Expectations of a Newbie

At one time we had a 21' Class C with a 20 gallon grey tank, a 15 gallon black tank, and a 25 gallon fresh tank. We could go about three days between dumping, longer if we used the park facilities for showers and such. With our current 34' Class A, we can easily go a week between dumping, and longer using the park facilities when available.

Would it be unreasonable to unhook everything to go to a restaurant or maybe go sightseeing and then hook back up upon return?

Even easier if you don't hook everything up when you know you're going to be heading out. I often just hookup the electric, and use water from the storage tanks. I often use the campground showers, too - not much water use. I'm in Class B, so it's fairly easy to unplug and go. Shouldn't be much different in a small C.

How long you can go between dumps (and water fills) very much depends on your habits in terms of how much water you use, as well as on the tank sizes. I know that may sound rather cliche and unhelpful, but water conservation can go a very long ways towards extending one's time.

Typically the biggest water usage comes from showering and dishwashing. Navy showers are the rule, and using minimal wash and rinse water for dishes (a dishpan helps--for that matter, so does using paper plates and cups). With some care, it would certainly not be outrageous to expect a class C to last a weekend or a few days with two people. Using the campground showers, if there are any, would be a big help.

If you don't do too much to set up camp, unhooking can be very quick and straightforward: unplugging the electric, coiling the cord, retracting any awning, and driving off may be all it takes. Conversely, if you set up a lot of stuff (that may need moving) and hook up the water and sewer and cable TV and hang lights off the awning, it will take rather longer.

I would suggest not eliminating a longer RV than 25' outright, even without a toad, as it won't be significantly harder to find parking for a 30' RV than a 25' RV in most cases. You'd generally need two parking spaces end to end in either case. Maybe occasionally you could get away with a single space with the 25' unit if you could hang the back end several feet over some grass or something, but that's comparatively uncommon to be able to do. Naturally, the larger the RV the more difficult maneuvering in general is and the fewer small campsites you can fit in (which can be a difficulty particularly in some older state parks or other public campgrounds).

Driving a class C is rather like driving a U-Haul with comfortable seats and better visibility. Certainly they're affected by winds and passing trucks, as is any large slab-sided vehicle, and don't handle like a little car, but it's not too daunting with a little practice. Whether your wife would be comfortable or not with driving one I have any way of knowing, of course, since that sort of thing varies a lot from person to person.

How necessary reservations are depends on what part of the country you're in and what time of year it is. Around here in Vermont, they're a good idea during the weekends, and probably less necessary during the week. Getting reservations fairly early for holidays is a good idea if you have some specific place you want to go. I've yet to be completely unable to find someplace fun or nice on short notice, but at popular times it can take awhile to find. I mainly gone to state parks.

joannee2012: Thank you - perfect. Typically, with just the two of us, how long between dumps and fills for a small Class C? I suspect my bride of 56 years will want her own WC rather than one in a public place. Sounds like fun, but what about big trucks - will she feel comfortable driving (we have a full size SUV)? Gotta look for a rental.

it would be easier than a class A

MikeV99 wrote:
… We are thinking about a 25' Class C without a toad….. Would it be unreasonable to unhook everything to go to a restaurant or maybe go sightseeing and then hook back up upon return? … .

I've done exactly what you plan to do, and I found it perfectly do-able. A smallish Class C can find a place to park in most parking lots (stores, restaurants, etc.) or even park on the street. I used mine as my suburban daily driver for a year!

You won't have to "un-hook everything" if you don't hook up everything in the first place. Your RV will come with tanks for fresh water as well as waste: To stay mobile, use those and only "hook up" for a few minutes to fill or empty as needed, every few days. Just plug in the electric, and maybe not even that for an overnight. Enjoy!

Welcome! You know I've read many different stories on here. Done a little traveling but not much. Mostly long weekend at local state park. I want to share a story of a couple I met in Hilton head island this month. They told me about there traveling stories up and down the Atlantic coast. They were from Quebec and they took trips to Florida and South Carolina all the time. At some point I asked what their rig was expecting a 40 something foot camper with 4 slides.... It was an 18 ft pulled by a half ton Chevy. When someone tells you what you want is to small don't believe them. Otherwise coastal spots need reservations. Little bit inland and you can find spots. All you will regularly use is electric. Just unplug and go. If it's 35 ft that's different story. You likely will find things you want and change units. I'm on 3rd one in 6 years. All used. You save water and dumping by staying away from dishes and use shower house. Get it and use it.

It's not unreasonable, but certainly a hassle, to unhook everything and drive in the RV to get groceries, go to a restaurant, etc. And of course parking will be difficult in anyplace but a very large parking lot. Not all restaurants have RV-friendly lots, though some do. You would need to leave something in your site, or rope it off, in some cases, while you are away from it, so that it doesn't get taken while you're out. That was our experience with our one and only motorhome (18' in our case.) I would recommend a toad, although we have no experience hooking/unhooking one.

Since we sold that MH (we had it 5 years) we have had different kinds & sizes of trailers (see my sig for our current one). If we ever do get a MH again, we'll be sure to bring a toad along, unless we know it's a short campout and we don't intend to go anywhere.