Common question: Should I get a TT or MH? Selling after 6mo

I've read several different postings on choosing a MH over a TT, what would you do if you were in my situation?

My wife and I (no kids) plan to take a ~3mo trip around the USA/Canada. When we are done, we plan to sell the RV and any tow vehicle or truck.

I am familiar with TT, I took a trip around the USA (10,000mi+) back in 2010 using my F250 and a 19ft TT. I have never driven a MH but my wife would prefer one as it seems more "vacationy", I prefer a TT since it is familiar to me and I believe cheaper.

We can afford to purchase any type of vehicle or combination. We are thinking we would buy either:
A) 5yr old ~30ft TT and a 5yr old F150 or F250 truck (or similar)
B) 5-10yr old ~30ft Class C MH and a tow vehicle. I am a bit wary about purchasing a MH over 5yrs old. We may keep the truck or tow vehicle when we are finished, we do not currently have a towable vehicle.

Some questions:
1) How hard is it to sell a Class C motorhome? We wouldn't care as much about best price since it really just needs to be cheaper than renting and I sure hope it won't depreciate $15k+ in 6mo! I know I could sell a truck and TT in a reasonable amount of time, unsure about a MH though.
2) Is a tow vehicle really that bad to deal with? I understand you cannot back up with one?
3) We would bring a cat with us, which is currently terrified of car travel. We started the process to make it easier to travel but I was wondering if a MH would be easier than a TT since it could sit inside the MH and not have to go into the truck. Thoughts?
4) I read several people say that setup is quicker in a MH, but I don't remember it taking all that long to unhook and level a TT on my last trip. I also don't recall that hookups were more than a few minutes either.
5) How often do MH break down? Is it that hard to get them fixed? I had one minor breakdown on my prior trip (alternator died) and it was fairly easy to repair the truck.

Rick_Jay
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2018
nosebreaker,

I would also be in the camp to suggest you'd enjoy the motorhome experience better. The only suggestion I'd make is to consider 5-10 year old gas class A's in your search as well. They often have better visibility, larger storage compartments and larger holding tank capacities.

I don't believe you've given a price range, but if you get a motorhome that is over 5 years in age, the majority of depreciation has already been taken. Plus there are more of them out there for you to choose from.

As others have said, you might decide you like the RV'ing lifestyle and wish to keep the rig for future trips. Of course, if you really live in Boston (MA?), I can see where owning an RV would be a tough concept.

Good Luck,

~Rick
nosebreaker
Explorer
Mar 16, 2018
Wrong thread, mods please delete this reply
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2018
Seriously consider buying an ex-rental. Cruise America and El Monte have websites with lots of information regarding purchasing from their rental fleet. In your situation, that strategy makes a lot of sense. You can get into a RV for a surprising figure!

Also have a RV that has had proper maintenance,one thing that may be missing from a private party.

For more on this option This Thread may be of interest,there are more than 95 members that have done this and are very happy with their decision.

Both major companies have a Rent to Buy Option which may save you more money on a purchase of a Former Rental.
ncrowley
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2018
For that long a trip, you will definitely want to have a toad. You will want to see the sights and you do not want to drive the motor home around everywhere and hook/unhook every day.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Mar 04, 2018
Purchase your RV keeping in mind that you just might love RVing after the 3 months around the U.S. and you'll want to do more.

We full-timed for 16 years, traveling constantly, and still didn't see the 'whole' U.S.! If you could see my paper atlas book with all the roads highlighted that we drove, you can hardly read any notation on the maps for all the highlighting. We don't do interstates. We travel the secondary roads to 'really' see the U.S. (& Canada, Yukon and up to Alaska).

Trust me.... you are not going to see the U.S. in 3 months! :)
Grit_dog
Navigator
Mar 04, 2018
nosebreaker wrote:
Thanks everyone for your responses, it sounds like most people prefer a MH. Since that is what my wife also wants us to get, I think that is what we will do. The largest hassle with a MH seems to be the towed vehicle, perhaps we don't really need it (mapping out our route will determine if we get one). Thanks everyone!

For a one big trip dedicated camping rig, I'd lean towards a C with a little 4x4 toad (we like to explore, off road back country, etc).
The "rent for 3 months" crowd is the folks who fear the mechanical unknown. If that's you, then maybe renting is a good idea. I'm opposite end of the spectrum and would consider it a challenge to buy right and sell right and get out for little to no cost/depreciation. And if you do have some repairs, they would have to be significant to cost more than a huge rental Bill.
The chance of a newer F350 or a newer E350/450 coach having a major mechanical breakdown is statistically the same. They're both ford trucks, same drivetrains basically.
Buy right and get the setup you think would serve you best for the trip.

In your situation you don't want a big pickup after the deal, so Moho/toad is about the same venture as pickup/TT.
Kids will love the C more.
nosebreaker
Explorer
Mar 02, 2018
Thanks everyone for your responses, it sounds like most people prefer a MH. Since that is what my wife also wants us to get, I think that is what we will do. The largest hassle with a MH seems to be the towed vehicle, perhaps we don't really need it (mapping out our route will determine if we get one). Thanks everyone!
dahkota
Explorer
Mar 01, 2018
The advantage of most class A/C is having an on board generator with the touch of a button. This allows you to stop, eat, shower, and anything else just about anywhere.

The advantage of smaller sprinter class C/B+ is their limited length so you don't really need a toad, their ability to park almost anywhere an F350 can park, and better gas mileage than any other RV class.

For three months, I would go for a 24' or less class B+/C with no toad. If the smaller size gets to you, you can always stay in a hotel room for a night or two.

Cruise America sells their rental stock for pretty good prices with a 90 day warranty.
bukhrn
Explorer III
Mar 01, 2018
I need to go a little off topic here, just to satisfy my own curiosity even though it may be a little personal to you, but, why only 6 months, is there NO interest in RV'ing/traveling beyond that point, I mean there can be many more trips, I don't believe you can see everything of interest in the US in 6 months especially when you add Canada to the mix.
Now back to the subject, I can only give you my personal opinion, as everyone else has, I prefer a Class C.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Mar 01, 2018
I have done MH and TT, both. Unless you are going to tow a car behind the MH for trips to the grocery store or sightseeing, I would vote TT. You are really going to want a vehicle to get around that is not the MH, itself.