new camper needs help!

Well Mom,

Did you notice that 2 out of three recommended a Pop-up. There are lots of reasons for this. Pups have a top that is usually a single piece of fiberglass and so are less likely to dissolve because a roof leak went unnoticed. And everything else about them is also less expensive.

If you really want to try out a Class C, Rent one. They are very available. Yes, it will be somewhat expensive, but you won't have to:
Register
Insure
Store
Maintain
or worry about it.......

Matt

A motor home is one extra motor vehicle to insure ($) and maintain ($$). Your Expedition should be able to handle a trailer of reasonable size. I'd suggest limiting that to something under 20 feet overall length if possible, and under 4,000 lbs dry (unloaded) weight.

Unfortunately everything is priced at a premium right now. You'd be better off waiting a year or so until demand falls off somewhat. In the meantime you could still have a great time with a $150 tent, some sleeping bags, and a simple propane or butane stove (one or two burners). That's how I took my two kids camping; I couldn't afford a trailer until about the time they were graduating from high school. But if you really can't resist the bite of the trailer 'bug', a popup will be your best choice because it will cost less to buy and also cost less to tow (the low profile means better gas mileage... wind resistance costs more than weight when towing at highway speed). Besides, a short and easy-towing popup expands to a much greater length when set up.

Consider getting a professional to inspect the RV you have a great interest in buying. Yes, they cost but you'll have some peace of mind. However, IMO "looking good" usually means the RV has been taken care of by the owner such as roof maintenance, oil changes etc.

Trailers are usually less expensive than Cs and As. An appropriate size trailer depends your SUV numbers....look at the driver's door jam. Two most important numbers are max payload and max tow weight.

Move along quickly, kids will be back in school very soon!

Look for a quality used popup, they are great for starting out, easy on the pocket book, and hold their resale really well. Easily towed by your Expy.

With a class C, you have an engine, and transmission, and expensive tires to maintain, and more expensive insurance.

As you camp, you will learn what you really want in a camper. Also what you want/need will change as the kids grow. Our bunkhouse was great when my son was 5'2", now that he is 6'2" he no longer fits on the bunks.

You leave a lot of open ground here so I'll start you off.
Without knowing how tight your budget is we really are at a loss to help you. You may find a great low price on something and then need to spend $1,000 or more for tires to be safe driving the kids around. Are you good at repairing things? Older used campers will develop problems that need some wrenching, plumbing or electrical know how to fix.
Have you ever camped before? If no, you may want to start off with a tent to find out if it is for you and the kids before you drop a bundle of money.
Again with money. You don't list where you are located at. Around the northeast US you can figure on $60 or more a night for full hook-ups for that class C. Tent sites are cheaper.

Good luck! Hope you get the kids into camping.