My Plans Have Been Wrecked
My plan to retire in September, 2018 and live in an RV full-time is being re-evaluated. My plan was that when my auto lease was up in August, 2018 I could lease a big new tow vehicle (maybe an F-350)...
Forum Discussion
#1 - For the motorhome, a lot depends on the maintenance and care it received and a good bit on just plain luck. Generally I would not expect significant chassis/drivetrain problems on a five year old unit that's in good shape and has been reasonably maintained. Problems tend to be more in the house structure and systems, and those are not as varied among different RVs. If you're somewhat handy and willing you can take care of a lot of the smaller issues yourself.
As for a Jeep, I have no idea.
#2 - Your vehicle, your call. There are some advantages and disadvantages to either a class C or a class A, and a lot of things that frankly aren't much different at all. I don't think either one is really easier to drive, though there are differences in how they feel and behave that make some people prefer one or the other. The bigger window and more open feel of the class A's (and your position closer to the front of the vehicle, sometimes over or in front of the front axle) gives a different perspective on the road. The big windshield is nice unless the sun is beating in or it gets broken. The overhang of a class C blocks the sun sometimes, but also can block traffic lights. A class A will usually be more maneuverable than a similarly sized class C (the van chassis don't have a particularly good wheel cut angle, which is okay for a typical van wheelbase but makes for wide turns when stretched). It can be a little easier to find places that will work on a class C than a class A, but I don't think it's a big difference overall. Lighter duty chassis (which often includes class C's) will often be less costly to maintain: 16" tires are a lot less expensive than 21.5" tires, etc.
#3 - I don't know too much, but this does depend a good bit on what exactly you mean by off-roading and on what part of the country you're in. There are in many places routes that are technically public roads but require a Jeep or similar vehicle to reasonably travel and would generally be classified as off-roading.
If you're towing a Jeep or whatever, bear in mind that it's also going to be your grocery getter and errand runner. There are tradeoffs between what's fun on the trails and what's comfortable and convenient around town. It's not that any given vehicle is right or wrong, of course, but rather where your priorities lie.
As for a Jeep, I have no idea.
#2 - Your vehicle, your call. There are some advantages and disadvantages to either a class C or a class A, and a lot of things that frankly aren't much different at all. I don't think either one is really easier to drive, though there are differences in how they feel and behave that make some people prefer one or the other. The bigger window and more open feel of the class A's (and your position closer to the front of the vehicle, sometimes over or in front of the front axle) gives a different perspective on the road. The big windshield is nice unless the sun is beating in or it gets broken. The overhang of a class C blocks the sun sometimes, but also can block traffic lights. A class A will usually be more maneuverable than a similarly sized class C (the van chassis don't have a particularly good wheel cut angle, which is okay for a typical van wheelbase but makes for wide turns when stretched). It can be a little easier to find places that will work on a class C than a class A, but I don't think it's a big difference overall. Lighter duty chassis (which often includes class C's) will often be less costly to maintain: 16" tires are a lot less expensive than 21.5" tires, etc.
#3 - I don't know too much, but this does depend a good bit on what exactly you mean by off-roading and on what part of the country you're in. There are in many places routes that are technically public roads but require a Jeep or similar vehicle to reasonably travel and would generally be classified as off-roading.
If you're towing a Jeep or whatever, bear in mind that it's also going to be your grocery getter and errand runner. There are tradeoffs between what's fun on the trails and what's comfortable and convenient around town. It's not that any given vehicle is right or wrong, of course, but rather where your priorities lie.
