Need help finding MH that fits our needs

If you are selling stuff, even your own product, it's commercial. Check with the motor carrier enforcement officers at your State Police about requirements. The same with your insurance. I run logistics at my plant and Congress has passed laws to cover their buddies in the trucking industry and push the fines and such off on the drivers. With the recent fatal accident out east, look for more stringent requirements. You might not need a CDL, but I'll bet your insurance will have something to say about it.

I know squat about motor homes but I know money and I know motors. I would look used purchase contingent upon MY mechanics inspection. Don't trust a dealer's mechanic or a seller's mechanic friend. Trust yourself and your mechanic friend. Trust your gut. I would GUESS you could buy a used diesel pusher cheaper than a new gasser.

And remember, lemons come in all flavors, used and new.

Don't discount a used RV from a private seller! A 2-4 year old RV can be a good buy if you know how to find one. There are thousands on the RV seller sites. Once you find one, just have it inspected by an NRVIA certified inspector. That will assure a good buy, a maintenance free RV purchase, and worry free travels! Let someone else absorb the initial depreciation that comes from purchasing a new RV! Best wishes on your search!

We have a Jeep Wrangler (4 door) and it works for us.

Pros:
Very easy to hookup
Can go 4-wheeling
Excellent resale value

Cons:
Expensive even when buying used
Bad gas mileage (luckily I work less than 3 miles away)
Not much cargo space (didn't bother us, but might be important to you)
Good for 4 people, but tight with 5 adults (My 80 year old father sometimes travels with us)

Thanks so much for your comments. Here's more information about what we are thinking about...

Its been pretty obvious that the general consensus is that we need a smaller toad unless we want to really step things up with a diesel pusher. Frankly, that's probably more than we need/want/can afford.

I've been looking in three different directions for 'local' travel once we get somewhere, either a toad, or a 4 seater UTV. Toad would be great for longer distance travel in all weather but is heavier, a UTV would work for shorter distances, and could be cargo-trailered along with our show stuff and other niceties. I've started researching UTV's and it seems that they are affected by a hodgepodge set of laws across the country, so can probably eliminate that. The third is having the 300C driven behind us, but the only way to do that would be to give the keys to the 16 year old who is learning to drive (wife is partially disabled and can't drive on highways), and NO WAY am I foolish enough to let a 16 year old drive the equivalent to a Charger with a 5.7 Hemi in it.

We have three vehicles in the family right now, the aforementioned 2002 Avalanche, which I need for hauling Boy Scout Troop gear around to campouts and such, and which is my workhorse for hauling stuff. The second is a Chrysler 300C, my sweet get-up-and-go car. The third is the vehicle my wife used to drive, a 2006 Dodge Durango. Of the three, it makes the most sense to get rid of the Durango and replace it with a toad-able vehicle...We are out of the phase of our lives where we need a 'people hauler', and its functionality can be replaced by other vehicles.

TXIceman: I don't think we will have a problem with remaining a non-commercial vehicle. We are hauling our own product, not someone else's.

DCason: As far as shows and merchandise, we are looking at hitting the medium to large Renaissance Festivals and jumping on the circuit. We've been attending our local RenFest (AZRF) for many years, and have talked with many of the merchants and performers, and have actually developed a web business around them. Our merchandise (capes, cloaks, outerwear and accessories) are actually fairly compact so with the storage available in the rig we are looking at, could probably get by with using the space in the rig. Getting to and from the venue without having to use the rig as transportation is no problem with a toad, or even the street-legal UTV. Many of these shows cover multiple weekends, so staying local during the show would be a huge asset. I am starting to see via research that UTV's may be more of a hassle than they are worth, given different local laws across the country.

As far as lifestyle, my wife and I both love to travel and did a lot before we had kids. Having an RV is a natural progression. My day job I work remote already (so can work from anyplace with internet or cell service). Kids are in online school so same for them.

Any more thoughts or suggestions? Looks like we are down to using a toad, what is your favorite toad?

I know diddly about tow ratings but I know tons about doing shows...

Is that avalanche your "show mobile"? It needs to be and I am not sure what it looks like but can your show set up fit in there and carry family? Or are you going to move product and your booth set up from your motorhome-to-be to the avalanche for each show/not horrible if you only do a few shows a year but a big pain if you do many...lots of work. Please tell me you are not thinking about using the motorhome for show set up...it won't fit down streets during set up and your neighbors will cuss you out big time. You would have to haul product from it and usually they don't let those things park too close to show area.

We have done shows for years (van/20 foot travel trailer set up) and always left our product in the van which transported the two of us just fine and that is the van's sole use. In between shows, all product stays in there...ready to go.

PM me if you have anyquestions.
Donna

One thing to consider is that by hauling your product, you are now considered a commercial vehicle in some states and by some insurance companies. Before you start down this road, you should check the state laws as well as with your insurance company.

Ken

The best you can do with a gasser is 6,000. I haven't seen it yet, but Ford rates the 24K chassis at 30,000 combined weight.

Now, the MH makers have to build the RV out to that.

Like I said, haven't seen it yet?

My MH (2013 Tiffin 35QBA) has 2 bunks but is just shy of 36 feet. I would think you could get one close to $100K. Ours was $111, but we had special orders and options.

If you ordered a no-option 35QBA it would be at about $105K. That's if you can still order the 2014 and get the regularly had 25% off MSRP. There is a price increase for 2015, of course?

Go to Cruizer, the man!

I would also consider a used diesel pusher. We've had great luck with a new pusher and a used pusher and horrible luck with a new pusher (Newmar). I think it's a******shoot, but why take the depreciation hit on a new one when it could be worse then a used one?

Tow cars are typically used as additional storage for "stuff". If you weighted your Ave. and it came it at 5,600#, you'll probably really be dragging closer to 6,000# behind you once it's ready for the trip,gassed up, etc.

Getting that weight rolling isn't the problem. It's the panic stop when the child had just walked into the road in front of you that's the issue here. Do you feel comfortable driving a heavy Class A or C plus pulling three tons behind you. That's the question.