RV Afficianados

[sbgixxer]

I would guess many of our members have experience with RVs of all classes. I'm coming to you veterans for some help. I have an adventure that I'm planning hopefully for the 4th quarter of this year. I want to take my wife and newborn daughter on a year-long RV tour of the west to see the sights and visit family. The idea is to do a big loop from here to Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and back. Since we plan to "full-time" in the RV, I'll need a nice enough unit to keep us with a comfortable home-base. I'm looking at fairly large diesel pushers. I don't want a 40 footer, the space would be nice but probably too limiting because of size and ground clearance. I'm looking at 30' to 35' diesel RVs so I don't have to worry about pulling up passes with a car in tow.

We'll stay at some RV parks with full hook-ups but that won't be the norm. We will be doing some boondocking, staying with family, and hitting sight seeing areas.

I've considered 5th wheels as well but with a three month old, my wife would really like to have the ability to walk back and use the facilities and get whatever is needed while on the road.

So that's the gist of it. I'd like to learn from others' mistakes and successes and hear what people recommend as far as brands or really anything else. Is solar worth it? What's the best method for pulling a vehicle (from what I hear, 4-wheels down), best type of tow vehicles, etc. Does anyone know of a reliable way to make a little extra money while on the road?

Looking forward to hearing some first-hand experiences!

Shawn

[CapLock]

We have one family RV trip under our belt. Ours was only 14 days. Brand new RV and going down the road it seemed like it was going to fall apart. I am so glad we rented one. Felt a sense of relief handing the keys back. For a year I would look for a killer deal on a lightly used. Then sell it as soon as you get home.

[BushMasterBoy]

I bough an old motorhome with a 454 big block GM motor and every time I turn around something breaks on it. Still haven't go to go camping in it. I bought it because I know how to fix a 454 GM P30 chassis. In hindsight, I would have bought a used crew cab Ford F450 7.3 diesel and a fifth wheel trailer. I know this isn't exactly what you are asking. Just my take on the whole travel across the country thing. I lived in a 19 ft travel trailer for 13 years, pulled it with a 454 GM truck. Hope it all works out SAFELY for you.

[sniper7]

Since it is a full year I would definitely buy, not rent. If you were even thinking about it.

I only have experience with bumper pulls and 5th wheels other than getting to go on a couple trips in a diesel pusher my miles grandparents had. It was really nice, but also I think about 80k so very expensive.

Get the onboard generator. Onan is the best and about the only thing you will see available. Quiet, friendly on fuel, more than enough to run everything, and the couple I’ve messed with were easy to maintain.

Other than that, I don’t know on the pushers but best of luck in your search

[sbgixxer]

Good start to the discussion. I'm definitely not getting something too old for just the reasons mentioned...I don't want to be broken down on the side of the road every few hundred miles. I am willing to spend the $$$ to get something nicer and more reliable, I just want to make sure it will be more reliable. The idea is spend a decent chunk of cash for a nice unit, use it for a year or so then sell it and of course eat the depreciation. I'm ok with that over saving the cash up front then spending the same or more in time and repairs on the road.

Caplock - What kind of RV did you rent? Was it some variation of a cab-over Ford F series? I would assume those may feel a bit rickety since my work truck already feels that way and it's not attached to a home.

Bushmasterboy - At first I was torn between a 5th wheel and a self-powered RV. I like having the availability of regular repair-shops to do the heavier work and I figure I could handle most of the issues a trailer might have. Plus getting one of the modern diesel heavy duty trucks gives you plenty of torque. On top of that, when it comes time to sell, it's probably far easier. The huge negative that we might not be able to get past is having to be belted in to a seat at all times with no ability to stand up. With the RV, the wife can get up, go to the bathroom, lay down, grab a snack, rock the baby to sleep etc. That's the only real negative I see with a 5th wheel but it's a big one.

Sniper 7 - Did the diesel pusher you were on feel solid (quality construction)? What length and brand? Do you know if they had many issues with it?

Thanks for the help so far, guys.

[GilpinGuy'sDad]

I own a 1997 37' Beaver diesel pusher. Beaver is a very good brand. For your specifications expect to spend a lot of money, probably as much as your house or more. They suck fuel like mad. Expect 7 or 8 mpg. Very roomy inside but most only have 1 bedroom. Trust me your wife will not want to walk around inside while you are driving, unless I have mistaken your intent. If I were to plan a trip like yours, which sounds great by the way, I would look at something on a sprinter chassis or similar. Keep some of your money, stay at a hotel once in awhile and don't take such a big hit on the depreciation. Just my 2 cents. If you need a driver let me know, lol. Good luck.

[sniper7]

The pusher I was in for just the couple trips was I think it was around a 2008. It was a Winnebago but can’t remember the model off the top of my head. It was excellent. Huge slide outs, quiet, comfortable. Huge upgrade from a tent!

they didn’t mention anythiing for problems that I can remember.

[Great-Kazoo]

I own a 1997 37' Beaver diesel pusher. Beaver is a very good brand. For your specifications expect to spend a lot of money, probably as much as your house or more. They suck fuel like mad. Expect 7 or 8 mpg. Very roomy inside but most only have 1 bedroom. Trust me your wife will not want to walk around inside while you are driving, unless I have mistaken your intent. If I were to plan a trip like yours, which sounds great by the way, I would look at something on a sprinter chassis or similar. Keep some of your money, stay at a hotel once in awhile and don't take such a big hit on the depreciation. Just my 2 cents. If you need a driver let me know, lol. Good luck.

This is the way to go. One of the RV guys we had dinner with in Moab said his major expense was fuel. Second was maintenance & overall upkeep. There's so many things you could do with a bare bones sprinter or the Ford and still have $$ in your pocket.

Other advice is if you do the sprinter route, get a cheap compact vehicle to pull around. This way if and when (cause it will happen) you and the spouse need space. That vehicle will be a get away unit. Same if you did a truck/ 5th wheel deal.

[sbgixxer]

I've heard Beaver coaches are very nice. What do you feel makes them stand out as such, reliability, construction, electrical, amenities? I'm definitely not buying new. From my findings, spending $200k wouldn't be difficult and depreciation seems about 50% in 5 or so years. I did expect the 7-8 mpg range. I have looked at the sprinter chassis size but what's holding me up is a long stay in my home town for around 2 months during our year... that'd be a small house for that time and I'd probably have to rent a car to get around. It's not out of the question as it'd be a hell of a lot cheaper all around.

Why do you say my wife wouldn't want to walk to the back of the coach while en route? Is there that much movement? Do all your passengers stay buckled in their seats?

[Irving]

This is a very common thing for people to want to do now a days. I've read about it (usually in the context of some type of travel hacking) and the number one thing that everyone who's gone on trips like this say is to go on a shorter trip first. From what I understand, it's very common for people to get this idea into their head, then two weeks in decide that they are already done. So while I don't want to discourage your dream trip, I definitely encourage renting something for say two weeks, and try a trip of that length first. This will give you a MUCH better idea of what you want in a rig without committing you to anything. It's not uncommon that people do this and change their overall plan to mix things up (maybe we'll stay on a house boat for a month, then rent a tiny house for a month, whatever). Anyway, just an idea before sink a ton of money into this.

Advice freely given without knowing anything about you or your family. Maybe you regularly go on months long trips and are already hardened travelers; most people aren't.