to buy or to rent for a road trip.
Hi Everybody. just a quick bit of background about us, I am married and have a beautiful wife and a son aged 4, my wife and i are both extreme sports people and love the outdoors. august next y...
Forum Discussion
My gut feel is that you might be better off buying a new Class C and take the 10K+ loss when you sell it on consignment. With a new Class C, there can be problems that you detect after a trial "shake-down cruise" and require fixing by the Dealer's service department. Try to find a major US dealer, with a good reputation, that will commit to fixing any factory warranty problem, without delay, because of your special circumstances. A dealer that will buy back the rig when you are finished might be a good thing. If the dealer will get an honorable mention in the media that might help.
For now, try to learn as much as you can about the different popular brands and floor plans. I would recommend a Class C that is at least 27 feet long and has a comfortable rear bedroom with an "RV queen-sized bed". Living continuously in an RV requires some "elbow room". "Slide-outs" are nice but can have electro-mechanical problems. 12 volt house battery and charging systems can work well if you stay in RV parks and hook up to 110v power which powers the "converter/charger" and keeps the house batteries charged. While driving the engine's generator charges the house batteries and the truck starting battery.Staying in one place for three days and running off of the house battery can deplete the house battery(s) as well as the fresh water supply.The RV generator provides 110volt AC power when you are not hooked up to camp/"shore" power.
Your child can sleep in the front overhead bed at night, if you get a device to keep him from rolling out. Under way, you will need to use a child car seat anchored firmly to a dinette seat with seat belt. Child seating safety in RV's is somewhat deficient and controversial.
Expect to drive some 100 miles and stop to relax, eat lunch and press on. RV's have stiff rear springs and the ride on cupped concrete interstates and freeways can be jarring. Crosswinds and vacuum effects from passing "big rigs" can be tiring. An occasional break staying at a motel is nice. You can save considerable money eating in the rig but an occasional meal in a restaurant help keep up your enthusiasm.
Travel light and buy consumables etc., on the way. You won't need many clothes, Americans dress casually. Carry emergency road service and a basic tool kit, with duct tape, crazy glue, etc.
A GPS device helps you plan ahead for freeway/highway interchanges and finding your way to RV parks and tourist attractions. Learn how to make safe lane changes using the mirrors. and how to use the transmission for safely going up and down curving mountain grades. We have some dramatic terrain and highways and byways that require special safe driving techniques for top-heavy slab-sided RV's. Avoid parking the rig in areas where you can be bothered by opportunistic "bad guys".
Best of luck and have a great adventure.
For now, try to learn as much as you can about the different popular brands and floor plans. I would recommend a Class C that is at least 27 feet long and has a comfortable rear bedroom with an "RV queen-sized bed". Living continuously in an RV requires some "elbow room". "Slide-outs" are nice but can have electro-mechanical problems. 12 volt house battery and charging systems can work well if you stay in RV parks and hook up to 110v power which powers the "converter/charger" and keeps the house batteries charged. While driving the engine's generator charges the house batteries and the truck starting battery.Staying in one place for three days and running off of the house battery can deplete the house battery(s) as well as the fresh water supply.The RV generator provides 110volt AC power when you are not hooked up to camp/"shore" power.
Your child can sleep in the front overhead bed at night, if you get a device to keep him from rolling out. Under way, you will need to use a child car seat anchored firmly to a dinette seat with seat belt. Child seating safety in RV's is somewhat deficient and controversial.
Expect to drive some 100 miles and stop to relax, eat lunch and press on. RV's have stiff rear springs and the ride on cupped concrete interstates and freeways can be jarring. Crosswinds and vacuum effects from passing "big rigs" can be tiring. An occasional break staying at a motel is nice. You can save considerable money eating in the rig but an occasional meal in a restaurant help keep up your enthusiasm.
Travel light and buy consumables etc., on the way. You won't need many clothes, Americans dress casually. Carry emergency road service and a basic tool kit, with duct tape, crazy glue, etc.
A GPS device helps you plan ahead for freeway/highway interchanges and finding your way to RV parks and tourist attractions. Learn how to make safe lane changes using the mirrors. and how to use the transmission for safely going up and down curving mountain grades. We have some dramatic terrain and highways and byways that require special safe driving techniques for top-heavy slab-sided RV's. Avoid parking the rig in areas where you can be bothered by opportunistic "bad guys".
Best of luck and have a great adventure.
