Forum Discussion

Hedgehog's avatar
Hedgehog
Explorer
May 31, 2015

Continue camping or pet friendly hotels

My wife and I recently sold our diesel pusher motor home while we could still get some money for it. Our intention was to take some of the money and buy a brand new Montana fifthwheel. Now that the transaction is done, we are second guessing our next step. We usually only use our camper for three, one week trips a year and it's usually within five hours from home. We do love traveling with our two Boston Terriers and that is the main reason we continued to camp. Years ago, we camped with a whole bunch of families but one by one they have dropped out of camping. For the last five years, we have been solo. It use to be so much more when we had a whole crew so now the question remains, should we go ahead and buy the fifthwheel or should we look into pet friendly hotels? Has anyone stay in a pet friendly ? How are they? I know in the end it is ultimately our decision but the input would be appreciated.
  • I do enjoy camping and until we sold ours, we never thought of life without a camper. We still like it solo but it was more fun with friends. The reason we only use the camper three times a year is because of our work schedules. I have weekends off and my wife doesn't. We considered seasonal locally and pull out for a trip but are not sure at this time. We started with a travel trailer then upgraded to a fifthwheel and then the diesel pusher. The fifthwheel fits our needs best out of three at this time.
  • Because only you can answer the question, I suggest putting the money you "might" spend on the 5th wheel away collecting interest and spend one year using hotels.

    If, at the end of the year, you realize you don't like hotels and miss the "camping", then go get your RV knowing it makes sense!

    If, at the end of the year, you realize the hotels work great, then enjoy the money saved!
  • I love camping, If my wife didn't have to go to Church. I could camp every weekend.

    If you only camp 3 times a year. Camping is NOT your thing.

    My neighbors has Campers parked in the driveways and never use them.... I don't

    understand it.
  • If you do not enjoy RVing solo, I think that answers your question. There are lots of pet friendly hotels.
  • We have used pet friendly hotels. The only thing is, in most you can't leave your puppy unattended in the room when you go about sight seeing. At least with the fifth wheel they can stay in an environment they are familiar with til you return. Hot weather travel would be limited if using pet friendly hotels.
  • Hedgehog wrote:
    My wife and I recently sold our diesel pusher motor home while we could still get some money for it. Our intention was to take some of the money and buy a brand new Montana fifthwheel. Now that the transaction is done, we are second guessing our next step. We usually only use our camper for three, one week trips a year and it's usually within five hours from home. We do love traveling with our two Boston Terriers and that is the main reason we continued to camp. Years ago, we camped with a whole bunch of families but one by one they have dropped out of camping. For the last five years, we have been solo. It use to be so much more when we had a whole crew so now the question remains, should we go ahead and buy the fifthwheel or should we look into pet friendly hotels? Has anyone stay in a pet friendly ? How are they? I know in the end it is ultimately our decision but the input would be appreciated.


    Since you seem to have enjoyed your camping more when doing it with friends, have you considered joining a local or regional RV group and finding new 'friends' to camp with? Here in our tiny community we have several .... our local Elks club, for one, has a great friendly group that does several local/regional campouts each year.
  • When I travel with my best friend, we stay at Red Roof Inns, which do not charge extra for pets. He is happy, I'm comfortable, and they have free wifi! All of that for about $50 a night, depending on location. If you don't plan on using an RV a lot, I would not invest the bucks, which you won't get back.
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    Hedgehog wrote:
    My wife and I recently sold our diesel pusher motor home while we could still get some money for it. Our intention was to take some of the money and buy a brand new Montana fifthwheel. Now that the transaction is done, we are second guessing our next step. We usually only use our camper for three, one week trips a year and it's usually within five hours from home. We do love traveling with our two Boston Terriers and that is the main reason we continued to camp. Years ago, we camped with a whole bunch of families but one by one they have dropped out of camping. For the last five years, we have been solo. It use to be so much more when we had a whole crew so now the question remains, should we go ahead and buy the fifthwheel or should we look into pet friendly hotels? Has anyone stay in a pet friendly ? How are they? I know in the end it is ultimately our decision but the input would be appreciated.
    I haven't actually stayed at any, but I do know that many (most) hotels charge xtra for a pet, $25 per pet per night.
    We don't travel with others, so going by our selves is the norm for us, but we still love to Camp/RV, Hotels are used more out of necessity ,I don't know of anyone that goes to a hotel to have fun, unless it's a Casino/Resort type, and many areas we go to don't even have a hotel.
    I would get the 5'er and go camping/RV'ing, if going with friends is important, perhaps find some new friends, join a club?
  • I do not think anyone but you can really answer your question.

    Having said that, if it we us, with the short trips close to home
    that you enjoy 3 times a year, I would not buy again.

    Before our last puppy died, at age 18, we had very
    good luck with hotel/motels. Sometimes and extra $10.00 but that was it.

    It all depends on how much you will miss the RV.
    Either way ypu can still enjoy your trips.
  • It's a no brainer. You don't use the RV enough to justify the cost. Try either renting an RV or renting cabins in your favorite campground.