Thinking of buying an RV, looking for advice/wisdom

[jtaby]

Hey folks.

I find myself in the peculiar position of being young, and with money and time. I'm planning on taking an extended (1-1.5 months) trip around the national parks of the western US, spending up to ~5 days per national park and using this time to reflect, plan, and get some personal work done on my own time (internet connection, power for my laptop).

I'm considering buying a Class C motorhome, and I wanted to know from you guys whether or not what I'm about to do is a terrible idea or a reasonable idea considering the following parameters:

- I'm budgeting ~$15,000 for a used early-mid 2000s Class C motorhome.
- My current plan is to try to keep the motorhome in my possession after the trip for a few months to see if I'd use it. If not, my hope is to be able to sell it for about a $5-10,000 loss.
- I plan on having some friends join me for parts of the trip here and there, but I'll likely be alone for much of the trip.
- This would not be a place for me to live, it'd be a vehicle for me to travel in, camp, hike, fish, etc.

So, considering I've never been in an RV, and considering how I plan to use it, do you have any advice for me? I currently drive an Audi Q5 and based on my research, that SUV can't tow a meaningful trailer behind it and I'm concerned the depreciation cost of the car after that kind of trip would be more expensive than buying a cheap RV.

[jtaby]

I following along 🙂

[wbwood]

bikendan wrote:
Redsky, i think the OP already decided on a VW Westfalia, back on Page 2.

For what it's worth, the OP made choice of a class c in the initial posting and then another time he made the choice of a truck/trailer. I don't really think there is a definitely choice. Heck he hasn't been back for a while.

[OhhWell]

bikendan wrote:
Redsky, i think the OP already decided on a VW Westfalia, back on Page 2.

Doesn't matter. Everyone has an opinion and damn if they aren't going to share it anyway.

[RFCN2]

Here are my suggestions.

1. Rent an rv for the trip. It is likely your Audi is not towable 4 down. If you rent something 25' or less you don't need a tow car.
2. Tow pop up behind Audi. Stay in hotels when needed.
3. Drive Audi to old classic hotels built in most national parks early in last century. Such as El Tovar at Grand Canyon. Awhanee yosemite. Paradise inn mt rainier. Many glacier at Glacier. Bring tent in back of Audi. Stay in campgrounds some of the nights and classic lodges other nights.

Watch Robin Williams RV movie.

[bikendan]

Redsky, i think the OP already decided on a VW Westfalia, back on Page 2.

[Redsky]

If you have RV parks and campgrounds in your area take the time to go visit them. You will find people with large and small trailer and motorhomes and slide-in campers on trucks. They will be happy to talk to you about what they like or dislike about their current setup and about what they had before and what they plan to buy next. Most will be happy to have you come inside and look at how they have the sleeping area setup and the kitchen and storage and electronics.

It will be a lot more real than reading forum posts. Do the on the ground research first and then you will be in a position to ask questions and get information from the answers. At this time you do not know what you do not know.

[Redsky]

The Class C will provide you with ample space and that includes those days when it is pouring rain or snowing and you are stuck inside. The Class C is also the cheapest RV you can buy and the easiest to load up and drive away.

It will add a couple thousand dollars or more to modify the Class C for towing a vehicle with the necessary brake controller and tow bar. An alternative is to mount a motor scooter or motorcycle off the rear of the motorhome or even a bicycle.

If you get a motorhome built on top of a Ford chassis with the E-350 or E-450 Class C motorhomes you can look online for problem years for Ford F-350 or F-450 pickups and learn about possible repair or maintenance issues before you buy something.

For your trip I would have all the belts and hoses replaced and have a front end shop check out the ball joints and tie rods and other key parts. I would verify that the tire jack worked and the spare tire was still usable.

You will find it easier to locate a MH in the SF area but you will pay more than for the same MH in an outlying area where there are fewer potential buyers.

[tothetrail]

As soon as I saw you were thinking about a VW Bus, I started to cringe. I grew up camping in all sorts of RV's and have owned a number of different ones, as well. But the worst experience ever, was with a rented Wesfalia for a week on the big Island of Hawaii.

I'm sure the models you're looking at will not have electrical issues, smell like vomit, barely run, and will be a little nicer than the one we rented. But still, even if it was perfect, not having a shower was the worst part about it.

Bathrooms are everywhere, that's not the problem. Showers are the problem. You can deal with the lack of storage. You can deal with the cramped quarters. You can deal with the lack of power. But you can't easily find a shower. You'll feel like a vagabond trying to sneak into rec centers where it's posted that showers are only for those using the pool. You'll spend your time on the internet trying to figure out if there are pay showers at campgrounds on your route. You'll be wondering if you can pay to use a shower at 24 Hr Fitness. You'll be Googling for YMCA's and drive to them to find that they have closed down.

Maybe it's not as huge an issue if you're a guy. But that's the only reason I'd never consider an RV without a shower. Unless you plan to camp exclusively at campgrounds with public showers, it will be tough. And that's the point of the Westy, to be able to "camp" anywhere, so I'm not sure I get the allure. But if you're just doing very short trips, or just day trips, it's definitely a consideration.

[Dakzuki]

bikendan wrote:


you need to look at a ladder-frame construction/rear wheel drive tow vehicle that has a factory tow package. the longer the wheelbase, the better. that's why a Wrangler is not a good choice.

I beg to disagree. Unibody is just fine as long as it is rated to tow the load. Unibodies are actually more rigid than body on frame for a given weight. Ladder frame is the least rigid of chassis types.

The down side of the Wrangler is going to be the wheel base. Short wheelbase vehicles make for poor towing vehicles due to vehicle dynamics. A long wheel base Wrangler (4 door) would work.

[bakerkids]

I have a friend that used to have a Sportsmobile withe the pop top. I loved that thing. It had a lot of room and a great large bed.

[westend]

Shower facilities for Westfalia = Black bucket with hose and garden watering end.

Most campgrounds and parks offer showers as do bigger truck stops. YMCA's and a lot of other places where you can shower, shave, and get cleaned up. A river or lake works also.

Yeah, the Westies are definitely a West Coast cult thing. My Mom owned one and used to cover a lot of miles with a traveling partner so I know it can be done. Good choice on getting something smallish and usable if living in SF. That was why I initially recommended a truck and camper.

Good luck and have fun in your Westy.

[wbwood]

You should take a look at the Winnebago Rialta's. Check out Hipster Gypsies on youtube.

[OhhWell]

Nope, not being stupid. It sounds well enough thought out. What do they put in those for bathrooms anyhow? If you are out in the middle of no-where, you could always just bring one of those tent shower things and set it up outside.

[jtaby]

When I first posted in this thread, I had just started looking and I didn't have a clear idea of what I wanted to do, what I wanted, and what my budget was. Your replies on this thread have helped me a lot.

Over time as I kept on looking, I realized that I wanted to own something past the duration of the trip I'm planning. To do that, I have to keep it parked somewhere, and as I live in San Francisco, space is at a premium and I'm looking for something that doesn't require big logistical headaches.

Along the same time, I stumbled across westfalias and their culture, and I really fell in love with it. I loved that you don't need to park it in RV parks, how small it is, how nostalgic in it (SF Hipster much?) And I found that I can relate to the cult around it.

Also, being mechanically simple as a vehicle, and as a cyclist, finding that I really enjoy working on my bike, I realized that this may be a hobby I want to get involved with.

When I had been prioritizing bathrooms, I was focused on comfort and on something that would last me just this trip. Now that I'm looking for something that I would keep and take on short weekend/week-long trips, and considering my age and lifestyle, I don't think it matters as much.

Finally, thinking about the impact this could have on my life, I decided to up my budget and get a nice westy.

Thanks for your replies, and please yell at me if I'm being stupid.