rhonda martin
United States
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Joined: 11/02/2009
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Hi, my husband just retired and i retire in 5 years. Our dream is to get a class B or a travel trailor and hit the road. Have lots of questions. Not sure where to start. Thought Good Sams club would be a good start. Just because we've never had an rv, just gone by tent. the class b sounds the easiest, go any where any time , But i like the idea of a travel trailor because of the size and price. But what on earth do you do when you want to make a stop in a city or town on the way through? Wouldn't you have to drop off the trailor somewhere before you went site seeing. ......Wondering what all are the advantages and disadvantages to both. Would love some feedback on this and what other resources to check out on rv'ing. thanks Rhonda
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Art D
Louisiana
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Joined: 03/06/2004
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rhonda martin wrote:But what on earth do you do when you want to make a stop in a city or town on the way through? Wouldn't you have to drop off the trailor somewhere before you went site seeing.
There are lots of different answers to lots of different situations and certainly depends on the type of RV.
To answer the one quoted, you stay 2 nights at a local campground and have a full day to sightsee at your pace, no rush. That's one way you enjoy RVing.
Geaux LSU
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OnSafari
Alabama
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Joined: 03/28/2009
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Yep, once you are retired and on the road, there is no rush. Learn to slow down and enjoy the journey. Want to sight-see on the way through? Stop at a campground and stay a night or two. What's the rush?
It is a totally different mindset than having a one-week vacation where you hurry to fit everything in (and miss a lot of things because of the hurry).
1991 Safari Ivory Hi-Tech DP
2008 Ford Escape 2009 RAV4
Shasta - Border Collie mix
Dakota - Blue Heeler mix
Chuck - Vietnam Vet, USMC
Ayn - Darn good cook
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Eycom
On the Road
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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Another option for travel is a TC (truck camper) that slides into the bed of a pickup truck. It goes where ever the truck can maneuver (height considering), Yet the saucer can be separated from the ship, left at a campground and the truck used for sightseeing. Just food for thought that I initially scoffed at and have come to appreciate for it's versatility.
F-350 PSD
Lance 1121
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gmctoyman
Lake Livingston, Texas
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Joined: 03/23/2005
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Now see - he's paying for marrying the young chick now, he has to wait for her to retire!
Seriously, welcome to the folds of the RV community. What ever rig you choose firs will probably be wrong - now, if you could buy your 3rd rig first....I'd suggest that you join the Escapees and attend their "Boot Camp", or a "Life on Wheels" conference - or SOMETHING along those lines.
Dave W. AKA "Toyman"
KE5GOH - On 146.52
RV's ? What RV's ???
Apache Pop-up
Classic GMC Motorhome
07 Leisure Travel Sprinter
Do Boats Count ?
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DesertHawk
Las Cruces, New Mexico
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Joined: 06/06/2009
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I've never had a Class B, but I have had a C-class MH, a small TC and two trailers. I had looked at the B-class RVs, but went with a small trailer now. With a trailer, you do not have to take down camp to go out and sight see, etc. A small trailer with a shower and toilet can be pretty small in deed and from what I was seeing in many (not sure if all) of the B-class units, there was some set up to be able to use the showers. Not so with the trailers. With any MH, C, B or A-class, you are buying a truck of some type, ei an engine, transmission, drive train, etc which you do not use a lot of the time. With a trailer, as you said, is less expensive because you are not paying for the means of moving it. Insurance will be less as well, etc. You can use the tow vehicle without having the "home" with you. As for sight seeing along the way while towing, we do a lot of stops with the trailer in tow. It is not as easy, of course, but a lot can be done while hooked up. Unhitching is not hard and can be done as well.
Light Weight Trailers Going Small
Since you have been tent campers, it would not take any getting used to a small trailer.
Our 16' Scamp out camping.
The B-class units are really neat as well. I would not mind having one.
DesertHawk - Las Cruces, NM USA
2005 16' Scamp Molded Fiberglass Travel Trailer
Side Dinette, Front Shower & Head
2009 White Ford F-150 Reg. Cab
Long Bed with A.R.E. Molded Fiberglass Topper
Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart. -Confucius
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charles
Ohio
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As you posted this on the Class B forum, most views and replies here would be from Class B owners. I have had Class A's, travel trailers, and truck campers they all have advantages however I am on my fourth Class B. The advantages with the van campers are that you can also use them as daily drivers, nothing to hook up, park them just about anywhere, the passenger can go from front to back to take a nap or watch a DVD or have a snack without pulling over (keep safety in mind), the bathroom is within the unit, mileage is excellent, nothing to hook up or load onto a truck, and unless your are in a restricted homeowners association, no storage to worry about. The disadvantage is they are small and most are made for a family of two. We have used our B's for travel, sight seeing, camping, rallies, and even shopping. Go to the Grand Canyons and park where other RV's are not allowed. The Class B's are probably the most versatile units available and come in a variety of sizes, high tops, pop-tops, low tops and various chassis options, Ford, GM, Freightliner/Mercedes, gas, diesel, AWD, RWD, and 4-wheel drive. They can even be custom made from mini-vans.
Nick
2010 Explorer
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B Bob
Jamul, CA, USA
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Joined: 05/07/2003
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IMHO - the World's best RV is a collection of about five of them. I would have a truck camper, travel trailer, Diesel Pusher, and a class B, an maybe a 5 er too. Point would be that different RVs fit different uses. There is of course some overlap. A small class B is great for driving like a car. Going anywhere. Getting good (comparatively) gas mileage. And so on. But very confining on rainy days. Cabin fever can come quick.
Truck campers basically fit into the same niche as a class B, but it is a slightly different take. If you already have a pickup truck a truck camper is much cheaper too.
If you already have a pickup truck then you can pull a travel tailer easily. A travel trailer has a lot more room inside and you can live in one comfortably for a long time. 5 ers fill the same bill and handle better.
Big diesel pushers are sort of like a condo rolling down the roads. You cannot go everywhere, but you can go most places in one. They are much more expensive to buy and run than a B. But you can also live in one comfortably indefinitely.
So length of time in the RV should point the way as to what sort of RV is right for you. When in doubt, rent first and try them out.
Bob & Barbara Nuttmann
Jamul, CA
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charles
Ohio
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Truck campers are not cheap anymore. Best advice, go to all of th RV show you can attend, sit in the RV's, assume that all of them are loaded with your camping gear, personal stuff, water, etc. then ask yourself what do I have to do to go camping. In a motorized RV, Class A, B, or C, you turn the key and off you go, the only question remaining is how much room do you want.
Nick
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brucec315
Upstate NY
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Good advice Nick! DW and I sat in 20+ different RV's at a show in Syracuse over a 3 day period before we decided on our Sprinter "B". We then found a used one and drove it several times before we bought it. We travel as much as we camp so drivability was very important to us. We spend more time driving and I use it for towing a sailboat and going to regattas. Once we get to a destination we have very adequate accommodations.
Rhonda, Good luck with your search and if you end up with a "B" come back to this forum and learn as much as you can from many super people who hang out here.
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