Good Morning-My husband and I are in the beginning stages of research and shopping for an RV that will suit our family. Our family is us, 2 kids (13 & 9, boy and girl) and our easiest kids our 2 Spaniels. My overall goal is to build better family relationships and spend our free time away from the technology that seems to continuously invade our lives. I want to escape, see our amazing country and spend quality time with the people that matter most.We are currenlty working the pro's and con's of purchasing a Class A or a 5th wheel and appropriate hauling pick-up truck. As is true with any relationship, husband is leaning towards one and I the other. What I would really like to gain from this forum is the opportunity to talk with RV'ers who own each and talk about how you are using it and what you like and dislike about your choice. It would be most helpful to talk to similar style families but of course any advice would be amazing. I am reading a ton of blogs but I am finding that most of them are full-time RV'ers and that is not what I am going for. We want to be casual weekenders initially exploring the areas within a 2-4 hour radius of our home in Southeast GA where my husband is stationed. I thank you all in advance for your wisdom!Sincerely,Amy (The Mom)

How often / how many days a year do you plan to use it?A Class "A" is a big investment for infrequent use and you'll need a "toad" to do any sightseeing outside the campground. But you can balance that with the ability to get up and move around while travelling.With a 5er you can still use the tow vehicle as a daily driver if needed. A 2-4 hour ride with kids may put them (and you) at the edge of insanity though. But with the 5er you can pile everybody in the truck to go sightseeing.

Research a lot. Getting opinions here is a good start. With pending teenagers, I'd be looking at a bunk house type 5th wheeler.My overall goal is to build better family relationships and spend our free time away from the technology that seems to continuously invade our lives.Good luck with that. After a few hours of "This is boring", I'd be breaking out the WiFi hotspot.

It seems to me that traveling with a TT or 5er, the TV would be pretty crowded with 4 adult size people and 2 dogs, but I guess you would need something big enough for sightseeing with that family.You might find a Class C has more sleeping space than an A, but you would still need a big toad. Many Class C can only tow 3500 lbs so you would probably need a MH capable of towing 5000 lbs.

Usage and cost are things to consider. Have two boys 13 and 10 and upgraded to a larger TT with a slide. Two dogs a small one and a med size breed. The bigger dog stays at a boarder on long trips. With school age kids its difficult to travel during the school year with sports, band, etc. Our TT some times sits for a month or more. A MH sitting for extended periods is not ideal and like was mentioned you would need a toad vehicle to take. We have always had trailers, just my two cents. Good luck on your decision.

I agree with a possible bunk house style. Mom and pops in the bedroom, one or both kids in the bunkroom if that works, if it doesn't work put one on the couch, one in the bunkroom and rotate. With a FW or TT you're able to use the tow vehicle on a regular basis. Insurance and registration may be cheaper. One less drive train to maintain. If truck breaks you still have a house. If house breaks you can drive the truck to the parts store. I would say absolutely get a slide.If you decide on a seasonal site or buy property, you wont have a drive train sitting there with the brakes rusting up and drive train not being used. There are different ways to look at it. The thing about RV's is that many things are not absolutes. What works for one person doesn't work for the next person and that is true all the way down to light bulbs or sewage hoses!!! Good luck to you. You will find this site very helpful.

How do I pick the right RV for my family? | Good Sam Community

gazingm42
Explorer
Jun 08, 2015
We upgraded from the tent trailer to a full size travel trailer a few years with several of the same goals. Since we live in "God country" when it comes to camping and the great outdoors, I want to make sure my family can enjoy it more.

DW doesn't camp on the ground ever since the bear night, about 22 years ago not a
good story to bring up with her. So the only way to get her back out is in a trailer.

We have 2 kids as well which one get technology disconnect issues when we travel. So I just make sure we go far enough in the mountains that we can not get internet :))))

We elected to Travel trailer vs a motor home simply as we love to explore on our day trips, bike, hike, etc. We want to leave our camp home at camp and not
take the MH with us.
bigred1cav
Explorer
Jun 07, 2015
Get the one that fits your desire for use. If you want camping get a trailer. If you want convenience get a Class A. In a class A you will basically pull in to your area punch a few buttons hook up water etc and be ready. A trailer takes more time and effort.

I urge you to use the military Posts in the US South they will give you wonderful staging areas at very low costs. Saving money for those expensive kids trips where dollars slip through your hands like water at a fountain.

We use a Class A as we do not camp nor do we wish to camp had enough camping when in Army. We are tourists and want all our comforts with us.

The white beaches of the Florida Red Neck Riviera are probably in your time frame and many military camps are nearby.
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 07, 2015
I wouldn't rent it out either. Most people get an RV so they don't have to share a bed or bathroom with others. If finances are a concern, then look cheaper and/or used.
wannavolunteerF
Explorer
Jun 07, 2015
Since you are a military family, don't forget to check out military campgrounds. They have some great locations managed by local MWR's, and not all are directly on base. You might even consider staying at the one on your base as your first outing, to learn how to work things in a location that you are comfortable with. You will have active duty and retired military people camping there that will be glad to help a new RV'er out.
HendricksFamily
Explorer
Jun 07, 2015
Lol thank you all for your brutal honesty. Poo is a definite concern.
Roy_Lynne
Explorer
Jun 07, 2015
No, you really don't want to rent out your RV because it is such a big investment. Would you really trust a strange, who may or may not even know how to operate an RV use your rig. They might smoke and even if they tell you they don't someone in their family might. What if they use the toilet and don't clean it out. Its a big deal cleaning the septic of your own family, what about strangers poo. And sleeping in your bed, bedbugs are a big issue and you don't know. What if they break down in another state and since it isn't theirs, they just leave it for you to deal with.
Also talk to USAA and they will surely discourage you. There are things with an RV that you just have to do to care for it, that renters would ignore.
You said that your husband was handy Then don't get a new RV, go as cheap as you can and then rebuild it to suit you. There are some awesome deals out there. Look for something with bunk beds cause each kid is going to need their own space and fix it up the way you like it.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jun 07, 2015
Great that you've made a decision! However, really think hard about your 'renting to others' plan. Insurance? Repairs while on the road? Caring for it? Rental RVs take a lot of abuse.
HendricksFamily
Explorer
Jun 06, 2015
I cannot thank you all enough for your kind and honest words. This purchase is defenitly a process and one we are not taking lightly. I feel like I research a little more each and every day. We have pretty much settled on a MH as it is very important to my husband and kids that they be comfortable on the actual road trip. Fortunately my husbands Navy career has tought him to be a mechanic so the additional maintenance does not bother him. We have also decided that we will rent our MH to other military families to offset some of our costs. It's not an ideal situation but one that greatly appeals to us financially. As DH starts his transition back to civilian life (retirement in 2017) our plan is to use the MH for weekend trips and family vacations. Ultimately working up to the post Navy retirement summer on the road! We are currently looking at a Thor Windsport 34J model. As far as we can tell now, it has everything we are looking for and while a pricey purchase it is well within our budget as is the insurance, gas and CG fees etc. Have not signed the dotted line just yet but hopefully by this fall we can share pictures of our first adventure!
hawkeye-08
Explorer III
May 08, 2015
We have a pickup with travel trailer. It works for us and a big part of deciding to go that way is the need to use the pickup as a family vehicle, not just dedicated to camping. If we did not need it as family vehicle, then we might have gone with motorhome.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
May 08, 2015
What kind of parks will you go? If it's RV parks there really isn't much for kids to do. You might want to zero in on state, national or any public park. Then have the whole family take up hiking, fishing, etc. to keep everyone occupied. Even though many campgrounds wouldn't have electric, all RVs are self-contained and you don't need the hookups. Make a game of conserving to see how long you can stay without running out of water, etc.

Have the kids take advantage of the Ranger Programs offered in many of the parks. Sometimes they could even offer to work alongside with the rangers doing things. Volunteering is great for kids - and adults.

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