Recommended RV for National Park Volunteer

[Bailey_Travis]

Does anyone have recommendations or specific considerations for couples who want to RV in national parks while they do volunteer work for periods of 2 months or more? This couple has never RV'd before. They are venturesome and about 65 years old. They are nearly-retired professionals and have good financial resources but are still smart about not spending money on "needless" fancy extras i.e they want good utility basics. I know this is very broad in nature but welcome your thoughts. Thanks to all of you and happy Easter!

[mathman]

I would recommend starting with a 30' class A with a Ford V-10. A diesel or anything larger could be very intimidating to begin with. One should be able to find a 2008-2011 with low miles inexpensive so that if they want to go larger after a year or so they won't be hurt too bad.

[tomgardner1]

We worked in Yellowstone Park for three years. We have a 26ft. Class C. If your not full time RVers I would suggest no more than 30 ft. If you plan to RV camp at Federal and State parks size matters. Anything bigger my restrict your entry. We like C's because we use the cab sleeper for storage or extra room for guests.

[tatest]

For that use, I would recommend a towable that fits their lifestyle, and while that might be 19-24 foot TT for me, I've known couple that do fine at 16 foot and others that need a 36-40 foot fiver in order to get along together for a month or two at a time.

I have a ~30 foot C because we used it for road tripping, two of us or with kids and grandkids, while DW still lived. We did not park in one place for two months at a time, that requires a second motorized vehicle, as it did just for a week or so at the lake. Something I was equipped for, but didn't like doing because it reduced mobility road tripping.

Since my needs have changed to either tripping alone, or longer camping stays, working now on change from (large, to me) C plus toad, to campable tow vehicle plus small towed camper. First step was trading toad Ranger for good used one-ton van, a couple weeks ago.

[Mich_F]

PghBob wrote:
Hi. I think there are a couple of things to do before RV work/camping anywhere. You noted that the couple has not RVd before. I think the first thing for this couple to do is to rent an RV, something small to practice on, before shelling out cash for something they may not like. Rent an RV and go to a nearby state park for two weeks. Learn how to park, especially backing in, leveling, and hooking up. Learn how to fill the water, light the water heater, dump the black and gray, take a shower, operate the AC & furnace, etc. If the two week trial doesn't work, then the plan for a couple of months needs to be re-thought. Many of these day-to-day chores for RVers are the same or very similar no matter travel trailer, fifth wheel, or motorhome. Try the life-style first, then if all is well, check out the various types of RVs. Whether towable or motorized, they likely will need between 25 to 30 feet at least.

Bob

My thoughts exactly. I don't see how a 65ish year old couple, go from never having an RV, to buying one, and volunteering for months at a campground, without some kind of exposure to the lifestyle.

[Golden_HVAC]

Hi,

I used to have a 28' long class C with a GMC that had a 350" engine. It was a bit underpowered (1985) and the chassis did not go the full length of the RV, so it really should not have been towing much. You might want to tow a car, so you have something to run into town with, or for this summer might just have the wife drive another car behind the RV? Then you will not need to set up a car for towing with brakes and all that stuff until you have a year under your belt.

I like the idea of a class C, you can take out the upper mattress and leave it at home, then have a huge storage area. Not one that will hold 500 pounds, but more like 200 - 300 pounds in the overhead area. You can carry the heavier items in lower storage areas.

My layout was a "Split bath" with the toilet and sink on the drivers side, the shower on the passenger side, with lightweight curtains between the drivers side and passenger side bathrooms. This gave a dressing area. When my wife and I where traveling around, we left those flexible curtains at home too. You might want a pull curtain from cloth or something? The bathroom side had a sliding door to give privacy.

I replaced the roof vents in my motorhome with Fantastic fans. They are 12 volt and can blow out about 100 - 250 CFM each (I have 3). Then I can turn them all on, open just one or two windows, and it brings a strong breeze past me, while I sit at the dinning room table.

You sort of need to bring along most everything you will need all summer long, in that driving back and forth will take time and fuel. Yet also at the same time avoid taking more stuff than you will need? and will not have storage space for it.

You will need some chairs to sit outside. I might recommend something rated at about 300 pounds in case guests come by to sit and chat. The plastic ones will not do. If they can fold up and get out of the rain, it might be handy, or else something that will shed the rain quickly would be nice.

Will there be a nearby place to wash the laundry? You will need that too. Expect the soap up in the mountains to cost a lot more than buying a few gallons at Costco.

Fred.

[PghBob]

Hi. I think there are a couple of things to do before RV work/camping anywhere. You noted that the couple has not RVd before. I think the first thing for this couple to do is to rent an RV, something small to practice on, before shelling out cash for something they may not like. Rent an RV and go to a nearby state park for two weeks. Learn how to park, especially backing in, leveling, and hooking up. Learn how to fill the water, light the water heater, dump the black and gray, take a shower, operate the AC & furnace, etc. If the two week trial doesn't work, then the plan for a couple of months needs to be re-thought. Many of these day-to-day chores for RVers are the same or very similar no matter travel trailer, fifth wheel, or motorhome. Try the life-style first, then if all is well, check out the various types of RVs. Whether towable or motorized, they likely will need between 25 to 30 feet at least.

Bob

[LewBob]

We (ages 68 and 63) have been volunteering in national parks for nearly 10 years, usually 3 to 6 months per year. We started with a 21-foot travel trailer, in which we spent 7 months continuously one year. We currently are nearing the end of a 3-month stint as volunteers, living comfortably in our 24-foot Arctic Fox. We are a very compatible couple and, of course, as campground hosts, we spend a lot of "work" time outside and a lot of free time hiking the trails.

[mlts22]

The big question is what they plan to do when they are not volunteering, between the two month intervals. Motorhomes are better if moving from place to place often, while a travel trailer or fifth wheel is a lot better at infrequent moves.

I also second the recommendation of looking at all factors (storage, upkeep, etc.) before going a direction.

Were I in this position (mainly stationary in NPs for 2 month intervals, then moving a rig to storage), I'd consider a one ton pickup (for maximum flexibility), and a fifth wheel toy hauler. The fifth wheel has a lot of usable space and will help against being claustrophobic, while the garage in the toy hauler can come in handy, either as additional storage, an added living room, space for another queen bed, or enclosed space for storing a vehicle like a four wheeler.

(edited... weird that it got cut off.)

Of course, another option might be to go with a decent "C" with a few slides and a toad (preferably a 4x4.) Just make sure the "C" has some slide-outs for sanity reasons.

[littlemo]

We have a 2012 Sunseeker 2450 by Forest River. They make good quality motor homes. If I were to go Full Time I would go with something a little bigger than this.

I like this one due to the bunk beds which convert into seating and a little separate area for reading or watching TV. Forest River Sunseeker 3170DS

On the other hand, these 2 have the option of having a 4 door refrigerator.
2860DS

3010

There are a lot of names out there that have good motor homes. Forest River is just good and moderately priced. Also has the fiberglass endcap and roof, heated and enclosed holding tanks. They have recently purchased Coachmen also. Go to RV shows and sales lots and just look for a while before you decide.

Also make sure you have a quality mattress. We have a Serta Pillowtop and it is wonderful.

You'll have lots of recommendations but this is my 2 cents worth!

[Islandman]

I agree with JT above, your friends need to do a lot of thinking about what type of work they want to do in the NP's and for how long (one year or many years). A nice used Class A or long Class C might just be the thing for them, but they need to get comfortable with driving a big unit and living in one for several months at a time. Then there is the insurance, licensing, storage costs that need to be considered. Another p;ossiblity is to get a smaller less expensive Class C, say 25 ft, and try that for their first year to see how their volunteer experience pans out and then go for a bigger unit if they're happy and want to volunteer for many seasons with the NPS.

[Horizon170]

If the two months or more are in one place I would suggest a 3/4 ton pickup and a 30 foot TT. This is considering they have no camping experience and don't wish to toss $$$$$ to the 4-winds. I would never recommend a MH for a first time RV'er due to the upkeep, Insurance, etc.

EDIT to add: I never liked to have either of my MH's to sit for two or three months due to them being gas models. I have never owned a diesel MH.

[j-d]

Most volunteers I see have Fifth Wheels. Next is Class A and within those, largely Diesel Pushers. Comfort and storage.
We've done two two-month and one one-month volunteer stints in our 31-ft Class C and it was fine.
Climate might be a factor, too, but YES be sure to check on size limitations. That said, many parks with frequent volunteers have "Volunteer Villages" and those generally have larger sites.

[JT]

Do these people already have a position with a specific national park? If so, they need to check (with the specific national park and the concessionaire who would likely be the actual employer) and find out what constraints, if any, there might be for employees re: rig type or size. There's a *wide* variation in facilities available in national parks (and other venues)for park employee parking/living.

I suggest that these people do a *lot* more research, particularly since they've never RVed, before making any decisions; try the Escapees forum (www.rvnetwork.com), Workamper News, and (do a search for) any of the dozens of 'fulltiming'/'working on the road' websites.

[TexasShadow]

personal comfort is a very personal thing.
we started with a 30+ ft MH and went up to a 38ft after a few short years. we wanted a bigger shower/bathroom on board and more storage for clothes and bigger pantry.
we went from a booth dinette to a table with chairs...more comfortable for us.
we went from a gas engine to a diesel for several reasons, but DH is a knowledgeable mechanic, so no worries for us.
when you live in a MH for a couple months, comfort matters, and generally, the parks want you for at least 3 months nowadays.
So.... they will probably be content with a MH close to 40feet IF they are comfortable driving it.