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downs's avatar
downs
Explorer
Feb 05, 2014

Newbie driving across Canada needs advice

Hello there,

Thanks for your help right off the bat, I have learned a lot of things over the years from all sorts of different forums just like this one. Truly the internet is great. :)

My family and I are going to be driving from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. My wife will be doing a book tour so its going to take us about a month stopping and visiting along the way.

This is a one way trip and we are going to be carrying really only clothes and a few personal effects.

So my first decision is around what to buy to do this trip.

I have been back and forth on buying a C Class Motorhome and towing our nearly paid off Mazda 5 or buying a pickup and getting either a 5th wheel or TT and ditching the Mazda 5 before we go.

I do have a motorcycle and have looked into toy hauler/camper combos but that seems to have been ruled out by the 'boss.'

I have budgeted 20K for the purchase of this vehicle( vehicle combo).

So I ask you, those who have come before for your advice.
  • downs's avatar
    downs
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2014
    oh thought I had put a post in earlier this morning

    yes I think we are going to go with the mazda/hotel/camping

    wife doesn't love camping but we have all the gear
    thinking i might buy an enclosed trailer ?
    haul our personal effects and some camping gear

    places like toronto we have family so that is easy
    so its just the odd hotel when weather is bad
    otherwise its camping

    thanks for all the advice folks
  • mayo30's avatar
    mayo30
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2014
    Hotels have pools,usually continental breakfast,no extra over size ferry fees,park anywhere,take a good look at your road,there are numerous places tha have hotels,not a baron no mans land.Get a membership to a hotel chain and save another 10%,you can probably do it for less the $75.00 a night.You can buy a tent and some basic camping gear for the odd night if that floats your boat,$500.00 will more then cover that,no room put a pod on the Mazda,loose a little gas though.You can't tow you car 4 wheels down so if you decide to buy a Rv and tow it look for at least another expense of around $2000.00 to buy and pull a dolly or conversion hitch,brakes etc.Think of it this way.Nightly camping fees may average $35.00,hotels are probably another $45/50 a night.That difference won't even pay for your fuel costs alone per day getting 8mpg.in a class C versus at least 35 mpg in the car.Have fun on your trip.
  • michelb's avatar
    michelb
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2014
    I have to agree with others that you should be able to find an older class C (or class A) for under $20k (particularly if you buy in the US). You'll probably also need a tow dolly but you should be able to get a used one for under $1k so figure $19k for your mh budget.

    I think finding a tow vehicle and towable is probably going to be difficult although I don't think it's impossible. I think $10k for a used full size pickup is not out of the question which leaves $10k for the trailer.
  • dcason's avatar
    dcason
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2014
    To give you an idea...
    We bought a 2005 25 foot class C with 18,000 miles on it. It was very lightly used and we also had to buy tires (originals were checked) for maybe $1300...then accessories.

    It would give you options for "living" in it.
    Donna
  • shum02's avatar
    shum02
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2014
    downs wrote:


    hmm do you think i can travel all the way across canada
    even northern ontario and the prairies in just a car and hotel?



    Jeeze, how backs woods do you think the rest of the country is LOL! Although there are still areas where you'll be stretching your fuel tank you'd do just fine ;)
  • downs's avatar
    downs
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2014
    I mean we have tent camped
    so that is part of the experience
    spending time experiencing all Canada has to offer
    its not just about doing it as cheap as possible
    but its also a 1 time 1 way trip
  • downs's avatar
    downs
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2014
    mayo30 wrote:
    Sell everything except your almost paid off car.Hotel all the way,you don't need reservations all the time.You can rent an apt. for $1500.00 for a month when you get there.It will cost you well over $10,000.00 expeneses plus $20,000.00 to buy an old Class c that will probably cost another $2000.00 just to get ready for the trip.What will you get for it when you sell it???A huge gamble.Spend $3000.00 on hotel rooms and &2000.00 on gas and misc.plus your &1500.00 month rent and you are done,no hassle.$6500.00 total instead of at least $30,000.00 with no idea how much you will possibly lose on the motor home,also no licence and insurance to pay for it.Replace bike when you get there if you still want one with savings,unless it is a gold wing.Easy stress less driving through mountains,parking,no sewer hoses etc. you get the picture.Not saying not get an Rv but this trip may not be the right time.


    hmm do you think i can travel all the way across canada
    even northern ontario and the prairies in just a car and hotel?

    i had envisioned a camping trip along the way

    not saying this cant work
    just wasnt what i imagined
  • free_radical's avatar
    free_radical
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2014
    mayo30 wrote:
    Sell everything except your almost paid off car.Hotel all the way,you don't need reservations all the time.You can rent an apt. for $1500.00 for a month when you get there.It will cost you well over $10,000.00 expeneses plus $20,000.00 to buy an old Class c that will probably cost another $2000.00 just to get ready for the trip.What will you get for it when you sell it???A huge gamble.Spend $3000.00 on hotel rooms and &2000.00 on gas and misc.plus your &1500.00 month rent and you are done,no hassle.$6500.00 total instead of at least $30,000.00 with no idea how much you will possibly lose on the motor home,also no licence and insurance to pay for it.Replace bike when you get there if you still want one with savings,unless it is a gold wing.Easy stress less driving through mountains,parking,no sewer hoses etc. you get the picture.Not saying not get an Rv but this trip may not be the right time.

    X2
    Buying used RV is buying lots of trouble unless you know how to check everything inside and out...
    And if it breaks down somewhere in the midle of your trip you'll be stuck finding an honest repairman..
    I'd buy brand new and only if I planned to travel and live in it for a long time,,
    or rent a motel,hotel ..
  • John___Angela's avatar
    John___Angela
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2014
    You should have no problem finding a 20K used class C around 25 feet that will be find for your crew. If you choose to sell it when you get to the west you will probably do alright, or use it to go camping in the west. ON edit. I don't know anything about the Mazda 5 but we had no problem pulling a Jeep Grand Cherokee with our 22 footer. Look for something like this or a bit bigger. At about 24 feet the sleeping arrangements get a little better for a family. Should be around 16000 Canadian. This is our 2002. Just passing 180,000 KM without a hickup.

  • mayo30's avatar
    mayo30
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2014
    Sell everything except your almost paid off car.Hotel all the way,you don't need reservations all the time.You can rent an apt. for $1500.00 for a month when you get there.It will cost you well over $10,000.00 expeneses plus $20,000.00 to buy an old Class c that will probably cost another $2000.00 just to get ready for the trip.What will you get for it when you sell it???A huge gamble.Spend $3000.00 on hotel rooms and &2000.00 on gas and misc.plus your &1500.00 month rent and you are done,no hassle.$6500.00 total instead of at least $30,000.00 with no idea how much you will possibly lose on the motor home,also no licence and insurance to pay for it.Replace bike when you get there if you still want one with savings,unless it is a gold wing.Easy stress less driving through mountains,parking,no sewer hoses etc. you get the picture.Not saying not get an Rv but this trip may not be the right time.

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