buying an rv; am i missing something
we want to start rving (some camping close to home and maybe one big trip each year where we'd travel a longer distance) and have a limited budget. we have two young children, a family of four. we h...
Forum Discussion
That's a tough decision and many of us have had to make the same and can relate to your dilemma. Unfortunately only you can answer what works for you, but we will be happy to throw ideas out to help (or confuse) you with your decision. :)
Much of the advice below applies to all RV's.
An older motorhome can be a good choice. Realize that you will have to replace the tires on it and that will not be cheap. A motorhome also has an extra engine and transmission that you will have to maintain. If one of these fails it will usually be harder or more expensive to repair than a run of the mill truck. But a motorhome usually has a generator already installed which is nice for dry camping. With a motorhome you can also just get in turn the key and go. If you get a motorhome my biggest advice is make sure it is new enough to have a fuel injected engine.
I went with a Suburban and a trailer for my family My thinking that I didn't want an extra engine and transmission that just sat unless I was going camping. I also wanted a vehicle to drive around while I was camping. And if I break down somewhere almost any shop knows how to work on a Chevy truck. The trailer does have the downside of I can't just turn the key and go. I have to hitch it up to go and unhitch it when i get where I'm going.
some unsolicited advice below.
Water intrusion is the death of many RV's.Look carefully at the outside from many different angles. You are looking for bubbles/ripples in the side. This is delamination and is caused by water leaks. Once you spot it on one you'll be able to pick it out every time you see it. Now look inside in all the cabinets and at teh ceiling. You're looking for stains from water leaks. Look at the floor for any stains, lift any area rugs, tables, anything that's not bolted down. See if the floor is soft or spongy underneath. Look along the interior floor edges for rusty staples as that could be a leak behind the wall. Climb up on the roof and inspect the cauulking for cracks. Does it appear the owner has been applying caulk to keep up with weather cracking?
Much of the advice below applies to all RV's.
An older motorhome can be a good choice. Realize that you will have to replace the tires on it and that will not be cheap. A motorhome also has an extra engine and transmission that you will have to maintain. If one of these fails it will usually be harder or more expensive to repair than a run of the mill truck. But a motorhome usually has a generator already installed which is nice for dry camping. With a motorhome you can also just get in turn the key and go. If you get a motorhome my biggest advice is make sure it is new enough to have a fuel injected engine.
I went with a Suburban and a trailer for my family My thinking that I didn't want an extra engine and transmission that just sat unless I was going camping. I also wanted a vehicle to drive around while I was camping. And if I break down somewhere almost any shop knows how to work on a Chevy truck. The trailer does have the downside of I can't just turn the key and go. I have to hitch it up to go and unhitch it when i get where I'm going.
some unsolicited advice below.
Water intrusion is the death of many RV's.Look carefully at the outside from many different angles. You are looking for bubbles/ripples in the side. This is delamination and is caused by water leaks. Once you spot it on one you'll be able to pick it out every time you see it. Now look inside in all the cabinets and at teh ceiling. You're looking for stains from water leaks. Look at the floor for any stains, lift any area rugs, tables, anything that's not bolted down. See if the floor is soft or spongy underneath. Look along the interior floor edges for rusty staples as that could be a leak behind the wall. Climb up on the roof and inspect the cauulking for cracks. Does it appear the owner has been applying caulk to keep up with weather cracking?
