Hi folks, I just joined this forum from the link on the RVing on a Budget Facebook page. My wife and I recently became interested in full-time RV'ing but can't do it now because I work overseas for the State Department. However, I'm 52 now and can retire in 8 years with a pension (including military), so we should be able to full-time at that point. We are both frugal - my German wife especially -- and would like to pay cash (or as much cash as possible) for an RV at that time....the problem is ....WHAT KIND? We've bounced back and forth and back again, from a Class B (my wife's preference) to a Class A with a toad, then a Class C, then just a tent, and then at our last RV show we fell in love with a fifth wheel! Fivers are extremely rare in Europe, where we live now, and it just stood out. Last time I was in the US, I went to REI and priced out a complete camping equipment set-up for going out with just a tent. When we think in terms of tent camping, we're thinking we'll get out there in campgrounds that include RVs and meet other people, see different rigs, and then figure out what we want. So I guess you'd say we are pretty indecisive at the moment but in our defense we are in the planning and dreaming stage.
So my question, after the rambling intro: How do we decide (and how did you decide) what RV type is best? Quite frankly I think we could make just about anything work, we move around every 2 to 3 years and are assigned a house or apartment that we have to accept and make do with. I lived for two years in small shipping-container-like living quarters in Iraq, and I also lived 8 months in a tent with the army in the Balkans. We're pretty low maintenance.
Still, there are a LOT of choices and a lot of rigs out there - which one is right for us? How did you choose?
Camper Chronicles said
06:53 AM Dec 17, 2013
We went to an RV show and spent two 10 hours days walking into every RV on the lot :) We did tons of research both before and after that trip and had numerous discussions. A key point is to be very honest with each other in what you need. For example we spent a ton of time deciding between a Motor Coach and a Fifth Wheel...then the type of fifth wheel. For us the main points were as follows:
1. Price - needed it to be under $60K
2. Separation of Space - we love each other but needed to be able to retreat to separate spaces on rainy days (this seriously limited our choices but was very important for us)
3. Ceiling height - I struggle a bit with claustrophobia so ceiling height was a big issue for me so I didn't feel closed in. This was especially important in the bedroom if that room was going to be "my space" This led us to the Front Living Room models which further reduced our choices.
After these three things...there was really only a few makes/models left. We chose the open range because of the additional storage under the rear bedroom which I loved.
jrzygrl64 said
08:07 AM Dec 17, 2013
For us, we initially looked at Class A's b/c we thought we would just tow one of the cars we already owned and it would save us money. The more we looked and researched, we realized that we would have to go outside our budget to get the minimum qualities we wanted. So, then we started looking at 5th wheels and right away, I loved the "feel" of them more than the Class A's. We quickly realized that for us, we could get more quality for a lower bottom line ($$). But, what really pushed us to a 5er once we started looking at them was how much more homey we thought they were, more like a little house.
As far as which 5er, we just looked at a ton of them, went to RV shows, walked in and out of probably a hundred or more. My husband started investigating how the different brands in our price range were built. We must have asked a million questions between the 2 of us! We narrowed it down to Montana and Cedar Creek, we also liked a couple of Heartlands, but they were priced higher. Initially, I loved the front living room ones the best. I loved the huge back bedrooms and how the front space felt like 2 separate rooms, yet still open. I also liked the idea of a second door (the Cedar Creek 38fl - which was my unit to beat - had a back door that faced the driver side and was right across from that bathroom and near the bedroom door - easy access when the slides were in, which was on our list of "would like to have's"). My husband, while really liking the unit, wasn't completely sold. So, we went to a dealer on a quiet Saturday morning that had the few we had it narrowed down to and spend HOURS going in and out and measuring spaces (trying to imagine what would go where) and, long story short, we ended up with a totally different unit than we set out to look at. The floor plan is very similar to the one my husband preferred, with lots and lots of storage and I just loved the finishes. We got it for a great price, so we are very happy!
So, I agree with Trace, price is obviously a HUGE consideration. While we couldn't afford a "high-end" unit, quality construction was very important. We preferred to have access to at least the frig, bathroom and bed when the slides were in, so when we stopped to sleep overnight in a rest area or truck stop or Walmart, we don't have to put the slides out. Storage was a huge consideration also. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preferences, but like you are, we asked everyone lots of questions, because you never know who is going to say the one thing you didn't think of that will open your eyes to a different perspective. That is one of the beauties of this forum!
Good luck in your search and keep us updated!
Kelly
hawhawmomma said
09:17 AM Dec 17, 2013
I am also looking for the life of a 5th wheel. I realize all are different, but let's say a DRV, Heartland, Big Horn, Cedar Creek. And I think I would really enjoy an outside kitchen, but don't want a toyhauler, is it hard to add one on afterwards or should I only look at models with one? So many questions (smile). The 5th wheel will be on the road a lot.
Thanks, Helen
Clay L said
10:41 AM Dec 17, 2013
We started out looking for a 5th wheel then changed our focus to a class C and ended up with a class A.
The class A had more total storage than any fiver we looked at plus my wife could take a potty break without me having to find a safe place to pull over. Also my towed Honda is much cheaper to drive around in when we are stopped.
I have seen some folks full timing in class C's and a lot that used to before they switched to a class A and in a few cases to a fiver.
We have seen a very few full timing in class B's and even in slide in pickup campers but that isn't something that works for most people.
I have never seen a full timer with an outside kitchen, those seem to be used more for tail gating at sports events. Sure wouldn't work for us and I don't see any advantage to having one.
WestWardHo said
11:58 AM Dec 17, 2013
As a wise man who posts on here regularly says, "it depends"! Your choices for how you like and your budget to live might not be anyone else's.
We were only part-timing and started in a Travel Trailer. Dumped that one (literally) and bought another. Traded that for. Fifth wheel which we traded for our current fifth wheel in which we full-time. From what I've read that's not unusual. We still look at RV's every time we get near a show and have seen nothing we like better. We've found that to be true with other folks, we almost all love our individual choice of rigs.
I'm intrigued by Class A's because of the huge basements for storage & convenience but, TO US, they don't have the homelike comfort or the inside storage.
You have time to think, study floor plans, visit shows, talk to people. I would encourage you to consider a newer used rig of whatever type it is. We tend to work out the 'bugs' in new rigs over the first two years plus you'd get the advantage of the big upfront depreciation.
When you're ready wise folks on here suggest telling the salesman to go away and spend hours in your final choice(s) imaging where you'll put stuff, how YOU live, etc.
You'll also find military campgrounds that can be a great value as you travel if either of you will be retired DOD or Military.
You'll have lots of stories to share with us when you get here!
Sherry
PS: we've found this site to be invaluable in our learning, choosing, traveling, and meeting up with new friends along the way.
-- Edited by WestWardHo on Tuesday 17th of December 2013 12:01:53 PM
GENECOP said
12:20 PM Dec 17, 2013
Go to a show or two when you get a chance.....before to long you find yourself being drawn to a specific RV style......with a little luck you will both be drawn to a similar type of rig.....good luck...
Rob_Fla said
07:11 AM Dec 18, 2013
We had weekend camped for many years, so we had an idea of what we liked and what worked for us. Also we had done some short term stays of 4 to 6 weeks which gave us confidence we both could live in a small space and get along with each other (Very Important).
We went to several RV Shows and looked an MANY different RVs, Brands, Models and Layouts to figure out what we liked and did not like.
When we finally found the right 5er for us on a dealer's lot and negotiated a price that worked for our budget, we bought it.
Good luck on you search, kind of like getting married, when you find the right one, you know it! :)
mesa48 said
10:24 PM Dec 18, 2013
One thing for sure is when it comes to fulltime RVing there is no such thing as one size fits all. You will get as many opinions as the number of people that you talk to. When we decided to make the plunge we thought long and hard regarding what type of rig we wanted to live in. We decided that a fifth wheel was what would work best for us. Now what brand to buy. We purchased a RV rating catalog from RV consumer group. They do not sell advertising so they are not beholding to their advertising customers. One thing we found was that very few brands are really rated for fulltime living. We chose the HitchHiker Discover America made by NUWA Industries in Chanute Kansas. We did not buy a new one but found a very good used one for half of what a new one would cost. So far we are very happy with our choice and it is a rock solid unit without some of the glitz and glamor of some other brands. Sorry to say that NUWA stopped production last January but they are still in business selling other brands. If you go the 5er route make sure to get a truck that is more than adequate for the rig you get. We ended up getting a different truck recently because I felt like we were pushing the limits of the truck that we had.
Jiggs Casey said
04:57 AM Dec 19, 2013
Thanks, everyone, for your helpful hints and suggestions! We've already attended one RV show here in Bern, Switzerland where we currently live -- although they were European style RVs for the most part (mostly smaller than US RVs) we did get a good first glimpse at what is available. We did fall in love with the one fifth wheel that was on display - fifth wheels are rare in Europe, and in fact are imported to Switzerland from the US and the price ends up being about twice what it would be in the US. We also saw all the advantages of a travel trailer, a Class B, and a Class A, though the Class As are smaller here, too.
We will continue to research and look around - and Mike, I know what you mean about different opinions, everyone is different and has different needs, expectations, and desires. I'm sure we'll find something that fits ours.
JC
The Bear II said
10:26 AM Dec 19, 2013
Now days it's easier to make the decision because there are companies that will rent just about every type of RV made. Some will even place it at a space in the RV park/Campground of your choice. This gives you the opportunity to try out different types before you decide to buy.
For us the decision was simple, we had a truck so a TT or 5th wheel was what we wanted. The 5th wheel provided space for a washer/dryer so it won out over a TT.
Class A, C or B- there are several reasons why we didn't consider a MH type RV.
If you compare the living space in a 5th wheel or MH of the same length, you get more useable space in the 5th wheel. A MH will lose up to 4 feet due to the dash and driving area.
If something in the drivetrain breaks you lose the use of the living area while it's being repaired. With the 5th wheel, the truck goes to the repair shop and the 5th wheel goes to a local campground.
Cost.... If you already have a truck, the 5th wheel is about 1/3 the cost of a like quality MH.
Rent a couple of different type RVs to see what fits best then hit the RV shows to find the make and model.
bjoyce said
10:51 AM Dec 19, 2013
I would get what works well in Europe while you are there and wait until you are back in the U.S.A. to decide what works well for you here. There are such large differences in the roads and campgrounds between Europe and the U.S.
For us a trailer of any kind was out of the question, so our choices were motorhomes or a truck camper. We wanted to take some dirt and gravel roads, so an SUV made sense. It did not need to be a serious SUV, but our 2002 Honda CRV and our 2012 Chevy Equinox have been on roads I would not take a dually pickup. We went the Class A route and tow our SUV. It has worked well for us since 2002, first as part timers and for over 10 years as full timers.
SnowGypsy said
07:59 PM Dec 19, 2013
Once you start actually physically going through them one after another, it is easy to narrow it down. I don't like slides because the symmetry is off and it drives me crazy since I have some obsession about balance. We like the travel trailer better than a 5th wheel because my husband doesn't want to tow a 5th wheel since we are used to and have had good luck with other trailers and I don't like the steps either inside or outside with the 5th wheel since with my son in the lower level and the dog, I had to climb the stairs more frequently than most would and sometimes I took the steps all at once. We loved our old Class C for just travel but we really don't want the driver's area in our "home" to be that obvious. Never cared for the boxy shape of the Class A.
So, as you tour them, you get the "feel" of what would work. Amazingly enough, most people that trade after a couple years usually stay with the same type of RV from what I have seen but often go bigger. I think it pays to start out used and keep your costs low for a couple of years and then when you know what you really want and need, know that you really want the lifestyle, make the decision and put a little more cash in the deal.
rvingft said
06:41 PM Dec 20, 2013
Good to see you joined this forum. Lots of great information here so I often recommend folks in both of the Facebook groups I admin - RVing on A Budget AND RV Dreamers - that they refer to this forum. We have been full-timing on and off for 10 years now.
Our first RV was a 36' fifth-wheel with 1 slide-out. Our 2nd was a vintage 25' travel trailer that we remodeled, and now we are in a 36' Tiffin motor home. Each 1 has been a completely different feel and fit.
There are pros & cons to all classes of RV - which is why you need to prioritize your wants and needs. We found it easiest to each list what each wanted, set in order of 1-2-3-4-5 and then compare notes. We each compromised certain things and each said "I gotta have such-and-such" and then only look at RV's that met our top 5 criteria each.
Based on your intro - and how you have mentioned you have lived and what your current preferences are - I would suggest you look into a Lazy Daze. This is a small company in California that builds units in only 6 models in 3 different lengths. they do not sell through dealers, so each unit is built to the buyers' specifications. They are VERY well insulated and rated, keep their value, and have loyal owners who usually keep their LDs for a while. They are small enough to be able to park many places (look for FamCamps on military bases for low-cost fees) and can be very comfortable with all the amenities (other than LOTS of space) that other comparable-sized RVs offer. Very easy to drive also.
kb0zke said
09:21 PM Dec 20, 2013
Welcome! You are where Jo Ann and I were a few years ago. We had an elderly Class C when our three children were younger (~10-14 or so) and weren't impressed with the fuel economy, so we initially said no to motor homes. Eventually, though, we started trying to figure out just what our lives on the road would look like - what we wanted to do, where we wanted to go, etc. We created our "mission profile" and as we looked at and talked about different coaches we would compare them to our mission profile. We also learned that there are only so many ways one can arrange the interior of a box, so we could look at coaches that were well above and well below our proposed budget. We learned to "live" in the coach, "doing" various tasks, and quickly learned which floor plans would work for us and which would not.
We quickly got to the point where we were considering only diesel pushers, 5th wheels, and travel trailers. We decided that, since we were going to have to buy used, we would stick to higher end coaches. We also got used to the idea that our full-time rig would have two parts, one part towing the other. Once we realized that most of the miles would be driven without the coach (it would be parked in the campground, while we saw the sights, shopped, etc.) we realized that perhaps a motor home with a toad would be the most economical FOR US.
As it turned out, we were more right than we knew. We now have a part-time job that sends us to fairly rural areas for 2-4 weeks at a time, and 4WD is an absolute must. We were looking at the little economy cars (Fiat 500 or Honda Fit class), but didn't find one we liked. Last month we bought a Jeep Liberty, which will be good for the job and can be flat towed.
PM or email me if you want more about how we went about our research. I've shared it on this and other forums several times, so the people who have been on this forum for several years are quite tired of our story and I don't want to bore them any more than I already have.
Ask your questions here. As you start to focus on some specific possible brands join those owners' forums. Talk to people in campgrounds about why they chose the class of RV they did. You are looking for the thought processes about this class versus that class, not this coach versus that one. Then apply what you've learned to your own situation. What was important to us may not be important to you, and what is important to you may not fit us at all.
Hi folks, I just joined this forum from the link on the RVing on a Budget Facebook page. My wife and I recently became interested in full-time RV'ing but can't do it now because I work overseas for the State Department. However, I'm 52 now and can retire in 8 years with a pension (including military), so we should be able to full-time at that point. We are both frugal - my German wife especially -- and would like to pay cash (or as much cash as possible) for an RV at that time....the problem is ....WHAT KIND? We've bounced back and forth and back again, from a Class B (my wife's preference) to a Class A with a toad, then a Class C, then just a tent, and then at our last RV show we fell in love with a fifth wheel! Fivers are extremely rare in Europe, where we live now, and it just stood out. Last time I was in the US, I went to REI and priced out a complete camping equipment set-up for going out with just a tent. When we think in terms of tent camping, we're thinking we'll get out there in campgrounds that include RVs and meet other people, see different rigs, and then figure out what we want. So I guess you'd say we are pretty indecisive at the moment but in our defense we are in the planning and dreaming stage.
So my question, after the rambling intro: How do we decide (and how did you decide) what RV type is best? Quite frankly I think we could make just about anything work, we move around every 2 to 3 years and are assigned a house or apartment that we have to accept and make do with. I lived for two years in small shipping-container-like living quarters in Iraq, and I also lived 8 months in a tent with the army in the Balkans. We're pretty low maintenance.
Still, there are a LOT of choices and a lot of rigs out there - which one is right for us? How did you choose?
1. Price - needed it to be under $60K
2. Separation of Space - we love each other but needed to be able to retreat to separate spaces on rainy days (this seriously limited our choices but was very important for us)
3. Ceiling height - I struggle a bit with claustrophobia so ceiling height was a big issue for me so I didn't feel closed in. This was especially important in the bedroom if that room was going to be "my space" This led us to the Front Living Room models which further reduced our choices.
After these three things...there was really only a few makes/models left. We chose the open range because of the additional storage under the rear bedroom which I loved.
For us, we initially looked at Class A's b/c we thought we would just tow one of the cars we already owned and it would save us money. The more we looked and researched, we realized that we would have to go outside our budget to get the minimum qualities we wanted. So, then we started looking at 5th wheels and right away, I loved the "feel" of them more than the Class A's. We quickly realized that for us, we could get more quality for a lower bottom line ($$). But, what really pushed us to a 5er once we started looking at them was how much more homey we thought they were, more like a little house.
As far as which 5er, we just looked at a ton of them, went to RV shows, walked in and out of probably a hundred or more. My husband started investigating how the different brands in our price range were built. We must have asked a million questions between the 2 of us! We narrowed it down to Montana and Cedar Creek, we also liked a couple of Heartlands, but they were priced higher. Initially, I loved the front living room ones the best. I loved the huge back bedrooms and how the front space felt like 2 separate rooms, yet still open. I also liked the idea of a second door (the Cedar Creek 38fl - which was my unit to beat - had a back door that faced the driver side and was right across from that bathroom and near the bedroom door - easy access when the slides were in, which was on our list of "would like to have's"). My husband, while really liking the unit, wasn't completely sold. So, we went to a dealer on a quiet Saturday morning that had the few we had it narrowed down to and spend HOURS going in and out and measuring spaces (trying to imagine what would go where) and, long story short, we ended up with a totally different unit than we set out to look at. The floor plan is very similar to the one my husband preferred, with lots and lots of storage and I just loved the finishes. We got it for a great price, so we are very happy!
So, I agree with Trace, price is obviously a HUGE consideration. While we couldn't afford a "high-end" unit, quality construction was very important. We preferred to have access to at least the frig, bathroom and bed when the slides were in, so when we stopped to sleep overnight in a rest area or truck stop or Walmart, we don't have to put the slides out. Storage was a huge consideration also. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preferences, but like you are, we asked everyone lots of questions, because you never know who is going to say the one thing you didn't think of that will open your eyes to a different perspective. That is one of the beauties of this forum!
Good luck in your search and keep us updated!
Kelly
Thanks, Helen
The class A had more total storage than any fiver we looked at plus my wife could take a potty break without me having to find a safe place to pull over. Also my towed Honda is much cheaper to drive around in when we are stopped.
I have seen some folks full timing in class C's and a lot that used to before they switched to a class A and in a few cases to a fiver.
We have seen a very few full timing in class B's and even in slide in pickup campers but that isn't something that works for most people.
I have never seen a full timer with an outside kitchen, those seem to be used more for tail gating at sports events. Sure wouldn't work for us and I don't see any advantage to having one.
As a wise man who posts on here regularly says, "it depends"! Your choices for how you like and your budget to live might not be anyone else's.
We were only part-timing and started in a Travel Trailer. Dumped that one (literally) and bought another. Traded that for. Fifth wheel which we traded for our current fifth wheel in which we full-time. From what I've read that's not unusual. We still look at RV's every time we get near a show and have seen nothing we like better. We've found that to be true with other folks, we almost all love our individual choice of rigs.
I'm intrigued by Class A's because of the huge basements for storage & convenience but, TO US, they don't have the homelike comfort or the inside storage.
You have time to think, study floor plans, visit shows, talk to people. I would encourage you to consider a newer used rig of whatever type it is. We tend to work out the 'bugs' in new rigs over the first two years plus you'd get the advantage of the big upfront depreciation.
When you're ready wise folks on here suggest telling the salesman to go away and spend hours in your final choice(s) imaging where you'll put stuff, how YOU live, etc.
You'll also find military campgrounds that can be a great value as you travel if either of you will be retired DOD or Military.
You'll have lots of stories to share with us when you get here!
Sherry
PS: we've found this site to be invaluable in our learning, choosing, traveling, and meeting up with new friends along the way.
-- Edited by WestWardHo on Tuesday 17th of December 2013 12:01:53 PM
We went to several RV Shows and looked an MANY different RVs, Brands, Models and Layouts to figure out what we liked and did not like.
When we finally found the right 5er for us on a dealer's lot and negotiated a price that worked for our budget, we bought it.
Good luck on you search, kind of like getting married, when you find the right one, you know it! :)
We will continue to research and look around - and Mike, I know what you mean about different opinions, everyone is different and has different needs, expectations, and desires. I'm sure we'll find something that fits ours.
JC
For us the decision was simple, we had a truck so a TT or 5th wheel was what we wanted. The 5th wheel provided space for a washer/dryer so it won out over a TT.
Class A, C or B- there are several reasons why we didn't consider a MH type RV.
If you compare the living space in a 5th wheel or MH of the same length, you get more useable space in the 5th wheel. A MH will lose up to 4 feet due to the dash and driving area.
If something in the drivetrain breaks you lose the use of the living area while it's being repaired. With the 5th wheel, the truck goes to the repair shop and the 5th wheel goes to a local campground.
Cost.... If you already have a truck, the 5th wheel is about 1/3 the cost of a like quality MH.
Rent a couple of different type RVs to see what fits best then hit the RV shows to find the make and model.
For us a trailer of any kind was out of the question, so our choices were motorhomes or a truck camper. We wanted to take some dirt and gravel roads, so an SUV made sense. It did not need to be a serious SUV, but our 2002 Honda CRV and our 2012 Chevy Equinox have been on roads I would not take a dually pickup. We went the Class A route and tow our SUV. It has worked well for us since 2002, first as part timers and for over 10 years as full timers.
So, as you tour them, you get the "feel" of what would work. Amazingly enough, most people that trade after a couple years usually stay with the same type of RV from what I have seen but often go bigger. I think it pays to start out used and keep your costs low for a couple of years and then when you know what you really want and need, know that you really want the lifestyle, make the decision and put a little more cash in the deal.
Our first RV was a 36' fifth-wheel with 1 slide-out. Our 2nd was a vintage 25' travel trailer that we remodeled, and now we are in a 36' Tiffin motor home. Each 1 has been a completely different feel and fit.
There are pros & cons to all classes of RV - which is why you need to prioritize your wants and needs. We found it easiest to each list what each wanted, set in order of 1-2-3-4-5 and then compare notes. We each compromised certain things and each said "I gotta have such-and-such" and then only look at RV's that met our top 5 criteria each.
Based on your intro - and how you have mentioned you have lived and what your current preferences are - I would suggest you look into a Lazy Daze. This is a small company in California that builds units in only 6 models in 3 different lengths. they do not sell through dealers, so each unit is built to the buyers' specifications. They are VERY well insulated and rated, keep their value, and have loyal owners who usually keep their LDs for a while. They are small enough to be able to park many places (look for FamCamps on military bases for low-cost fees) and can be very comfortable with all the amenities (other than LOTS of space) that other comparable-sized RVs offer. Very easy to drive also.
We quickly got to the point where we were considering only diesel pushers, 5th wheels, and travel trailers. We decided that, since we were going to have to buy used, we would stick to higher end coaches. We also got used to the idea that our full-time rig would have two parts, one part towing the other. Once we realized that most of the miles would be driven without the coach (it would be parked in the campground, while we saw the sights, shopped, etc.) we realized that perhaps a motor home with a toad would be the most economical FOR US.
As it turned out, we were more right than we knew. We now have a part-time job that sends us to fairly rural areas for 2-4 weeks at a time, and 4WD is an absolute must. We were looking at the little economy cars (Fiat 500 or Honda Fit class), but didn't find one we liked. Last month we bought a Jeep Liberty, which will be good for the job and can be flat towed.
PM or email me if you want more about how we went about our research. I've shared it on this and other forums several times, so the people who have been on this forum for several years are quite tired of our story and I don't want to bore them any more than I already have.
Ask your questions here. As you start to focus on some specific possible brands join those owners' forums. Talk to people in campgrounds about why they chose the class of RV they did. You are looking for the thought processes about this class versus that class, not this coach versus that one. Then apply what you've learned to your own situation. What was important to us may not be important to you, and what is important to you may not fit us at all.
Enjoy the research.