I have an opportunity to purchase a older Class C Motorhome that is 28' long. Are there any solo RVers out there who drive something that size or larger? I'm trying to figure out if that's doable for me, especially if I have to tow a car behind it. I've driven pickups pulling trailers and a 24' U-Haul, just not sure if 4' plus tow will be a huge difference. Or should I stick with something around 24'? I can live in just about any size (I think), not attached to a lot of material things so storage room shouldn't be an issue.
Terry and Jo said
02:38 PM Sep 18, 2014
Jenifer,
First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. It is definitely a good source of information with regards to both RV's and the RV lifestyle.
As for the "older" motorhome, you need to be a little extra cautious with them. If they are low mileage but "long in years," there can be issues with mechanical items like the engine, transmission, etc. Motor vehicle really need to be "exercised" on occasion to help keep things lubricated. If you do choose to go with an older motorhome, be sure and have a RV technician check out everything on the RV. Not just the drive train, but all the appliances and other systems incorporated within the RV.
As for size, that will depend on each individual's needs for storage, comfort, and ease of use of the RV. If one is a minimalist, then something even smaller than a 24-footer would work. There are people, including couples, that are full-timing in something like the Casita trailers. If you are considering the used ones, be sure and insist on doing a test drive with the motorhome. Not only will that give you an opportunity to hear what it sounds like, but you can get a sense of how easy or hard it would be to maneuver around corners and obstacles.
Good luck with your research and planning.
Terry
bjoyce said
03:30 PM Sep 18, 2014
Nothing is too big for a solo. I know solos in 43' Class As, other motorhomes of all classes and lengths, large and small 5th wheels, large and small trailers and truck campers. Solos have no one to compromise with and can choose what they want and are comfortable with. I think Lucky Mike, a regular here, is moving to a 40' motorhome.
Cindy T said
05:27 PM Sep 18, 2014
I don't think 28' would be too big at all. Especially when you already have experience with larger vehicles. Just be sure to have it thoroughly mechanically checked out.
kb0zke said
07:15 PM Sep 18, 2014
That U-Haul truck was most likely built on a medium-duty truck chassis, whereas most Class C coaches are on a van chassis. The most visible difference is the distance from the rear axle to the rear bumper. That longer overhang on the Class C will change the way it handles compared to the U-Haul. It also affects the amount (or how often) you drag the bumper going into or out of the gas station.
As for getting used to driving it, a few hours behind the wheel will do wonders for your confidence. Our coach is the largest vehicle I've ever driven, and I had maybe 15 minutes of dual - the test drive - with the PO. I drove it home with a 30 mph crosswind for much of the trip, and didn't have any problems. The trip home took much longer than the trip there, but we expected that. Now I'm still a low-time driver (less than 100 hours) but I'm much more confident.
jeni4515 said
07:23 PM Sep 18, 2014
Thanks for the advice. I'm going to take a closer look at it this weekend and if it still seems worth it I will make sure to have the engine checked out. Did I mention it has less than 20th miles on it? Now that's not sounding as good as I thought.
kb0zke said
07:39 PM Sep 18, 2014
Many years ago, when I was young and stupid, I bought a used car that was 11 years old and had only 33,000 miles on it. Obviously the car had spent much of the time just sitting. I put it into daily service, and over the next couple of years I had every seal in the thing replaced. As soon as I fixed one leak it would spring another. If I had used the car as the PO did, I probably wouldn't have had to spend so much money on repairs, but I don't buy vehicles just to look at them - I want to drive them.
Generally you need to put at least 5,000 miles per year on a vehicle, spread out throughout the year (not all in one month) to keep everything lubricated properly. Following this rubric would indicate that you are looking at a four-year-old coach. That isn't "older" by any means.
Now, don't be scared off by the low miles, but use it as a bargaining point. The seller is probably going to say that the low mileage (and probably good condition) makes the coach worth more. You can get some prices from a dealer for the chassis (Ford, Dodge, Chevy, etc.) about what seals are likely to need replacing and use that to counter the seller's price.
Don't forget to check the age of the tires and batteries. A lot of people simply thing that the amount of tread on the tires is all that needs to be considered. It is entirely possible that those are the original tires. The general recommendation is that tires age out at seven years, so if they are older than that they need to be replaced. Batteries generally only last about five years.
Good luck checking it out.
SnowGypsy said
05:18 AM Sep 19, 2014
In making a comparison about the space that you might need, this young lady full-times in a Casita and writes a pretty detailed blog with photos: www.interstellarorchard.com/2014/02/02/all-about-my-casita/ It is a good example of the smaller possibilities. More details about the motor home would help since they are not all created equally and from experience, our first one, you can end up putting a lot of money into them if you don't understand the possibilities.
BiggarView said
07:27 AM Sep 19, 2014
Dave (kb0zke) makes great points. I cannot speak to solo, my experience while limited, with a larger Uhaul on a pickup chassis and towing a car on a dolly is exactly like he described... confidence comes quickly (but don't get ****y, oops language filters... don't get overly confident...). It was the same with a 30, then a 32 foot class C we rented to get a feel for the RV "thing".
If you tow, think hard about towing a vehicle with four wheels down vs towing with a dolly or a full trailer for your car. The former seems to be the most preferred method and tow dollys or trailers have their own particular parking and storage issues.
Good luck with your research.
-- Edited by biggaRView on Friday 19th of September 2014 07:32:31 AM
jeni4515 said
09:25 AM Sep 19, 2014
This is all awesome advice, I'm so glad I joined this forum. I will find out as much detail as I can when I look at it and go back to more research. Since I'm looking to buy my next 'home' I'm going to take my time and find the right one that will work best for me. Thanks so much everyone.
A-S Travelers said
01:18 PM Sep 19, 2014
Many folks who start out with a 24-28' MH and don't tow a car (called a "Toad") wind up adding a toad after a while. While driving and parking a 24' MH at grocery stores, museums, etc isn't too hard. The extra 4' of the 28 footer is quite a bit more difficult.
jeni4515 said
12:19 PM Sep 22, 2014
After reading about how RVs need to be driven and not sitting still I'm wondering now if I shouldn't look into a trailer or 5th wheel to start with since it will probably be sitting in an RV park for the first few years (until I can officially retire). Once I'm not tied down I can move into a motorhome. I guess I'm just wanting to be able to take it out on weekends and vacations while I'm working and if I do a trailer/5th wheel I won't be able to. All these decisions...winning the lottery would make those so much easier! lol
Oh and I didn't get to see the 28' MH over the weekend, it ended up with brake issues and they had to put it in the shop for repairs. God's little way of telling me to keep looking! :)
Cindi said
06:56 PM Sep 22, 2014
I had a 24' MH for years and used it for weekends and yearly vacation weeks. I travel solo and the space was ultimately just too small for me. There was a bathroom, but I had to sit on the loo to take a shower. Then I had to somehow dry the room down. The trek to the campground bathrooms instead for showers was not very convenient. There was no basement storage. No dedicated bed, but a couch I had to make up every day. Very small refrigerator. Yes, it was fairly easy to park, sort of like a big van, but I still needed to take up several spaces in the parking lot way out from the store, or risk getting parked in unable to move. I now have a 37' MH. Separate shower, counter space in kitchen, full size refrigerator, private bedroom in the back. It is not any harder to drive than the little one was and ohhhh so much more comfortable.
Maybe you should rent a MH for a trip and see how you cope? You might be fine in such a small space and you may want a little more.
-- Edited by Cindi on Tuesday 23rd of September 2014 05:22:43 AM
BiggarView said
07:41 PM Sep 22, 2014
Cindi wrote:
I had a 24' MH for years and ... >snip< ...I now have a 37" MH. Separate shower, counter space in kitchen, full size refrigerator, private bedroom in the back. It is not any harder to drive than the little one was and ohhhh so much more comfortable.
Is that one of those new "transformer" models. Sorry, couldn't resist.
Brian
Cindi said
05:06 AM Sep 23, 2014
Brian,
I am happy that your humor is intact. Maybe I should rename her. Should she now be called Arcee ???
BiggarView said
07:54 AM Sep 23, 2014
At 37", it's small enough to be a toad for your toad
I have an opportunity to purchase a older Class C Motorhome that is 28' long. Are there any solo RVers out there who drive something that size or larger? I'm trying to figure out if that's doable for me, especially if I have to tow a car behind it. I've driven pickups pulling trailers and a 24' U-Haul, just not sure if 4' plus tow will be a huge difference. Or should I stick with something around 24'? I can live in just about any size (I think), not attached to a lot of material things so storage room shouldn't be an issue.
Jenifer,
First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. It is definitely a good source of information with regards to both RV's and the RV lifestyle.
As for the "older" motorhome, you need to be a little extra cautious with them. If they are low mileage but "long in years," there can be issues with mechanical items like the engine, transmission, etc. Motor vehicle really need to be "exercised" on occasion to help keep things lubricated. If you do choose to go with an older motorhome, be sure and have a RV technician check out everything on the RV. Not just the drive train, but all the appliances and other systems incorporated within the RV.
As for size, that will depend on each individual's needs for storage, comfort, and ease of use of the RV. If one is a minimalist, then something even smaller than a 24-footer would work. There are people, including couples, that are full-timing in something like the Casita trailers. If you are considering the used ones, be sure and insist on doing a test drive with the motorhome. Not only will that give you an opportunity to hear what it sounds like, but you can get a sense of how easy or hard it would be to maneuver around corners and obstacles.
Good luck with your research and planning.
Terry
I don't think 28' would be too big at all. Especially when you already have experience with larger vehicles. Just be sure to have it thoroughly mechanically checked out.
As for getting used to driving it, a few hours behind the wheel will do wonders for your confidence. Our coach is the largest vehicle I've ever driven, and I had maybe 15 minutes of dual - the test drive - with the PO. I drove it home with a 30 mph crosswind for much of the trip, and didn't have any problems. The trip home took much longer than the trip there, but we expected that. Now I'm still a low-time driver (less than 100 hours) but I'm much more confident.
Generally you need to put at least 5,000 miles per year on a vehicle, spread out throughout the year (not all in one month) to keep everything lubricated properly. Following this rubric would indicate that you are looking at a four-year-old coach. That isn't "older" by any means.
Now, don't be scared off by the low miles, but use it as a bargaining point. The seller is probably going to say that the low mileage (and probably good condition) makes the coach worth more. You can get some prices from a dealer for the chassis (Ford, Dodge, Chevy, etc.) about what seals are likely to need replacing and use that to counter the seller's price.
Don't forget to check the age of the tires and batteries. A lot of people simply thing that the amount of tread on the tires is all that needs to be considered. It is entirely possible that those are the original tires. The general recommendation is that tires age out at seven years, so if they are older than that they need to be replaced. Batteries generally only last about five years.
Good luck checking it out.
Dave (kb0zke) makes great points. I cannot speak to solo, my experience while limited, with a larger Uhaul on a pickup chassis and towing a car on a dolly is exactly like he described... confidence comes quickly (but don't get ****y, oops language filters... don't get overly confident...). It was the same with a 30, then a 32 foot class C we rented to get a feel for the RV "thing".
If you tow, think hard about towing a vehicle with four wheels down vs towing with a dolly or a full trailer for your car. The former seems to be the most preferred method and tow dollys or trailers have their own particular parking and storage issues.
Good luck with your research.
-- Edited by biggaRView on Friday 19th of September 2014 07:32:31 AM
Oh and I didn't get to see the 28' MH over the weekend, it ended up with brake issues and they had to put it in the shop for repairs. God's little way of telling me to keep looking! :)
I had a 24' MH for years and used it for weekends and yearly vacation weeks. I travel solo and the space was ultimately just too small for me. There was a bathroom, but I had to sit on the loo to take a shower. Then I had to somehow dry the room down. The trek to the campground bathrooms instead for showers was not very convenient. There was no basement storage. No dedicated bed, but a couch I had to make up every day. Very small refrigerator. Yes, it was fairly easy to park, sort of like a big van, but I still needed to take up several spaces in the parking lot way out from the store, or risk getting parked in unable to move. I now have a 37' MH. Separate shower, counter space in kitchen, full size refrigerator, private bedroom in the back. It is not any harder to drive than the little one was and ohhhh so much more comfortable.
Maybe you should rent a MH for a trip and see how you cope? You might be fine in such a small space and you may want a little more.
-- Edited by Cindi on Tuesday 23rd of September 2014 05:22:43 AM
Is that one of those new "transformer" models.
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Brian
I am happy that your humor is intact. Maybe I should rename her. Should she now be called Arcee ???
At 37", it's small enough to be a toad for your toad
