To RV, or not to RV........

[jmcarter]

Trade in value for your F250 toward a one ton truck (probably advisable for a longer gooseneck w/living qtrs) would probably be good right now but if you use your F250 for other things as well it might be better suited, particularly if it’s the 6.2 or 7.3 gasser. Pulling 9,000 lbs would be a stretch for a Class C or Class A gas MH but if you value comfort a used diesel pusher similar to one I’ve linked here would be nice. Used MH prices are starting back down and with current interest rates cash talks. Just look for a better brand like Newmar with meticulous maintenance records, hiring a professional inspector may be in order as well.

Example only:

https://bham.craigslist.org/rvs/d/ma...565959923.html

Just my 2 cents…

[Ronnie1858]

Jim,

Thanks for the comments. Have already convinced myself that I would need a Super C diesel to do this, I think a Class A would be way too much. Am not opposed to a used RV, but there do not seem to be many used Super Cs out there right now. Most times I would use it, it would just be me in it. My wife is not a big race fan, the loud noise bothers her a lot. So, I do not need something all that big. The folks I have talked to with Class C MH tell me that they did a lot of welding of braces on the chassis to be able to pull their race trailers, but even then they are on the hairy edge. That's what steered me to the Super C.

Thanks again.

Ron

[pmrphil]

Originally Posted by jmcarter

Trade in value for your F250 toward a one ton truck (probably advisable for a longer gooseneck w/living qtrs) would probably be good right now but if you use your F250 for other things as well it might be better suited, particularly if it’s the 6.2 or 7.3 gasser. Pulling 9,000 lbs would be a stretch for a Class C or Class A gas MH but if you value comfort a used diesel pusher similar to one I’ve linked here would be nice. Used MH prices are starting back down and with current interest rates cash talks. Just look for a better brand like Newmar with meticulous maintenance records, hiring a professional inspector may be in order as well.

Example only:

https://bham.craigslist.org/rvs/d/ma...565959923.html

Just my 2 cents…

Unfortunately, that ad is a scam. That RV is listed on RV Trader for $68,500

[pmrphil]

Myself, I first towed with a station wagon, then camper van, next a truck, then class A, later a longer class A - I'd never go back to a truck. Having your "home" with you beats all, plus no waiting in line at the track every day to get in.

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by pmrphil

Unfortunately, that ad is a scam. That RV is listed on RV Trader for $68,500

Almost figured as much…$68K still sounds like a reasonable deal for a Dutch Star. Ronnie, agree Super C’s are nice, perhaps not as quiet going down the road and they seem to be priced a bit high but easier to work on and unlike a Class A where in an accident you are always the first one on the scene.

[tommy d]

Just be prepared to become a pretty good r.v. mechanic. Something always needs attention and things go wrong with it even when it's parked. I'm on my third one now. Still worth it though.

[AJ Laferty]

One friend of mine rents a class A for all of his long haul events. There is a website like airbnb for RVs.

He tows with the rental class A. Picks it up, uses it and returns it. Doesn't have $200K tied up in the class A, doesn't have to store it, doesn't have to insure it, doesn't have to license it, doesn't have to keep it inspected or maintained.

Not cheap but I would imagine the avoiding just the insurance cost is close to the cost of the RV rental. Plus it is a win for the renter, they are gettting some money for their RV that is sitting in the driveway...

[jmcarter]

For what it's worth, I've looked at RVshare.com before and found some of the rates pretty high given they add on insurance, cleaning fees, etc. and then tack on for "excess miles" or "excess generator usage". Ergo, unless my wife or another driver brings along my Ford Transit based Class C I'm pretty much resorting to sleeping in the trailer and using truck stops or fitness centers for showers. I have a spotless driving record (in the last 50 years anyway LOL) and have insured small Class B's all the way up to 45 foot Class A's between $1300-2300 @ year which is not too extreme based on crazy insurance rates on vehicles. RV Storage can be expensive and scarce in many areas and of course maintenance is very expensive. All just things to consider and as we all know fuel costs are ridiculous, with diesel usually tacking on another dollar per gallon. GasBuddy (highly recommended app) is predicting 2023 prices to hover near the 2022 range with the west coast being the extreme again. Have a nephew going to RV from WA to Alaska in June and I told him to double his fuel estimate based on what I saw on my latest motorcycle adventure. Alaska should be on everybody's bucket list, just take advantage of cheap cruises to do it.

Forgive the rambling...

[ken robinson]

I built a small living quarters ( bed shower & m/wave& coffee maker ] in my 24 footer not as nice as a motor home , but it was cheaper than a RV & hotels . Its towed by a 3/4 pickup with a cap for tools & genator & other stuff