New here, wonder what way to go, RV-wise

[ctilsie242]

My first post here, so I might as well introduce myself. Am from Austin, have a travel trailer (Palomino Puma 25RS, really 28 feet from ball to bumper) which is stashed at a place outside of town, and have some RV experience.

I have learned that my TT doesn't really fit what I do. Driving out of town to pick it up, go somewhere, then drive it back takes a good chunk out of my vacation time, so I'm looking for something a lot smaller. Since the city of Austin bans trailers from driveways, this reduces things to either a small motorhome (25 feet max) or a truck camper.

What do people do who live in cities? A class "C" is one idea, but I'm concerned about parking with that, so primarily looking at class "B"s and truck/truck campers. I currently have a half-ton truck, which is absolutely worthless for a TC, so I'd have to find a new set of wheels as well.

[TITANIUMSPINE]

Hello I'm new here and slightly new to RVING My Name is Greg I'm from Delaware the state. Most people who live in cities or Deeded neighborhoods where neighbors get bent out of shape about parking a class A or C motorhome in your own driveway is ridiculous if you ask me but rules are rules 10' Privacy fence should cure that but most people will park them at a mini storage yard close to their home I'LL be purchasing a 35R BOUNDER gas coach which came with a 4 WD tow car and a toaster sterling toward all meticulously cared for to the point where the one and only owner removed every external screw and replaced them with stainless steel screws. I've been researching for two years and finally had to pull the trigger when I saw this Deal and She's clean inside outside and under carriage has been greased oiled and maintained better than I could have myself. Those deal's are very few and far in between especially in the mid- ATLANTIC states. I'll be full timing and looking forward to it Not looking forward to two months of winter till I get everything figured out. I was a commercial/industrial Residential plumber by trade before the disc issues in my spine so I'm pretty mechanical and will figure it out. Have found more information here then a little bit and greatly appreciate all the knowledge in this community. Hope to even make some new friends that RV in the coastal areas of lower DELAWARE and MARYLAND beaches.

[DrewE]

ctilsie242 wrote:
After looking around, I am still split 50/50. The class "B" has the advantage of better construction, better water resistance, and compactness. The TC/truck combo have the advantage of cost (assuming I can find a one ton for a reasonable price), versatility, and the ability to go anywhere.

Are there such thing as small (as in under 20 feet) class "C"s that are less expensive than a Tiger Motorhomes rig?

One possibility to possibly consider: CruiseAmerica has ex-rental 19' models available. Currently they're running from around $27k to $37k. I have no experience with them myself, but I've heard of quite a number of people who have bought ex-rental units from them and been highly satisfied. They do a quite thorough refurbishment before selling them.

Here's their current inventory of this model for sale.

[ctilsie242]

After looking around, I am still split 50/50. The class "B" has the advantage of better construction, better water resistance, and compactness. The TC/truck combo have the advantage of cost (assuming I can find a one ton for a reasonable price), versatility, and the ability to go anywhere.

Are there such thing as small (as in under 20 feet) class "C"s that are less expensive than a Tiger Motorhomes rig?

[ctilsie242]

Thank you for the reply. I'm single, and don't really see that changing in the near or far term.

The good thing is that a TC is considered "cargo" in Austin, so there are no rules/regs by the city or the HOA. Texas, they have no title for TCs, so there is no inspection or registration. Now, off the truck, it is a different thing, but because it is so relatively small, I can probably find a parking place somewhere to drop the TC.

As for storage, being a single person, I pack relatively light. Most of my TT has storage I've not bothered to use yet.

This is very good advice. This gets me split between a TC versus a class "B". I don't really go that much off-road other than onto unpaved surfaces, and I don't really need that much space, so either will work well for me.

To me, the class "B"'s advantages is the fact that it is ready to go at any/all times. That, and the fact that it doesn't look like a RV, especially a Sportsmobile or a Winnebago Travato.

The TC's advantages are that the TC can be dropped at a campsite, and if I'm doing something where I have a campsite for a while, I can skirt the TC, ensuring that I have a lot of storage space and the air space under the bed is isolated.

Both trucks + TCs and class "B"s are expensive. I live in Texas, and because oilfield work is picking up, there are no good deals on one tons. Class "B"s may or may not be useful, but they are so rare in Texas relatively that finding a good one is hard.

[Grit_dog]

Well, a TC is just a poor mans Tiger RV. (In some cases, lol, TCs and trucks can get expensive...)
Assuming your 1/2 ton is newer, capable, etc, a comparable gasser 3/4 ton is about the same cost, used. For what you're doing, if you're good with the limitations of TC space and able to store it and load and unload it (everyone's capabilities are different, not insinuating you're not) then a reasonable gas powered HD pickup and a TC seems to fit the bill. Although if the city balks at travel trailers, you may get hassled about a TC in your driveway too.
How many people? You're saying "me", not "us" so assuming 1-2 people a TC has plenty of room.
Of course I'm biased because a TC fits our needs!

[ctilsie242]

The narrow roads where I live make parking a trailer (even for loading/unloading) not really feasible, just because of so many vehicles in the street. Similar with the backyard, a no-go there.

As for what I do, I do some boondocking on weekends, but other than that, I mainly like touring. Park one night in a RV park so I can take my own sweet time to empty tanks, next night, go somewhere else. This is another reason I am looking to go smaller, just for the ability to park at a grocery store.

You are right about the towing. The truck can tow 9600 pounds as per its rating. The trailer is 5000 pounds dry, so realistically with all stuff in it, around 6500-7000 pounds. Since it has no slides, the thing has a nice OCCC. I really regret not buying a 3/4 or one ton, but that's life.

What would be ideal would be a short class "C" on a pickup truck chassis like a Tiger Motorhomes model... but boy, those rigs are pricy.

[2012Coleman]

I was also wondering if it was possible to bring it home for a day for loading/unloading. Worth checking into.

[bid_time]

I leave mine at a storage lot. Its about 20 minutes from my house. I go get the trailer on my way home from work the day before I need it, leave it in front of the house while load it, etc. The next day when I get home from work I hook up and go. We usually come back on a Saturday or Sunday so that leaves me the whole day to clean things up, unload, etc and take it back to the storage lot. Usually there is a certain amount of time you are allowed to park it on the street for loading and unloading, ours is 72 hours, but even 24 hours would be enough.

[BizmarksMom]

I suppose parking the trailer in your back yard is out of the question?

[Paleo_Ron]

Everything is a trade-off, but the thing I like about travel trailers or fifth wheels is that you don't have to unhook everything each time you want to go for a quart of milk, and you have only one engine to worry about. I'd try to find a storage area closer to your home, and consider a smaller trailer if the present one doesn't suit you.

But do your homework. Most people trade up for bigger, not down for smaller. (Having said that, I have a 17ft and love it.)

[garmp]

We just sold our SportsMobile. Basically an E-150 van with a couple of windows and a raisable top. Parked it in our driveway for five years without a whimper from our HOA. And they can be a real dog on rules. We upgraded to a Phoenix Cruiser 2100. At only 22' long, and would fit in our driveway, but the HOA would have a total fit it we did that. We plan to park in a rental/storage facility nearby. Maybe something like this could work for you.
Just a thought!

[RPreeb]

I've done the truck camper thing briefly with my parent back in the '60s, and unless I was planning a lot of back country camping, I wouldn't consider it. Just too restrictive. I'm lucky enough to live in a small town, and since I bought the vacant lot next door, that's where I keep my TT.

My folks always kept their TT on a storage lot, then drove out and brought it home the day before they were planning to leave. Mom would do the packing that day while Dad was at work, then they were ready to hit the road as soon as he got home. I have to assume that Austin will let one sit for 24 hours to load it up before a trip, then again after the trip for unloading. I've never heard of any place that doesn't at least allow that.

[n0arp]

We've been leaving from the storage lot for years. I doubt the city council will let you park anything but a completely inconspicuous class B on your property... one of the ones you wouldn't enjoy camping in for more than a couple days. I don't see what the big deal is with your current situation.

Now, noting your current rig: that is a lot of trailer for a half ton. Doable for sure, but something that wouldn't be too comfortable to drive. I did that for a while with a F-150 Ecoboost and a 30' TT. If that is part of the reason you are looking at other options, you might just consider correcting it with a new truck or trailer or rig that still consists of a trailer stored at a lot.

[tatest]

You haven't really talked about what you do. If it involves moving around continuously, staying on highways, a B (van conversion) can work, and since it need not be any larger than a full size SUV (sizes range from under 19 to 25 feet) it might be parked in places that have large vehicle restrictions, though it might be trickier if you have to deal with commercial vehicle restrictions.

Truck camper works better, on an appropriate truck, if you want to go off road or use wilderness roads. A small camper on a tall 4x4 pickup retains most of its ground clearance, while a B typically has less ground clearance than the original commercial van, because of the RV stuff that gets hung off the frame under the floor. Not all designs, but typical.

If you spend a lot of time living in it, a small A or C motorhome might be more comfortable than a camper van or truck camper. This depends on how many people and how much space each needs, and how you feel about daily conversion of multiple-use spaces.

You might check all your rules (HOA as well as city codes) on RV parking, because there might be more to the restrictions than length. My city has length and height limits defining what can be parked in a driveway and what needs to be hidden behind the house.

For long-term camping I have a 29 foot C that I keep in storage. For traveling, and as a base for tent camping, I have a 12 passenger van from which I've pulled seats and done some minor conversion. As a passenger van of that size, the city code treats it the same as a large SUV, though it is about a half foot taller than a 4WD Suburban.