Mind boggled...

[ruthiebaby88]

Hello,

I have been researching RVs and going back and forth between different types for weeks now. I wish I could take them all out for a test drive in a snow storm and then choose!

My options are an older Class B or C motorhome, a T@B type or similar travel trailer, or a pickup/camper (would have to purchse the pickup).

I want something small and convenient where I can drive while focusing on listening to my audiobook without a worry and where I can camp with the focus being on the camping and not on maintaining the rig.

I want to go boondocking.

I don't want my fun to be limited by season. I love to ski, snowshoe, snowboard and I want showers in the winter.

I was all set to by a T@B since it's down the road and that was the easiest option to pull with my Subaru, then my mom refused to ride with me due to the risks of towing on snowy roads.

I am not at all confident about driving the Class B or C on snowy roads since the majority of them under 60k are rear wheel drive. My only experience with rear wheel drive is helping other motorists who are stuck - or watching them spin around the highway. I always shake my head and wonder why anyone would ever buy one of those!

This led me to the pickup with camper option. You get 4wd and some are meant to be used in 4 seasons. Then we come to the hard part - my budget is 16k - not much to buy a pickup and camper!

I am very interested in hearing from people who have tried different classes of RVs.

Which type of RV was best for handling on bad roads - safety while driving. I don't wanna know it's possible to drive it in the mountains, I wanna know it's easy. I don't like white knuckle drives and want to focus on the scenery and whatever's on the radio - not on controlling an unwieldy vehicle.

Which type of RV is best for boondocking.

Which type of RV is best for 4 season camping?

In my budget, I'm generally looking at things in the 10-20 year old category unless I get the T@B in which case I can afford a 2014.

Thank you for your time!

[RoyB]

I always wanted to get the 4WD Truck camper but with all the stuff I carry I would half to pull a utility trailer behind it. This also limits my use of transportation around the area when we would setup at a camp site. Unloaded the camper sounds like bad deal to me as I would be worried sick running off and leaving it unattended sitting on a back road somewhere...

My OFF-ROAD POPUP has the 5-foot front deck on it and between that and the truck bed and rear seat area we can carry some serious camping supplies with us...

Roy ken

[SteveAE]

ruthiebaby,

I think you really need to choose what works for you year round and it will likely work well enough in the snow (in other words, you will adapt to it). I believe that any choice really is a compromise and there is likely no right or wrong decision. Whatever you get, be prepared to spend a few years (and some money) "modifying" it to optimize it for winter use.

For us, a travel trailer works well because it is large enough to hole up in during storms....and these long winter nights. It's small enough to take on Forest and BLM "roads". And I can drop it at a nice camp spot and take just the truck to where I want to ski, hike, backpack, boat, etc. and then come "home" to the trailer after I finish playing. Sometimes (like this past weekend in the Steens and Alvord Desert), going to trail heads involve roads that even truck campers would not dare tread.

As far as pulling a trailer in the snow and ice....well, you likely have about what we have and I just got back from several days of camping in the snow. Good tires, 4x4, and slow careful driving go a long ways. Add chains and I can go anywhere I need .... or want.

Have fun shopping,
Steve

[Ductape]

For the amount you want to spend, you will not get a reliable truck and camper, you would only be able to get a project to do repairs on most likely.

Second option I would rather tow a Tab with a Subaru than 2wd B or C if what you're looking for is relaxed driving in the snow.

BUT- if you stick to wanting to boondock and take winter showers, probably the truck camper -and a well insulated quality one- is your only option listed. Very few travel trailers, B, or C units will have insulated and heated tanks.

I believe you will have to compromise on your budget or your wants.

[time2roll]

Get a used class C with larger holding tanks and some roof space for solar.
You may need to improve the cold weather capabilities and find a place to plug in during winter.

[brholt]

If you are serious about off road and bad off roads is going to be pretty hard to beat a truck camper. Basically, you need something short, with good ground clearance, and 4x4 drive. There are a few 4x4 class C's (Tiger, etc) that are comparable but they tend to be specialty items and will be hard to find. There are also a few 4x4 class B's that might work (Sportsmobile, VW Synchro Vanagon) but used ones are rare. On the other hand used pickup trucks are easy to find and used slide in campers are available (at least on the west coast).

Towing a trailer is generally going to handicap you. Probably the best option in trailers would be one of the off road pop-up trailers though they are less self contained they can work well. The Australians have some pretty neat off road trailers but that doesn't help you.

Take a look at some of the trips in the truck camper forum to see what people are doing with them.

Good luck