Foolish to Upgrade?

We never wanted a towed RV, as towing is more of a risk based on the physics of what's going on no matter what standards are involved with either the tow vehicle or the towed vehicle.

Since we leave our sticks-and-bricks home at home when we go on a trip, once on an RV trip, we want the RV home with us all the time. We've discovered that having a bathroom and napping surface with you all the time becomes more and more valuable the older you get!

Get what suits your needs and makes you happy.

Trouble is, sometimes a change doesn't meet your expectations. That's a lot money to waste.

Maybe rent a class A and go for a week. See if you need a more nimble sight seeing vehicle (TV), or want a Toad and are comfortable towing it.

See if you mind, anchoring/stowing all gear every time you move. See if it's a hassle to move because you have a bunch of 'deployed stuff' at the campsite.

It's *different* make sure it's for you, then look at as many amenities as you can to select what YOU (pronounced "DW" :) ) really want.

You couldn't pay me to own a MH. Too expensive to maintain. Sure a class C in the 26' range is cheep to maintain but to get the room I'd want it would have to be a class A. Tires alone would run $3000.00 to replace. Let alone the labor for any mechanical repairs to the motor. I've rented a few MH's in the past. Two class A's and one class C. All were fairly new and in fact one class A had only a couple 1000 miles on it. What I did notice was all the little noises you hear inside while traveling. My truck is rattle free and quiet. If I need to pee I just pull over somewhere. I don't see the big thrill in being able to use the bathroom while running 65-70mph down the freeway. Or getting up to make a sandwich while the MH is negotiating curves on the hwy. I can pull in anywhere, stop and d whatever for 5-10 mins and be on my way with our 5'er. You need to tow a car or truck to go site see so you still can't park any quicker than a truck and trailer can. A 35' 5'er will run around $50-70,000 depending on options. A nice 35' MH will be $150,000 and up. Nice truck runs $45-50,000. Toad runs $25,000+.
$90-120,000 for 5'er and truck.
$175,000 for MH and toad.

Money saved on the truck and 5'er buys one heck of a lot of fuel and CG fees.

DiskDoctr wrote:
Get what suits your needs and makes you happy.

Trouble is, sometimes a change doesn't meet your expectations. That's a lot money to waste.

Maybe rent a class A and go for a week. See if you need a more nimble sight seeing vehicle (TV), or want a Toad and are comfortable towing it.

See if you mind, anchoring/stowing all gear every time you move. See if it's a hassle to move because you have a bunch of 'deployed stuff' at the campsite.

It's *different* make sure it's for you, then look at as many amenities as you can to select what YOU (pronounced "DW" :) ) really want.

That's actually my concern. going from tent camping, to a used 16' tt, then to an entry level 27'BH, and on up to our 35' higher end unit, i've grown quite comfortable, and custom to towing, to the point where i look forward to it. If we end up with more camper that's actually logical for our needs.

Probably couldn't make the jump to diesel pusher so we'd start entry level with a gasser, which makes me think i'll miss my Cummins for travel purposes. Also hard to deny a new unit, with all the comfort amenities, and room.

We'd almost be forced to get a toad actually so that is in the planning.

Yes, you will look foolish and in over your heads in debt for 20 years on a depreciating asset. You wife is in love with a new motorhome, not camping. When the newness wears off you are stuck with big bills when your son is in college. And while you and your wife are enjoying the view from the front, your son and fido will be strapped into sofas in the back. Put the motorhome money into a college fund and stay with the tt.

johnnyrv wrote:
Yes, you will look foolish and in over your heads in debt for 20 years on a depreciating asset. You wife is in love with a new motorhome, not camping. When the newness wears off you are stuck with big bills when your son is in college. And while you and your wife are enjoying the view from the front, your son and fido will be strapped into sofas in the back. Put the motorhome money into a college fund and stay with the tt.

Is that you dad?

Good perspective, that gives one something to think about as well.

We've been camping quite a few years now actually, so i dont think its motorhome lust, i think more convienence, which it might not be.

At any rate, good points to consider.

Only get what you can afford that is paramount in my mind to enjoying whatever RV you get, but I will say that my wife was a very reluctant camper when we had the big diesel and the FW. Now with the MH she is a very enthusiastic camper ready to hit the road at a moments notice. You can buy used DP's at very good prices and average maintanence is not that expensive, plus you will enjoy touring and sightseeing more in a small toad that a large PU, been there done that and never going back.

Our biggest issue would be Personal Property Tax....here we pay $31.80 per thousand of value.

You can find a used FT for under 40K that has lots of life left. You can tow your car. It is a suggestion that not all Class As are super expensive. Another issue is that I found when we moved up to a class A coach we used it more. It is always packed and ready to go. I just need about 15 mins to put in the meds and restock what we need in the fridge and we are out the door. SO ring for a weekend is easier. You have a bed and house with you so you are not restricted where you stop. I just took off for the PNW on the saturday of memorial day weekend. You would never find a spot without planning on that weekend but that is ok we just stayed in a rest area a couple nights and then in the BIL driveway in Iowa and off to Spokane after that. We left VA for TX on July 4th too but that was for work too so I travelled over the weekend but that is ok. I find I put on more miles and it is easier to use. Sure tires cost 4000 bucks and your will have expensive repairs but I do not worry about mountains rain snow or whatever. I have had the interstate shut down and I have just gotten off the road into a rest area as one was close and we spent the night in comfort. To each their own. Is is a move up no but it is a different type of traveling and you have a great window to see the world. I have put on well over 350K miles in my Foretravels seeing our country and there is no way I would do that much pulling a trailer in my pickup. Oh I have had a nice 3500 pickup of one type or the other since 99 that could tow most trailers. The kids had a trailer for a while till they sold it in anticipation of getting another one with more bunks. For them that works and a MH would not.

I don't see the extra convenience with a class A other than on the road. We keep our TT stocked except food and clothes. Truck is easy to sight see in plus the dh uses it daily to get to work. We stop at rest areas use the TT facilities and make lunch. Easy.