Hello, we are moving cross country and want to take our time and enjoy the country. We are leaving Phoenix, want to head up the California coast. Then across country to Maryland, with alot of stops in between. We looked at renting, and it just seems way to expensive with mileage. So the plan is to buy a nice class a or class c for the trip. Sell it when we get there. Seems like if I can find a good, reliable unit, I should be able make the trip and not take a huge loss. I know I will loose money, but at least I will have a asset and it seems like the market is higher on the east coast. Breakdowns can always happen. We will be towing a small suv behind. Any advice? What to look for? What to avoid? We have camped a ton in AZ in all different kids of trailers. So it will be me, the wife, 2 kids and a dog. Sounds like a terrible movie huh?

Rent the movie "RV" with Robin Williams.

Sounds like a great trip! Suggestions will vary, depending on how much time you are allowing for the trip. (I hope you're allowing at least a month!) I would suggest making a list of those sights in the U.S. you have always wanted to see but never have, and try to include them on the itinerary if possible. Plan your routes accordingly. When do you leave? If it's soon, be aware that many CGs in the northern tier won't be open until at least April 1st, and a good number not even until May. The idea of buying a camper (I'd go used, to minimize your loss) rather than renting, is a good one, IMO. And if you like it, you may just want to keep it & use it for camping trips in the East after you get settled. Good luck!

Only advice I can give is if you go that route get it a month or two before you plan on leaving and squeeze in as many outings as you can. Get familiar with all the electrical, mechanical, plumbing systems. Learn what every knob, button or switch is for.

Another option would be to determine what size of travel trailer your SUV can tow and get a low cost travel trailer to use for the trip. My family consisted of parents, 2 boys and a dog in a small SUV towing a 16 foot travel trailer.We made the trip across country several times in this setup for summer vacations. Always fun, very few problems and educational.

Depending on your budget, I would look for at least 30' Class A or C with bunk beds for the kids. Make sure the main bed is walk around queen. Make sure it will tow the SUV. We use mapquest or google maps to map the trip. I would stay on US highways rather than interstate highways. We use www.woodalls.com to locate campgrounds and then check them on www.rvparkreviews.com I think this is a great idea. Just be flexible and enjoy it!

Cross country travel plan | Good Sam Community

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
or you could get an Alto Safari Condo discussed in another ongoing thread.
bumpy
kingbrutis
Explorer
Mar 16, 2014
Still looking. There are a ton of trailers out here in AZ so lots of choices. Forgot to say our 30 and 70 lb dogs will be making the trek also. We will need room for their crates. Not sure we will even need to set them up, though. They are older and well behaved. So finding a big enough trailer, with a queen bed, bunks for the boys, all the standard equipment, hopefully a slide, and can be towed by a Murano. It narrows things down fast.
westend
Explorer
Mar 16, 2014
kingbrutis wrote:
Still looking. There are a ton of trailers out here in AZ so lots of choices. Forgot to say our 30 and 70 lb dogs will be making the trek also. We will need room for their crates. Not sure we will even need to set them up, though. They are older and well behaved. So finding a big enough trailer, with a queen bed, bunks for the boys, all the standard equipment, hopefully a slide, and can be towed by a Murano. It narrows things down fast.
Check out your towing and weight capacities here.

Your payload capacity is going to be the primary thing to consider. Depending on which year Murano and which model you have, your payload is going to be around 1300 lbs. Add the weight of passengers, dogs, and any other cargo along with the weight of a WDH and subtract from the payload. Besides the 3500 lb. towing capacity, the remaining payload is going to be the limiting number. That remainder will influence what trailer you get because of the tongue weight.
kingbrutis
Explorer
Mar 16, 2014
Wow, good point. It's a 2006 with the factory towing package. Pretty rare from what I've seen. Will a equalizer hitch help in towing? What about new stiff shocks? Thanks for the info.
bikendan
Explorer
Mar 16, 2014
kingbrutis wrote:
So finding a big enough trailer, with a queen bed, bunks for the boys, all the standard equipment, hopefully a slide, and can be towed by a Murano. It narrows things down fast.

i'm not sure whether you've had a reality check or not, but there is no such animal for a tow vehicle with a towing capacity of only 3500lbs.
Equalizer hitch and shocks aren't going to make a difference with such an inferior tow vehicle.
one, most trailers with a GVWR of 3500lbs. have extremely poor CCC amounts.
two, the weights of your passengers and cargo in the Nissan, will lower that 3500 number, along with the weight of the WDH.
third, the only trailers in that weight range, will be no longer than 17' and none in that size have slideouts.

you better think about a different tow vehicle if you expect to pull something big enough for a family of your size AND two big dogs.

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