So how many RV owners are there in here?

[PhL0aTeR]

With some of the recent going-ons in our (GF & I) lives, we decided a little camping trip is what we needed. After the first night, we both decided that we were not “ground sleepers” and that we should look into getting a camping trailer, which is something I’ve been half-assed looking into in the first place, but nonetheless, it was discussed. As the conversation progressed, we decided we might look into an RV, and by progressing even further (warp speed conversation) we decided it would be a good idea to let me job transfer me around to different places, and we would just live in the RV. Just to be clear, I am strictly looking at Class A RVs, and would like a diesel pusher, but prices of those restricts me to what I can find used.

So $10 says there probably not many of you that do that, but my questions do not only pertain to the “hardcore” RVers. However some my questions DO pertain to Class A Owners, but feel free to chime in, but please differentiate yourselves from by divulging your Class. Also, I know if I did my research I could find most of this info, but I like to hear the “real world” situations, so please entertain these….

#1 - What is your insurance like on your RV, and please explain your situation. (policy length, driving history, age, discounts, etc)

#2 – When you hitch up to one of the many RV parks, what is the price range per day/week/month, and does it fluxuate with times of year? Also, is it an all inclusive price, or is the water, electricity, etc extra?

#3 – What are your maintenance costs attributed to? (easy answer is oil changes, but I know there’s more… what maintenance is required for the generator, tanks, Propane system, etc)

#4 – What do you use as your tow vehicle, and why? Also, how do you tow it? (Tow bar, tow dolly, full trailer, enclosed trailer, etc, and why?)

#5 – What are you a member of that helps you in your RVing situations? (things like AAA, AARP, etc)

#6 – What do you wish you had in your RV that you don’t have?

#7 – What do you have that you could do without?

And the last part of this post, please feel free to share any stories, or advice that you have that might help.

I currently have my eye on a 99 Endeavor at our local RV world. It’s a 37’ Diesel pusher with about 70k on the odometer. Price tag is just under $80,000. Reasons for wanting a diesel pusher, is storage space (no driveline to get in the way so storage is all the way through to the other side on the bottom) and towing capability, as my tow vehicle will probably be my Durango with a couple bikes thrown in the mix, and most gas Class A’s have a towing capacity of around 5,000# or so.

[SigsRule]

I'm strickly a travel tailer kind of guy, but my SO and I have been camping for over 39 years. We started with a coleman pup tent on our honeymoon on the way to the Grand Canyon - almost got blown away in one of those desert thunderstorms one night. From there we graduated to small travel trailers, then wound up with two Airstreams in a row for about ten years or so. Now we're in a Holiday Rambler with slide outs and more room than our first apartment after getting married.

The all time best Class A I've ever seen is a custom rig based on a Volvo eighteen wheeler. I don't remember the name but if you run up to Prospector campground near Lake Dillon, you'll find the Camp Host in loop A has one and it's a work of art. Triple slide outs, washer/dryer, custom entertainment center, real wood cabinets including a mobile office, and a big diesel that will run a million miles with minimal care. He was going to move to Heaton Bay to camp host there if it opens up, but he should be in one or the other. You can't miss his rig, there's very few others like it on the road.

Here's my current rig in a campground near Blackhawk. BTW, I'm getting almost 17 mpg with the Cummins in the Dodge after 35K miles with about 75% towing or four wheeling.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t264/SigsRule/DSC_0040.jpg

[bnred9]

Here is my current rig! Always have had a truck camper growing up so that is what I have stayed with.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/bnred9/07julleadville.jpg
1 insurance is on the truck already, you can add a small one to the unit for when it is stored or off the truck

2 NF $14 a night, full hookup in something like a KOA around $40

3. No add charges, I would be driving the truck anyway and do not have money tied up in a rig that I do not use or only use a few times a year.

4. N/a I do tow a boat with a Torklift Super Hitch.

5. AAA has a recreational plan for larger rigs

6. right now nothing, we like this rig a lot

7. a wife

[PhL0aTeR]

7. a wife



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y210/PhL0aTeR/hysterical.gif

[SigsRule]

Actually NF campgrounds are only $7.00 a night with a Golden Eagle pass unless you're at Heaton Bay in one of the electrical sites - assuming they ever open it up again.

Golden Eagle passes are easy to get, you just have to survive for 62 years.

[SigsRule]

BTW - there's nothing like sitting in a hunting camp, firing up the generator and watching your favorite TV shows while mircrowaving a hot meal and enjoying your favorite beverage ice cold. Takes a lot of the sting out of hiking around the mountains at my age.

[Beer]

[PhL0aTeR]

Actually NF campgrounds are only $7.00 a night with a Golden Eagle pass unless you're at Heaton Bay in one of the electrical sites - assuming they ever open it up again.

Golden Eagle passes are easy to get, you just have to survive for 62 years.

What does "NF" mean?

[Wallary]

What does "NF" mean? I think he means National Forest Campgrounds. [Fire]

[PhL0aTeR]

I think he means National Forest Campgrounds. [Fire]

arent those free?

[bnred9]

yes NF is National Forest Campgrounds and I am not quit ready for the Golden Eagle. Attached is the current price list of Pike & San Isabel National Forests plus Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands

http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/recreation/camping/camp_guide.shtml

[Richard K]

Well, we've had a 19 and 21' travel trailer a 34' gas coach and a 35' diesel pusher coach. Sold them all and now have a 33' fith wheel. The insurance cost on our pusher was $1,500 per year. On our 5th wheel it raised the cost of the insurance on our 2007 F250 diesel by a whopping $41 per year. We find we have more usable space in the 5th wheel with three sliders than the 35' coach with three sliders and maintenance costs are MUCH lower. Paid $51K for the 5th wheel and $43K for the truck. Compare that to $167K for a compararable coach plus the cost of a toad (like a Jeep Wrangler)

[car-15]

Well, we've had a 19 and 21' travel trailer a 34' gas coach and a 35' diesel pusher coach. Sold them all and now have a 33' fith wheel. The insurance cost on our pusher was $1,500 per year. On our 5th wheel it raised the cost of the insurance on our 2007 F250 diesel by a whopping $41 per year. We find we have more usable space in the 5th wheel with three sliders than the 35' coach with three sliders and maintenance costs are MUCH lower. Paid $51K for the 5th wheel and $43K for the truck. Compare that to $167K for a compararable coach plus the cost of a toad (like a Jeep Wrangler)
+1 I have realized the same and now I use the truck/trailer setup, not to mention if you need something, or have a emergency it is a lot easier and faster to take the truck into town than to pack up and drive the rv.

[LippCJ7]

I have a 11' cabover camper that suits my needs nicely for me my wife and two kids. It gets a little cramped but we handle it well. The best part of a Cabover is you can go anywhere that your truck goes, 4 wheeling or whatever! 10 feet from the water at the lake no sweat way past the established campgrounds in the mountains no problem, Campground fees not likely. I haul my boat behind the 2000 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke up to McConnaughy at 80 to 85 or haul my jeep on the trailer over the pass at 70 to 75 on the uphills. If you like freedom where ever you go this is it, it just doesn't get any better. Satelite TV AC and Hot water (and my wifes favorite the "sanitary facilities"). I am also on a race team with a 48' diesel pusher, its nice and all but I cannot imagine getting it into many of the places I do with my truck and cabover. but onto your check list.

1. Insurance is on the truck about $100 a month
2. most I've paid for camping is $10 a night
3. Truck oil change $40 bimonthly
Generator Oil change every 100 hours $10
Heres the big one my wife is one hell of a cook PROPANE $40 per camp week.
toilet detergent and other misc costs maybe $20 camp week
4. 2000 F350 Powerstroke It tows everything
5. Not a member of any RV organization I like to "McGyver" it
6. Wife says more freezer space
7. not much

[SigsRule]

arent those free?


Most campgrounds are administered for the National Forest by Thousand Trails and there's a fee associated with each and they all have names, signs, prepared sites, camp hosts, water, etc. - some even have electricity like Heaton Bay on Lake Dillon. The Golden Eagle passport is available for those over 62 years old and gets you half off the standard campground fee in National Forests as well as National Parks. However, you can camp anywhere in a National Forest outside of a normal campground if you follow some basic rules established by the forest rangers. These rules have to do with more than a certain number of feet off a paved road, so many feet from creeks and lakes, etc. Check with the local rangers at the National Forest Visitor Centers for information on common places to camp free and where to avoid. There's also a time limit on how long you can stay in the free areas but that's dependent on the ranger's ability to patrol the areas.

See www.recreation.gov for a list of fee campgrounds.