Forum Discussion

mountainkowboy's avatar
mountainkowboy
Explorer
Mar 02, 2020

Looks like we're comin back.

We are getting closer, and closer to full retirement and have been wrestling with what to get for "THE BIG TOUR" when we do. We've decided on a Monaco or Holiday Rambler class A from the mid 2000's just before the "crash". We had an 05 HR Admiral SE 34 SBD for 5 or 6 years and did the "weekend warrior" thing with it. We still managed to put 42,000 miles and I have to admit that it's hard to beat convenience of a class A. Get out lock the toad, push a few buttons, and 15 minutes later (if that long) your ready to sleep for the night.

I think we've settled on something like the 30PDD or a floorplan similar. We don't want to go over 30" so we can visit all the National parks....(on the bucket list)....and they seem to have all that we need. 5K towing and right around 3,000lbs of CC, that makes it possible to tow the Ranger with the Harley in the bed and still have plenty of capacity for junk. We hardly ever carried more than 1,000lbs of stuff with us in the 05 once we figured out that we had stuff in it that we will NEVER use....LOL A diesel pusher isn't out of the picture, but I'm not sure the 10K+ extra purchase cost, plus the higher maintenance costs for a diesel would be worth it to us...10K buys ALOT of fuel!
Class A
  • mountainkowboy's avatar
    mountainkowboy
    Explorer
    Mar 08, 2020
    John&Joey wrote:
    “Not the size of the RV that makes it small” was told to me by my Uncle Donnie when I was looking for my first class A. If you knew my aunt Alice you would understand his wisdom.

    Some traveling companions could make a quad slide feel small. ;)


    My MIL!
  • John_Joey's avatar
    John_Joey
    Explorer
    Mar 08, 2020
    “Not the size of the RV that makes it small” was told to me by my Uncle Donnie when I was looking for my first class A. If you knew my aunt Alice you would understand his wisdom.

    Some traveling companions could make a quad slide feel small. ;)
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Mar 04, 2020
    Like I said in my post, I was reacting to your statement “We don't want to go over 30" so we can visit all the National parks” . I’ve visited the majority of our NPs in something a lot bigger than 30’. Even at 30’ there are a lot of roads in NPs that prohibits a vehicle over 20’... most of the side roads in Yellowstone comes to mind. I usually put as many miles on our car as our DP when spending the summer out West. The MH becomes our base camp and usually only moves once every 6-10 days.
    Regardless, it’s a great country when we can have so many choices and beautiful places to visit.
  • mountainkowboy's avatar
    mountainkowboy
    Explorer
    Mar 04, 2020
    Ivylog wrote:
    Not much of a blueprint... 3 MHs in 5 years. Not implying it’s for everyone but only 30’ for public CGs is not true or even 36’. At 6’5” I’ve gotten out of many a car or RV when my head hits the ceiling.



    My point was that we had a 36' Moho already and it was more than we needed, half the storage areas were empty, and it had everything we needed for our style of RVing. And we're not real new to RVing, I've been doing it for 40 years now. This was our last Moho.

  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    Mar 03, 2020
    Sounds like the start of a great adventure to me, OP. Go get 'em, and tell the naysayers to toddle off.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Mar 03, 2020
    “ Hahaha, what "works" for you is not a blueprint for everyone.” Not much of a blueprint... 3 MHs in 5 years. Not implying it’s for everyone but only 30’ for public CGs is not true or even 36’. At 6’5” I’ve gotten out of many a car or RV when my head hits the ceiling.
  • mountainkowboy's avatar
    mountainkowboy
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2020
    Ivylog wrote:
    It bothers me when I read someone is going small because of staying in public CGs. What could go wrong with twice the husband, on half the money, and in 1/10 the space after 5 days of rain?


    We don't "stay" in campgrounds 95% of the time, except to dump and refill...boondock mostly (though I said that). We have been RVing since we were married mostly in Truck campers, so a 30' RV is GIGANTIC comparatively, and we like rain....soooooo.


    Ivylog wrote:
    I made the mistake 20 years ago of starting at 36’ because of posts on here that 36’ is max for public CGs. Didn’t take long to realize that’s BS. After 2 years went to 40’ and then in another 2 years to a 42’ for 14 years and recently 45’. Buy more MH than you think you need...ONE TIME.


    Hahaha, what "works" for you is not a blueprint for everyone.


    Ivylog wrote:
    I do not recommend 45’ for most but 40’ with a tag axle would be the best...plenty of CCC. Do you want to take something out every time you bring something in because you are over you GVW?


    with 3,000lbs of CCC....I will NEVER have that problem.
  • mountainkowboy's avatar
    mountainkowboy
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2020
    Executive wrote:
    Better REALLY get along with your better half if you're gonna full time in a 30'.


    Not an issue, we did 7 weeks and 5,500 miles in the Truck camper without a problem. Plus we aren't "indoor" campers, and spend 90% of our time outside of the RV.

    Executive wrote:
    That said, your plan seems ok but 1k of "stuff" doesn't sound reasonable. My wife's clothes weigh that much. I'd be naked....Dennis


    That figure is based on the measured weights of our RV's over the last 20+ years, truck campers, 5th wheels, and Moho's. They've all been around 1,000lbs of stuff including food, give or take 150lbs.
  • mountainkowboy's avatar
    mountainkowboy
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2020
    lhenry8113 wrote:
    Great to see your Post. About a year ago we replaced the 5th wheel with a small(24 ft.) Class C. It's great-self contained-can go anywhere. Lars


    Hey Lars!
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Mar 03, 2020
    It bothers me when I read someone is going small because of staying in public CGs. What could go wrong with twice the husband, on half the money, and in 1/10 the space after 5 days of rain?

    We like public CGs that do not take reservations...be it NP, SP, USFS because I can almost always find a site big enough even when the max is listed as 30’ max. Do not show up Friday as there will be a 25’ rig in a site big enough for 45’ BUT on Monday you can take your pick. I made the mistake 20 years ago of starting at 36’ because of posts on here that 36’ is max for public CGs. Didn’t take long to realize that’s BS. After 2 years went to 40’ and then in another 2 years to a 42’ for 14 years and recently 45’. Buy more MH than you think you need...ONE TIME.

    Last summer we did 2 months out West (without reservations) staying mainly in public CGs...most $8-14/night with the old farts pass. No, I do not recommend 45’ for most but 40’ with a tag axle would be the best...plenty of CCC. Do you want to take something out every time you bring something in because you are over you GVW?

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