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used rv mileage

whicotom
Explorer
Explorer
I have never done anything with a RV and I am considering purchasing a rv for using as part of light treatment(ability to be away from light at night) Looking at ads for motor homes/rvs it seems that the mileage is very low ie 30,000-50,000 miles on rv's older than 5 years. That is not even 10,000 miles/year and on some less than 1,000/year. I keep reading about people with rvs traveling. Am I not reading in the right places? Is the mileage bogus? I am interested in buying used if this therapy works for me and would be out in it 4x/year for 3 weeks at a time minimum. I would want to travel more than a few miles away from town in those circumstances. We travel @6,000-10,000 miles/year now on road trips staying at hotels.
I would appreciate any insight you could give me.
Thanks! whicotom
18 REPLIES 18

bsinmich
Explorer
Explorer
One of your first things to check is to take you VIN from your ram1500 to see what the actual towing capacity really is. Depending on how is set up it may not tow much more than a pop-up or possibly a larger TT. Knowledge is power and it all depends on your cooling system, axle ratio, tires, etc.
1999 Damon Challenger 310 Ford

whicotom
Explorer
Explorer
Different types of lighting have different frequencies that stimulate the eye and thus the brain. The light therapy I am going to try is using ONLY natural light for 3 weeks at a time. Electric light is a relatively new(in evolutionary time)development, for centuries man lived by fire light(candle, fire, oil lamp)and sunshine. No electronic devices with screens(tv,cell phones, computers etc) allowed either for first week and then during daylight only.

Tvov
Explorer II
Explorer II
So... have you tried different kinds of lighting? incandescent, flourescent, LED, CFL, halogen, etc. all are very different kinds of light, use different amounts of electricity, and give off different "emissions".

I have heard of people that can't be in natural light, but never heard of issues with all artificial light.
_________________________________________________________
2021 F150 2.7
2004 21' Forest River Surveyor

whicotom
Explorer
Explorer
Many thanks for all the good advice. Looks like I am in for a lot more reading. ๐Ÿ™‚
Thank you for the links.
I am sorry to hear that salesmen not to be trusted and I need to be aware of tow ratings independently of what they tell me.

The light therapy involves only natural light, no use of electric light, hopefully syncing with daylight and dark. It is the ambient light from street lights/houses/businesses that need to be avoided and of course no lights on after dark in the house. If it sounds desperate it is! LOL A big reason not to invest much.

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
You know RVs have lights and electronics too right?
Not sure what you're trying to accomplish. Windows to let in all light but no lights?
And you live in a small town in the middle of the mountains?
Anyway. Winter is a good time to get a deal on a rv and yes rv dealers are prolly just as slimy as car dealers.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5โ€ turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Parrothead_Mike
Explorer
Explorer
Whicotom, you've come to the right place to ask questions. Hope the info you receive is helpful.

Here's a couple of websites that may be helpful for scanning specific types of RVs. They may also help you see the interiors and narrow down your choices.

http://www.rvregistry.com/index.cfm

http://www.rvtrader.com/
2018 Chevy 2500HD Duramax - 2015 Cedar Creek Silverback 29RE
16K Huskey EZ Roller Hitch - EU2000i Honda Generator

ncrowley
Explorer II
Explorer II
Winter time is the best time to look for trailers. Look at gently used trailers a couple of years old for the best bank for your buck. Look for quality manufacturers and go a little older if you need to so you can afford one that is well made.

Never believe what an rv sales person tells you, especially when it comes to the weight a tow vehicle can tow. Many will say anything to make the sale.
Be prepared to travel to find the one that will work for you.

Since you have decided on a trailer, I would go the trailer forum and do a lot of reading. You need to learn how to calculate what a vehicle can tow. You have the weight of the trailer, the weight of the trailer contents (including water if you have water in the tank), and the weight of the occupants of the truck and the truck contents. Do not tow right at the limits of your tow vehicle.
Get a weight leveling hitch with sway control. Those hitches make a big difference in how the trailer tows and make towing much safer. I do not know what vehicle you have to tow with but if you do not want to change the vehicle, it will determine what trailer you can purchase.

Read the past posts on the Trailer forum to see what brands are working well for people.

Take your time and purchase the right trailer the first time. It is expensive to change the RV you have,
Nancy
Newmar Northern Star

whicotom
Explorer
Explorer
Thank you so much!!! I hadn't thought of that. So glad I found RV.net as with just 2 questions I have narrowed my search to just one style. What a relief! It has been overwhelming and I have only till Feb. or early March to make a purchase.

Any other advice anyone thinks would help is greatly appreciated.

Is Nov.-Feb a bad time to shop RV? Are they a holiday purchase? I live in a smaller town and nearest metro area with selection and rv shows etc 250 mountain miles in all directions so I am limited in the amount of looking I can do.
I need windows for lots of light, a bed you can walk up to and ability to use own chairs.
Do used rv sales people have the same reputation as used car sales?
Am I asking in the right place as I have not been on any kind forum before and I am not sure.
So much to learn so little time

fitznj
Explorer
Explorer
You'll probably hear this from several people, but if this is your first foray into the RV world - then buying a 5th wheel as your first RV may not be the best idea. You need a dedicated vehicle with the correct hitch.

You may want to try a TT first, it won't your last as it may take a few configurations before you find the floorplan which works for you.

Gerry
Gerry

whicotom
Explorer
Explorer
Thank you so much to all. It now makes sense. My preconceived idea, from reading online, was that everyone was traveling around.
I had never thought about rving previously Did some tent camping when we moved to CO when my kids were young, that is not an option for us now.
I want to try a used 5th wheel or travel trailer as this is an experimental treatment for a sleep disorder where I need to be away from all electric light and electronic devices. Since it is experimental and I have to pay for all costs I am reluctant to put too much money into it at first and of course I am not sure if I will like it. ๐Ÿ™‚ My hope is that I love it and we can travel around the west where there are plenty of places with no lights and use it for a way to see the rest of the country too the rest of the time.
Any recommendations for brands to start with? We already have a Ram 1500.

stickdog
Explorer
Explorer
We know a couple that go out about 6-8 weekends a year never more than 150 miles away that works out to 2400 miles a year.
9-11 WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
FULLTIME SINCE 2010
17 DRV MS 36rssb3
17 F350 King Ranch CC DRW 4x4 6.7 4:10 B&W hitch
John
โ€œA good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.โ€ Lao Tzu

Parrothead_Mike
Explorer
Explorer
We've taken a few long trips with our different 5th wheels. From Michigan through the Rockies and back was about 5,500 miles. Our trips to Florida and back for the past 3 winters were in the 4,000/year range. Many RVers don't take those kinds of trips ever, preferring to keep it within their own state or within a couple of hundred miles max.

As jplante4 mentioned, RVs need to be used. If you're looking for a motorhome low mileage is still an important issue, but that's for the motor only. The other mechanicals (furnace, fridge, AC, water heater, etc.) are really important too, especially if you plan to spend time living in it. Those items should be checked and be in good working order.
2018 Chevy 2500HD Duramax - 2015 Cedar Creek Silverback 29RE
16K Huskey EZ Roller Hitch - EU2000i Honda Generator

kalynzoo
Explorer
Explorer
My previous 12 year old motorhome had 80k miles, the previous 11 year old motorhome had 70k miles. My current 1 year old motorhome has 7k miles. All loving well cared for miles loaded with memories and fun.

wbwood
Explorer
Explorer
Ours has only about 6500 miles on it and it's over 2 years old. Not everyone full times in them. There are some of us weekend warriors out there that do a couple weeks a year in addition.
Brian
2013 Thor Chateau 31L