Class C vs Trailer for Cross country with family? Help

[JakeCCP]

I'm in the early stages of planning a trip from Upstate New York to Glacier National Park and Yellowstone for the family(Me, Wife, 16, 14 & 10 kids). Looking at going summer 2021 for 2-3 weeks. Will be driving 3 days out and back to max time spent at parks. Don't want to have to stay at hotels so will be staying in RV at rest stops. If trailering, will be driving a Ford 350 diesel quad cab long box. Will be renting a car once at park if we take a Motorhome. I am torn between the Class C and the trailer. Seems like there are equal pros and cons for each option. Would love some others thoughts and suggestions. Thanks

[campigloo]

Have you thought about taking just the truck for the commute? Hotel it on the travel days and rent a trailer from somewhere near where you want to actually have fun. In that area, some of the rental companies will even deliver and set it up for you.

[Grit_dog]

Cost is a good consideration though.
With dirt cheap plane tickets now, you might be even money or close either way and add time to your trip by flying.
That does limit how far you go during the trip though. If I flew into Bozeman, Spokane, Kalispell, I wouldn’t want to road trip to S Dakota and back and I’d cap the trip with the MT parks.

[Grit_dog]

As said earlier, the kids will love traveling in the C vs 3 deep in the back seat.
Please don’t consider the negativity put forth, as it’s typical every time someone talks about a long road trip. You know whether you and your family are good with long hours on the road. They don’t.
IMO, getting the RV at home is advantageous because you can stock it with everything you need for little to no $. Vs renting at location, paying extra fee for amenities and still having bare minimum “stuff”.

Some folk aren’t built for road trips. We have friends like that, however it doesn’t bother us. Sure the kids complain sometimes but they complain on a 6 hour drive.
Wife and oldest son road tripped x country to deliver my sister a vehicle when son had his permit 2 years ago. No big deal. 1800mi, one hotel stay lots of Mountain Dew and chips!
Plus with kids driving age, if they’re good drivers, makes for great relief drivers!

[wa8yxm]

I prefer a motor home to a trailer for multipe reasons.. BUT A word of caution about a class C.

Some years ago (2006/7) I was parked at a campground in Las Vegas.. An elderly couple flew in and was picked up at the airport by the courtesy driver from an Vegas RV dealer to took em to the dealership and handed them the keys to a brand new Class C.

In fact I had to help the elerly gent unlock the living space door as he had forgotten which key fit (Tri-mark same as I have).

Well they went to dinner. and though the parking garage had the clearance (barley) for the Rig the pipe and chain to warn you of overheight was the precise height to clear the rooof.

What it did not clear was the winegard "Flying Saucer" style TV antenna, in fact it went in under the saucer. Ripped it off the roof. then the pipe flew up and came down right atop the bathroom vent lid smashing it.

So be careful out there and know how tall your rig is.

[magicbus]

valhalla360 wrote:

Zlent16 wrote:
Don’t forget to carry a solar generator for your Rv

I found some options ***Link Removed***

The planned trip will have him driving several hours per day...shouldn't need extra generation beyond the alternator.

:b. That is spam advertising from someone who joined today.

Dave

[valhalla360]

Zlent16 wrote:
Don’t forget to carry a solar generator for your Rv

I found some options ***Link Removed***https://generatorswift.com/quiet-generator-reviews-super-silent-generators-for-camping-2020/

The planned trip will have him driving several hours per day...shouldn't need extra generation beyond the alternator.

[Zlent16]

Don’t forget to carry a solar generator for your Rv

I found some options ***Link Removed***https://generatorswift.com/quiet-generator-reviews-super-silent-generators-for-camping-2020/

[camperdave]

I have a job and limited vacation. Most of our trips start and end with bomber runs, it's just the way it is.

We did it for years in a van/travel trailer and now have a Class C. The C is WAAAAAAY better for these long travel days, the kids (and wife) can hang out, play games (or watch their phones lol), sleep, cook, pee, whatever. We rented a class C a few years ago for a long trip and it was great. That was the trip that sold me on the switch from TT to C.

If it's a one time thing or you are not sure, renting is a good way to go.

[ndrorder]

We had several road trips with our girls at age 10 and 12. Travel was only NM to WA to help and visit family. They never complained whether taking the full sized bronco or rented smaller class Cs. However, it was the motor home trips they remember enjoying the most because of the undistracted family time. Even over the couple airline trips.

[valhalla360]

Jebby14 wrote:
Id go big 5th wheel over C. You already have the truck, why buy another powertrain to handle. You need to add more time. also do everyone a favor and stop at KOA type campgrounds on the way to and from, rest stops suck, especially with a family.

if you are looking at renting, why not fly out and rent local?

This hit the two points I would make...

Best option would be to fly out and rent. I'm betting by the time you add in 6 long days driving with fuel, the air tickets won't look so bad. Plus you get an extra 4 days at the destination.

If you insist on doing the drive, if you already have the truck, get a 5th wheel or travel trailer.

What are you long term RV plans? If this is a one off trip, definitely do the rental.

[guidry]

Because of the difference in an RV vs car driving, a good rule of thumb for RV'rs traveling is 50 miles in one hour. AND, you should include about one hour per 6 hours of driving for fuel and potty, lunch breaks. And, lastly as mentioned, with a truck everyone should be belted in for safety. A Class C, they probably won't be in a seatbelt down the highway. So, just for safety's sake, a truck and trailer (5th wheel or Travel Trailer) would be best. Good luck and either way, the kids will remember this trip.

[time2roll]

I recommend the Class C motorhome.

[bikendan]

Don't think anyone has mentioned it. If you go with the Class C, are you going to pull a toad? If not, you'll have to to break down every time you leave the campsite. You could rent a car for driving around.
Personally we're not fans of Motorhomes. We would always prefer a towable.

[Jayco-noslide]

I doubt there is a definitive answer. RVing with 5 is tough. A MH owner once said "I don't care how big a MH is, it's really just for 2". Sleeping might be the easiest part. It's meals and being all in during bad weather, etc. But no doubt you're determined to make it work. We've had pop-up, trailer, small 5th wheel and now a 30 ft. MH towing a small hatchback. I prefer the MH and having the car to run around in. We have a queen bed and would sleep 3 kids. Not saying easily.