Thinking of a MotorHome

Going to fully retire in the next few months and my wife and I have been thinking of hitting the road along with our Chocolate Lab. Lots of questions.
After listening and reading, I think we should just go with a Class A.(Used) We went and looked at some and sitting in the driver's seat seemed a bit intimidating. Would any of you RVer's do anything different than what you've done? I know John T uses his a lot, but do the majority of you use it as much as you planned?


Any advice would be appreciated.

You can rent one before you buy. They are nice to travel in, but you can get a lot of nice hotel rooms for what they cost.

last year we went west 8000 miles yes they only get 10 m/g but less than $3000.00 and about $1000.00 for campgroungs. $4000.00 don't get many night in motels. you have your own bead without bed bugs and your own bath. we got a 10 year old 28 foot for $10000.00 that only 30000 miles.

it did not have any slides. made it less. we go to florida for the winter. not good to stay in for 3 mo. we traded for a 35 foot 5 th wheel with 3 slides. lots of room.

motor home good way to travel.
if you drive 400 miles every day. motel better way to go.

We used one a few years ago. Every bump, RR track, pot hole caused the dishes and silverwear to rattle and bang away. Mileage was so bad... it was obscene the gas we put in that thing.
Then you have to watch for special places to park, then watch for low tree branches...and when you look in the rearview mirror there is a line of angry drivers lined up behind you trying to pass. I have a CDL and am used to driving big trucks, but these big boxes are the pits.

When we got home I said to my wife "NO NOT ever let me buy one of these things!".

Now we stay in nice clean motel rooms, eat at nice resturants (high on the menu); all the while driving a mini van that gets 25 mpg, handles well, is nice and quiet, and has plenty of room for what we need to take.

And we have all this comfort and convenience for less money than it took to feed that RV. With gas prices soon going past $4 enroute to $5 (sooner than we think), no thank you.

I suggest you go lay down until that thought goes away!

LA in WI

Congratulations, we are retired and travel extensively in our RV AND LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT AND WOULDNT HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY. I like having my own bed and bath and especially knowing who slept in it the night before BUT MOST OF ALL WHERE EVER WE ARE, OUR HOME IS WITH US as I dont sleep well in strange beds nor do well in restaurants three times a day grrrrrrrr.

Still, were free to dine where and when we want and at the Natl Parks spend all the time we want in their Magnificent Lodges public and dining areas. IF YOU HAVENT SEEN THE LODGE AT MANY GLACIER OR THE TALL TREES LODGE OR THE YELLOWSTONE INN YOU AINT SEEN NUTTIN LOL and you dont have to stay there to see it, our RV was in the parking lot.

ANOTHER BIG PLUS if in your own RV with bed n bath n kitchen, you dont wear out your welcome near as fast when visiting kids n grandkids lol


HOWEVER its NOT for everybody and thank God we all have choices and preferences, wouldnt it be boring if we were all alike?? Actually, Im glad more people arent like me and prefer hotels and restaruants three times a day because the RV world is getting crowded enough the way it is lol ITS A BAD LIFESTYLE I DONT RECOMMEND IT wink wink wink.

Of course there are cost trade offs, it costs us more for gas, but we save a ton on restaurants and motels each night. ITS A MATTER OF CHOICE AND LIFESTYLE, to each their own!!!!


I have owned several Class A,,,,,,,Class B,,,,,Class B+,,,,,,,,,Even truck campers and as were more TRAVELERS then go just to one place and stay 6 months (for that Lifestyle a Fifth Wheel is GREAT and MUCH BETTER) and since we love the National Parks, National Forests, BLM and Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds and mountain terrain (Utah and Colorado), AND A LOT OF TRAVEL,,,,,,,,,, a somewhat smaller, more driveable, lower center of gravity, much easier to drive, less wind resistance, better MPG, easy in and out front doors, more maneuverable, easier to park in Natl Forest and navigate mountain passes, THE CLASS C WORKS BEST FOR US. When we go to Florida to stay 3 months we tow the car behind.

Class A's seem to have more prestige or at least some who own them believe lol?? They have more room and storage and are best if you stay long periods at one place BUT NOT AS HANDY IF YOU WANT TO TRAVEL A LOT AND BE IN THE MOUNTAINS AND OUT WEST (just to darn big n heavy n bulky and harder to get around mountain switchbacks). Many Natl Parks or Natl Forest where we stay either have size limits,,,,,, or the roads to them are tough to negotiate,,,,,,,,,or the sites were designed in the sixties for smaller units, so a huge Class A wouldnt work for our travel and our lifestyle.

Sooooooo its your money your choice but it sure depends on if you TRAVEL more like us, orrrrrrrrrr just go to a few locations and stay there long periods of time where a Fifth Wheel and a big Class A would shine.

Take in the National Parks whatever you do. AGAIN the free spirited traveling portable roaming RV lifestyle IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, thats why theres plenty of hotels and restaurants out there for the non RV crowd, but hey sometimes we go there also lol lol Thats it WE HAVE THE OPTIONS

John T
2001 Four Winds 29 Ft. Class C
Chevy 454 Vortec with 4L80E Overdrive Tranny
110 Gallon fresh water, 80 gallons Gray Water
460 Amp Hrs battery storage (4 Golf Car Bats)
Two Rooftop Solar Panels plus Onan 4KW Genset
The first wife and I can dry camp approx 8 days
with no hookups whatseover before we have to
finally dump and take on water
Life is good, God has blessed us

We have not used ours nearly as much as my Wife thought we would when she insisted that we buy it...it just costs too much! With gas at nearly $4/gallon and the motorhome getting less than 10mpg, it is hard to rationalize driving the motorhome rather than the 30mpg car. With the motorhome, you HAVE to drive slower than you can with the car.

I know people who go South for months in the Winter, and using a motorhome for that maybe makes some sense, as you can stay in a motorhome relatively cheaply if you don"t move it around much once you get to your destination. But I doubt that my Wife and I will ever do that--there is just too much that needs to be taken care of here for us to leave for more than about a week or so.

When we go long distances, we fly to near the destination and then rent a small car for while we are there. We visit our son in Florida, usually in the Fall or Winter, and have gone on several cruises in the same trips. It would take many days to drive our motorhome to Florida, and I hate to think what the fuel bill would be. Flying is cheaper and it is easy to get there in a day.

Using a motorhome would simplify dealing with a dog, as you could probably take the dog along most places, rather than having to board the dog somewhere or have someone care for it at your home. That has been one problem with our trips over the years, making sure the dog was being cared for properly. But our almost 15 year old Border Collie died last month, and my Wife and I have had discussions about not getting another dog. The last year the dog was fairly incontinent and I think it would have been a nightmare trying to travel with her in the motorhome.

Older motohomes have their own set of problems. Like any vehicle, things wear out and you have to fix them or get them fixed. Motorhomes are not easy to work on, especially if you are someplace away from your tools. You really want to have it as reliable as possible, as tow bills on a motorhome are huge. In most areas, it is fairly necessary to store a motorhome under cover, or else they deteriorate much faster outside.

As you might have guessed, I am way less thrilled with motorhomes than I thought I would be. But some people love theirs and have a great time with them. How would it work out for you? You can probably only find out by trying it. I like the idea of renting one first to see how you like it (and wish that is what we had done!!!), but I sure would not tell you what to do. Good luck!

Knew a guy in CA that retired a year after his wife passed away. He bought a brand new large motorhome with CAT Diesel engine. He drove it from CA to Florida and was sick of it. He sold it at a big loss in FL and flew back to CA.

If you aren't an experienced camper, best to rent one for a time or two before you commit to buy one. People in the retirement park that we lived in would buy a motorhome and finance it. Then the husband died and left the widow with lots of money still owed on the motorhome - and she couldn't sell if for anywhere near the amount owed.

Sounds like a good idea. Myself, I went with a thirty foot fifth wheel camper. The reason being I need to have a HD pickup to use on the farm anyway. I normally keep myself in a nice pickup so I figured going that route it would be one less engine to maintain. From talking with others I get about the same mileage as they do with there motor homes. Although two summers ago I traveled 9500 miles to Alaska. Last summer I took a 8500 mile trip to the West coast. Both trips I did the math and figured I was farther ahead to pay for motels, eat out, and drive the forty mile to the gallon motorcycle.

Check on property taxes on a RV. There was a hassle, er, discussion about high property taxes on motor homes is my county in SC a few years ago. Taxes were about the same as on some homes. Of course, the cost of some motor homes was as much as a lot of houses at the time. Some MH owners register them in a more tax friendly state nearby.

KEH

We tried it (rental) for several weekends....it is Not for us!!!!!

To each his own. Glad I found out before I bought. Too confining in many ways.

With all the floor plans they offer you would be better to rent a couple to find out what works best for you. I would also recommend you join a camping club. there are several out there. I am a life member in Good Sam and get a few discounts along with my emergency road service at a good price.
One thing to think about is the weather. I don't care how big a motor home is - They seem to shrink after 4 or 5 days of rain. Good Luck

Look at all options. we travel with a fifth wheel and love it. several companies make a class c on the dodge sprinter diesel chassis. some have really nice, comfortable layouts, good mileage (around 17 mpg, or so they claim) and nice features for a couple. Keep in mind that there are some flexibilities in anything you choose. I know one retired couple that has a class c and uses the overhead bunk as a flat wardrobe. Attend shows, walk through lots of them, (they don't charge for looking) ask questions. Find other retired couples and ask them about their advice. spend at least 6 months looking and shopping before making (or not) your purchase.

John, having been bit by bedbugs in hotels in 5 states and 3 foreign countries, I agree with all of your comments!

I further agree the first decision is are they going to be a TRAVELER or a PARK RESIDENT for several months?

My wife and I also travel with our dog, with a travel trailer - -we"re TRAVELLERS, rarely stay more than 2 nights at any location, and would like a nice Class b or C ,otorhome, without the Slideouts which can cause all kinds of headaches for the space they provide.

P.S. If you are comfortable with what you get, you will use it as much as you are determined to use it. I think it's a shame when a couple retires, can afford to travel, and just sits at home staring at the walls. Y.T.ers are from all over the USA and the world. If you buy one and choose to travel, post another message asking about shows and sights to see around the country. I am sure you will get information on more unique and interesting sites than you will ever be able to visit. When I took a trip west last year, YTers gave me many locations to visit I had never seen before. One was even nice enough to volunteer to be tour guide around his area, It was a shame I was unable to take him up on his generous offer.

First off, people don't own motorhomes because they're a cheap way to travel - they're not. People own motorhomes because they enjoy the lifestyle and freedom to go where they please. I kind of liken owning an RV to owning a boat. People spend money on boats because they enjoy using them; same thing with RV's.

If you've never owned an RV before, the advice to rent a motorhome for a couple trips is right on. And don't limit your stays to RV parks either; one of the big advantages of a motorhome is being able to go places without hookups, such as forest service campgrounds. I've owned an assortment of RV's over the years as our family situation and finances changed, including three different motorhomes, two different bumper pull trailers, a fifth wheel trailer, a pop-up tent trailer, and a pickup camper. We like unimproved camping areas...in the last 30 years, I can probably count on my fingers the number of times we've stayed in a park with hookups.

John T. likes the smaller Class-C units because they're easier to maneuver into smaller unimproved campgrounds. While there's something to be said for that, I prefer the visibility and driving position in a Class A. Our current motorhome is an older diesel pusher which drives like a dream, plus my wife has back problems and moving around in a Class-A is a lot easier than moving around in a Class-C, or riding in a pickup pulling the trailer for that matter.

Class-A's are not that difficult to drive. Ours is only 6" wider than my dually pickup, and actually shorter than the combination of my pickup and our previous fifth wheel travel trailer. A few hours practicing close quarter maneuvers in a parking lot and you'll be an old pro.

There's also an on-going debate amongst RVer's regarding gas vs diesel. Each has their advantages, partly depending on how you use it, and going through the options is way beyond the scope of this post. There's a number of RV forums on line - read through some of them.

If you do decide to buy a motorhome, the first priority should be a floor plan you like. Mechanical problems can be fixed; an uncomfortable layout is a lot more difficult to deal with.

Finally, don't let the nay-sayer's discourage you. RV's aren't for everyone, but if you enjoy the lifestyle go for it.

Keith

The best advise Edd. We rented them a few times when kids were young. The only way to camp and travel. Rent is not cheap but when you are finished take it back and it's their problem to look after.
Later Bob

I wouldn't reccomend a new or late model class A as the first rv unless you get it cheap enough that you could make money selling it the next week.
We started out 40 years ago with a cab high cap on my daily driver pick up. Saw Smoky Mountains,Big Bend,Yellowstone,Great Tetons and dozens of lesser known places useing it with our 2 kids. Over the years we upgraded more than half dozen times. We traded for our present 32'two slide 5th wheel in 2004. No desire to trade because it serves our needs perfectly. We are impulsive when on the road and like the freedom of stopping,leaving or staying as we prefer. The ability to leave the trailer to explore in the truck fits us well. Fuel milage is 12mpg on the interstate and 10mpg crossing the mountains so milage isn't a reason to pass on a motor home. We attend bluegrass getherings which can't be fully injoyed without a rv. We rondivous with various rving couples to spend a few days at B.G.festivals,state parks and lakeside. As John T stated,visiting family and friends gos so much better when they don't need to pull out the sofa. Never thought I would ever say it but our dog is an important part of our life and gos where we go.
I can't say which fits you but I do have one piece of advice that 90% of savey owners agree on. Build a carport if you don't have one already.

Yep it has some to do with just how much do you trust hotel and restaurant employess, some minimum wage, many not well vetted, some druggies etc especialy with some of the documented horror stories about sanitation in what many consider fine hotels and restaurants YIKES

Now if you want to trust them thats a persons free choice and Im all for them to exercise that choice and more power to them. HOWEVER I choose to err on the side of my and my familys health and well being and safety and therefore, trust myself and my wife when it comes to the cleanliness and sanitation in our own home WE KNOW WHO CLEANS IT AND WHO SLEPT THERE THE NIGHT BEFORE AND WHO USED AND CLEANED THE BATHROOM FACILITIES, but for those who prefer hotels DO YOU????? The obvious answer is NO but again Im all for free choice and a persosns right to choose whom they trust when it comes to their health and well being ITS NOT MY DECISION.....

Once more, its a matter of of free choice and lifestyle and who you choose to trust. To each their own, Im glad we have the freedom to choose these type of things, I make my choice and God Bless those who make other choices, this is America we have the rights and freedom to make these decisions

God Bless n keep safe all who travel regardless of methods, modes and lifestyle...

John T

AMEN on the Bluegrass festivals....We attend several in the RV and its just not the same or the same experience or anything unless youre there in an RV in case you want to jam for an hour then take a nap or have a snack or stay up n jam all night lol. Bluegrass festivals and RV's are like ham n eggs, apple pie n ice cream lol Whats fun is for a group of friends to circle the wagons,,,,,,have pitch in dinners,,,,,,share fun and fellowship and enjoy nature and the bluegrass family and the RV lifestyle. None of that can be the same for those who show up part time and go back to the hotel n shut the door BUT AGAIN THATS THEIR RIGHT AND CHOICE NOT MINE so God Bless all who attend regardless and I wish them the best..

John T

My wife and I work at a RV park, as camp host. We meet the nicest people , get a chance to vist with them . You don't usually get a chance to know people in a hotel or motel. We really enjoy it.

I have to agree with this, with the possible exception of the YT croud, you meet the ABSOLUT NICEST PEOPLE IN RV PARKS/CAMPGROUNDS.

Don't know much about this class A B C stuff. I do know motorized fifth wheel and bumper pull. Wife and I bought a 25ft bumper pull from my brother a couple years ago, and we have only been out couple of times. Turns out we don't really have time for this kinda thing. It is nice to have your own stuff with you that is true, but. I don't have a lot of free time, and when I do ,I don't want to have to fuss around setting up a camp site. Hooking up elect. turning on gas water heater,leveling trailer...ect . Just too much bs. Maybe in a few years if we slow down on the farm, we can take more time, it all will not seem such hassel. For now , it keeps well in the coverall. Bruce

Hi Lowell, your thoughts and my thoughts are the same on these motor homes. They consume a lot of fuel. Cheers, Murray

Buy the bigest motor home and hook a trailer to it and go down the interstate at 45 mph holding up everbody block up all fuel stops have your wife out giving hand signals how to back up I see it everday. Best thing to do get a mini van and stay in hotel lot safer for all!

there are lots of rvs for sale out there. some couples, one or the other gets sick,parents get sick or need to be tacken care of, don't like rvin ,one or the other. jump into the vw diesel, 50 mpgs and stay at hotel, before spending 60-100k

What about the bed bugs in hotels? Bed bugs is becoming a growing problem because the epa won't allow the use of the chemicals needed to kill them. Then you take bed bugs home with you.

I know an exterminator who tells me about a college that has a major problem.

We are happier with trailer. No dedicated 2nd drivetrain/vehicle to maintain. Lower initial cost. Ability to unhook and drive tow vehicle for day trips.

up untill very recently i traveled frequently driving a semi,[advancing medical conditions and the lack of profit caused me to pull the plug on the big trucks] as well as transporting rv's of both kinds for friends who were just too old to feel comfortable handeling them, being a proffessional trucker the size of a rv doesnt bother me, although its driver position reminds me of the days of the old cabover road tractors lol these were people who went someplace for the winter then the rv stayed there untill time to come back again, i can tell you both have their strong points , but all things considered my favorite and the one i have is the fifth wheel trailer, first you dont have another powertrain to maintain, then the insurance is cheaper, but the biggest reason is when on the road, most class a motorhomes are just too large to get in and park at places you may want to stop in route and see, with a trailer you can always drop it and take the truck into the places you happened on while you were on the way to someplace else, and theres always the dinner deal, you meet some nice folks in the camp [and you will meet many of them] you all decide to go out to dinner at a nice supper club or streak house, most places like that do not have parking lots designed to handel large vehicles if both you and your new friends are in class A's not to mention even if the place can fit your rig in one or the other of you has to break camp, unless you drag a dingy behind you which presents a whole new set of issues, with the trailer you simply fire the truck up and go to dinner, a muesum you found ect and if your in the farming industry, you probably already have the truck now

You have your Montana LLC buy and license it in Montana.

My in laws sold their home and bought a class A that was about five years old. It did not have a lot of miles and appeared to be in very good condition. They started going on week long trips and it broke down almost every time. Usually needing towing. The problems were usually electric underneath. It appeared that even though it was used only to go south in the winter that it must have been driven an salt brine covered roads for part of each trip. They finally sold it for less than they owed and were close to having to file for bankruptcy.