Beginner to RVing, would like an RV with a work shop.

[JayNewman]

Hi,

I'm a about to divorce my wife over things to complex to name here. I may be able to get som alimony or a loan from her.

I'm thinking about getting a used Class B to live in and a used TT as a live in/workshop.

As for my workshop, I build robots and write. The writing is easy, a notebook is enough. For the robotics workshop I need a big 3d printer, a small metalworking section, and a woodworking set, much of which can be set up outside in good weather.

Does anybody have any thoughts? If there something better than a van and a trailer?

Thanks in advance!

D. Jay Newman

[JayNewman]

That makes sense. I don't need to use noisy tools all the time. Most of my work is in electronics and hand tools, with only the occasional use of power tools which can be done in more isolated areas.

I'm just building robots and marble runs, not anything huge.

Thank you.

[DrewE]

Different tools do vary considerably in how noisy they are, in my experience somewhat in proportion to how expensive and (unfortunately in this case) how heavy they are. There are of course acoustic treatments that could be made; often effective acoustic treatment is rather heavy, though. The biggest bang for the buck would probably come with decoupling the tools from the RV, so that you don't have the entire RV acting as a sounding board.

I would think a decent drill press would ordinarily not be obnoxious during normal day hours. Sanders, a table saw, and a metal mill tend to be noisier. (A good drill press is, in my experience, quieter than many cordless drills.)

It seems to me that being sensible about when you make noise would go a long distance towards being neighborly. It's not as though normal RV activities don't also involve things that make noises—water heaters, vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, etc. are not precisely silent.

[Old-Biscuit]

JayNewman wrote:

wbwood wrote:
Agrees, if you plan on staying in RV Parks or campgrounds, you will probably be todl to leave once you crank up some loud woodworking tools.

Is there any way to insulate the garage portion of the toyhauler to lessen sound polution?

I would have thought that most "toys" would cause more noise than a table saw inside a closed "garage", but I'm willing to learn.

I'm mainly interested in building robots, which is mostly electronics and some cabnetry and metal working. The electronics is mostly quiet except when I drop a hot soldering iron on myself. It rarely happens, but when it does it certainly sounds loud to me. 🙂

I am hoping to get a CNC mill (small), a table saw, a drill press and a couple of sanders.

If these are too loud, then I'll cut back on my tools and stick to 3d printers as my main construction tools, though I'll still need a drill press.

Most 'toyhaulers' are used to haul the toys to the 'sandbox' to go play......as in boondocking

If in a cg......the toys are typically hauled in back of truck to play area vs being cranked up and ridden around CG.

Your stationary mobile shop will create NOISE which your camping neighbors will not like and management will probably tell you to shut it down or leave.

There are a 'few' CGs that have shops on site for hobbyists but are limited.

Boondocking providing your own power source will allow you to cut/mill/grind/drill/hammer to hearts content.

Doubt that is going to happen in CGs

[CJA15]

My husband and I are thinking about retiring and going full-time rving. He is all for getting rid of everything and selling house. I am unsure about getting rid of everything. Any thoughts?

[JayNewman]

catkins wrote:
Newmar has a toy hauler class A that might just be what you need. Friend has one and it has an amazing layout and large "workshop"/toy hauler area. Unfortunately name of the MH escapes me.

People CAN ride in A MH but cannot ride in a fifth wheel or travel trailer while in motion.

Good luck.

I will look into that, unless it's too new. I always like this year's model, I'm pretty sure I can't afford it.

I that you and I will check Craigslist and such.

Are there any particular dealers that show used rvs over the web?

[JayNewman]

wbwood wrote:
Agrees, if you plan on staying in RV Parks or campgrounds, you will probably be todl to leave once you crank up some loud woodworking tools.

Is there any way to insulate the garage portion of the toyhauler to lessen sound polution?

I would have thought that most "toys" would cause more noise than a table saw inside a closed "garage", but I'm willing to learn.

I'm mainly interested in building robots, which is mostly electronics and some cabnetry and metal working. The electronics is mostly quiet except when I drop a hot soldering iron on myself. It rarely happens, but when it does it certainly sounds loud to me. 🙂

I am hoping to get a CNC mill (small), a table saw, a drill press and a couple of sanders.

If these are too loud, then I'll cut back on my tools and stick to 3d printers as my main construction tools, though I'll still need a drill press.

[wbwood]

Agrees, if you plan on staying in RV Parks or campgrounds, you will probably be todl to leave once you crank up some loud woodworking tools.

[catkins]

Newmar has a toy hauler class A that might just be what you need. Friend has one and it has an amazing layout and large "workshop"/toy hauler area. Unfortunately name of the MH escapes me.

People CAN ride in A MH but cannot ride in a fifth wheel or travel trailer while in motion.

Good luck.

[IAMICHABOD]

Thor makes a Class C Toy Hauler Called The Outlaw,it is also in Class A

Maybe look for a used one. Thor Outlaw.

[John_Wayne]

Can the ex-wife ride in the truck when traveling?? then the wheel chair could roll up the rear ramp of the toy hauler. Some toy haulers have bunks in the hauler area on the wall or come down from the ceiling. The coach in the toy hauler can probably be made into a bed also.

[JayNewman]

DrewE wrote:
5th wheels are not always the most handicapped accessible of RVs because they have two levels separated by a (frequently steep and narrow) stairway. Few RVs are really usable by wheelchair bound persons; there's usually not much maneuvering room, entry doors are narrow, etc. At least with a toy hauler you'd have a nice big entry door with a ramp, which solves that problem.

Since the person I'm considering hauling around would be my soon-to-be ex-wife (wheelchair bound, can't walk at all), I would only need to take her to long distance appointments. I may have to stay away from 5th wheelers in this case. I certainly wouldn't want to have her in the master bedroom.

Besides, I make large robots, and I need to get them in somehow. We're talking a few hundred pounds and around 4-5 foot tall for my current bot.

This is one of the reasons I was thinking about a class a toyhauler, but those seem to be scarce as hens teeth and probably more expensive. 😞

[DrewE]

JayNewman wrote:

The only time I ever drove a large pickup was when I was a kid working as a lineman for the railroad. All I remember of it now was that it was huge.

Unfortunately that 5th wheel is more logical.

In which order is it best to search for these things (used): truck first or 5W first?

Another question: I may have to drive somebody in a wheelchair. I'm pretty sure a 5th wheel can be made handicapped accessible, but can somebody legally be in the 5th wheel while I'm driving?

It's probably generally a little more logical to at least look over the 5th wheel trailers first, and then have some idea of how much towing and pin capacity you'll need from the truck. There's few things worse than buying a truck that's too small for what you want to do with it.

State laws vary with regards to passengers in trailers, but the majority do not permit it. It's not a very safe idea regardless.

5th wheels are not always the most handicapped accessible of RVs because they have two levels separated by a (frequently steep and narrow) stairway. Few RVs are really usable by wheelchair bound persons; there's usually not much maneuvering room, entry doors are narrow, etc. At least with a toy hauler you'd have a nice big entry door with a ramp, which solves that problem.

[campigloo]

Something else you might look at is a horse trailer with living quarters. Not sure how much humidity control you would have but it probably could tote a lot of weight.

[JayNewman]

coolmom42 wrote:
I agree a class B + cargo trailer would be your best setup. It should be pretty easy to add some wiring, lighting, & ventilation to a cargo trailer.

Another option is a good-size truck + toy hauler trailer. You may have to beef up the wiring to suit your needs in the toy hauler.

Coolmom42, I like the name.

What would be the better Class B's for hauling perhaps a 12' cargo trailer with a light shop in it? I do need the ability to cut a sheet of plywood 8'x4', but I dought I'd do anything larger than that.

And thank you very much for the response.