I'm considering getting a Minnie Winnie 22R to travel around the country while working remotely. It's the smallest class C that Winnebago makes while still having plenty of room for a single guy. I like the idea of getting a Winnebago because they're so highly regarded by the community. I'll stay at my destination for at least a month or so at a time. I don't need the propane system, I can easily get by without it when I'm on the road. It just seems like a waste to have a propane system and all of those propane appliances that I don't really need. Is there an alternative that better suits my needs?

Propane is not a 'boondocking amenity.' How will you cook? How will you keep the fridge cold when traveling?

I'm not aware of any class C's, particularly smaller ones, that are "all-electric" (which, for RVs, basically means no propane; often there's a diesel fueled heating and hot water system in so-called all-electric RVs).I think you may be misjudging how little you'll need propane. The stovetop is propane only; are you planning to cook only with a microwave? The water heater, if it has an electric element, is quite slow heating on electric only. The furnace is propane only, though electric space heaters or heat strips in the air conditioner can be used in relatively mild but cool temperatures to keep things warm. That much, at least, may be entirely practical in some parts of the country (including Texas).

2oldman wrote:Propane is not a 'boondocking amenity.' How will you cook? How will you keep the fridge cold when traveling?I have a small butane stove that I can use while on the road. I'm thinking I'll just cut out foods that need to be refrigerated. I'll be staying mostly at Walmart parking lots overnight and you're not allowed to level your RV there, which may be necessary to run the fridge safely without damaging it.

....travel around the country while working remotely. I'll stay at my destination for at least a month or so at a time. I'll be staying mostly at Walmart parking lots overnightSo in other words you plan on 'stealth' camping.......no CGs. Parking lots onlyNo electric hook ups. Basically a vagabond----slummingSo it would sound like PROPANE would be beneficial

Wannabango wrote:I'm thinking I'll just cut out foods that need to be refrigerated. Pretty spartan living. Presuming your post isn't a put-on, I think I'd keep the propane system in case you miss butter, eggs, meat, pop, beer, milk, ice, salad, juice, mayonnaise... It's usually not difficult to find level spots in WM. And there's no law saying you can't use a leveling block.

Class C without boondocking amenities | Good Sam Community

Wannabango
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Provide your OWN Internet connection.......

CG cable hookup is via the CG service

Internet hook up......some (very few) CGs allow phone service connections which could provide Internet
But find those is like finding the white ball in large barrel of black balls with your eyes closed.

We FTd for 7 yrs.
We had Internet connection 96% of the time......Verizon Aircard which is very old school for Internet.
Better options available.......BUT not real cheap/not real expensive just a cost that has to be in your budget.

And you have it available for use majority of time (and we didn't camp near big cities or destination spots----backroads/small towns)
Provide your OWN Internet

And use the dang propane system----it's cheap/reliable/and already designed into the RV

The problem with mobile hotspots is they don't provide enough bandwidth per month. I use around 150GB a month, my Straight Talk phone gives me 10GB a month at 4G on Verizon's network for $55. I haven't found a reseller that provides data on Verizon's network for any cheaper than that. I could make that work on the road if I use it mostly for work, but I wouldn't have enough left over to do everything I like to do. Are you sure phone connections are rare, even in the city? Or was it only rare in your experience in the more remote areas that you usually camped at? Also, do you know why cable internet wasn't an option? I guess I'll figure this out myself when I find some places I might want to camp at and see what the local cable and phone companies have to say. I'm going to have to make this a priority since researching everything else will be a waste of time if what you guys are saying is true.
Wannabango
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
Wannabango wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Provide your OWN Internet connection.......

CG cable hookup is via the CG service

Internet hook up......some (very few) CGs allow phone service connections which could provide Internet
But find those is like finding the white ball in large barrel of black balls with your eyes closed.

We FTd for 7 yrs.
We had Internet connection 96% of the time......Verizon Aircard which is very old school for Internet.
Better options available.......BUT not real cheap/not real expensive just a cost that has to be in your budget.

And you have it available for use majority of time (and we didn't camp near big cities or destination spots----backroads/small towns)
Provide your OWN Internet

And use the dang propane system----it's cheap/reliable/and already designed into the RV

The problem with mobile hotspots is they don't provide enough bandwidth per month. I use around 150GB a month, my Straight Talk phone gives me 10GB a month at 4G on Verizon's network for $55. I haven't found data on Verizon's network any cheaper than that. I could make that work on the road if I only use it for work, but I wouldn't have enough data left over to do much else with it. Are you sure it's that rare even in the bigger cities? Or was it only rare in your experience in the more remote areas that you usually camped at? I guess I'll figure this out myself when I find some places I might want to camp at and see what the local cable and phone companies have to say. I'm going to have to make this a priority since researching everything else will be a waste of time if what you guys are saying is true.
Wannabango
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Provide your OWN Internet connection.......

CG cable hookup is via the CG service

Internet hook up......some (very few) CGs allow phone service connections which could provide Internet
But find those is like finding the white ball in large barrel of black balls with your eyes closed.

We FTd for 7 yrs.
We had Internet connection 96% of the time......Verizon Aircard which is very old school for Internet.
Better options available.......BUT not real cheap/not real expensive just a cost that has to be in your budget.

And you have it available for use majority of time (and we didn't camp near big cities or destination spots----backroads/small towns)
Provide your OWN Internet

And use the dang propane system----it's cheap/reliable/and already designed into the RV

The problem with mobile hotspots is they don't provide enough bandwidth per month. I use around 150GB a month, my Straight Talk phone gives me 10GB a month at 4G for $55. I haven't found data on Verizon's network any cheaper than that. I could make that work on the road if I only use it for work, but I wouldn't have enough data left over to do much else with it. Are you sure it's that rare even in the bigger cities? Or was it only rare in your experience in the more remote areas that you usually camped at? I guess I'll figure this out myself when I find some places I might want to camp at and see what the local cable and phone companies have to say. I'm going to have to make this a priority since researching everything else will be a waste of time if what you guys are saying is true.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Apr 10, 2017
Provide your OWN Internet connection.......

CG cable hookup is via the CG service

Internet hook up......some (very few) CGs allow phone service connections which could provide Internet
But find those is like finding the white ball in large barrel of black balls with your eyes closed.

We FTd for 7 yrs.
We had Internet connection 96% of the time......Verizon Aircard which is very old school for Internet.
Better options available.......BUT not real cheap/not real expensive just a cost that has to be in your budget.

And you have it available for use majority of time (and we didn't camp near big cities or destination spots----backroads/small towns)
Provide your OWN Internet

And use the dang propane system----it's cheap/reliable/and already designed into the RV
MitchF150
Explorer III
Apr 10, 2017
I don't think you can get a local ISP for just a month at a time?

If you can, there you go. Otherwise, it's hotspot or the local WiFi.

Good luck.

Mitch
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2017
The only RV I have ever seen WITHOUT propane is the Lil' Snoozy eggshell. They include an 2 burner electric hotplate and a small electric heater as well as a residential "point of use" electric water heater. They highly recommend a 2,000-3,000 watt generator.

Boondocking on a cold night would be very uncomfortable without propane !

If I bought one, I would carry a Buddy Heater and a portable propane stove. I have bee in northern MI in August and the temperature dropped into the lower 40s over night !
Wannabango
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
pconroy328 wrote:
I'm a professional nerd, and if campground wifi was essential to me making a living, I'd be dead by now. :)

I'm probably not being very clear. I understand that the campground WiFi isn't reliable. I'm talking about internet from a local internet service provider. My understanding was you could get connected at many RV parks, especially in or near cities, if you stay for a month or so at each park. I'll have a hotstop on the road, but I don't want to live off of that indefinitely.
pconroy328
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
I'm a professional nerd, and if campground wifi was essential to me making a living, I'd be dead by now. :)

No, there's nothing prohibiting a campground from having good internet - just most of them don't. First it's a low margin business, second the APs become expensive, third many of them are miles away from a CO meaning that even if the wifi is excellent bandwidth in and out might be dismal.

If you need Internet to earn your living, you'll need to go cellular (hotspot) and hope you're always within cell tower reach.

If there's any reason why an RV appliance might be less reliable than the one in your home it could be because the appliances are bounced and rattled all over jeebus while you're driving down the road.

I agree with the others - if you don't want anything propane related, then just leave the valve off.

Personally, I'm a fan of hot showers, cold beer and a warm place to sleep.
So I typically have a full tank of propane.
Wannabango
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
Lwiddis wrote:
" I still eat salad, of course, and meat and juice in moderation along with the occasional cheats."

A salad as in a whole head of lettuce at one sitting? Steak, hamburger, chops etc. bought only in single packages for that night's dinner? Fresh juice consumed all in one session? You don't need to be a tuff guy regarding propane for heaven's sake!

I'm not sure it would be as difficult for me as it would be for many of you, apparently. I don't bring a cooler with me when camping and do just fine.
Wannabango
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
samven1 wrote:
Since you are looking for a used RV and if you are willing to get something other than a Winni I would suggest you search Craigs list for a mobile medical RV. Many states, counties and private Medical organizations get these special ordered without the beds, refrigerator and stoves. They usually are set up with a waiting room, exam room, bathroom. You could turn the exam room into a bedroom easily. The rest of the RV is an office with a bathroom. I have seen them very cheap, <15k for a 5 year old unit with less than 30K miles. I think they still have the generator and propane for hot water but may be just what you are looking for.

That definitely sounds like something worth looking in to. Thanks!

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