Information overload

Alright. I have information overload and I need help.

Background Information:
June of this year we (wife, daughter 11 years old and I) will be selling our house and traveling around the US for 1 or 2 years. We will then move to Europe. Most of the places we will be going to will be short stays, 1 to 7 days.

My desire:
I'd like to buy a smaller RV that would be easier to maneuver in parking lots residential neighborhoods (class B/C). We would be selling/giving away the RV at the end of the 1/2 year period so I'd like to buy used and keep my investment under $30k (proceeds from house sale).

So far:
Looking at buying a used rental from Cruise America or El Monte (probably El because of service records and a few bad CA posts here).

The problems:
1. I live near Memphis and the secondary RV market is very limited. Work and other requirements limit travel opportunities and time to go check out potentials. A trip to BUY would be possible but trips to just checking out RV's is going to be very difficult.
2. Storage space. We will be living out of the RV for 1 to 2 years. Obviously we won't have everything we own but how much space will we really have. Would a small trailer pulled behind be at all useful.
3. Trailering a car. I'm looking at a smaller RV so needing a car to get around won't be an issue and I might be able to expand my storage space with a small trailer but would trailering a car with us be at all advantageous?
4. I don't know what else.

This situation has come upons us rather quickly and living where we live makes things even more difficult. I know I should inspect the roof of any RV I'm going to buy but I've never even seen an RV roof much less inspected one. I'm sure there are a thousand other things i need to think about but I've spent 4 hours already looking thru these forums and I'm starting to get dizzy.

Any help or advice would greatly be appreciated. I'm sure everything I need to know is already covered somewhere in a faq or forum post but I'm overwhelmed right now.

45 Replies

Wolfeman70
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
Thank you everyone for the replies so far. It seems every time I figure out something it leads to 3 or 30 more questions.

We are looking at an RV instead of a tow behind because it would allow my daughter to school while driving as well as allow other things to go on while we are traveling (TV watching, book reading, computer games, sleeping, and so on). It would also allow me to interact with them while we are driving. Schooling is probably one of the biggest drivers on this decision.

The length of the RV is to make it more maneuverable in tighter spaces. We understand we will be crowded but since it's only for 1 to 2 years we think it will be ok. (But I'm a guy so what do I really know about how much space a woman needs). However, I am leaning towards towing a car behind which give me more storage space but pretty much kills the easy of maneuvering plan.

We went to an RV dealership by the house and tried to look at what they had on the lot. However, when I explained that I wouldnt' be looking to buy until around June, the sales lady basically told me "That's nice" and then made it very clear (non verbally) that it was time for me to leave. Work and other requirements make it very difficult to get to other dealerships to look at vehicles.

Again, thanks for the advice, comments, ideas and help.
bsinmich
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
Four hours is not even a beginning to learn about RVs. You will be very crowded in a class B. There is not much storage space there. RVs in mist cases do not do good in cold weather so you would have to plan to be some place a little warmer in cold weather. Not all RVs are created equal. Some have insulated walls and some don't. The larger ones have more storage but I remember one review I read on a MH with great storage and low carrying capacity. The magazine said it would be great if you wanted to carry ping pong balls. I suggest you hit some dealers and look at various floor plans and other features to learn what you like and don't like. Is the bathroom usable for everyone? Is there adequate kitchen space to prepare food? Is there room to hang clothes for the 3 of you? If this is your home for 1-2 years it has to be livable for that long. I would suggest towing a car for the economy. You plan to spend a week in various locations. Driving a car around that gets 20 mpg is a lot better than driving a MH around getting 6-8 mpg in town. It also gets old to have to pack up everything to go someplace with the MH rather than hop in a car and leave the camper set up.
wildtoad
Explorer II
Jan 29, 2014
A small RV is just that, small so as Led67 suggested take stock in what you think you will need. A class C with a bed for you and bunk over cab layout should be fine as your daughter will want a bed of her own. If it were me, I'd get a pickup truck that can be towed 4 down, and use the bed (with a cap)of the truck for additional storage making sure not to overload it. Sounds like fun.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jan 29, 2014
Forget it. Start considering much larger. A family of three is going to require a lot of room especially a girl of 11. Have you considered how/where she will sleep? How about school work? Everybody needs a bit of privacy and a small MH is simply not going to allow that to happen. As a test, wall off everything in your home now except for 300 SQ FT and try living in it for a week or so. Consider either a large MH at least 30 feet or a TT or fifth wheel trailer.
Led_67
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
Ok first stop, take a step back and take a deep breath. Second the best advice I can suggest is to make a list of needs and wants and compare them to see what you are really wanting and needing. Third any RV will be limited on storage space so only what is necessary.Fourth as for another vehicle have you considered a car dolly or even flat towing your vehicle.
Good Luck

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Information overload

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