Camper/RV advice?
07-12-2014, 09:50 AM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
Originally Posted by NJ Quilter
We had a travel trailer years ago. Forget the size but not overly small or large. DH thought that would be the better idea vs an RV as once it's set up (level, water/sewer hook ups), you have a vehicle to do local travel without having to reset everything. From that perspective, yes, it was a good idea. Honestly, we did not use it all that often. Shower, kitchen, bed...all the comforts of home. Everything there, just on a smaller scale. We had also rented an RV for a trip prior to purchasing the used trailer. It was a bit larger but sort of cemented the concept of having a smaller vehicle for local travel. Plus it happened to pour rain the weekend we had the RV so the constant set up/breakdown to travel somewhere other than the campground was not only painful but messy!
I would certainly suggest used as well. Look carefully at the bed configuration. You don't want to have to set up/take down the kitchen table to sleep every night. You don't want to have to climb to a 'loft' to sleep either. Make sure the mattress/sofa/chair cushions aren't musty smelling. Make sure the appliances work (usually all propane powered).
It can be a fun way to travel. Staying at campgrounds that have the electric/water hook ups and paying for those services (used to be you paid for the space and then services separately - don't know if that is still the case) we found, honestly, no cheaper than the local Red Roof Inn type motel.
And are you both comfortable driving that size vehicle and/or towing a trailer? Otherwise all the driving responsibilities fall to one person.
Good luck.
I would certainly suggest used as well. Look carefully at the bed configuration. You don't want to have to set up/take down the kitchen table to sleep every night. You don't want to have to climb to a 'loft' to sleep either. Make sure the mattress/sofa/chair cushions aren't musty smelling. Make sure the appliances work (usually all propane powered).
It can be a fun way to travel. Staying at campgrounds that have the electric/water hook ups and paying for those services (used to be you paid for the space and then services separately - don't know if that is still the case) we found, honestly, no cheaper than the local Red Roof Inn type motel.
And are you both comfortable driving that size vehicle and/or towing a trailer? Otherwise all the driving responsibilities fall to one person.
Good luck.
07-12-2014, 10:30 AM
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Quilting somewhere......
Posts: 2,591
After having worked in 2 major hotel chains, I NEVER want to stay in a hotel. I know first hand just how cleaning is done (or NOT done). I much prefer camping and staying in my own bed, with my FRESHLY laundered linens.
07-12-2014, 11:21 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: California
Posts: 702
I love camping in our 25' trailer. I usually get more sewing/crafting done on trips because I'm not distracted with chores around the house. I use my kitchen table for cutting and sewing ... I have a flannel tablecloth with command hooks and binder clips that I use for a design wall. I use the storage under one side of the dinette for my "stash" and put my cutting mat and rulers under my mattress for storage ... have fun ... it's a great way to travel!
07-12-2014, 12:18 PM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Midwest
Posts: 5,051
Originally Posted by SherriB
After having worked in 2 major hotel chains, I NEVER want to stay in a hotel. I know first hand just how cleaning is done (or NOT done). I much prefer camping and staying in my own bed, with my FRESHLY laundered linens.
i travel for work. I just try to not think of how hotels are cleaned or not.
Sandy
07-12-2014, 02:41 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Coastal Bend of TX
Posts: 375
We live in our RV a 38 foot motorhome with 3 slides. It's going on 7 years and we love it. Bought a gently used one first and learned a lot about the layout we wanted. I knew when we bought the new one it had to have a 4 door refrigerator, separate bathroom and table and chairs rather than a booth. We have a queen size bed with storage under it (lots of fabric). There's also lots of storage in compartments on the outside. There are lots of things to consider before purchasing one. If a pull type or fifth wheel you will need a truck to tow it. Then how big are you comfortable with. A motorhome suggest having a small vehicle to tow behind so you can get out and about where you are staying. We don't camp, we consider ourselves RVers as we like to have hookups. It is nice when traveling to not have to pack bags and like others have said I know who has slept in my bed and cooked in my kitchen. Good luck with your choice, it's a lot of fun no matter what you choose.
07-12-2014, 02:42 PM
#26
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: southern MIchigan
Posts: 67
My husband and I have had a motor home for years and have been from coast to coast. I cook almost all our meals ahead and freeze them, then heat them up in the microwave. The only cooking I do on a trip is dogs, burgers or brats on the grill. Great way to travel.
07-12-2014, 02:54 PM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 1,216
We have a fifth wheel 29 ft. And love it! We prefer the fifth wheel over bumper hitch (more control). When we purchased our we looked at many different ones and ended up buying a private owner(just turned out to be a great deal) . But one thing we wanted was ease of making bed and getting into and lots storage (3sons-lol) This one has tons! It sleeps, 5 really nice size fridge and freezer too, nice sized shower inside, and out I purchased basically a second set of necessity dishes kitchenware and etc. from rummage sales and second hand and just have to load fresh foods and couple clothes and we're good to go. Basically a home away from home. Love it. Whatever you choose and decide figure out what you would like in one and work from there. Have fun.
07-12-2014, 05:43 PM
#28
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Conyers, GA
Posts: 141
I have tent camped....had a pop up and now have a pull behind. Definitely rent before buying...used campers are okay...just have it inspected. Shower area is used for storage...I don't wanta clean 
As for toilet...only pee....go to bath house for #2....you will eventually have problems
As for the kitchen...if it can't go in the microwave, the crockpot, the electric skillet, the toaster oven or the George Foreman grill....it doesn't need to be cooked...enjoy the simple life!
As for toilet...only pee....go to bath house for #2....you will eventually have problems
As for the kitchen...if it can't go in the microwave, the crockpot, the electric skillet, the toaster oven or the George Foreman grill....it doesn't need to be cooked...enjoy the simple life!
07-12-2014, 06:52 PM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 577
We have a 25' C class that we traveled down through Alaska and across Canada in last summer. Between gas and camping fees, it's not going to save you money. However, there is something to be said for parking, hooking up, and then going to bed in your own bed with your own pillows and not having to haul your suitcases every night. We didn't tow a car, and it was really obnoxious driving the RV to go sightseeing. If you don't get a trailer or fifth wheel, I highly recommend towing a car. The nice thing about our RV is it was big enough to live in relatively comfortably, but small enough that we didn't have to worry about leveling and all that. We just pulled in and hooked up.
i loved being able to pull into a rest area and having everything available for lunch, snacks, whatever.
All that being said, we're in the process of trying to sell ours because we don't see ourselves using it in the next few years and don't want to pay registration and insurance just to have it sit.
Good luck!
i loved being able to pull into a rest area and having everything available for lunch, snacks, whatever.
All that being said, we're in the process of trying to sell ours because we don't see ourselves using it in the next few years and don't want to pay registration and insurance just to have it sit.
Good luck!
07-13-2014, 05:49 AM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 374
There's a website, RVtravel.com, that I highly recommend for your attention. The experienced staff and contributors who make the site so valuable helped us do the research from the very beginning: do we really want to do this?; what is involved with maintenance?; new vs used?; what type?; warranty or not?; service where and by whom?; and on and on. They even have help for figuring out all the questions and making sure you ask yourselves and others all of them. Another thing is the site has an extensive, useful and very accessible data base of information and also areas in which rvers and thinking-about-it rvers talk to one another. Those areas are also data based. I think of it as a QB about rving.
The parent site has created a number of stand alone offshoots. One about tips; another about accessories; and more. Get into the main site and take a look at what subject areas interest you. You can subscribe to any or all of the sites. I get all of them. And they are very, very serious about their privacy policy.
If we can get out of here this year, we are planning to spend a rock of time on the road. I use the rv for sanity time with all the comforts (on the driveway). An rv has horrified some more elderly family members, delighted other family members, intrigued neighbors (we are asked for tours), been a blessing as well as a joy, and on and on.
Please check out RVtravel.com and see what you think. Rving is not for everyone; but, if it is for you and you can do it, do it and enjoy the tar out of it.
See you on the road?
Pat :-)
The parent site has created a number of stand alone offshoots. One about tips; another about accessories; and more. Get into the main site and take a look at what subject areas interest you. You can subscribe to any or all of the sites. I get all of them. And they are very, very serious about their privacy policy.
If we can get out of here this year, we are planning to spend a rock of time on the road. I use the rv for sanity time with all the comforts (on the driveway). An rv has horrified some more elderly family members, delighted other family members, intrigued neighbors (we are asked for tours), been a blessing as well as a joy, and on and on.
Please check out RVtravel.com and see what you think. Rving is not for everyone; but, if it is for you and you can do it, do it and enjoy the tar out of it.
See you on the road?
Pat :-)
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