My DH and I have a 2003 HR 5th wheel and a 4x4 GMC tow vehicle. I have a Mini Cooper that I adore. We plan to sell the stick house next winter and live/travel in the RV fulltime for a second time. The first time, in 2003, we stayed for 2-3 months in different places while I worked as a travel nurse, and I drove my car behind the RV when we moved. In 2007 we bought a manufactured home, returned to regular jobs and have used the 5th wheel for vacations and short summer weekends in local campgrounds. I am retired now and my DH will retire a year from now. Our RV and truck will be paid for and our income will include military retirement and SS for both of us.This time, we plan to do a combination of staying in places for several months during a season, and then traveling over a month or so to a new destination. I envision winters in the south and summers in the PNW or New England with lots of stops inbetween.I am torn about keeping vs getting rid of the Mini. I don't like driving the truck for daily errands, the car will be paid for, and I just plain love my Mini. I'm wondering what other's experience has been in keeping a second vehicle vs not..upsides and downsides. The cost of keeping the Mini will be of course insurance, maintenance, licensing and fuel when we travel. But when we are staying, the fuel costs are so much lower in the Mini it may offset what we use on the road.

Sell the current truck and fiver and buy a used Class A. Tow the mini behind the MH. That way you can keep each other company when you travel..We did that and it worked fine. As it turned out the MH mileage was almost the same as the truck-fiver combo!

We have friends who do exactly what you are describing. They operate the RV dreams website and do many get together rallies and seminars. You can visit their website and send them some questions if you like.http://www.rv-dreams.com/Personally, I can't imagine having to do that as I enjoy the trip as much as the destination and I would hate not having someone to share that with.

We full timed in a Class A motor home and towed a small car.That way when you are parked you can use the small car for touring and shopping.But, you have to be a motor home type of person.Some people like motor homes and some like 5th wheels.It is a personal preference.

Not sure how long your 5ver is but if your Mini is manual xmission, you might consider a double tow in states that allow it. So if you were traveling through a state that allowed triples, just flat tow the Mini behind the trailer. In states that don't allow, you would still be driving the Mini. If you Mini is an automatic, you can still do the same thing but the car would have to be on a dolly.

We are not able to tow the Mini as your 5th wheel is 37ft; even if we could my husband said he wouldn't do it. I think I'll probably end up storing it for a while with my kids before deciding to keep or sell it. I keep thinking if we are going to spend winters in AZ or the SW in a resort type park I would love to have the car for daily driving and site seeing. It's not just a car...it's a MINI!!!!

Thoughts on a second vehicle while fulltiming | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

Us_out_West
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014
If it was me and I was in love with my '65 Corvette' but knew I couldn't take it with me in my travels I would find a business that offers secure storage for the type of product that you want stored.
JKrussow
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
My wife and I have been fulltiming for two years now with a similar setup as you do. Except our mini is a minivan :( All of vehicles are paid for and the extra expense of a second car is well worth it. We use our van everyday for errands and for going out to dinner. The big plus is it is an extra storage place for items, in my case my tools.

As far as traveling apart as another said, I have never seen it that way. When we are traveling to our next destination we're not really sight seeing but traveling from point A to B. Granted we don't log a lot of miles each day but we rarely miss things we do want to see.

The big plus for me is the DW does the recon in the van where we're not sure we'll fit. It's great to just wait outside a park and let her find the best site and radio back directions. The other big plus is I get to listen to my radio stations and she can listen to hers.
galtgirl
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
We are not able to tow the Mini as your 5th wheel is 37ft; even if we could my husband said he wouldn't do it.
I think I'll probably end up storing it for a while with my kids before deciding to keep or sell it. I keep thinking if we are going to spend winters in AZ or the SW in a resort type park I would love to have the car for daily driving and site seeing. It's not just a car...it's a MINI!!!!
AprilWhine
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
Not sure how long your 5ver is but if your Mini is manual xmission, you might consider a double tow in states that allow it.

So if you were traveling through a state that allowed triples, just flat tow the Mini behind the trailer. In states that don't allow, you would still be driving the Mini.

If you Mini is an automatic, you can still do the same thing but the car would have to be on a dolly.
Ka_Ron
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
We full timed in a Class A motor home and towed a small car.
That way when you are parked you can use the small car for touring and shopping.
But, you have to be a motor home type of person.
Some people like motor homes and some like 5th wheels.
It is a personal preference.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2014
We have friends who do exactly what you are describing. They operate the RV dreams website and do many get together rallies and seminars. You can visit their website and send them some questions if you like.
http://www.rv-dreams.com/
Personally, I can't imagine having to do that as I enjoy the trip as much as the destination and I would hate not having someone to share that with.
crabbin_cabin
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2014
Sell the current truck and fiver and buy a used Class A. Tow the mini behind the MH. That way you can keep each other company when you travel..
We did that and it worked fine. As it turned out the MH mileage was almost the same as the truck-fiver combo!

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Thoughts on a second vehicle while fulltiming

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