Interested but have zero experience...

[Beast-of-Burden]

Hello all... The concept of traveling around to many different places in this great country of ours is very tempting. I'm not comfortable with the idea of towing a big, tall & long trailer. I would want far better gas mileage than a big truck & 5th-wheel trailer would get. I cannot afford to even think about a huge all-in-one RV motor-home.
I like the idea of the smaller hi-low or pop-up (hard side) trailers that could be dragged by a smaller vehicle. The less gas expense the more places I could go see.
I am alone so it doesn't need to sleep a whole family. I do want an indoor toilet & shower along with a mini-kitchen & refrigerator. AC & heater are also a must. Apart from figuring out what equipment I'd need I also am curious how Y'all know where all the campgrounds & RV parks are so you can plan out your trips. Is there a computer program that marks available places along the roads you would choose to get to your destination? Places with 'hook-ups' charge per night and some offer discounts to those who have purchased memberships to some 'travel-clubs' right? Is that the way to do it or are those mostly scams? I know too many questions... where does a fresh beginner go to get educated?

Thanks

[Beast-of-Burden]

Well the show opened my eyes... there are a lot of very wealthy people dropping big bucks on land yachts. Motor homes over 1/2 million dollars... must be nice. Honestly there was only one line that came close to what I'd like to invest in but it would require an additional investment in a bigger tow vehicle. The TrailManor line & probably the model 2417 sport with slid-out dinette. Being the 2417 size is a newer offering if I was limited to buying a 'used' TrailManor trailer it would have to be a larger one that has been offered for more years like the 2720's or 2922's. They would need even a stronger vehicle. So much for my thoughts of getting economical gas mileage & traveling cheap. Probably a mini-van with a sleeping bag & lots of deodorant will be my 'reality'.

[bsinmich]

After 16-20 GPH mo9n a boat a MH is an economy vehicle. I get 7-9 MPG and am very happy with that. There are some used Dodge Vans like yoi described and also some Ford and Chevrolets in the same category.

[Veebyes]

Good one rockhillmanor. When we were looking we would be sure to have a tape measure handy for the distance between front of the can to the wall. No wonder so many people want to be close to the CG bathrooms. They can't use their own built in ones.

[rockhillmanor]

resmas wrote:

Beast-of-Burden wrote:
Defiantly a lot to absorb... I'll check out the RV show when it hits Dallas. That will narrow-down the type I should rent & try out before my purchase. I will go and visit a couple of local RV parks to check-them-out.
You all have been very helpful with your suggestions. Its now up to me doing more research before I now the next step...

If you are 6'4" tall, I would STRONGLY suggest laying down on the bed in whatever RV you think "fits" you. You might find most RV beds are made to accommodate shorter people.... And get in the shower, check your head clearance there and throughout the trailer...

......AND......SIT down on the toilet and see if you can close the door! :W

I bought my first TT without doing any of the above. Found out first trip out that if you were over 5'6" you couldn't close the bathroom door when sitting on the pot! Your knees preventing the door from closing.

When looking for my second RV the salesman would be yammering away about all the RV options and I'd push him aside and head for the bathroom and sit on the toilet and see if there was enough room in there to close the door. :B

[Veebyes]

Well you can't have it both ways. You can't have the comforts of home in a pop up trailer. On a long trip with frequent one night stops the setting up & tearing down routine is going to get old real fast with anything small.

Also towing whatever with an underated vehicle to save fuel is going to cost big time in the long run with wear & tear on the vehicle being expected to do more than it was designed to do.

There is no free lunch. I also get about 50c to the mile fuel costs & figure on $2000 a year for preventative maintenance in addition to oil changes every 5000 miles.

I think it is cheap travel. But then, I come from boating so just about any other form of transport is going to look cheap to me.

[tejasemser]

Hummm ... actually the 'tall old guy could well be me' at 6' 4" and 70 YOA! The 2014 show sounds as if it could be the Tarrant County RV Show in FTW. I believe it's early January. It's much more convenient for us but I thought the Dallas show would have a bit more.

[Beast-of-Burden]

"As I mentioned in a previous post, Sportsmobile is a custom builder - you can design your own vehicle. All those options are available. "

The 'pointed roof' & fold-up hard sides on a Chalet trailer is more what I'd want over a fabric & screen 'tent-like' raised roof option like the Sportsmobile offers. Besides I not looking to spend as much as those conversions cost new. Thanks for the suggestion though. I'll get a crash-course this weekend at the RV show as to the available options.

[Beast-of-Burden]

Oh thanks a lot.... no I didn't know that. I did a search & there is one in the beginning of 2014 but I didn't see that there was one this weekend. I'm am sooo glad you mentioned that, I would have hated to miss it. Saturday sounds good to me too. If you see a old tall guy drooling like a little baby that will be me.

[tejasemser]

Beast of Burden ... you mentioned something about "when the RV show comes to Dallas." I hope you know that it is this coming weekend; 9/12 thru 9/15 at Market Hall. I know that I and my much better half will be there Saturday.

[Shearwater]

Beast of Burden wrote:
I don't think its available but, if I was to create what would work for my needs, it would be an economical Dodge Caravan stripped of everything inside except the drivers seat. It would have a roof that would open-up like the Chalet hard-side pop-up trailer has. Inside would be layed-out generally like the Chalet trailer is. If I wanted not to raise the roof section (like for a over-night sleep stop) I could still sleep, raid the fridge even use the toilet & wash basin. When the roof is raised I'd have a ton of headroom & the high ceiling would help to let the warm air rise & keep the van cooler. Add an awning, small generator, BBQ grill & I'd be a "happy camper". (Now if only someone already was making one like that)

As I mentioned in a previous post, Sportsmobile is a custom builder - you can design your own vehicle. All those options are available.

[popupcamping]

http://www.usedpqb.com/classified-ad/2013-Dodge-Grand-Caravan-Camper-Van-Illusion-_19663254

[Beast-of-Burden]

I'll need to keep reminding myself, as I look at all my options, that its probably like when I was bit by the boat fever. I started off with a Wetbike & a weekend-tent (some my not remember what a Wetbike was), then moved-up to a 23' ski boat with a 'cuddy-cabin', then my ex-wife insisted we needed a 32' twin-engines with fore & aft births, kitchen & full head with AC/heat.
I don't think its available but, if I was to create what would work for my needs, it would be an economical Dodge Caravan stripped of everything inside except the drivers seat. It would have a roof that would open-up like the Chalet hard-side pop-up trailer has. Inside would be layed-out generally like the Chalet trailer is. If I wanted not to raise the roof section (like for a over-night sleep stop) I could still sleep, raid the fridge even use the toilet & wash basin. When the roof is raised I'd have a ton of headroom & the high ceiling would help to let the warm air rise & keep the van cooler. Add an awning, small generator, BBQ grill & I'd be a "happy camper". (Now if only someone already was making one like that)

[cherrykiss3]

IT took me a year to decide what I wanted but I quickly ruled out a MH and TT. I bought a 1 ton dually diesel while I was looking that way I was not restricted in the size or weight. I ended up getting a 35' with 3 slides 5er. I love it and will not go smaller.

It is only me and my dog. My son uses it when he is out of town working and I live in their house. lol I am always trading homes. lol

He and I are going to trade it off next summer and up grade. I bought new and have only had it 1 1/2 years. I figured I would have it until it's little wheels fell off but I see another one in my future. lol At least I have the truck to pull it.

Just look at where you are going and google for CG's in the area. You can check them out online. They are not hard to find.

As for the AC when you connect the unit to the power post at the CG your AC will work just fine to answer that question.

Come back if you have more questions, which you will have the more you look.

Cherry

[mockturtle]

rockhillmanor wrote:

mockturtle wrote:

Or buy a Prius and sleep in a tent.

Or just buy a Prius. :B This woman lives in hers: Prius Living

This last go around of heading south for the winter I saw a LOT of campers with kids that had nothing but a car and a nice tent. They had all the camping equipment to make it comfortable.

As I watched these families pull in and set up in the CG I got to see something that is rarely viewed anymore......a family where the kids interacted with their parents all weekend and had a ton of fun doing it. :C

I agree! It's a pleasure to witness.