A new potential buyer, looking for insight.

[image360]

I've just started my research into buying a Class A RV. 40+ feet. I plan to make it my home for 3-5 years. I do plan to travel some during that period, but I guess you would call me for the most part a parker? Mostly in Austin, TX area. Please be kind the RV terms are new to me.

I'm a professional photographer, so I need a quite of bit of storage, so a basement is required.

I also plan to attach a motorized pole that can go up to 30 meters to the RV, not sure if some models are better suited to this or not.

I plan to have a Dingy? A car towed behind the RV.

For the most part it will only be me, living in it. Perhaps a rescue dog and/or cat too.

I plan to buy used and am trying to stay below $250,000 as a budget.

I also don't really like most traditional RV interior design. I like mid century modern design. I don't care for carpet, lots of wood cabinets, large over stuffed chairs or sofas. I'm not saying these are bad or wrong, it's just not what I'm looking for.

I need 50 amps with 5 or more outlets. I travel with a lot of "super" computers and 2-4 large LCD monitors.

Gas or diesel?

What else am I missing?

Looking forward to a new location free life.

Robert

[cwdavis]

Robert,
As it happens, you're in a great place to get a quick look at the MH market first hand. PPL in Houston had coaches of all shapes and sizes, and Motorhomes of Texas has a smaller selection of fine, used coaches, primarily Foretravel, in Nacogdoches:

PPL
MofTexas

If you visit these two places, you'll get a real quick sense of what is available. Likely as not, you can find an older coach that you can have modified to your specs, for a lot less than the budget you have in mind.

Good luck!

[image360]

Mr. Mark,

Thank you.

Gone with the wynns is a real eye opening to just how far the RV world is behind the need for quite a bit to be better. I may try to change it all. Robert

[Mr_Mark1]

Robert, you need to read 'www.gonewiththewynns.com'. They put in a composting toilet and try to live green while fulltiming. He is a photographer and she is a make-up artist. Cute couple.

MM.

[image360]

Why is the RV industry manufacturers stuck in the same look, layouts, lack of modern green features?

It seems like pretty much every RV model I look at is very close to the same. Wood cabinets, tile floors, relatively small TV's by today's standards, with DVD players, and lot of leather overstuffed chairs and couches. And no green features?

How about solar panels on the top/side, a composting toilet, a wind mill or two. Are there any RV makers that are doing these types of enhancements?

Robert

[John_S_]

I would say it is ok and a motorhome would be fine. I put on about 30k miles a yr.

[Mr_Mark1]

Robert,
In my opinion, your above schedule would be fine for a motorhome. Ours is currently sitting in the storage garage for 2.5 months before we take it out again. We do keep ours moving as we travel about 8,000-9,000 miles a year.

Generally, the generator needs to be run monthly for about hour under at least half load. They say do not start a diesel engine unless you are going to drive it at least 30 miles to bring all fluids up to operating temperature.

Since ours is located in the Southern California desert, we don't have moisture problems so with me skipping the regular monthly generator start would not be a problem. This current 2.5 month storage is rare for us as we seem to have ours out at least once a month. I love the RV lifestyle.

Mark

[image360]

Thanks all for the info and suggestions. It's a good start for me, and yes I plan to research this for at least 3-4 months before doing anything. It's a long road of course - pun intended.

Is driving around 1-2 months of the year with a schedule like 4-6 weeks in one place, then 5-10 days driving considered a "parker?" Would that be enough to keep the mechanical's in good shape?

[bluegypsy]

CCC - or "cargo carrying capacity" - is something you'll want to look at closely. Even rigs with large cargo bays sometimes have a low CCC. We researched this very closely before we chose our rig since, as full-timers, we carry literally everything we own in the rig.

We found some class A's have a very low CCC, a couple as low as 700 lbs.

[John_S_]

You could get an older highline coach, like a Newell or Fortravel and have the inside remodeled totally for you. I have totally redone the inside of my Foretravel and love it itis the good structure that makes it easier. Many of the bigger high lines come with a desk and Foretravel has a number of corporate coaches that they get back to sell that would fit you basics but you would have to add a bed in and some stuff inside. It comes with huge cooling and the clean lines you are looking for. Most are Biomet coaches and are set up to sell replacement joints.

[John_S_]

I am a great believer in class As but if you are just going to sit most of the time, then look at a fifth wheel. I too am a photographer and understand what you mean about storage etc. I bought a 42 foot Foretravel with a six foot deep closet that holds a free drawers and water dryer too. Putting shelves on one side to hold my gear. I like the motorhome because depending on what and where I have taken the coach to close to the location. Benefit of the coach is comforts of home but it us too big for many places, so the jeep goes then.

[mmiille]

A diesel motorhome has a heavy frame and would be no less susceptible to damage setting or moving. There are as many options as there are ideas. Ours has many outlets and most bigger RVs are 50 amps. Buy one that is a few years old and you can save money.

We didn't buy our motorhome because it was the cheapest option out there. We bought it because it was what we wanted, and we can fold up camp and move in about 45 minutes. And we only get bad miles per gallon when we drive it.

[donn0128]

Buying a really really expensive motor home to park and let it sit has to be one of the worst ideas posted this week. First is the initial cost, then there is the ongoing depreciation and maintenance costs to keep it in running condition. Then there is the damage inflicted on a unused motor and drive train. If your not going to drive it like it is intended, buy yourself a travel trailer or a park model and save a bundle of money.

[RFCN2]

Are you going to attach a sail to the pole to save on gas?

Just kidding. I saw a couple of Wanderlodge Blue Bird motorhomes that had modern interiors like you specify. Sort of modern/ mid century look.

A general rule of thumb is that if you are going to be parked most of the time a 5th wheel and tow car makes more sense than a motorhome. Whereas if you are going to travel more than park a motorhome is better. Up to you of course.

It would be my strong, repeat STRONG suggestion that you learn lots about RVing before plunking down your 250,000.

[Mr_Mark1]

Robert,

Your budget is excellent. The modern style might be much harder to find unless you are wanting an Airstream trailer which many have a very contemporary design. I'm not sure how far 30 meters would be as we use 'feet' in the USA.

Although you mentioned mid century modern, there are some class A's that have a clean look but I have never seen an interior that is super modern. Usually leather furniture, all tile floors, a legless dinette and neutral colors will give it a cleaner modern look.

Good luck on your search,
MM.