First off, I am new and glad I found this forum. Hello.My wife and I have backpacked extensively worldwide and we are now in the market for our first RV. We like roughing it with a minimalist lifestyle, and we plan to travel across the states for 2 years. I say minimalist because we are not looking for something too fancy or spacious, but we would like some basics like a shower/toilet, full hookups, a fridge and stove, yet we want something compact that can get over 20mpg (possibly a trailer or popup). We really don't know where to begin, but hoping some of you can mention some models to us as a starting point.I did see a roadtrek the other day that we liked but no shower.Anyway, thanks for reading and it's good to be here.

20 mpg ??? I tow a small 17ft AScend with my Highlander that normally gets 25 mpg and towing 14. good luck on something bigger than a pop up.in a motorized vehicle the Winnie B vans are someplace in the $70,000 s.bumpy

Realistically, to get over 20 mpg with the comforts you seek, you're probably looking at a popup trailer (or similar folding hard-sided trailer) or possibly a pickup camper. From what you say, I think the pickup camper would have a fair number of advantages for you; among other things, it's more easily capable of going to off-road sorts of locations than most other RVs.If you're willing to compromise the gas mileage a little, you have a lot more options. Smaller travel trailers, smaller class C motorhomes (particularly those on the Sprinter chassis with diesel engines), etc. might work out well, and would be better/more convenient lodging.Are you planning to camp in cold weather? A popup is obviously not so useful in wintertime. Are you planning on spending a lot of time actually driving, as opposed to camping? A motorhome is more convenient for that than a trailer--you have much more ready access to the house things while on the road or at quick stops.

Well I'm far from an expert on RVs but 20mpg and RV don't really go together well. Only combo I can think of that may get you there would be a mid size suv or 1500 both in diesel trim with a small pop up TC or trailer or teardrop camper trailer. Going full time I'd want hard sides no question and would not want a pop up anything. The other big question IMO is towing vs hauling a truck camper. Gotta figure out what's best for what you want to do there. If you will typically be staying in one place for a while and day trips out then a travel trailer would be best. If you're in the boonies a lot and moving frequently then I'd be thinking truck camper and pickup. Either way, fun choices to make finding your new rig.

Check out Jayco's line of popup campers. They come with a two year warranty, and have floor plans with toilet and shower. Full hookups means that the camp site you are camping at has connections for water, electric and sewer hookups. If mpg is a concern, then stick with a popup for limited wind resistance. Maybe someone towing a popup will chime in with their mpg numbers.

What RV am I looking for? (Newbie) | Good Sam Community

2012Coleman
Explorer II
Dec 15, 2015
Check out Jayco's line of popup campers. They come with a two year warranty, and have floor plans with toilet and shower. Full hookups means that the camp site you are camping at has connections for water, electric and sewer hookups.

If mpg is a concern, then stick with a popup for limited wind resistance. Maybe someone towing a popup will chime in with their mpg numbers.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Dec 15, 2015
Well I'm far from an expert on RVs but 20mpg and RV don't really go together well.
Only combo I can think of that may get you there would be a mid size suv or 1500 both in diesel trim with a small pop up TC or trailer or teardrop camper trailer.
Going full time I'd want hard sides no question and would not want a pop up anything.
The other big question IMO is towing vs hauling a truck camper.
Gotta figure out what's best for what you want to do there.
If you will typically be staying in one place for a while and day trips out then a travel trailer would be best. If you're in the boonies a lot and moving frequently then I'd be thinking truck camper and pickup.
Either way, fun choices to make finding your new rig.
DrewE
Explorer II
Dec 15, 2015
Realistically, to get over 20 mpg with the comforts you seek, you're probably looking at a popup trailer (or similar folding hard-sided trailer) or possibly a pickup camper. From what you say, I think the pickup camper would have a fair number of advantages for you; among other things, it's more easily capable of going to off-road sorts of locations than most other RVs.

If you're willing to compromise the gas mileage a little, you have a lot more options. Smaller travel trailers, smaller class C motorhomes (particularly those on the Sprinter chassis with diesel engines), etc. might work out well, and would be better/more convenient lodging.

Are you planning to camp in cold weather? A popup is obviously not so useful in wintertime. Are you planning on spending a lot of time actually driving, as opposed to camping? A motorhome is more convenient for that than a trailer--you have much more ready access to the house things while on the road or at quick stops.
buta4
Explorer
Dec 15, 2015
Check out sportsmobile.com
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Dec 15, 2015
20 mpg ??? I tow a small 17ft AScend with my Highlander that normally gets 25 mpg and towing 14. good luck on something bigger than a pop up.
in a motorized vehicle the Winnie B vans are someplace in the $70,000 s.

bumpy

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