jothesewer2

We owned several, had to work on them because of leaks. When you pull them over rough roads things seem to cause leaks that constantly need repaired and can cause lots of damage if left. They can loose value if not stored under cover.
We didn't use it as much as we thought we would when we retired, so sold it. The best advantage is you have your own bed and know what is in the unit.

QuiltingVagabond

Lots of good advice here jill... we camp in Ohio quite a bit - lots of great parks and campgrounds to visit!
Definitely go used if you don't have a lot of experience, a small motor home is convenient, especially if you can tow a car behind. We are on our 4th RV and they got bigger and more expensive each time. We have a large fifth wheel trailer now and honestly, it is as nice as my home. LOL

I much prefer travel by RV than hotels - I like knowing who slept in my bed the night before!

citruscountyquilter

I have camped a lot. I grew up in a family that went from tent to tent camper to trailer. When I got married my husband hadn't camped but we borrowed my parents tent camper for our honeymoon and camped ever since. We traveled with our children to 48 states before they left home so have gone thousands and thousands of miles and countess nights. There is no comparison between hotel and camping. With camping not only do you have your own things but you have the outdoor experience and people in campgrounds are much more friendly than people in hotels.

If you haven't camped much then I recommend you rent before you buy to see how much you like the experience. There is work involved. Purchasing a good used RV is good advice too. You can often find one where someone has upgraded or for health reasons has given up camping.

If you find that you don't like camping then that's OK too. It's something you really don't know until you try it. A good test too is to be camping when the weather isn't so good!

coopah

Renting one first is a terrific idea! There are always RVs for sale here in FL in the winter. Some used a very short time, others used longer. There are lots that sell brand new, too, if that's what you want. Rent first, then decide.

lclang

If your husband is a handyman, buy a used one, but first rent or borrow one from a friend. You will get the feel of camping. Don't spend all your time in a paid campground but enjoy the State and National Parks too, and local lakes. Learn to cook simple, easy meals. Take your sewing machine if you want. Be sure when you buy to get a camper with a generator and then you always have lights and electricity. We started camping with a tent when our kids were little, then progressed to a camper my husband built into an old "bread truck" van for about 30 years and then graduated to an older RV. Had lots of fun in them all. Camped many of the Western states and Canada. All our kids have wonderful memories of our camping expeditions and now that it's just the two of us we go to the Good Sam Convention and some music festivals when we feel like it. Campers are usually friendly, wonderful people. We still converse with people we met in Canada many years ago. Beats motels all to pieces and you get to sleep in your own bed every night, eat in or out to suit yourselves, no check in or out rules, and get to spend lots of time outdoors if the weather suits your clothes.

solstice3

We have had two gently used so far. We had a van size / style one that I loved.. (I think it was called a leisure van ) Plenty of storage but if you set up at a campsite you are stuck there. We sold it to buy one you pull behind you. Bought a "16' scamp". Great lightweight pull along BUT not enough storage and cramped for two people. You could park it and take off in truck. So we sold it!

Looking again found a Viking about the same length as the scamp. Love the layout and great storage! Just waiting and looking for a gently used to come our way

Make sure whatever you get, someone that knows what they are talking about checks it out. Rv repairs are pricy!

Dodie

we have owned a series of different campers ovr the past 40 years and after retirement we lived in our last one for 3 years before my hubby had a heart attack and we decided we needed a home it is a 29 foot fifth wheel with a large slide out we traveled all over and loved it spent winters in Arizona and summers wherever now do to age can no longer handle it so will be selling but I do miss it go for it and enjoy although gas is much more expensive now than it was then and so are camp grounds

ladydukes

I traveled and worked for 10 years, and during that time I owned and lived in several different fifth wheel travel trailers. I LOVED having my OWN space, not having to live out of hotels/motels.

The first one was a used fifth wheel 32 ft. long with no slides. The bedroom was in the rear of the trailer. You had to go through the bathroom to get to the bedroom, so it had two sliding doors between the living area and the bedroom, so it was great if someone wanted to watch TV in the living area while someone else slept because having two doors between helped with the noise level. It had a QS bed with storage underneath. This trailer had ample basement storage under the trailer.

The second one was used, 43 ft. with two slides. I replaced the carpet, bought a Lazy Boy recliner and QS hide-a-bed couch, and re-covered the dining room chairs. One slide was the length of the kitchen/dining/living area, and the other was in the bedroom. The kitchen/dining/living area was large. The dining area had an oak table and 4 chairs. The kitchen had a built-in U-Line ice maker and a dishwasher. The bathroom was off of the hallway with a regular door. It had a bathtub and shower as well as a stackable washer/dryer. The bedroom was large enough to walk around the KS bed. I had a TV in the living area as well as the bedroom. The trailer was wired with a sound system, which was nice. I had ample storage in this trailer as well as underneath. I really loved it because it felt like "home."

Because I'd owned and lived in several fifth wheels, I knew what I wanted, so when I bought my last one, it was 42 ft. long with 3 slides. The bathroom could be accessed from the hallway or the bedroom. I would never own a trailer that has the lavatory in the bedroom like some of them do. If I had visitors, I didn't want them in my bedroom. I had a KS bed with storage under the bed. I kept the recliner and hide-a-bed couch that I had purchased previously because it was much better quality than what comes in trailers. I had a stackable washer and dryer in the closet in my bedroom. This trailer had a huge basement storage underneath as well. I loved living in this trailer as well.

If you have any questions, send me a PM.

granny64

I would rent one before you own, just to make sure you like it. We have a 40' Holiday Rambler diesel engine motorhome. We love the experience and have been to Canada and many other places. We live in Louisiana. You can travel at your own pace and bring anything portable from your home with you. The people you meet are so nice and cordial and always ready to help. Best of all you sleep in your own bed each night and don't have to worry about bed bugs. We have found that traveling in a motorhome is about the same price as motels and eating at restaurants along the way. It just depends on what you would like.

Neesie

Before you get any pull-behind camper, be sure of what your vehicle is rated to safely tow. Consider the weight of the camper, with a full tank of water, propane, and any extras you may put inside.