Considering buying my first motorhome, and a little unsure

[trey_a]

Good evening everyone. My name is Trey, and I am considering my first motorhome. I have never owned a travel trailer, motorhome, or anything of that nature. I have camped, taken my kids and dogs, and always enjoyed it. We generally do not have enough free time to do it often. However, I am about to retire from the military in roughly a year. Since we will be moving, I see this as a great opportunity to purchase a motorhome, and enjoy it. After retirement, I will have more free time to get out and enjoy the weekends, and maybe a few weeks a year.

I have set my budget relatively low. 15k. I want to start off with something that won't break me if for some reason we decide we don't like it. I don't mind buying something older. I also don't have any issue doing my own work, if work is needed.

Is my budget reasonable? I want something I can drive without worry, but sure do not need perfect. What am I in for? Other than good times, awesome memories, and new fishing spots?

Thanks!
Trey

[John_Wayne]

Go rent a few trailers and try camping to make sure this is what you want to do. Then you will have an idea what you have to have and what you can get by with. Then you will have a better idea what you want. For me in a trailer with 2 kids I'd want a walk around queen bed and bunk beds for the kids.

[timmac]

trey.a wrote:
Thank you all for the replies.


With that, I will start looking at travel trailers. I have a truck that can pull a trailer, and F150. We also own a Tahoe, although its towing capacity is less. Ideally, I would need to stay under 5000lbs wet. This gives me the option of using either vehicle when needed. So, I will start looking in that area.

I had a half ton short bed truck and bought a 27 foot travel trailer weighting around 6000 lbs and the truck seemed to weak in both the suspension and brakes had to upgrade to a 3/4 ton, yes with a half ton you want your max to be 5000 lbs, anymore than you will be replacing the truck..

[baslert]

Don't totally agree with everyone here. I bought a used 2000 class C. It is 23 feet it was $11,000. I had to get new tires, fix the generator and add a few things here and there. Total put into it was around $14,000. It is a reliable little rig. My wife, two kids and two dogs are comfortable for little weekend getaways. Would I go full time in it, no. I've been really happy with it.

[Grit_dog]

Well if you already have 2 full size tow rigs then a TT for occasional use makes sense.
My kids, 9 and 13 now love class Cs since they rode in one in AK when we were on a trip with some friends. What they liked was the freedom to ride in the overhead or get up and go to the kitchen while cruising down the road. This is the same thing I didn't like. Granted most of this behavior was on dirt roads, low speeds, less traffic than mosquitos but I figure it would be a huge challenge to keep them seated and strapped in with all the amenities available. Chalk another one up for keeping the kids in a tow vehicle and save yourself the arguments that will ensue about why they can't get up and go grab a bag of chips or take a leak while you're driving.
Plus with $15k you can take 1/3 of that and put it back in the bank. Lots of great TTs for $10k or less.
And if you don't want the length and towing hassle, throw the $5k at upgrading your 150 to a comparable or better 3/4 or 1 ton and get a $10k TC. Bingo, no trailer, drives like a motorhome without the aforementioned arguments from the kids, and will go places you can't take a trailer.
Good luck with your search

[trey_a]

Thank you all for the replies.

My kids are 9, so they are relatively small. Yes, I have twins. Pure luck!

The more I think about it, the more I am shying away from what is available in my budget. I could get lucky and get something good, but more realistic, I'd get something that needs work, could possibly break down often, and ruin the entire experience.

With that, I will start looking at travel trailers. I have a truck that can pull a trailer, and F150. We also own a Tahoe, although its towing capacity is less. Ideally, I would need to stay under 5000lbs wet. This gives me the option of using either vehicle when needed. So, I will start looking in that area.

Thanks again for the support on this. I knew it wasn't the best decision, but sometimes I just need a reality check!

[timmac]

I sold a 2002 Fleetwood Flair 25Y 3 years ago in perfect condition for $18,500 cash, needed nothing, even had fresh motor oil, low miles and tires less than 5 years old, so don't settle for the 1st one you see, add a few thousand dollars to your price and you will have more to look at.

However a Flair 25Y can be small with kids but it can be done..

[jplante4]

Well, that's what we did. We bought a 1995 P-30 chassis 28 footer with a Chevy 454 for $12.5k. I spent another $3k getting things right and kept it for a year. Sold it for more than I paid and bought a 20 year old 35 foot DP which we just spent 6 months on the road in. You have to be handy, which is why a lot of people will tell you it's not possible.

However, I have to agree with everyone saying that a travel trailer would be a better choice.

[olygene]

Hi Trey: You mention you have kids. Will they be travelling with you. How many and how old. Keep that in mind when you look at possible choices. The more you have and the larger they are, the more RV you will need. Also, I am in the group that doesn't think you can buy a reliable RV in the $15K range. It will be older and I would figure on leaks (roof, sides, engine, etc), brakes, tires, shock, and so much more. The repair and maintenance costs will climb higher with every mile. My suggestion is to continue tent camping until you have more $ saved and then look again. That is what I did 15 years ago. Some of the readers suggest looking, asking, searching, haggling, etc. It might work if you have lots of time but I would like to hear from RVnet readers who have actually gotten a $15K RV and how they did it. Also, what problems they have encountered along the way. Whatever happens, good luck and safe travel.

[gbopp]

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your service to our country.

Do not be in a hurry to buy a RV. Take your time and do your homework.
Go to RV shows and visit dealer lots. Look at everything and decide what is best for your situation and budget.

Condition is the important factor when buying a used RV. An entry level model in good condition is better deal than a high end in poor condition.

RV tires usually age out before they wear out. So, whatever you are seriously looking at, check the age of the tires. You may need to figure tires into the purchase price.

Leaks are another major problem. A small leak can cause a lot of damage if not fixed quickly.

Ask lots of questions on the forum. There is a lot of experience and information available.

Enjoy your search and use it as a learning experience.

[Grit_dog]

What Jebby said. ^
Buy an old under powered mh and plan on being handy or think dual purpose vehicles.
Pickup for a DD vehicle and a TT or TC to go with it would be my preference for part time low use.
Imo the convienence of a mh is realized when A. You're not comfortable or capable of towing or hauling. B. You prioritize the convienence of getting up to make a sandwich while driving down the highway. C. You spend enough time in it that the house may as well be permanently mounted so you don't have to deal with long trailers or loading and unloading.
Handful of trips a year with an old cousin eddy mh doesn't appeal to me from the standpoint of driving an old "moving van" cross country and the maint and upkeep on a drivetrain that will collect dust most of the year.

[JWRoberts]

IMHO, it is unreasonable. 15K will only get a 20+ year old motor home and it will certainly be subject to serious maintenance problems.

If you do find one for that price, you should have another 5-10K set aside for maintenance.

[Jebby14]

are you set on a motor home. a travel trailer and (depending on what you drive now) a tow vehicle in that price range is far more realistic, gives you more options and lets you drop the rig and explore. my setup is very basic and leave some stuff to be desired but if u look at my avatar a WJ like mine can be had for 2-5k I paid 2k for my prowler (another 1 to get it road ready 3k total) and those are fancy worthless Canadian dollars. 15 gets you a half ton and a nice rig if you play your cards right

[ncrowley]

I agree with many of the responses. At that price range, you are looking at an older motorhome. Get one that has full maintenance records and it is desirable to know the history of the motorhome. A big plus is it has been kept under cover. Try and talk to the previous owner. That can tell you a lot about the care the motorhome had. Have someone independent go through the major systems. Do an oil analysis.

[rekoj71]

I remember when I was about high school age, my parents didn't have a big budget, and wanted a motorhome (we had had several trailers). They bought an ugly cheap one (think cousin Eddie). When we went camping no one cared that we usually had the oldest or ugliest or smallest RV in the campground. We camped quite a bit in that RV, even years later my wife and I still went camping with them in it. It's long gone now but the memories and stories we seem to talk about most were all from trips in that old, small, motorhome.

Your budget is a little low but it can still find options, especially in the class-C market. If that's your budget, then that's your budget. May take a little more work or upkeep, but remember it's really all about the "good times, awesome memories, and new fishing spots".