Forum Discussion

ctilsie242's avatar
ctilsie242
Explorer II
Jan 17, 2017

New here, wonder what way to go, RV-wise

My first post here, so I might as well introduce myself. Am from Austin, have a travel trailer (Palomino Puma 25RS, really 28 feet from ball to bumper) which is stashed at a place outside of town, and have some RV experience.

I have learned that my TT doesn't really fit what I do. Driving out of town to pick it up, go somewhere, then drive it back takes a good chunk out of my vacation time, so I'm looking for something a lot smaller. Since the city of Austin bans trailers from driveways, this reduces things to either a small motorhome (25 feet max) or a truck camper.

What do people do who live in cities? A class "C" is one idea, but I'm concerned about parking with that, so primarily looking at class "B"s and truck/truck campers. I currently have a half-ton truck, which is absolutely worthless for a TC, so I'd have to find a new set of wheels as well.
  • Well, a TC is just a poor mans Tiger RV. (In some cases, lol, TCs and trucks can get expensive...)
    Assuming your 1/2 ton is newer, capable, etc, a comparable gasser 3/4 ton is about the same cost, used. For what you're doing, if you're good with the limitations of TC space and able to store it and load and unload it (everyone's capabilities are different, not insinuating you're not) then a reasonable gas powered HD pickup and a TC seems to fit the bill. Although if the city balks at travel trailers, you may get hassled about a TC in your driveway too.
    How many people? You're saying "me", not "us" so assuming 1-2 people a TC has plenty of room.
    Of course I'm biased because a TC fits our needs!
  • Thank you for the reply. I'm single, and don't really see that changing in the near or far term.

    The good thing is that a TC is considered "cargo" in Austin, so there are no rules/regs by the city or the HOA. Texas, they have no title for TCs, so there is no inspection or registration. Now, off the truck, it is a different thing, but because it is so relatively small, I can probably find a parking place somewhere to drop the TC.

    As for storage, being a single person, I pack relatively light. Most of my TT has storage I've not bothered to use yet.

    This is very good advice. This gets me split between a TC versus a class "B". I don't really go that much off-road other than onto unpaved surfaces, and I don't really need that much space, so either will work well for me.

    To me, the class "B"'s advantages is the fact that it is ready to go at any/all times. That, and the fact that it doesn't look like a RV, especially a Sportsmobile or a Winnebago Travato.

    The TC's advantages are that the TC can be dropped at a campsite, and if I'm doing something where I have a campsite for a while, I can skirt the TC, ensuring that I have a lot of storage space and the air space under the bed is isolated.

    Both trucks + TCs and class "B"s are expensive. I live in Texas, and because oilfield work is picking up, there are no good deals on one tons. Class "B"s may or may not be useful, but they are so rare in Texas relatively that finding a good one is hard.
  • After looking around, I am still split 50/50. The class "B" has the advantage of better construction, better water resistance, and compactness. The TC/truck combo have the advantage of cost (assuming I can find a one ton for a reasonable price), versatility, and the ability to go anywhere.

    Are there such thing as small (as in under 20 feet) class "C"s that are less expensive than a Tiger Motorhomes rig?
  • ctilsie242 wrote:
    After looking around, I am still split 50/50. The class "B" has the advantage of better construction, better water resistance, and compactness. The TC/truck combo have the advantage of cost (assuming I can find a one ton for a reasonable price), versatility, and the ability to go anywhere.

    Are there such thing as small (as in under 20 feet) class "C"s that are less expensive than a Tiger Motorhomes rig?


    One possibility to possibly consider: CruiseAmerica has ex-rental 19' models available. Currently they're running from around $27k to $37k. I have no experience with them myself, but I've heard of quite a number of people who have bought ex-rental units from them and been highly satisfied. They do a quite thorough refurbishment before selling them.

    Here's their current inventory of this model for sale.
  • Hello I'm new here and slightly new to RVING My Name is Greg I'm from Delaware the state. Most people who live in cities or Deeded neighborhoods where neighbors get bent out of shape about parking a class A or C motorhome in your own driveway is ridiculous if you ask me but rules are rules 10' Privacy fence should cure that but most people will park them at a mini storage yard close to their home I'LL be purchasing a 35R BOUNDER gas coach which came with a 4 WD tow car and a toaster sterling toward all meticulously cared for to the point where the one and only owner removed every external screw and replaced them with stainless steel screws. I've been researching for two years and finally had to pull the trigger when I saw this Deal and She's clean inside outside and under carriage has been greased oiled and maintained better than I could have myself. Those deal's are very few and far in between especially in the mid- ATLANTIC states. I'll be full timing and looking forward to it Not looking forward to two months of winter till I get everything figured out. I was a commercial/industrial Residential plumber by trade before the disc issues in my spine so I'm pretty mechanical and will figure it out. Have found more information here then a little bit and greatly appreciate all the knowledge in this community. Hope to even make some new friends that RV in the coastal areas of lower DELAWARE and MARYLAND beaches.