Forum Discussion

Dyno_Bill's avatar
Dyno_Bill
Explorer
Oct 22, 2013

A Real newbee

Hi all, the wife and myself are looking into an RV to run away in, kinda. I am retired soon to be followed by her and we are way into adventures. We were at a RV show in LA last week and were looking at Motor homes but they have gotten real expensive, more so that I remembered. We do have an older F350 dually cab and a half I used to pull horse trailers years ago. The largest was a 33ft steel King and it was pretty heavy so I imagine it will pull perhaps a 28-30 5th wheel without too much trouble. That being said I have begun looking for used trailers that would accommodate the two of us. Any suggestions on brands or models would all be info I don't have to learn the hard way, we felt keeping it a bit smaller might allow us entrance to more places????
Thanks, Bill
  • kennyd63's avatar
    kennyd63
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2013
    Dyno-

    First most welcome to the forum. Second good move on not buying the motor home they are not just price but just to maintain one of those baby it takes lots of mula...If you have plenty to burn then that is ok. I had one I dropped it like a hot potato. enough of that welcome again and good luck with your search.

    Kennedy>>>:B
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Oct 22, 2013
    I think your wise to buy your first one used. Most of us don't keep the first RV very long before we figure out we want after a little experience.
    I would make a list of the things you really wan't. Maybe a walk around bed, seating for "X" people, etc.
    Then scout the RV shows to get an idea of whats out there. When buying used look for evidence of leaks. Look for stains on the ceiling and inside of cabinets. Look for soft spots in the floor too. Use your nose, if you walk into a trailer and it smells musty then walk away - it's probably got a leak and mold. They don't smell that way just because they've been closed up.
    Plan on doing maint. to the bearings and brakes of anything you buy.

    Good luck and welcome to a great hobby!

    Scott
  • oldtrojan66's avatar
    oldtrojan66
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2013
    Again, Welcome to the forum. Lots of good information on here and some good opinions (haha). You can also check nearly all of the brand names by google search and look at floorplans. Once you find a floorplan you are interested in, look at several at RV shows and actually sit down for a bit and look at the TV. See if you can interact with each other while one is in the kitchen. Check out the different styles of bathroom with your specific needs in mind. Remember height and weight of people camping in this RV, and have a ball picking one out. Like other poster said look carefully for stains and soft spots in pro-owned rigs. Happy Trails!!
    David
  • YnotTurbo's avatar
    YnotTurbo
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2013
    Welcome to the forum. You can buy a new truck and nice fiver for half the price of a motorhome. I know motorhomes are very nice, but you would still have to tow a car for exploring when you get to a campground. You are doing the right thing by asking questions, but just be aware you will get all kinds of different opinions. It will be up to you two to decide what you want to travel the country with. If you buy a new fiver, make sure you look it over with a fine tooth comb when you pick it up. You can even go on line and print out your own checklist to use at delivery. Good luck and enjoy your adventure. You earned it..
  • WyoTraveler's avatar
    WyoTraveler
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2013
    I'm sure you were getting sticker shock in Pomona. Keep in mind what ever you buy shows are places to look at Rvs not places to buy RVs. I agree with the other posts you probably will not keep your first RV. Maybe not even the second or third. The first one will at least give you an idea about likes, wants and dislikes. Expensive but rent a RV and take a short vacation. During this recession keep in mind some of these dealers are hurting. 30% off list is not unusual.
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2013
    The size of the rig depends on the type of camping you plan to do. If you stay mostly in modern campgrounds they usually can accommodate larger units.

    State parks and National Forests have older and smaller sites. Stay around 30 feet or under. The sites are smaller, older, and the roads can be tight for a larger rig.

    Of course, this is a general answer. There will be exceptions.
  • Chiefcpo's avatar
    Chiefcpo
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2013
    Not a newby ut getting a new one Friday so where is he PDI sheet. It will be good to have something tomgo with.
    Thanks Bob and MariaVictoria
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2013
    Chiefcpo wrote:
    Not a newby ut getting a new one Friday so where is he PDI sheet. It will be good to have something tomgo with.
    Thanks Bob and MariaVictoria


    Top of this page, in Blue Bar, Click on "RVing FAQ." Lots of lists there.
  • Dyno_Bill's avatar
    Dyno_Bill
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2013
    Thanks guys and of course gals if it is applicable. I had a class A a lifetime ago when we had sand rails, it was a Winnebago and the wife had a c class again in a previous life. I also lived on a boat in the Pacific for a few years as a single man. I'm sure we will get an older small/ under 30 ft unit to start. If we don't spend too much we are likely to lose less at re-sale. We both feel it would be fun to wander for perhaps a year, she went to college in Canada so the roaming will likely cover some miles. The infamous bucket list as it were. Thanks again and all the ideas are invaluable as I as stated earlier am a fabricator and can build most anything I can draw. Spent the last several years building hot rods and I totally enjoy doing fab work.
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2013
    Welcome to the forum.
    Motorhomes have their pros and cons like other type RV's.
    It's nice to have access to everything while rolling down the road. Especially the toilet if you're stuck in traffic, just ask my DW. :)
    Also, if you pull into a CG in the rain you don't have to get out to set up. And, as a safety item, if you need to leave in a hurry you don't have to leave the unit.

    Do some research before you decide.

    As a newbee you've probably noticed a lot of abbreviations used by members.
    Here's a List of Acronyms and Abbreviations often used.

    Enjoy your search and ask lots of questions. There is a lot of information available on the forum.

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