My wife and I are originally from the Pittsburgh area and she would like to visit family there on a regular basis.We are thinking about getting a Class A or Class B mobile home and letting it sit on some property we own in the area. We are thinking a Class A or B would suite our needs and if we decided to go somewhere else we could.Here's the thing. We are looking at spending no more than 10 to 20K on this vehicle and have no idea what to look for in a RV.I'm a monkey with a gun when it comes to anything mechanical so we have to take that into consideration. The vehicle would be sitting for 9 to 10 months out of year at least, and I have no issue with a trailer because of this but the wife wants a A or B class.So...what do I look for? Ask about? Since were buying used is there anything I really need to know about that I'm missing?Am I unicorn hunting?

if you are just letting it sit, a small TT makes a lot more sense to me.bumpy

If you're leaving it for long periods of time I'd lean towards a travel trailer or 5th wheel. There's just less that will go wrong mechanically.

You probably should check with the COUNTY folks to see what is needed to use your RV on your property - Some countys do not allow this... May be permits required too etc...Roy Ken

Why does your wife want a motorized RV in this situation? Are there any plans to travel with it, or just to use it while it is sitting in one location?If you're looking for a vacation home, an actual house trailer (of the trailer park variety) would probably be much more satisfactory than most any RV. It would require less maintenance and have more room and quite possibly be better insulated. It would, of course, require water and sewer and electricity at the property, which may make it not an option. Among RVs, a towable is probably more suitable for a fixed or semi-fixed abode than a motorhome, if only because your money and room is all devoted to living space stuff and not split between living space and drivetrain.A class B RV is basically a conversion van—a (nice) cargo van with some living quarters built into it. Since cargo vans are comparatively small, this means a lot of inherent compromises: small holding tanks, tight quarters, little kitchen areas, beds that may need to be converted to couches or whatever during the day, that sort of thing. They're much more satisfactory for travel than for staying in one location long-term.A class A RV is larger and usually more suitable for longer-term stays, but less suitable for day-to-day driving. A class C is more similar to a class A than a class B in terms of space, generally speaking, though there is a range. (The difference between the classes technically only depends on what sort of a chassis the unit was built using. A class A uses a bare chassis, a class B a van, and a class C a chassis cab or cutaway chassis. Bus conversions are usually lumped with class A's, for better or worse.)Any RV requires a good bit of maintenance, and a motorized RV requires more maintenance than a towable because it is both a house and a vehicle. Sitting for long periods—many months—without use or driving is generally not great for a motorhome. If it is to be driven at all, there are tires and drivetrain maintenance and registration and insurance and other similar details to attend to.

RVcircus wrote:If you're leaving it for long periods of time I'd lean towards a travel trailer or 5th wheel. There's just less that will go wrong mechanically.X2. Less maintenance (engine/drive train) is better.

So...question for you all. | Good Sam Community

toedtoes
Explorer III
Nov 30, 2015
Houndguy wrote:
My wife and I thank you for all your help.

After some thought and conversation I think we are going to put off getting a RV for now.

There were just to many unknowns and to many questions at this time. We did however look at, and fell in love with, a used 2004 Gulf Stream Independence.

My wife and I had a long conversation over it and what we wanted to do with the RV. Long story short we walked away from the deal because it did not make sense for us financially at the time. Although the pricing and the sales people were wonderful.

We may yet buy an RV...but we have time on our side.

:)

Good plan. You have a good idea of the issues you'll face, so now you can take your time and work out ways to eliminate/minimize those things.

And remember, compromise is not a dirty word. Sometimes, making compromises between your wants and needs can present a great solution. And sometimes, there just isn't a single solution - you may need to look at multiple solutions to meet all your wants/needs.
AJR
Explorer
Nov 30, 2015
Houndguy, thank you for telling us your decision
bsinmich
Explorer
Nov 29, 2015
Clasa Bs are in demand. More than once I have been asked if I want to sell mine when I walk out of a store. They don't know it is 21 years old because it looks newer.
Houndguy
Explorer
Nov 29, 2015
My wife and I thank you for all your help.

After some thought and conversation I think we are going to put off getting a RV for now.

There were just to many unknowns and to many questions at this time. We did however look at, and fell in love with, a used 2004 Gulf Stream Independence.

My wife and I had a long conversation over it and what we wanted to do with the RV. Long story short we walked away from the deal because it did not make sense for us financially at the time. Although the pricing and the sales people were wonderful.

We may yet buy an RV...but we have time on our side.

:)
Roy_Lynne
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
I've seen some really great tiny homes for as much as an RV will cost, AND it will continue to increase in value unlike and RV that will lose value. I saw a wonderful tiny home made with conex boxes and while it sounds horrid, it was sleek and modern. In our area we can build anything 8x8 and we don't need a permit. Check this out $15,000
wbwood
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
Bumpyroad wrote:
if you are just letting it sit, a small TT makes a lot more sense to me.
bumpy

Me too....or even a 5th wheel...
GaryWT
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
Glad you are thinking about a TT, best bang for you buck by not paying for an engine. My biggest concern would be the sewer. Based on my wife and my usage we get 1 day out of the grey tank. Figure if it was one of us and we were careful, maybe we could get 3 days. So if every 3 or so days you had to unhook, drive to the KOA and pay to dump, it would get tired quickly.
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
Houndguy wrote:
The more I think about this the more I'm thinking that a travel trailer is really the way to go. Winter weather is also something I needed to think about.

I'm starting to wonder if it's just easier to insulate a big shed, put power and water in it and call it "tiny home" for her for the 2 or 3 months she'll be up there.

Ya, Like THAT will make your DW a happy camper! :E

You are a brave man Charlie Brown! :B
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
Houndguy wrote:
The more I think about this the more I'm thinking that a travel trailer is really the way to go. Winter weather is also something I needed to think about.

I'm starting to wonder if it's just easier to insulate a big shed, put power and water in it and call it "tiny home" for her for the 2 or 3 months she'll be up there.

Ya, Like THAT will make your DW a happy camper! :E
Redterpos3
Explorer
Nov 22, 2015
Houndguy wrote:
The more I think about this the more I'm thinking that a travel trailer is really the way to go. Winter weather is also something I needed to think about.

x2 on the travel trailer. If you get one that is 4 season it has the necessary help to get through winter if/when needed. You can do that for $20,000 pretty nicely. You can get a service to tow it where you need it.

I've vote travel trailer over a shed! Much better to live in :B

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