Request input (rookie)

ncrowley wrote:

HikinHoosier1 wrote:

Thanks for your input. I drove a Class C 1999 Ford E350 Super Duty Tioga yesterday. It looked in good shape and was told it had been well maintained. Had 68,000 mi with new brakes and shocks recently installed. I have never driven 1 before so had nothing to compare it to. Interested but not confident due to my lack of expertise. If I invest in this type of RV, how is it if towing a small vehicle behind (compact). Thanks again!

Be very careful when purchasing a gas engine. The sales people will tell you anything to get a sale, such as "Sure, that coach will pull your car". I have been lied to in that way many times. You need to do the math yourself. Get the GVWR which is the maximum you can carry in the coach. It is safe to assume you will be close to your maximum when you are traveling. Second, get the GCWR which is the maximum weight of the coach and anything it tows. GCWR - GVWR = the max weight you can tow. You can look up the weight of your car and then determine if you can tow it.

X1. I always ask the salesman what kind of RV are they towing and how long have you towing an RV????

Perhaps a modest class C would be worth considering. Our 20 footer, for example, goes anywhere we want so no towed vehicle needed. It has a large bed over the cab sleeping two very conveniently and comfortably. Another two can be accommodated with the dinette made into a bed. We bought it 7 years ago as a retired rental unit 4 years old. So far it hasn't been in a garage unless you count new tires.

Don't rule out the humble tent trailer which can be towed easily by a car if not unreasonably large. Ours easily sleeps 4 adults. Can be set up in ten minutes. Very pleasant in good weather, even ordinary rain or a little snow. It saves enough money to stay in motels in severe weather. Much less to worry about than a 4 ton motorhome.

Incidentally, we have never plugged in either RV or used a generator in 35 years of camping, which enables us to stay in nice places at modest cost.

Go to dealers and look at anything that gets your interest. Ask for test drives. The only way you will be able to compare how different campers feel is to test drive them.

If you'd like to read more about the "lifestyle", check out the blog RV Sue and her Canine Crew. She's a single female retiree who full times with her Chevy Cargo Van and Casita travel trailer.

If the RV drives well and has good manners at speeds up to 65mph then all is good. Just like any used car. The majority of class Cs are on the Ford E350 or E450 chassis. If the Tioga has a V10 engine with 68k miles on it. That is good if it had the required oil changes and maintenance.

Look everywhere inside (including inside cabinets) for water stains and/or soft walls or floors.

I can only relate to my 28’ camper for sleeping. It has an RV queen in back and a standard queen (I think) in the cab over. So four friendly folks could sleep in it. I use the cab over for storage.

I will second the idea of looking at rental units.

HikinHoosier1 wrote:

Thanks for your input. I drove a Class C 1999 Ford E350 Super Duty Tioga yesterday. It looked in good shape and was told it had been well maintained. Had 68,000 mi with new brakes and shocks recently installed. I have never driven 1 before so had nothing to compare it to. Interested but not confident due to my lack of expertise. If I invest in this type of RV, how is it if towing a small vehicle behind (compact). Thanks again!

Be very careful when purchasing a gas engine. The sales people will tell you anything to get a sale, such as "Sure, that coach will pull your car". I have been lied to in that way many times. You need to do the math yourself. Get the GVWR which is the maximum you can carry in the coach. It is safe to assume you will be close to your maximum when you are traveling. Second, get the GCWR which is the maximum weight of the coach and anything it tows. GCWR - GVWR = the max weight you can tow. You can look up the weight of your car and then determine if you can tow it.

Hi HikinHoosier,

Do you have a budget?

From what you have written I would not recommend a class B.

That leaves you with either a small class A, or a 26 foot Class C.

I chose class C because I did not have the budget for a Class A.

I full time in an E-450 class C.

The biggest thing to look for is water leaks. Any HINT of that and you should run away.

The ideal length to wheel base ration is 60%. That is exactly what a 26 foot Class C has on a 176 inch base. It makes them feel as if you are driving a van.

You may wish to consider a unit from an RV rental place. They maintain them well, and they tend to have fewer bells and whistles. Bells and whistles are just fine, until they break and you have to pay to fix them.

The E 350 tends to ride better but has much less carrying capacity, so if you plan to tow a car I'd urge you to consider the E-450.

Grit dog wrote:
3-4 people is a completely different scenario than 1-2 people both for the camper and the tow rig.
Your options, I think, are still SUV/pickup and a TT or a Class C. Having never towed before I think you'd be more comfortable driving a C and pulling a car behind you

That was my thought too. I did drive a Class C yesterday-99 Ford 350 Tioga Fleetwood with 68,000 mi. Appeared to be well maintained. Drove ok but I have nothing to compare it to.

rexlion wrote:
What is your current vehicle? It might make a difference in our advice, if we can see what you are able to tow now.

With a B or C, if you need mechanical work done that takes more than a day, you must find a hotel. With a trailer, you can sleep in your own bed while the tug gets fixed. Also, if you reach a location and want to drive around to see the sights, a TT can be left hooked up in the CG but in a MH you must unhook and make sure everything is stowed.

On the other hand, trailers require a little more attention for driving and backing up. And if, say, your AC or furnace go out, you might still have to leave the TT at a repair shop overnight and find a hotel.



Used class C MHs a few years old are usually a good buy for the money if they were well cared for (not neglected). New ones are $$$$.

Thanks for your input. I drove a Class C 1999 Ford E350 Super Duty Tioga yesterday. It looked in good shape and was told it had been well maintained. Had 68,000 mi with new brakes and shocks recently installed. I have never driven 1 before so had nothing to compare it to. Interested but not confident due to my lack of expertise. If I invest in this type of RV, how is it if towing a small vehicle behind (compact). Thanks again!

3-4 people is a completely different scenario than 1-2 people both for the camper and the tow rig.
Your options, I think, are still SUV/pickup and a TT or a Class C. Having never towed before I think you'd be more comfortable driving a C and pulling a car behind you