We have been asked if we were going to rent a Class A before we made a commitment to become full timers. We briefly checked into it, but we decided not to.
Did you rent a Class A first?
How long? Was it worth it?
Did it change your mind about full timing?
Randy www.warnerrvnews.blogspot.com
Luvglass said
06:04 PM Jan 15, 2009
We did rent a 30 foot class C for a week because I wasn't sure my wife would be happy in a small space, cooking in a tiny kitchen, and neither of us had any experience with either camping nor Rv'ing, so felt it prudent to test the concept before "jumping off the bridge".
We just took the RV from Wisconsin to Indiana and spent the week touring factories. We hardly ate out at all and cooked all our major meals in the RV. When we compared the class C with the fiver we were going to buy, she came to the conclusion that it would be just fine, and 3 years into the life, we couldn't be happier.
I would suggest that if either of you have any reservations, renting for a week would be a great investment. although reversing the decision to fulltime is not the end of the world, it is a major disruption and will have some major costs.
Good luck,
subra1228 said
06:17 PM Jan 15, 2009
We've been RVing for 8+ years now, and did rent a C-class with some friends for a vacation, about 6-months before buying our first rig. It wasn't necessarily a "test", but we did know that it was a good idea (for us) to rent first, then see if we like it. Brad (husband) had grown-up RVing, so he knew all about it, but I had never been in one until that time. I loved it!!
When people ask me that question I always recommend they try it first. If the background isn't there and you are not experienced RV'ers then renting will help answer questions and get you prepared for your eventual purchase of a coach.
We bought a trainer RV, a lightly used 30' class c that we traveled in for a year. The longest trip was 2 weeks, but was from California to Idaho. Once we made the decision to go full-time we had a much better idea what we wanted, and what we could live with, and without, in a rig.
Going from a old, used, class c to a brand new class a was still a huge jump for us. The systems are complicated and require a lot of hands-on and reading manuals. Just driving the thing took a while for me to get accustomed. And manuvering in cities and campgrounds can be exciting.
I think it helped us to get our feet wet and see if rv'ing was for us.
-- Edited by NorCal Dan at 22:57, 2009-01-15
Judy said
08:47 PM Jan 15, 2009
We also rented a Class C for a week or so but it was only for a vacation to the Grand Canyon and my daughter and her hubby went with us. We had a great time. Later on we bought a old MH and loved our vacations and wkends. Later we bought another MH selling it as it was also an older model. Then bought a new pull behind trailer. Then we found a fiver and after that dh developed COPD we decided to sell the house and travel, we now have a new fiver and have been into full-timing for almost 3 yrs. southwestjudy
mcw50 said
10:14 PM Jan 15, 2009
Our only previous camping experience was a few tenting weekends many years ago and my husband's work with the Boy Scouts, but we enjoyed traveling and trying an RV appealed to us. So, we rented one for a week and had a great time. You can read about our experience at www.rv-dreams-lifestyles.com/articles/16/1
Good luck! Mary
thebearII said
09:51 AM Jan 16, 2009
Although we never rented an rv to try before buying, we have done this with each car we have bought for the last 10 years.
We decide on a couple of models and then rent each one for two weeks to see how we like it. We usually take a 300 to 400 mile excursion to make sure it's comfortable on long trips.
We've bought 5 vehicles this way and have not had buyers remorse.
For a major purchase like an RV I would definitely try before buying.
And again I have to say buy as large of RV as you can afford and are comfortable with driving or towing. When you have to stay indoors for a week due to bad weather, the RV begins to feel smaller and smaller.
gypsy97 said
10:39 AM Jan 16, 2009
Personally, I am a "jump right in" type of person. I looked at a lot of RVs, mostly 5vers, & a few TTs & Class C's. I sat in the driver's seat of one Class A and knew it was not for me. I did a lot of research and posted questions on forums, and settled on the 5ver because I travel with two dogs and because I liked the arrangement of space much better. Once I decided on a 5ver, all I had to do was to find one I could afford to pay cash for, plus the truck to tow it with. I did, and have never looked back. I would never have bothered to rent an RV first. Once I make my mind up to do something I will make it work, but if you tend to stress about making a decision, maybe renting is a good first step. I will say it is probably easier for me because I'm a solo and there's only one of me to please. With a couple, you should both be on the same sheet of music.
gypsy
Serengeti2001 said
06:25 AM Jan 17, 2009
I rented twice. I enjoyed the RV Part of it. Got divorced and got new partner. Now enjoy totally the RV life style.
gypsy97 said
09:55 AM Jan 17, 2009
Serengeti2001 wrote:
I rented twice. I enjoyed the RV Part of it. Got divorced and got new partner. Now enjoy totally the RV life style.
You are very fortunate. Now if I could just find a new partner gypsy
sith said
08:36 PM Jan 18, 2009
gypsy97 wrote:
Serengeti2001 wrote:
I rented twice. I enjoyed the RV Part of it. Got divorced and got new partner. Now enjoy totally the RV life style.
You are very fortunate. Now if I could just find a new partner gypsy
We briefly checked into it, but we decided not to.
Did you rent a Class A first?
How long? Was it worth it?
Did it change your mind about full timing?
Randy
www.warnerrvnews.blogspot.com
Suzanne
http://campingandtravels.blogspot.com
We bought a trainer RV, a lightly used 30' class c that we traveled in for a year. The longest trip was 2 weeks, but was from California to Idaho. Once we made the decision to go full-time we had a much better idea what we wanted, and what we could live with, and without, in a rig.
Going from a old, used, class c to a brand new class a was still a huge jump for us. The systems are complicated and require a lot of hands-on and reading manuals. Just driving the thing took a while for me to get accustomed. And manuvering in cities and campgrounds can be exciting.
I think it helped us to get our feet wet and see if rv'ing was for us.
-- Edited by NorCal Dan at 22:57, 2009-01-15
southwestjudy
Our only previous camping experience was a few tenting weekends many years ago and my husband's work with the Boy Scouts, but we enjoyed traveling and trying an RV appealed to us. So, we rented one for a week and had a great time. You can read about our experience at
www.rv-dreams-lifestyles.com/articles/16/1
Good luck!
Mary
gypsy
I enjoyed the RV Part of it.
Got divorced and got new partner.
Now enjoy totally the RV life style.
gypsy