Planning on buying a Roadtrek -- Advice?
Hello to all! I am new to this forum. I have been doing quite a bit of research on Roadtreks, and am almost certain I'm going to be buying a used one in the near future. (I'm interested in the 190...
Forum Discussion
I agree with the "touring" approach and the smaller vehicle (that's what our use is, at least). Your points fit in well with what many B owners discuss, from what I have learned so far. On touring for example, last summer, we went to Montreal, and I found myself driving around a farmers' market neighborhood in the city on a busy Saturday afternoon, and then did street parking at a meter! 19' Chevy van. Now we did get wiser and more relaxed the next day and parked at a motel out by the airport and rented a car for the next two days, but I did prove, a 19 footer can get through a city! Smaller towns would be a breeze. We stayed at the airport motel two nights, so they agreed to let us park for free while we were in town for two days. We did our camping on the way up and back, but not while there.
Anyway, the stealth part is important too as you mention, if you want to save on campsite fees once in a while on your travels.
This upcoming season we will practice packing lighter again. We're still in the novice stage of bringing too much. On the guitar and telescope, keeping inside is wise, but I am learning about single moves of big items (for example, on the couch or bed while driving, then one single move to their alternate out-of-the-way spot when stopped; and only a couple such items). It's the multiple moves (and tripping over things) that make you go crazy. Best advice I got so far on clothes is pack in multiple small bags or packing cubes, so there is no suitcase. Those go in nooks an crannies, then the guitar and telescope type items are not competing with a suitcase. Any camp chair can be the first item out when you stop. If you have a full windshield screen to use at the campground for security, something like a guitar can be moved from the couch to the driver's seat when stopped, and not be seen by passers-by. Also, consider the trailer hitch-mounted storage cases for getting sturdier and less thief-tempting items into outside storage. We cannot afford that for another year or two, but then we are not traveling longer than about a week. I know other B owners have a ton more advice. Special advice on fragile fishing rods would be useful, especially if they are not break-down styles.
Oh, have to add this about storage. We will sometimes go with 1 or 2 of our children (who are now adults). So we went with a 19' model that can sleep more than two. We gave up other features to get that. But whether 19' or 22', if you know you just need the one double bed, storage options tend to increase. So you could zero in on max storage models that sleep two only. Even if there are captain's chairs, you could remove and replace with a wardrobe or drawers. On the fish rod, I think a created ceiling rack would work in some models. So on the 22' option, it might have more storage if that is what the particular model strove for, but if it was for passenger seats, another bed, or a better shower, you might not find the extra storage. So depends on the exact model.
Anyway, the stealth part is important too as you mention, if you want to save on campsite fees once in a while on your travels.
This upcoming season we will practice packing lighter again. We're still in the novice stage of bringing too much. On the guitar and telescope, keeping inside is wise, but I am learning about single moves of big items (for example, on the couch or bed while driving, then one single move to their alternate out-of-the-way spot when stopped; and only a couple such items). It's the multiple moves (and tripping over things) that make you go crazy. Best advice I got so far on clothes is pack in multiple small bags or packing cubes, so there is no suitcase. Those go in nooks an crannies, then the guitar and telescope type items are not competing with a suitcase. Any camp chair can be the first item out when you stop. If you have a full windshield screen to use at the campground for security, something like a guitar can be moved from the couch to the driver's seat when stopped, and not be seen by passers-by. Also, consider the trailer hitch-mounted storage cases for getting sturdier and less thief-tempting items into outside storage. We cannot afford that for another year or two, but then we are not traveling longer than about a week. I know other B owners have a ton more advice. Special advice on fragile fishing rods would be useful, especially if they are not break-down styles.
Oh, have to add this about storage. We will sometimes go with 1 or 2 of our children (who are now adults). So we went with a 19' model that can sleep more than two. We gave up other features to get that. But whether 19' or 22', if you know you just need the one double bed, storage options tend to increase. So you could zero in on max storage models that sleep two only. Even if there are captain's chairs, you could remove and replace with a wardrobe or drawers. On the fish rod, I think a created ceiling rack would work in some models. So on the 22' option, it might have more storage if that is what the particular model strove for, but if it was for passenger seats, another bed, or a better shower, you might not find the extra storage. So depends on the exact model.
