So I've been scanning these forums, other forums, and every forum trying to decide on which RV is the best for us.I jumped from TrailManors, to molded fiberglass trailers, to all-aluminum trailers...and then went off on a tangent to Truck Campers. There's just so much info and variations and likes/dislikes out there!I'm hoping for some guidance here. I'm wiping the slate clean. Since my wife and I have a goal of full timing, I'm hoping you full timers can shed a bit of light.So here's basically our situation/goals:- We are in our 20-somethings, have done lots of backpacking/tent camping around the world, but want to start our 2+ year journey throughout the US in something more convenient.- We want something small/lightweight, but feel more comfortable with hard sides rather than a pop-up; also something with a small shower/toilet/kitchen- We are new to RV-ing so, whatever we'd get initially, we'd like it to be quite newbie friendly (lower maintenance, which is why fiberglass molds appealed to us)- We'll likely spend anywhere from 1 week to 1 month at each site- We are starting from scratch, meaning we're going to buy a vehicle as well, so we'd like a RV/vehicle combo that works really well (including optimal MPGs)What should we really be looking at given our criteria? Perhaps some of you full-timers that have traveled in multiple trailers can give us some pros-cons from your experiences. I'll be happy to provide additional info if needed. Much appreciated!**edit to add: by small we mean 13' to 19'

Children in the picture? We 1/2 time, May-Oct. in a fairly small truck camper, but we live outside. It's a nice place to sleep and refuge on the occasional day when it's just too windy to sit under a tarp by the fire. The other 1/2 we spend in a 400sq.ft. park model. If you can't live outside you probably want to go to a trailer and I'd opt for a molded fiberglass myself.

Thing to remember. Towing RVs, and MPG do not fit into the same sentence. It ain't going to happen. UNLESS you go against your criteria, and get a popup, or Trail Manor. The wind resistance of a TT, or 5er is the determining factor in MPG.For the size TT you are talking about. Just about any F150, or 1500 series truck from the top there manufacturers will do what you want. As will a Full size SUV. For lite weight. You should be looking at brands like APEX, Among the lightest TT on the market. Yet have all the bells, and whistles.And remember. Just because it says ultra lite. Does not mean it is. You have to check the weights on the yellow sticker.

If I were in your shoes, I would get a fairly new Toyota pickup or SUV and purchase a good used travel trailer(TT). Look for at least an 18ft or longer TT that stays within the towing and weight capacity of the tow vehicle you choose.Look for a floorplan with an always made up bed or one that has an easy to make up bed. And if possible a comfortable sitting area more than just a dinnette. Large bathroom is a plus.A good website for lots of fulltime information including financial is www.rv-dreams.com

I am a fan of SUVs for towing, because of the secure storage with convenient access. I towed happily with a Toyota Sequoia for 3 years. So far as gas mileage, you are not going to get significantly more than 12 mpg even with a streamlined trailer. And that will vary a lot. You can save some gas by driving slower and less. Your tow vehicle will also be your daily driver, so gas mileage can help you out there. I am a Toyota fan, BUT the Ford Ecoboost engines are getting a good rep for both towing and daily driving. If you don't want/can't find a SUV, next best thing is a truck with a hardside bed topper, the taller the better. An extended cab will give you some more storage too.You need to carefully match your RV to the tow vehicle. The limiting factor is likely to be the cargo capacity of the tow vehicle.... not the amount that's listed as the towing capacity. So carefully calculate what that is, and what you will need to add to the empty weight. Your cargo will include the tongue weight of the trailer (10-15% of the LOADED trailer weight), the hitch, all your gear in the truck, and the 2 of you. In your shoes I would go to some RV shows, or at least to some dealers where you can actually LOOK AT and GO IN some of the RVs you are considering. Think about what you like to do, the way you use your spaces, and visualize yourselves doing that. Do you need desk space to work? (Many people buy a bunkhouse RV and convert that space.) Can you deal with a bed where one of you has to climb over the other? Do you need a place to sit besides the bed & dinette?If you want to be frugal, you will likely stay in some park/forest service campgrounds with no hookups. For that you will need good-size holding tanks, a good battery bank, and some sort of generator and/or solar charging setup.So decide on the type/style trailer you want, get an idea for the weights, and then start looking at tow vehicles. Decide the general type you want, figure out if it will work with the type trailer you want, and then start shopping for both.

OPAbove are 3 Senior Members the best advise for you checking your profile is from CoolMom42....Go to several RV shows, leave you check book, credit cards and money at home. Just look... Set on the chairs, dinette, lay in the beds and stand in the showers, cook at the stoves.... see what fits you... there are no perfect RV's. Even the Million Dollar ones made to order. So look, and don't believe the salesman... once you find something go on the internet and research. Then fin the TRUCK not SUV, long wheelbase truck that will pull it up the mountains and down the valleys. For me it would be a 40' DeLux 5th Wheel and a 5ton truck. but then again that would be mine not your.

Maybe you can help us | Good Sam Community

tonymull
Explorer
Jan 11, 2016
Children in the picture? We 1/2 time, May-Oct. in a fairly small truck camper, but we live outside. It's a nice place to sleep and refuge on the occasional day when it's just too windy to sit under a tarp by the fire. The other 1/2 we spend in a 400sq.ft. park model. If you can't live outside you probably want to go to a trailer and I'd opt for a molded fiberglass myself.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Jan 11, 2016
Thing to remember. Towing RVs, and MPG do not fit into the same sentence. It ain't going to happen. UNLESS you go against your criteria, and get a popup, or Trail Manor. The wind resistance of a TT, or 5er is the determining factor in MPG.

For the size TT you are talking about. Just about any F150, or 1500 series truck from the top there manufacturers will do what you want. As will a Full size SUV.

For lite weight. You should be looking at brands like APEX, Among the lightest TT on the market. Yet have all the bells, and whistles.
And remember. Just because it says ultra lite. Does not mean it is. You have to check the weights on the yellow sticker.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Jan 11, 2016
If I were in your shoes, I would get a fairly new Toyota pickup or SUV and purchase a good used travel trailer(TT). Look for at least an 18ft or longer TT that stays within the towing and weight capacity of the tow vehicle you choose.

Look for a floorplan with an always made up bed or one that has an easy to make up bed. And if possible a comfortable sitting area more than just a dinnette. Large bathroom is a plus.

A good website for lots of fulltime information including financial is www.rv-dreams.com
coolmom42
Explorer II
Jan 11, 2016
I am a fan of SUVs for towing, because of the secure storage with convenient access. I towed happily with a Toyota Sequoia for 3 years.

So far as gas mileage, you are not going to get significantly more than 12 mpg even with a streamlined trailer. And that will vary a lot. You can save some gas by driving slower and less. Your tow vehicle will also be your daily driver, so gas mileage can help you out there. I am a Toyota fan, BUT the Ford Ecoboost engines are getting a good rep for both towing and daily driving.

If you don't want/can't find a SUV, next best thing is a truck with a hardside bed topper, the taller the better. An extended cab will give you some more storage too.

You need to carefully match your RV to the tow vehicle. The limiting factor is likely to be the cargo capacity of the tow vehicle.... not the amount that's listed as the towing capacity. So carefully calculate what that is, and what you will need to add to the empty weight. Your cargo will include the tongue weight of the trailer (10-15% of the LOADED trailer weight), the hitch, all your gear in the truck, and the 2 of you.

In your shoes I would go to some RV shows, or at least to some dealers where you can actually LOOK AT and GO IN some of the RVs you are considering. Think about what you like to do, the way you use your spaces, and visualize yourselves doing that. Do you need desk space to work? (Many people buy a bunkhouse RV and convert that space.) Can you deal with a bed where one of you has to climb over the other? Do you need a place to sit besides the bed & dinette?

If you want to be frugal, you will likely stay in some park/forest service campgrounds with no hookups. For that you will need good-size holding tanks, a good battery bank, and some sort of generator and/or solar charging setup.

So decide on the type/style trailer you want, get an idea for the weights, and then start looking at tow vehicles. Decide the general type you want, figure out if it will work with the type trailer you want, and then start shopping for both.
JAXFL
Explorer
Jan 11, 2016
OP

Above are 3 Senior Members the best advise for you checking your profile is from CoolMom42....

Go to several RV shows, leave you check book, credit cards and money at home. Just look... Set on the chairs, dinette, lay in the beds and stand in the showers, cook at the stoves.... see what fits you... there are no perfect RV's. Even the Million Dollar ones made to order. So look, and don't believe the salesman... once you find something go on the internet and research. Then fin the TRUCK not SUV, long wheelbase truck that will pull it up the mountains and down the valleys.

For me it would be a 40' DeLux 5th Wheel and a 5ton truck. but then again that would be mine not your.
Zebedee
Explorer
Jan 12, 2016
These are great responses so far. Thanks.

It really seems like seeing is believing. Maybe even renting an RV would be a viable option for us, just to get familiar.

I'm still stuck on those TrailManors though.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2016
Zebedee wrote:
These are great responses so far. Thanks.

It really seems like seeing is believing. Maybe even renting an RV would be a viable option for us, just to get familiar.

I'm still stuck on those TrailManors though.

The TrailManor would give you the best MPG, and a hard side, once up.
Remember when you buy. YOU and DW are the only ones you have to please. It is your money, and your adventure.
JAXFL
Explorer
Jan 12, 2016
We're content with a good shower and a meal...............

Then I would say that even a 18' RV would work for you. Check Craigslist for a low cost RV even a cruiser type van might work and get you going.
Zebedee
Explorer
Jan 12, 2016
JAXFL wrote:
We're content with a good shower and a meal...............

Then I would say that even a 18' RV would work for you. Check Craigslist for a low cost RV even a cruiser type van might work and get you going.

Yeah, 18' is plenty big for us. Currently looking at the Chalet XL 1935, Escape 17', and KZ Spee E14RB, and Lance 650 Truck camper... They're all quite different.
Gjac
Explorer III
Jan 13, 2016
I think the most economical combination to travel/camp in is a small Class A with a small, light tow car. It will be more economical than a truck towing a trailer or 5th wheel especially if you stay in one spot for a month. I would choose the A over the C because the MPG is similar(7-10 mpg) based on weight but you will have more room inside, more storage outside, more FW capacity,and usually a better heavier duty chassis. Being young back packers I would look for simple,small,a functional floor plan for your needs because you will probably enjoy camping outside under the awning rather than watching a flat screen TV inside. Most folks responding are probably older like myself so what may work for us my not be good for you at your age. I stopped back packing 10 years ago but really enjoyed it when I was younger. I would look at short A's from 2006-2010. It will have the latest chassis improvements and be cost effective. Good luck in your search.