Scottish Family Adventure

Hello

My wee family (me, wife, 5 month old daughter) are planning a 6 month Motor Home adventure starting in Vancouver and then heading down the West coast of the US, up through Texas, to Chicago, onto Montreal, then down the East Coast and finally back to Vancouver.

We’re flying from Scotland this Friday the 25th of April.

We plan to buy a 5th wheel and a truck in British Columbia, we have a friend there and can use that address for registering the vehicle and insuring it. So this seems the best option (happy to hear other opinions though).

I’m hoping the people here could help with a couple of things:

We’ll have a budget of roughly $25k-$30k CAD
1. Is that a reasonable amount to buy mechanically sound Truck and Trailer?
2. I am aware that pin weights/tow weight are a large factor but is it reasonable to assume that a ¾ ton will pull most 27’ trailers?
a. Or is the performance of a one ton make it much safer/better
3. Are there particular models of truck and trailer that I should avoid or look out for?
4. I am not mechanically inclined, is there a service available to have a truck and trailer checked by a mechanic before purchasing.
5. I am inclined to purchase privately – especially from someone selling truck/5th wheel combo as this seems to be the best way of ending up with a “matching pair”
6. Have never towed anything; is there somewhere/someone who offers training that could be recommended?

This is a big adventure for us and naturally very exciting but also pretty intimidating. I’d be interested in hearing from anyone who has made a similar trip and has:

1. Suggestions for RV parks along the way
2. Tips for RV’ing with a baby!
a. E.g. Particular RV features that are handy
3. Anyone who has had experience with Thousand trails or similar.

I realise this is a lot of information to ask but I’m happy to buy anyone a beer who can help out (and is at least roughly on the way!).

Thank-you all

Ben

SkiMore
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
Are you planning on selling it at the end of the trip? Is the $25-30K budget mean what you want to pay for the rig or what you think it will cost after you sell it at the end?

Have you driven on our side of the road before?

I was in Scotland last year and all the RVs I saw were smaller than what we have in the US. When we got back I started fantasizing about a 3 month RV trip in Scotland.
loulou57
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
Ben...Happy to hear you are coming this side for a holiday. I am from North Yorkshire and will tell you things are so very different here!

Have you considered a smaller motor home? I am thinking if you have never towed you may be more comfortable. You will be climbing mountains, crossing prairies, taking ferries and traveling on highways like none back home.
We have traveller's across Canada and we spent almost 2 months, not really stopping much to visit places. Choose your route carefully. For instance England fits into Ontario 8 times and 5 times into Texas. Distances are all lot farther than you think.
Caledon
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
SkiMore wrote:
Are you planning on selling it at the end of the trip? Is the $25-30K budget mean what you want to pay for the rig or what you think it will cost after you sell it at the end?

Have you driven on our side of the road before?

I was in Scotland last year and all the RVs I saw were smaller than what we have in the US. When we got back I started fantasizing about a 3 month RV trip in Scotland.

Have driven a few times over the last few years on the other side of the road but only for a couple of weeks at a time

I am indeed planning on selling it at the end. The 30k budget is what we have to spend on it.
The sad truth is that I'm (like many central belt Scots) a bit if a stranger in my own land! But we get so pumped full of American culture that it seems like the big adventure even though my own backyard could be great. However plenty of time when we come back.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
I would like to welcome you to the forum and extend a warm welcome to our Scottish cousins coming for a Holiday. We do hope your trip will be both fun and inspiring. N America is a beautiful land full of natural wonders.
NYCgrrl
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
Hello and welcome!
No idea what prices are like 'up North" for a used 5th wheel and truck but can tell you some sites that people use to offer goods for sale:

http://www.canadianlisted.com

http://www.kijiji.ca
and of course Craig's List.

I'd start my search via the internet immediately to familiarise with terms and costs. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a lead that will allow you to hit the ground running.
Have fun and enjoy your trip:).
Jim_Shoe
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
Several years ago I spent about 6 weeks touring England, Scotland and Wales. I got used to driving from the wrong side of the car on the wrong side of the road :) But the most dangerous thing I found was as a pedestrian. On this side of the pond, its natural to look to the left as you step off a curb. Over there, the cars in the near lane are coming from the right. One other difference is the use of the horn. In GB if you hear a horn, something bad is about to happen. Over here, we also use them for doorbells and saying 'Hi'. Sometimes, just for fun. But you never know.
One more thing. If you're a fan of Haggis, you're out of luck. What you put in haggis, we throw in the garbage.
roamermatt
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
Sounds like a great plan and a lot of fun. But I'll echo what someone else said and suggest you consider a small "Class C" motorhome instead. Lots of these available used. You should be able to find a good one that will carry you cross-county and back for $20,000 or less. This will leave you some cash leftover to get off the road and stay in local hotels, cabins or B&Bs when you feel like it. You could consider paying for a roadside assistance program like CoachNet to help handle any breakdowns that might occur on the road with an unfamiliar vehicle (less than $100 for a year's coverage).
Heavy_Metal_Doc
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
This has me wondering: Is it really that easy to get a vehicle registered and go off driving in it when you go to another country?
I mean, I have no experience other than what I know in the states I have lived in where you have to be resident and have a local drivers license in order to register a vehicle and insure it before you can drive it off on you merry way....I know there are exceptions for commercial and certain out of state registration situation when you have two residences, but out of COUNTRY registration????.....I would think some sort of rental RV situation will accommodate a person with a driver license from another country, but I'm not sure about BUYING and getting tags and driving off in just a day or two to process it all.
I'm sure knowing someone in the country you will visit could help tremendously.
Anyway, best of luck to the OP, if it can be done within your resources and time, then GO FOR IT!!
Caledon
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
fla-gypsy wrote:
I would like to welcome you to the forum and extend a warm welcome to our Scottish cousins coming for a Holiday. We do hope your trip will be both fun and inspiring. N America is a beautiful land full of natural wonders.

Thanks.

While I am looking forward to beaches, redwoods, desert, cactus, canyons, geysers, and mountains; I should probably admit we are equally excited about Soldier Field, Wild West Show,Baseball , Disneyworld, Graceland, and Medieval Times!
Caledon
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
NYCgrrl wrote:
Hello and welcome!
No idea what prices are like 'up North" for a used 5th wheel and truck but can tell you some sites that people use to offer goods for sale:

http://www.canadianlisted.com

http://www.kijiji.ca
and of course Craig's List.

I'd start my search via the internet immediately to familiarise with terms and costs. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a lead that will allow you to hit the ground running.
Have fun and enjoy your trip:).

I didn't know about Canadian listed - thanks for the lead