Recommended RV for National Park Volunteer
Does anyone have recommendations or specific considerations for couples who want to RV in national parks while they do volunteer work for periods of 2 months or more? This couple has never RV'd befor...
Forum Discussion
Hi,
I used to have a 28' long class C with a GMC that had a 350" engine. It was a bit underpowered (1985) and the chassis did not go the full length of the RV, so it really should not have been towing much. You might want to tow a car, so you have something to run into town with, or for this summer might just have the wife drive another car behind the RV? Then you will not need to set up a car for towing with brakes and all that stuff until you have a year under your belt.
I like the idea of a class C, you can take out the upper mattress and leave it at home, then have a huge storage area. Not one that will hold 500 pounds, but more like 200 - 300 pounds in the overhead area. You can carry the heavier items in lower storage areas.
My layout was a "Split bath" with the toilet and sink on the drivers side, the shower on the passenger side, with lightweight curtains between the drivers side and passenger side bathrooms. This gave a dressing area. When my wife and I where traveling around, we left those flexible curtains at home too. You might want a pull curtain from cloth or something? The bathroom side had a sliding door to give privacy.
I replaced the roof vents in my motorhome with Fantastic fans. They are 12 volt and can blow out about 100 - 250 CFM each (I have 3). Then I can turn them all on, open just one or two windows, and it brings a strong breeze past me, while I sit at the dinning room table.
You sort of need to bring along most everything you will need all summer long, in that driving back and forth will take time and fuel. Yet also at the same time avoid taking more stuff than you will need? and will not have storage space for it.
You will need some chairs to sit outside. I might recommend something rated at about 300 pounds in case guests come by to sit and chat. The plastic ones will not do. If they can fold up and get out of the rain, it might be handy, or else something that will shed the rain quickly would be nice.
Will there be a nearby place to wash the laundry? You will need that too. Expect the soap up in the mountains to cost a lot more than buying a few gallons at Costco.
Fred.
I used to have a 28' long class C with a GMC that had a 350" engine. It was a bit underpowered (1985) and the chassis did not go the full length of the RV, so it really should not have been towing much. You might want to tow a car, so you have something to run into town with, or for this summer might just have the wife drive another car behind the RV? Then you will not need to set up a car for towing with brakes and all that stuff until you have a year under your belt.
I like the idea of a class C, you can take out the upper mattress and leave it at home, then have a huge storage area. Not one that will hold 500 pounds, but more like 200 - 300 pounds in the overhead area. You can carry the heavier items in lower storage areas.
My layout was a "Split bath" with the toilet and sink on the drivers side, the shower on the passenger side, with lightweight curtains between the drivers side and passenger side bathrooms. This gave a dressing area. When my wife and I where traveling around, we left those flexible curtains at home too. You might want a pull curtain from cloth or something? The bathroom side had a sliding door to give privacy.
I replaced the roof vents in my motorhome with Fantastic fans. They are 12 volt and can blow out about 100 - 250 CFM each (I have 3). Then I can turn them all on, open just one or two windows, and it brings a strong breeze past me, while I sit at the dinning room table.
You sort of need to bring along most everything you will need all summer long, in that driving back and forth will take time and fuel. Yet also at the same time avoid taking more stuff than you will need? and will not have storage space for it.
You will need some chairs to sit outside. I might recommend something rated at about 300 pounds in case guests come by to sit and chat. The plastic ones will not do. If they can fold up and get out of the rain, it might be handy, or else something that will shed the rain quickly would be nice.
Will there be a nearby place to wash the laundry? You will need that too. Expect the soap up in the mountains to cost a lot more than buying a few gallons at Costco.
Fred.
