Newbie, RV full time, Choice of equipment.

Hello all. I have been lurking, reading and talking to people and coming up with a great deal of conflicting information. I apologize in advance for a somewhat long post as I throw myself at your mercy. This forum seems the best of what I have seen so here we go.

Kids grown and gone. Wife and I are looking to leave this negative community behind (Rapid City)in search of the right place to be until retirement.

I have sold the vast majority of my belongings (very liberating) We are both in health care so plan to live in the future RV for a few months while we work and replenish $, then back on the road. Essentially calling this RV home for 2-10 years. Our use of the RV will be full time living with minimal personal possessions and a dog.

What we need: 28-33' will do. late 90s/early 2000s but probably with a slide or two. 4 seasons a huge plus, I have seen many in the 8-12k price range that I can buy outright and look like they would work. NOT willing to finance anything so that is the most I can spend on a trailer/A. If I need a tow vehicle I will, with great reluctance and a heavy heart put my treasured SAAB up for trade in. So were at a crossroads with how to proceed and looking for input from experienced folks. Use will be rural Midwest, will avoid cities and congestion at all costs. MPG is a moderate factor (460 vs 454 vs diesel tow vehicle)

A: Class A gas, SAAB tow behind, Samurai in long term storage. Leaning towards this option.

B: Bumper pull, Trade in SAAB for tow vehicle :( Samurai still in long term storage. Tow vehicle must be semi-practical daily driver w/o RV in tow.

C: Something we have not thought of yet. Is triple towing safe with a 5th wheel? I know people do it, but is it safe?

Thinking E250/350 Diesel for tow vehicle, Dont want SUV or GM product so Van/Ford/Cummins powered Dodge, other?

Thanks for reading, I have searched and read extensively and more baffled than ever on what brands or styles of A or trailer are ones to look for or stay away from. Any information is greatly welcome, if you flame me and tell me to search some more that's ok to, I have thick skin and a sense of humor :)

THANKS!

Tony

Class A

tohare
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
just one quick comment.. there is a full timers forum and this issue has been debated forever, so there is lots of information. Generally the thought is a 5er gives better living space, and an A gives you better travel comfort. And you have it right, a toad, behind the A can give you better mileage, than the towing vehicle for a 5er. good luck!
Caseyjones955
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
Thank you!

A sounded good because I reeeeally don't want to ditch my SAAB for a truck. Somehow I missed the full timers forum in my searching. Thank you for the information and the direction.
HappyKayakers
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
So, let me see if I have this straight. You're looking for an RV that's already 10-20 years old to fulltime in for another possible 10 years. You're not drawing retirement yet. You both have health problems which require you to stay in place and work for an uncertain amount of time to replenish your bank account.

Repairs on used RVs can get very expensive. Good luck with your search and I hope you get out of the Black Hills before the temps drop.
bhivetravels
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
We've lived/ live in a TT full time and a Class A We looked at, drove, tried out many TT, 5's, Class A 's and it comes down really to two issues. Will you travel much? Much being monthly or more frequently? If so a Class A will suit you better - the car you use daily much better on gas, and storage in a Class A can't be beat.. The second issue however is the most important -- is the interior setup, the form and function of the RV, comfortable to you? It is more important than the make, model, size, gas/diesel, etc.
RFCN2
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
Tony - What you want to do is possible. I would suggest hanging out in the full time section of this forum and also take a look at the Escapees forums. Escapees club specializes in full time RVing. I suspect you will not easily find information on towing a SAAB. Great cars, but I cannot recall ever seeing one being towed. But if you have a manual transmission it should tow. If not, you roll the dice.

Your budget is quite low for what you need. What you need is a well insulated rig. You need walls with high R values and a roof that way too. Our roof is rated R20. Double pain glass also essential for full time in cold climate.
Caseyjones955
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
Actually we both work in health care, I'm an RN and shes a CNA, We can work and make fair money, even in rural areas. If we really enjoy this lifestyle we may upgrade and keep going, but for now the plan is to take what we can save and retire to the Philippines at age 55-60. Life events force me to start over with credit and finances.

Truthfully wander lust has never left me, it gnaws at me constantly until living/working in the same place is like an ice pick to the brain. The Black Hills is splendid but Rapid City is the least pleasant place I have lived second only to Seattle (not a city boy).

Your point is very well taken on an already aged RV and our expectations to use it for up to 10 more years. This is exactly the input I'm looking for, I know we'll have to shop very carefully. I'm hoping to educate myself enough to end up with a unit that is well kept and needs nothing. I figure that will take some doing at my price range but from what I have seen I believe it will be possible. I also believe that some RVs are maybe prone to trouble where others are very reliable, hoping to find which ones may do what we want. If any... I expect repairs will need to be made over our course of use but hoping to minimize that by shopping wisely. If my expectations are just plain unrealistic I hope someone will call it out. I can reformulate my plan and expectations to be reasonable and attainable if need be.

Certainly thank you for the input.
Caseyjones955
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
Oh yea, the SAAB is 2005 9-5 ARC Turbo with a rare 5 speed manual and a stage II tune. Its a rocket and gets fantastic mileage with excellent comfort. I had planned on dolly towing it rather than flat towing to keep the drive wheels off the ground. But all hears on that to.
Caseyjones955
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
Per Tohares suggestion I reposted in the full timers forum and I don't want to seem as if I'm over posting but have definitely gotten some good information right here. From what I have read so far really leaning towards the A. Here is a local listing on CL that falls right in line with what I hope to get

http://rapidcity.craigslist.org/rvs/3905757515.html

Not trying to promote this vehicle but this is the sort of vehicle/price that I felt would be a fit for our needs. Posts like this lead me to believe that this price range may work. I am very unlikely to buy from a dealership or without a service history. I just learned it might be a good idea to budget for a new rubber roof if much older than 10 years.

You guys are great! Thank you so much!
Executive45
Explorer III
Jul 11, 2013
Clicky for the Imperial

1. Check the weight of the SAAB
2. Make sure the considered coach has sufficient weight ratings to tow it.
3. Gas rigs don't have as much CCC as diesels.
4. Full timers need different insurance than part timers.
5. Many, not all, diesel rigs have full basement storage. More is better if you're living in it.

Good luck with your search....Dennis
bsinmich
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
I think that living in 28-30' for a time will make it seem shorter every day. 10 years is a long time to be stuck in that size. It is very rare to read of anyone saying they have too much space in their MH. Have you considered upkeep on an older MH?

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