Planning a Cross Country trip Summer of 2018, what to buy

We've driven over the highest mountain passes in the West with two gas Class A's and a gas Class C. We wouldn't win any races, but I wouldn't worry about that issue.

Excellent post by DrewE. Great idea to rent an RV locally for a short trip. In addition to the things already mentioned for you to think about, I always look at the accessibility of the utility hookups (dumping the tanks, etc.) and storage bays. Some of those sewer hookups on the RVs seem very difficult for my body to access without hurting my back! Actually I sometimes sit on a stool to deal with my hookups on the motorhome side.

gbopp wrote:
How many will be traveling with you? Are you going to pull a toad?

A gas Class A will do the mountains, it will take a little longer but it will get over the top.

Have you considered a Class C or even a B?
It depends on how much room you need.

Do you plan on RVing after your trip? how often? $50K is not going to get you a Diesel class A that dosen't need some possibly expensive repair. You have to look at the issues of re-selling the class A if you don't plan on using much after your big trip. As suggested by others, look at a class C which won't cost you as much and is easier to RV in. I prefer Diesel over gas.

Depending on the specific motorhomes, a gas class A could be faster over the mountains than a diesel pusher. It mostly comes down to power at the wheels vs. weight. The gas engine will be running at a higher rpm and so making more noise--and you'll hear it more with a front engine than a rear engine--but there's no doubt it will get you where you're going.

I would start by thinking about what specific things are important to you in terms of how you use the motorhome and where you're thinking of going. If quiet driving is especially important, then a rear engine is a big help. If camping in small out-of-the-way public campgrounds is important, then a smaller rig overall (preferably with decent ground clearance) would be a benefit over a larger, lower one. Think, too, about what sort of interior features you would like: decent counter space for cooking? An oven you can use when not hooked up to electric power (or running the generator)? A bed that you can access from both sides (rather than crawling over a partner)? A shower or bathroom with lots of elbow room? A good spot for a cat's litter box? All of these and others may be tradeoffs to consider.

While renting for a long trip hardly makes sense, it may be money well spent to rent an RV for a long weekend or even a week to get some idea of what it's like to use one and have some hint on features and layout things that work and that don't work for you. This is particularly true if you don't have any experience with one already.

How many will be traveling with you? Are you going to pull a toad?

A gas Class A will do the mountains, it will take a little longer but it will get over the top.

Have you considered a Class C or even a B?
It depends on how much room you need.