Hi everyone, I just joined today. here is the story,My wife and I are ready to exchange our lifestyle from stationary house to house on wheels.She is an RN and would like to start travel nursing. I at one time in my life full timed for around 6 years. I was mainly by myself and had a class A fleetwood bounder. This time around I was thinking of a trailer or a 5th wheel but I dont know anything about them.The one thing I liked about my bounder is I was completely self contained for 2 weeks at a time. I had a furnace and an air conditioner and all the bells and whistles.We want at minimum 30 feet but more is better. We do not have a pull vehicle and would have to do that too. We are trying to stay under 50,000$. What are some of your suggestions and why? Mainly I want to be able to park in a park or not if I choose so it must be self contained??Any reccommendations?Thanks all

I wouldn't know where to begin. $50k is a pretty slim budget. Go to the Class A, Fifth-wheel forums and just start reading. Once you get a general idea of what's up then you can ask more specific questions.

If I read your post correctly, being self contained is a biggie for you. That means motor home to me. Would you expand on why or what is attracting you to trailers and/or 5th wheels? What do you think they will give you that a motor home will not?

I'm not sure I guess it was the thought of having 2 engines to maintain. but like I said I had a bounder before and I LOVED it! it was a 1994 34ft long and was perfect. I think I will probably go that route again. Finding one for under 50 is doable I guess. I'll head over to the class A forums and see what the skinny is. Thanks guys

A tow vehicle will be expensive and eat up a lot of your budget. I'd go with a Class A .

Lots of decision points... The wife will need to get to work and will she want to drive a large truck to do so? (One you don't currently have!). I've owned my Chevy Sonic for three years now and the only maintenance expense has been to change the oil, a total of three times so maintaining a second motor is not (to me) a big issue. You can find a lot of late model gas class A's for under $50k.

Trying to decide! Need input and info | Good Sam Community

2oldman
Explorer II
May 29, 2016
I wouldn't know where to begin.

$50k is a pretty slim budget. Go to the Class A, Fifth-wheel forums and just start reading. Once you get a general idea of what's up then you can ask more specific questions.
2chiefsRus
Explorer
May 29, 2016
If I read your post correctly, being self contained is a biggie for you. That means motor home to me. Would you expand on why or what is attracting you to trailers and/or 5th wheels? What do you think they will give you that a motor home will not?
jendes
Explorer
May 29, 2016
I'm not sure I guess it was the thought of having 2 engines to maintain. but like I said I had a bounder before and I LOVED it! it was a 1994 34ft long and was perfect. I think I will probably go that route again. Finding one for under 50 is doable I guess. I'll head over to the class A forums and see what the skinny is. Thanks guys
doxiemom11
Explorer II
May 29, 2016
A tow vehicle will be expensive and eat up a lot of your budget. I'd go with a Class A .
wildtoad
Explorer II
May 29, 2016
Lots of decision points... The wife will need to get to work and will she want to drive a large truck to do so? (One you don't currently have!). I've owned my Chevy Sonic for three years now and the only maintenance expense has been to change the oil, a total of three times so maintaining a second motor is not (to me) a big issue. You can find a lot of late model gas class A's for under $50k.
jendes
Explorer
May 29, 2016
Ok I have her talked into a class A. We will most likely go with a bounder because having had one before I know my way around them a bit! Yesterday we were at the lot looking and they actually had just got a preowned bounder with a slide. I'm gonna give that guy a call and see what they are asking for it. I CANT WAIT I MISS THE LIFE SO MUCH!!!!!
FireGuard
Explorer II
May 29, 2016
You will have no problem finding a nice class A for under $50k.
Bounder is a good choice and also look at the Southwind, a step up from a Bounder with nicer amenities. Try to get the Workhorse chassis if possible.
An option for a toad would be a small flat towable pickup like a Chev Colorado or Nissan. Your wife could drive the truck to work and you could carry a motorcycle or scooter in the bed so that you could get around while she was at work.
1ofmany
Explorer
May 30, 2016
OK, you full-timed by yourself in your class a...now you need to consider adding another person to that relatively small space. Before you run out and buy a motor home, you might want to consider all of the moving parts, not just the cost. Having said that, coming up with a combination rig under $50k could be a challenge.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
May 30, 2016
jendes wrote:
We will most likely go with a bounder because having had one before I know my way around them a bit!

I certainly wouldn't limit yourself to a Bounder just because you had one before. All makes of RVs have the same systems. There are many good deals out there. Compare a lot of them to get the best for your money. Good luck!
jendes
Explorer
May 31, 2016
You're right that would be silly to only look at bounders. We want to buy in September or October. Do you guys think location has anything to do with price. Like is there better parts of the country to look in? I know that you can never be 100% ready but I figured giving ourselves a few months to tie up all of our Loose Ends landline wise that we should be able to if we needed to travel to purchase. Thanks so far for all you guys is input it's a great big help and she has served the forms and its easing her mind a lot and I just really miss the full time RV living I truly long for it.