RV's What is the Attraction?

Bird · Jul 15, 2004

Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?

( The PullRite actually works identically to a 5th wheel hitch. )

Yes, with one exception, if I'm not mistaken. It's identical as far as safety and handling, but I don't think you can jackknife it quite as far. I've never actually used one myself, although one of my brothers had a PullRite on a Suburban with a 34' trailer before he traded to the current 38' fifth-wheel and one ton dually crew cab diesel truck.

I'm not familiar with the organization in your link, although it sounds interesting. Of course, for many years we were members of the Good Sam Club and the Family Motor Coach Association, my parents were full time RVers for 4 years, my wife and I were for 6 years, both brothers still are full time RVers, one brother spent several years selling RVs, and both still do RV service and repair work.

tracdoc · Jul 15, 2004

Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?

NY_Yankees_Fan,

The comments and opinions in this thread certainly cover the gamut of pros and cons. For us, a 30' Class C motorhome was a big plus when we were living in CA, racing and bringing along our little guy. We could stay right at the track, so we could get set up early in the evenings or early morning. We had a "Bigfoot", made in B.C. on an E-450 chassis. Quality product that had a cargo area under the queen bed in the rear. It had ramps, and was designed to hold a standard golf cart or a couple of smaller quads--- all enclosed and away from prying eyes, and no hassle of lugging tagalong trailer behind the motorhome. We adapted that area for our racebikes, tools and gear. It was great.

Check with your tax person, too. Loan interest payments may be tax deductible on a motorhome as a second home.

Looking back, the only thing I'd do differently now would be to consider a 5th wheel trailer (if it too had the cargo bay). It's nice to be able to detach the living quarters/garage, and go out somewhere. Like once, I had to drive the Class C some 30 mi. from the racetrack into town to get a part we needed. If we had a 5th wheel, it would have been more convenient.

A big functional consideration for us came down to the fact that our recreational activities took us off the beaten path. That, plus meeting our little guy's needs made it any easy decision.

We sold the unit before we moved, and have since "retired" from GP motorcycle roadracing. However, we are now into car racing (Mini Cooper factory spec series), our guy is now six, and we have a dog (pet friendly hotels/motels are hard to find in our experience, unless you are ok with staying in a literal flea bag place). So, the wheel has turned and we are again considering the "self-contained" route.

Good luck in your considerations...

Bird · Jul 15, 2004

Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?

( 5th wheel trailer (if it too had the cargo bay )

It hasn't been too many years ago when such a trailer was almost unheard of, but now they're quite common.

higgy · Jul 15, 2004

Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?

good sam is a good resource and is very helpful, I agree

higgy · Jul 15, 2004

Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?

one more post after this

srs · Jul 15, 2004

Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?

( .drive around in a Class A or anything of similar size and you will be very limited on where you can go unless you tow a car(which makes no sense to me at all). )

I read in TRAILER LIFE that one manufacturer who sells huge motorhomes has a "garage" that opens in the rear and is designed to "garage" a BMW mini. It has a clam shell type opening and a ramp folds down so you just drive the mini right on in. Expensive real estate. Forgot the manufacturer but I bet you need quite a bit of $$$$ to own. Neat idea!

NY_Yankees_Fan · Jul 15, 2004

Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?

Thanks guys for the info, I do know if I will let the wife read these posts, too much good info for her side. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The debate continues......

Egon · Jul 16, 2004

Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?

Think of peace and contentment.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Libertine · Jul 20, 2004

Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?

NY_Yankees_Fan:

If you spent say $80K on a unit, I know you can spend a lot more or less. But if you stayed at a nice hotel say $100 a night and ate at a fine restaurant for $75, you can spend 457 days on the road. 

You are absolutely correct IF you spend $80k on a unit.

But you don't have to do that. Example: In Jan I bot a very clean, little used, older Holiday Rambler (one of the top quality makes) for $3.5k. Spent $2k on replacing some stuff (the woodwork was fine): new ceramic toilet, new water pump, repack wheel bearings, etc. Spent 20 days on road so far this year. Saved $50 day average over motel/hotels. That's 1/2 of the "cost" invested since I could easily resell it for the $3.5k I paid (probably could get more). After another 20 days on the road (probably later this year) I will be ahead.

But the savings isn't the only reason for "RVing". Some other benefits:
1) For D & myself, having two compartments allows me to sleep 9 to 4 and her 12 to 7 WITHOUT disturbing each other. Can't do that in a motel unless you have a suite.
2) We have a couple cats that can easily travel with us saving an ADDITIONAL $25 per day (in boarding costs) over above savings. More like the "family" is traveling together.
3) Time to hook up/unhook at destination is less than packing up/unpacking & dragging stuff in & out of a hotel.
4) Towing is easy (just a little more lesuirely) with a heavy diesel truck & we have a place to keep "stuff" we buy (we like browsing used book stores along the way) - but whatever YOUR hobby is it is easier to pack away stuff you buy on a trip.
5) Even though you're parked close to others in an RV park, you're still further away than in motels/hotels with thin walls. And if its noisy you can easily pop on the air. And if its THAT bad you only paid $20 for the spot and can easily hook up and go somewhere else.
6) You can stop almost anywhere. We've parked out in front of museums we stopped at, taken comfortable breaks in restaurant parking lots and even, earlier this year, had to stop early and ended up parking overnite in a Wal-Mart parking lot in East Jesus, Arkansas on our way to Texas. Even a trailer is very "handy" (although a motor home is a bit easier for impromtu stops).
7) There is a sense of freedom and lack of dependancy on others when you are carting your "home" along with you. You can wander about much easier, staying a day here, a few hours there, of an extra day somewhere else you find interesting.

I don't have the experience Bird has with this (he said he spent 6 years on the road), but I have owned a couple previous RVs (Airstreams) and if you buy right, buy quality, buy lightly used its cheaper, easier and offers many benefits.

I am looking at the older LeSharo/Rialta "pocket" motorhomes which are fully equipt and can be parked in a regular parking space and would be easy to park anywhere. Then you could totally "float" about, just pulling over whereever you ended up the day. In other words, you travel like you are in your car, and can easily go anywhere you take your car, but it is self contained. But havn't done that yet.

Some quality makes? Older Holiday Ramblers, Airstreams, Avions. I'm sure there are others, but I have some knowledge of these. They are well insulated (you can live in them in the winter if need be), metal framed (they don't come apart with lots of miles like wood framed tend to).

JEH

PS Someone recommended the movie Long, Long Trailer. Is cute, but remember, they were in a trailer/mobile home, not a self contained travel trailer.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Jul 20, 2004

Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?

All I have to tow a trailer is a Honda mini van which at most can tow 3500 lbs. So I would have to buy a truck/suv to tow the trailer if I went that way. So 50-80K with a SUV/truck, plus extra insurance on the unit, etc etc. More we look at the $$$ it does not seem it will work out. Well that is the story I am keeping to. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif