I need some help!!! (deciding on a rv)
Ok so my family and I are taking our first rv trip this summer and we are trying to find an rv to purchase. We thought about renting but the prices we are seeing are in the 5000 plus range and then e...
Forum Discussion
OBX Bum,
Do you think I can find something shorter than 32' and still have enough sleeping area?
Well, depending upon the ages and sizes of the children, they can sleep on the sofa & dinette in a traditional layout. Our rig has two sofas and a dinette, so there was plenty of sleeping space. Some cringe at the thought of having to makeup/breakdown the beds each night, but we had no problems with it.
I know Georgie Boy, in 2004, did have a two sofa model in their Pursuit line (Class A) which was 34' long. We almost bought one of those, but decided to climb up the model line a bit to their Cruise Master line and gain an additional 2 feet of length.
I suggested that you look at Class A's because there are probably many more of those available, which should open up some options. Some people are intimidated by the driving position in the Class A, but in my opinion, the visibility is much better in the Class A and I find it easier to drive than the van-based Class C's. Everyone is different, though, so it would be worthwhile for you to swing by a dealership and drive a couple to check your comfort level with each type you're considering.
I guess one question I would have is why are you trying to keep the length under 32'? To be honest, you're going to adapt to whatever length rig you choose. Granted, without towing a vehicle, you're going to be limited to larger parking lots, but that'll be true for most motorhomes much larger than 24' or so. Walmart can be your friend! :)
I would suggest that you reconsider not towing a vehicle. With ANY motorhome, if the kids needs something (cold medicine for example), you really don't want to disrupt the entire family to travel out to pick something up. Especially since you'll be putting on a lot of miles anyway, and your "down time" should be as restful for all as possible. Disconnecting all of the hook-ups to break camp can get old fast and definitely take some of the joy out of the trip. If you have a front-wheel drive vehicle, there's a good chance you might be able to tow it behind the motorhome on a dolly. Again, you can usually pick up used dollies fairly cheaply or check out rental prices. I also view our towed vehicle as a "life raft" so should there be a problem with the rig while on the road, wifey can get the kids off the highway while I try to get things going and/or await help. We haven't needed it for that yet, but it's reassuring to know that it's there. But the car just makes it much easier to get into places that are difficult, or even impossible, with a larger vehicle.
Again, this is something I suggest you consider very carefully. A couple driving around in a 24' motorhome? Yeah, you could probably get by nicely without the towed car. A family in a 28'+ rig? I highly recommend having another vehicle available.
Keep looking. Your ideal solution is out there somewhere. Not to discourage you at all, but it took us over 2 years doing lots of research (much of it on these forums) to find our "perfect" RV. I think we got about as close to it as possible given our budget. We started looking at small hybrids to tow behind our Odyssey minivan, and ultimately decided a 36' Class A towing the Odyssey was best for us. And, apparently it was. So, do your homework. It pays off.
Good Luck,
~Rick
Do you think I can find something shorter than 32' and still have enough sleeping area?
Well, depending upon the ages and sizes of the children, they can sleep on the sofa & dinette in a traditional layout. Our rig has two sofas and a dinette, so there was plenty of sleeping space. Some cringe at the thought of having to makeup/breakdown the beds each night, but we had no problems with it.
I know Georgie Boy, in 2004, did have a two sofa model in their Pursuit line (Class A) which was 34' long. We almost bought one of those, but decided to climb up the model line a bit to their Cruise Master line and gain an additional 2 feet of length.
I suggested that you look at Class A's because there are probably many more of those available, which should open up some options. Some people are intimidated by the driving position in the Class A, but in my opinion, the visibility is much better in the Class A and I find it easier to drive than the van-based Class C's. Everyone is different, though, so it would be worthwhile for you to swing by a dealership and drive a couple to check your comfort level with each type you're considering.
I guess one question I would have is why are you trying to keep the length under 32'? To be honest, you're going to adapt to whatever length rig you choose. Granted, without towing a vehicle, you're going to be limited to larger parking lots, but that'll be true for most motorhomes much larger than 24' or so. Walmart can be your friend! :)
I would suggest that you reconsider not towing a vehicle. With ANY motorhome, if the kids needs something (cold medicine for example), you really don't want to disrupt the entire family to travel out to pick something up. Especially since you'll be putting on a lot of miles anyway, and your "down time" should be as restful for all as possible. Disconnecting all of the hook-ups to break camp can get old fast and definitely take some of the joy out of the trip. If you have a front-wheel drive vehicle, there's a good chance you might be able to tow it behind the motorhome on a dolly. Again, you can usually pick up used dollies fairly cheaply or check out rental prices. I also view our towed vehicle as a "life raft" so should there be a problem with the rig while on the road, wifey can get the kids off the highway while I try to get things going and/or await help. We haven't needed it for that yet, but it's reassuring to know that it's there. But the car just makes it much easier to get into places that are difficult, or even impossible, with a larger vehicle.
Again, this is something I suggest you consider very carefully. A couple driving around in a 24' motorhome? Yeah, you could probably get by nicely without the towed car. A family in a 28'+ rig? I highly recommend having another vehicle available.
Keep looking. Your ideal solution is out there somewhere. Not to discourage you at all, but it took us over 2 years doing lots of research (much of it on these forums) to find our "perfect" RV. I think we got about as close to it as possible given our budget. We started looking at small hybrids to tow behind our Odyssey minivan, and ultimately decided a 36' Class A towing the Odyssey was best for us. And, apparently it was. So, do your homework. It pays off.
Good Luck,
~Rick
