multiple purposes, what kind of RV?
I am new to this but had been working toward either a truck camper or travel trailer for mostly summer camping, up to 1 week at a time, with 2 adults and 2 kids. Now I also need to have a vehicle l...
Forum Discussion
You say "guest room for 2", but what exactly do they need in a guest room? Will they be using your house restroom(s), kitchen during their stay and just need a bed to sleep on and a place for some private quiet time? Or will they need a restroom/shower, kitchen, etc. as they will be spending the majority of their time there? Do you need a dedicated bed that is easy to access (a TC has the overcab bed, but it can be difficult for some folks to get in and out of) or can the dinette be converted during that timeframe?
Off-road is dependent upon your off-road definition. I have driven my clipper on some pretty beat up dirt roads - I just go slow and easy and maneuver around the worst of the potholes and bumps. I wouldn't take it actually off-road, fording streams, etc.
Camping, it's all in your family's ability. Some folks here couldn't survive with 2 people in less than a 30 ft rig. Others happily occupy a lot less space. If you already tent camp, I think you'll find it easier to go smaller - you're used to sharing space and having to "suck it up" and be together when it rains, etc. If you haven't been camping as a family together, then it could be more difficult as you're more used to having privacy and separate spaces.
No hookups - most RVs can do no hookups. A big enough RV can provide room for a bigger battery bank, generator, solar, etc., but even a small RV with a single battery and propane tank can do the job. You have to decide what you must be able to do versus what you can do without. For me, I have one AGM group 31 battery and propane. No generator, no solar, no inverter. I can go 4 days without putting a dent in the battery level - because I don't bother with TVs, DVDs, toasters, coffee makers, microwaves, etc.
Winter camping - there are RVs that are made for winter camping, but for just an occasional trip, you can make most RVs work (as long as you're not wanting to camp in a blizzard). A fellow clipper owner has wrapped all his pipes and added insulation and often goes for a skiing trip in the Sierras. He just plans his trips for good skiing weather and it works just fine.
I have a Durango and pulled a Shasta Friendship 18-1/2 with it. I didn't have any trouble, but I never pushed it either. I wasn't driving up the mountain at 75mph, etc. I don't know as I would have gone bigger than that. If I were to get another TT to tow with the Durango, I would go with the Escape 17 ft. Not too big to be inhibiting, not too small, good weight, solid construction, and well laid out.
Off-road is dependent upon your off-road definition. I have driven my clipper on some pretty beat up dirt roads - I just go slow and easy and maneuver around the worst of the potholes and bumps. I wouldn't take it actually off-road, fording streams, etc.
Camping, it's all in your family's ability. Some folks here couldn't survive with 2 people in less than a 30 ft rig. Others happily occupy a lot less space. If you already tent camp, I think you'll find it easier to go smaller - you're used to sharing space and having to "suck it up" and be together when it rains, etc. If you haven't been camping as a family together, then it could be more difficult as you're more used to having privacy and separate spaces.
No hookups - most RVs can do no hookups. A big enough RV can provide room for a bigger battery bank, generator, solar, etc., but even a small RV with a single battery and propane tank can do the job. You have to decide what you must be able to do versus what you can do without. For me, I have one AGM group 31 battery and propane. No generator, no solar, no inverter. I can go 4 days without putting a dent in the battery level - because I don't bother with TVs, DVDs, toasters, coffee makers, microwaves, etc.
Winter camping - there are RVs that are made for winter camping, but for just an occasional trip, you can make most RVs work (as long as you're not wanting to camp in a blizzard). A fellow clipper owner has wrapped all his pipes and added insulation and often goes for a skiing trip in the Sierras. He just plans his trips for good skiing weather and it works just fine.
I have a Durango and pulled a Shasta Friendship 18-1/2 with it. I didn't have any trouble, but I never pushed it either. I wasn't driving up the mountain at 75mph, etc. I don't know as I would have gone bigger than that. If I were to get another TT to tow with the Durango, I would go with the Escape 17 ft. Not too big to be inhibiting, not too small, good weight, solid construction, and well laid out.
