.

Most of the other choices are all personal like how you want to sleep, number of people in coach, amenities like larger refrigerator, larger shower/bath, full queen vs, RV size, big TV/entertainment center, etc, etc.

Good luck on your decision. Lots of good advice from others on here.

[Smokey613]

We have owned several trailers and a Class A MH. We thought about getting another RV in a couple of years and a 5th wheel trailer is what we will probably get. If you already have a vehicle that will easily adapt to towing behind your MH then a diesel pusher is the way to go. They just offer way more pulling power that a gas rig and if you get into higher elevations, the new Turbo Diesels will have less power loss at higher elevations that a gas rig. While we did enjoy the travelling convenience of the MH, we did not have a towed vehicle so we had to make sure wherever we camped had alternate transportation or was easily reached by foot. That was fine when we were younger, today... not happening. :) There are lots of online forums and FB pages devoted to the subject and most members are very happy to help out.

[The Annoyed Man]

I'm just revisiting this thread because we are driving down to the Casita factory today to see their showroom models. We've pretty much settled on a small 16'-18' travel trailer, and of the available ones, we're leaning hard toward the Casita, for several reasons:

1. Aerodynamics.
2. Tow weight.
3. Resale value.
4. It's for just the two of us, plus maybe our dog.

We want a wet head, so a Hi-Lo won't work for us. Both of our vehicles are V6 powered and have towing capacities in the 4700-5000 lb range, so we want gross weight to be under that. Primary use will be long weekends, with an occasional longer trip. I want to someday tour all the Civil War battlefields, and I'd like to show my wife places like Yellowstone, where she's never been before. If we decide that a 17' Casita is too small for a trip like that, then we have two options: (1) rent a larger unit for a specific trip; or (2) take the Casita anyway, and rent a motel room once in a while when we really need to stretch out and take a LONG hot shower.

[KLB]

There is a 1-800-Justsayno number you can call.

Failing that, it might help to lay on the couch with a cool cloth on your forehead until this passes.

Think of it as a "land boat."

They say boats are holes in the water into which you pour money. My travel trailer is the same. Something is always going wrong. You can stay in more hotel rooms than you're ever likely to actually use for what you pay for these things. And when you drive away from a hotel room, you're done with it. Maintenance and cleaning is someone else's problem. If I had it to do over again, I would not buy the thing I have.

[carlson1]

There is a 1-800-Justsayno number you can call.

Failing that, it might help to lay on the couch with a cool cloth on your forehead until this passes.

Think of it as a "land boat."

They say boats are holes in the water into which you pour money. My travel trailer is the same. Something is always going wrong. You can stay in more hotel rooms than you're ever likely to actually use for what you pay for these things. And when you drive away from a hotel room, you're done with it. Maintenance and cleaning is someone else's problem. If I had it to do over again, I would not buy the thing I have.

Some say guns are a money pit, but not to me. RV's are not money pits to me either, but golf is. I believe anything we do not enjoy and spend money on is a money pit.

Be sure to update this TAM with pictures before you pull off the lot. Have you found a RV Forum? I have found this one very useful. http://www.rv.net/forum/

[anygunanywhere]

We have owned four, two pop-up trailers and two fifth wheels. When we lived in Kalifornia we went somewhere once or twice each month and traveled back and forth to Texas three times. Had tons of fun and have many good memories.

We full-timed in our last fifth wheel for 3 years before we retired. That broke me from wanting any more RVs. They are a money pit. That being said, I agree with the rent one first. See what you like before you buy. If you opt for a trailer go with a diesel truck. I have no experience with motor homes. There are many folks who own and use them.

The biggest stumbling block for me to have another is the storage cost. We can't keep one parked at the house.

[anygunanywhere]

I meant to add that I would rather get poked in the eye with a red hot rebar poker than buy another Fleetwood product.

[The Annoyed Man]

Have you found a RV Forum? I have found this one very useful. http://www.rv.net/forum/

Thanks for the tip. I joined there.

[Mxrdad]

That is a good forum. My experience: Purchased a used 28 ft Class C motor home with Ford gas engine. I will never do that again. Maybe 8 mpg, more like 6 in reality. While it was fun to drive, that thing almost put me in the poor house. I found out the hard way that joining Sams (not the store but the insurance type of program) was worth every penny. I actually had to have it towed twice in 1 year so the $ 89.00 yearly fee was worth every penny and then some.I dont know if they have policies for travel trailers, and I think its a lot less likely you will run into mechanical problems for obvious reasons, but I still highly recommend looking into it.

Also, check into Class B mh. Its a van that has been modified with very impressive features. They have kitchen, stove, microwave, oven, bathroom with shower, toilet, roof mounted AC, furnace, TV, comes with on-board generator and sleeps 4. I was lucky enough to have a friend with one and he let me take it out a few times. When my son was racing motocross, we took the van to an event in Dallas. My buddies asked, wheres your motor home? I said I brought this van. They asked where are you sleeping? I said in the van. They said come stay in our motor home, you dont need to sleep in that van. I brought them over to see I wasnt roughing it and no one could believe it was set up like it was. A lot of folks dont know they exist. They can be a little expensive, but they do get good gas mileage and you could drive it every day if you wanted. Its just like driving a regular van. Even if you arent interested in getting one, check em out, pretty cool.

[The Annoyed Man]

Those look nice, but they are WAY out of our price range, and we are definitely looking for a trailer, not a motorhome.

[The Annoyed Man]

Well, we bought a trailer today! We're picking it up on Friday. We settled on a Jayco Hummingbird 17RK.





With an upgraded towing system and electric brake controller, it comes to $21K, brand new.

[carlson1]

Chris I hope y'all enjoy it as much as we do. I am not in the position to be able to go as often as I would like. I try four to five times a year, but we love getting out in our 5th wheel.