Everyone has an opinion. What's yours?
We're a newly retired couple thinking about purchasing our first rv and wondering what to get. We don't want to start out with the gigantic brand new model, but are looking at something gently used an...
Forum Discussion
No one can pick out an RV that would be suitable for others. I do think I can offer some ideas for consideration.
First you need to consider your pets. They are likely to greatly limit your choices. For example, a couple of big dogs are going to mean you need to upsize your RV choices. They will also help define your travels. You can forget about visiting National Parks. Except for historical parks, dogs are not allowed on the trails or outside of basically paved areas and campgrounds. You will not be allowed to leave them behind in the campground while you go exploring and hiking.
Regardless of the pet situation, it seems easy to look at larger and larger RVs and then buy something huge. A good salesperson can help with this approach. Of course, we typically buy on time so that also makes it easy to up the payment a bit and buy big. The size of RV you buy will define your lifestyle choices. A big unit pretty much means having hookups most of the time. That means bigger campgrounds or RV parks. You also need to consider definite travel plans and reservations. Fees will vary greatly but plan on an average of at least $30/night.
There is a small minority of us who believe that going small makes sense. My wife and I fulltimed for 2 years (with cats) in a truck camper. We had plenty of room and conveniences but no space for dogs, no big overstuffed recliners, no bathtub, no laundry. We had solar panels and a generator for the rare times we needed A/C or the microwave. We could travel easily and stay about anywhere. As a result we averaged $7/night for camping. We traveled tens of thousands of miles and rarely spent more than a few days in one place.
You need to think about your RV plans. Do you want to travel and explore the country or sit somewhere for days, weeks or months at a time enjoying most of the comforts of a home?
First you need to consider your pets. They are likely to greatly limit your choices. For example, a couple of big dogs are going to mean you need to upsize your RV choices. They will also help define your travels. You can forget about visiting National Parks. Except for historical parks, dogs are not allowed on the trails or outside of basically paved areas and campgrounds. You will not be allowed to leave them behind in the campground while you go exploring and hiking.
Regardless of the pet situation, it seems easy to look at larger and larger RVs and then buy something huge. A good salesperson can help with this approach. Of course, we typically buy on time so that also makes it easy to up the payment a bit and buy big. The size of RV you buy will define your lifestyle choices. A big unit pretty much means having hookups most of the time. That means bigger campgrounds or RV parks. You also need to consider definite travel plans and reservations. Fees will vary greatly but plan on an average of at least $30/night.
There is a small minority of us who believe that going small makes sense. My wife and I fulltimed for 2 years (with cats) in a truck camper. We had plenty of room and conveniences but no space for dogs, no big overstuffed recliners, no bathtub, no laundry. We had solar panels and a generator for the rare times we needed A/C or the microwave. We could travel easily and stay about anywhere. As a result we averaged $7/night for camping. We traveled tens of thousands of miles and rarely spent more than a few days in one place.
You need to think about your RV plans. Do you want to travel and explore the country or sit somewhere for days, weeks or months at a time enjoying most of the comforts of a home?
