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erwincm's avatar
erwincm
Explorer
Jun 23, 2017

To RV or not to RV, That Is The Question

Hello folks. My wife and I are planning a once-in-a-lifetime two month long summer vacation with our two 12-year olds (twin boy & girl) next summer. We have been agonizing over our two basic options for shelter during our trip - hotels or travel trailer. We do not currently own a travel trailer and have never used one before. Aside from all the obvious questions like rent vs buy and the general economical implications of our decision, I am posting this message to solicit the answer or advice from members on the most fundamental question of all:

Given our options, which choice would likely yield the most pleasurable and memorable family trip possible?

I realize most folks in this forum already own an RV and enjoy the experience or you wouldn't have purchased one in the first place. Please try to answer the question from the perspective of someone who has never owned an RV and may choose not to keep the RV after the trip is over. Of course we will likely keep the RV if we enjoy the experience but I don't want this to cloud your otherwise impartial judgement.

Thanks in advance for your help guys!

Sincerely,
Charles
Madison, AL
  • kerrlakeRoo's avatar
    kerrlakeRoo
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2017
    I'll agree with many of the others but with a twist.
    Rent a class C for a couple of days this summer. See how comfortable you are driving it and how well the family gets along with living that close.
    As for the once in a lifetime trip, If you want to pursue the RV route, IF you are comfortable or have a friend or relative that is knowledgable on them, This winter buy a 3-5 year old Class C, use it for your trip and afterward you can likely recoup nearly all of your purchase price.
    If you are not experienced in towing this route will also simplify that part of the learning curve.
  • Isaac-1's avatar
    Isaac-1
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2017
    As I see it without knowing if you have a suitable tow vehicle already it is impossible to answer.
  • 2112's avatar
    2112
    Explorer II
    Jun 23, 2017
    What do the twins say? How about your wife? Are they all in?
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jun 23, 2017
    Jwoods, valid points. I did...M&D were car campers. Dad would load the car full of stuff then jam in Mom, my brother and me...and off we'd go. (We were so overloaded!)
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer II
    Jun 23, 2017
    We do not currently own a travel trailer and have never used one before.


    You did not mention in your post if you are just going to 'travel around' for 2 months or do you have specific 'destination' in mind?

    You have saved for this 2 month trip. you have never owned a travel trailer so IMHO now is not the time to learn how to tow and use one. Not to mention having to buy a tow vehicle if you don't have one now that is capable of 'safely' towing a trailer.

    If you have a destination planned look up some CG's that rent in that area.

    There are many CG's that rent travel trailers and/or park models that are parked in their camp ground. Perhaps renting one of these would be a better bet. Pull in and use the trailer that is already parked and ready to enjoy.

    You would get the full experience of camping in a CG without having to invest in a camper. IF that is what your goal is.

    What ever you end up doing have a good time with your children. It will be an experience they won't forget traveling with their Mom and Dad. :C
  • coolmom42's avatar
    coolmom42
    Explorer II
    Jun 23, 2017
    Lantley wrote:
    I'll go against the grain.If you have never RV'd before. Your once in a lifetime trip is not the place to learn! There is a learning curve To RV'ing and if you are adventurous enough you can learn as you go. However since you are asking the question I'm going to say your adventure level is not that high.
    Don't bite off more than you can chew.
    Take your "Once in a lifetime trip" without the RV.
    Nothing wrong with enjoying the RV world but without prior practice. This is not the time.


    I agree.

    But you have some time to "practice". My advice is first to rent for a short trip. Then if you like it, start looking for a decent used trailer or other type of RV. Don't invest in a new one unless you want to keep on using it for a few years.
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Jun 23, 2017
    I'll go against the grain.If you have never RV'd before. Your once in a lifetime trip is not the place to learn! There is a learning curve To RV'ing and if you are adventurous enough you can learn as you go. However since you are asking the question I'm going to say your adventure level is not that high.
    Don't bite off more than you can chew.
    Take your "Once in a lifetime trip" without the RV.
    Nothing wrong with enjoying the RV world but without prior practice. This is not the time.
  • jwoods61us's avatar
    jwoods61us
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2017
    This is not an attempt to hijack the thread but to solicit info for the OP. How many on here grew up in an RV/Camping family? When we got into the lifestyle, the DW and I had grown up camping/RVing and decided it was the way we wanted to travel. I'm afraid that the OP, if they have never camped, may not enjoy the learning curve associated with a long trip in an RV (not even considering traveling with young teens). That said, if they break into the lifestyle by taking a series of trips in preparation for their "once in a lifetime vacation," they will get more enjoyment out of the trip. But, if this is just a one time thing, traveling and staying in hotels/motels might be a better option.
  • Crowe's avatar
    Crowe
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2017
    Given our options, which choice would likely yield the most pleasurable and memorable family trip possible?

    First of all it's highly unlikely you'll get very many impartial answers here. And the question itself is unanswerable. I've done both and each has their own set of issues and pleasures. Until you do both multiple times there's no way to answer. You need to sit down and weigh the pros and cons of both such as cost, where you want to visit, do you mind flying, do you mind driving, what do you want to accomplish, etc. Any trip will be memorable for reasons both good and bad. You'll be able cover a larger distance if you fly but if you enjoy the journey as much as the destination then that may not be the way to go. If all else feels just pick one and do it.
  • Artum_Snowbird's avatar
    Artum_Snowbird
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2017
    I guess my first question would be "Have you done camping before?" That is the first step, and it's a big one. Having two twelve year old kids, boy and girl, is that age where they need their own beds, and shortly they might not even want to sleep in the same area of an RV. That gets to be longer and heavier fast. Taking their bikes and play things along adds complexity to it as well. Soon you are talking about a one ton crew cab and a 30 foot trailer. As a beginner, I would say do not get above 80% of the rated capacity of the tow vehicle. There is a lot to learn, but reading some posts about trailers of that size, and the vehicles they use to pull them will either open an opportunity, or make you forget it.

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