new camper needs help!

[travelmom92]

Hi Everyone, new here so please dont get on my case.

For perspective, Im a broke single parent who is ok with skimping on cosmetics as long as the bugger runs and doesn't have too much trouble. I am not even sure where to start, but I would like a class c to travel locally and long distances. I have a 6 and 3 year old who love exploring! How does one go about even picking a used camper out? Any recommendations on a camper? I drive an expedition so I can technically pull something lite but I dont know if I should? Basically - can any of you be my cool dad and just tell me what to do/what to buy in a tight budget? haha.

Thank you so much!

[CharlesinGA]

An Expedition is basically an F150 with a real soft suspension. It should be capable of towing a 4000 to 5000 lb trailer (fully loaded weight also known as Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, or GVWR, which is found on a sticker on the front LH side of the trailer along with tire sizes, pressures, etc.

As others have noted, don't buy a motorized RV (motorhome) as it is lots more insurance, maintenance costs, registration costs, limits your travel after you get to a campground and set up, etc.

If the Expedition is high mileage, heavily rusted, etc and you don't want to be pulling a trailer with it, consider a F150 or similar pickup truck (or something with decent tow ratings such as a Nissan 3500 passenger model van) as a family hauler upgrade. (stay away from the typical soccer mom SUV models that won't tow much, (you can add a topper to the bed to carry stuff like chairs, grill, or the groceries, out of the weather)

Charles

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

And even if the OP was trolling us - it's never a bad idea to give an answer because others may be thinking something similar and lurking. Right now, it seems like every other person has this starry-eyed notion of "seeing the country" or "Living in a van by the ocean". I follow van conversion forums and am shocked by the people buying ancient vans and converting them into "tiny houses" AKA "Nomadland" and I wonder how far they can get down the road before the old beast gives up and dies....

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

"Mom" advice here: Assuming the OP doesn't have any camping equipment to start with - take what money you can muster, and buy camping equipment: sleeping bags, cots, a good tent, cooking gear. This stuff will last you decades, and doesn't tend to give problems. You will be able to travel farther and longer (and do more fun things), because you just saved thousands of dollars. (There ARE tents that can utilize the back end of an SUV, too)

Anything with wheels needs important maintenance and tires and extra insurance and license plates. Add an engine and house to that mix, and now the expensive part ratchets upward. Your fuel costs just shot upward - and a breakdown on the road just becomes a nightmare.

Remarkably, your kids will have the same amazing memories of places visited and sights seen, no matter how they got there!

[Grit_dog]

travelmom = 1 and done...

[mr_andyj]

Dont buy a motorhome.

Dont buy anything with a motor or transmission or that requires insurance coverage! That is for the people who want to burn some cash off.

A used trailer is fine. Heck, a $1,000 - 3,000 used trailer can be 100% functional and not too ugly at the same time.

Critical areas are 99% look for water damage. This happens mostly on the roof, but the roof leaks into the walls too.
Water damage is everything!
Look for water damage.
Ask about water damage.
Smell for smells indicating water damage (mold).
Look for water damage.

Water damage can be repaired, an maybe it was by the owner and maybe it is good to go, usually it has some level of water damage that is not so good.

Checking out the appliance is easy enough.
Stoves and heaters and water heaters almost always work, they dont tend to break a lot, but DO check for propane leaks. Turn the propane tank on first as it might take a while to be able to smell propane leak, sometimes you may never smell the leak that is leaking.
Make sure they have propane to turn on. Bring your own BBQ tank just in case.

Refrigerators often are ruined. Have then turn it on before you arrive (at least 12 hours before). Propane / 3-way fridges will be ruined if run off-level too many times. We ll have done it, and the damage will build up to where the fridge cooling unit needs to be replaced and youre looking at $600-800 just for the rebuilt unit, plus installation.
Electric only fridges are less of a worry.
A residential or dorm fridge is useless, dont buy an RV with a household walmark fridge in it. They ruined the RV fridge and stuck in a $99 fridge just to sell. These need household current all the time, so your battery and propane will not run it. If a household unit then offer $600 - $1,000 less unless that is built into the price already.

Check the plumbing - easy enough.

Look at the tires for uneven wear indicating bent axles.

Get the lightest and smallest camper you 3 can live in. Easier to tow, easier on the vehicle, cheaper on gas, easier to park, goes more places, stores easier... Big is nice, but this is a camper, not a luxury hotel. IT needs to provide you the functions, not provide a resort experience. Keep this as your perspective.

Rent an RV before you do any buying. It will be money well spent. Otherwise you will, WILL, have buyers remore on your poor choices.

There is too much to advise on. You need to ask specifics and give specific budget and specific needs,...

[Grit_dog]

^ What he said.
Although if set on a camper, popup is the way to go for budget and low stress on the tow rig.

[wintersun]

When my wife and I were short of funds we used two tents (one for use by my wife and I and one for our boy and two sheepdogs. Add in a Coleman cookstove and an insulated cooler and a stainless coffee percolator and we were good to go and we used this setup for 10 years.

Buying a small Burro type trailer and learning how to hook it up and tow it safely and adding all the stuff inside is not all that much easier than pitching a tent and firing up a cookstove and pulling out a couple of lanterns.

Go to the nearest state or national park campground and take a look at what people are using and talk to them about how much they spent to get started.

A separate benefit of tent camping is that you can use any one of the campsites in any campground which is not true with trailers and motorhomes.

[capacitor]

I think mom has left the stage but I vote for a TT with bunks. Her expedition should handle a 22 footer, maybe less.

[Lantley]

This not not your dad. My comments are friendly advice and are not to be taken as a lecture.
RV'ing is not a broke person's game. In the long run RV'ing is costly and should only be done by those with funds to spare. Otherwise it will not be an enjoyable experience

[ncrowley]

Not much money = not a motorized RV. A Class C RV, especially an older one, is likely going to be a money pit.

I small trailer would be my best advice. Just be sure your Expedition can pull it. You can look a tear drops and pop-ups.

[travisc]

I’ve owned a class c for the last 12 years, as they get older they need more maintenance. It’s always something, tires, battery, engine work. It all adds up, if your good mechanically and creative an older used trailer would be best. A pop up inst a bad way to start, but everything needs fixing

[cptqueeg]

To the guys that recommended pop-ups, wouldn't an older TT be a good option as well?

Local pop-up $5800

[pianotuna]

travelmom92 wrote:
Hi Everyone, new here so please dont get on my case.

For perspective, Im a broke single parent who is ok with skimping on cosmetics as long as the bugger runs and doesn't have too much trouble. I am not even sure where to start, but I would like a class c to travel locally and long distances. I have a 6 and 3 year old who love exploring! Basically - can any of you be my cool dad and just tell me what to do/what to buy in a tight budget? haha.

Thank you so much!

travelmom92,

Welcome to the wonderful world of RV's

A brief history of a 1987 class C.

Cost $6000.00

I put aside $0.25 cents per mile to cover repairs. On days I did not drive, I put $10 in the pot.

Almost every trip, something broke. Usually the something was beyond my abilities to repair.

I did drive it 100,000 miles--but in the end--I had to start repairing things that had already been repaired.

I'd suggest a tent.

Add a "cooking station" to your vehicle.

If you must have an RV then please consider a pop up.

What ever you do buy, look for water leaks.

#2 look harder for water leaks

#3 look even HARDER for water leaks.

[sayoung]

Tyler0215 wrote:
Dad advice. A broke single mom with two kids doesn't need a camper of any kind.

Grandpa agrees with Dad .