Hello All.My wife and I are so new to RVing that we havent started yet. We bought a MH and its in the driveway ready to pounce or chug a long on the open road. We are waiting until a grandbaby arrives before starting our adventure. We have a few questions of the opinion sort that maybe this forum can help with. First internet/cell phone coverage. How does this work on the open road? We both have minimal computer skills (basically Fisherprice type computer skills) but we see a need for it to a certain extent like weather, traffic, and the all important sports scores. Also keeping in touch with family. How do we set up this service? Ballpark costs on mobil internet services? We have a smart phone too be we seem to be not smart phone users. Also to tow or not to tow. I would rather have a towing package set up and not tow than not to have one and then have the need to tow. What would be the reason to need to tow? We dont want to tow based on cost. We are on a fixed income and we weigh the needs vs wants carefully.We are going to use our RV to sight see and run in between grandkids. Maybe a longer excursion every now and then. Any input would be greatly apprecited.Kailua

For some better answers on the tow question, what motor home did you buy? Class A, B, C, C+ ?????? Length? Gas, diesel?

The most reliable internet service will probably be the "hot spot" on your i-phone, then turn on your phone's WIFI if you are using a computer. If you are not streaming videos or playing on-line games, most i-phone WIFI's services will probably deliver enough service for minimal use (which it sounds like you do). If you are into on-line games or movie watching, like Netflix, then you may want to explore other options. More and more campgrounds are becoming WIFI available. But there are some draw backs that makes the usage a real pain in the neck. Namely, everyone else is using the same WIFI and the campgrounds system can run very slow. Still, it's an option. But... about the time you really need the campground WIFI, you'll find yourself in a park that doesn't offer it. So, campground WIFI is really not a reliable source either. Your phone is still the best.About towing. You have a motor home and that will be your only method of getting anywhere. Every time you need to run to the grocery store, go to the campground swimming hole, or go to the local golf course, you'll need to break camp so you can use your motor home for transportation. This is the reason why folks have a toad, second vehicle, so they do not have to break camp to run around. It's your choice. Some folks use motor scooters, golf carts, small cars, bicycles, even Segways have been discussed on these forums. It really does depend upon your own individual needs. You may not need to ever run around, plan your grocery stops while enroute between campgrounds, and plan your black tank dumps also. But if not, you may need to re-think a second vehicle. Only you can make that choice.

Cell phone coverage depends on where you happen to be, the same as a car. Usually coverage is reasonably complete in urban and suburban areas, and often along major highways (such as Interstates). In rural areas off of major highways it can be a good bit more spotty. The exact situation of course depends on where you are and what carrier you have.Internet service would be most reliably had through the cell phone, though it's best not to necessarily consider it full-speed service like you might have at home. You probably have some access already on your smart phone, though the details depend on what plan you have. The least expensive I know of offhand for minimal use is a pay-as-you-go Tracfone, which (using the 60 minutes/90 days cards) can work out to as little as about $7 a month. One does also encounter public Wi-Fi hotspots scattered around, such as at many rest areas and restaurants and occasionally at campgrounds; these generally require no payment.There are a number of weather apps for smartphones. I use (on my Android phone) "NOAA Weather Free" which I think has a nice interface and seems to work well. The actual forecast data, as the name implies, comes from the government, which I think is likely true for most weather apps.Towing is only needed if you need to haul something along with you that you can't fit in the motorhome, such as a car. Sometimes this may be useful for sightseeing, depending on where you're going and how comfortable you are maneuvering the motorhome and how much work you do to set up and tear down camp. As a very general principle, another vehicle is much more of an aid the longer you tend to stay camped at one campground. If you're traveling every day or every other day anyhow, it's a lot easier to stop along the way for shopping and sightseeing and whatnot than if you're staying at one campsite for a week or two. However, there's certainly no requirement to tow anything; it's a convenience, sometimes a great convenience, but not a necessity. (For occasional needs, renting a car can be a reasonable option; some rental companies will even come to a campground to pick you up.)

Thanks for the input. Our plan as far as RVing is to keep it as simple as possible. We dont want the expenses going through the roof but I understand that there will be some expenses beyond our control.As far as toeing, we went up to the Rocky Mountsin Nat'l Park this week (not in the RV) and I was watching in amazement on how some RVs were struggling with a towed vehivle. At the same time I saw some expert driving. I dont want to be "that" guy we all cuss out on the highway drifting all over the place with his towed vehicle. I'll give him a break because he was on his cell. Probably had good cell coverage.As far as sight seeing, are towed vehicles mostly needed? Any specific places that require a smaller vehical to see that sights? I know that thisvis a real general and posdibly lame question.ThanksK

What do you have? A 40 foot Class A motorhome or a 20 foot Class C? It really makes a difference when you are asking about the need for towing a car.

We are newer than thee nwest newbie | Good Sam Community

jarata1
Explorer
Aug 10, 2016
Are you really sure you want to get into this hobby,you don't like towing,you don't know anything about computers or cell phones.Its not the easiest lifestyle
Diesel_Camper
Explorer
Aug 10, 2016
Kailua wrote:
I dont want to be "that" guy we all cuss out on the highway drifting all over the place with his towed vehicle.
K

I'd say we've all been "that guy" for one reason or another, and you will be too at some point. Watch the Movie RV and see how RVers come together to help one of their own!

But seriously, remember to fill your hot water tank and then re-top off your fresh water tank. You don't want to hit the boondocking site 6 gallons short.
wannavolunteerF
Explorer
Aug 07, 2016
My parents had a Class C of approximately the same size, after using it a few times, determined they did need to tow. They bought a Chevy Cobalt and a Blue Ox tow bar set up. It cost them about $3K for tow bar, toad brake and installation. (the Cobalt required the whole front cowling be removed and then replaced for installation). Towing the car was super simple. hooking up the tow bars and brakes took about 5 minutes, even for my 75+ year old mother.

I drove the MH towing the car and would forget it was back there. Several times, I looked in the mirror and wondered why that little white car was dead on my butt, then would realize it was our Toad. it is a totaly different experience from towing a trailer. When I drive my truck and tow my TT, I NEVER forget it is back there.

I took them on a two week trip that we used the toad a lot. It was nice having a small car to negotiate the narrow streets in historic Natchez. It was nice to have the car to negotiate the busy streets of downtown Baton Rouge (including being in town on a home game Sat for LSU). They also used the toad when they camped in parks that were a long ways from civilization. When they were overtaken by ants, it was great to have car to drive the 20+ miles to any type of store that had ant spray. It was nice not to have to stow everything in MH, disconnect and drive the MH to the store (that did not have a place that MH could have parked-- we would have had to park it on side of highway and hope it wasn't hit by logging trucks on the way to pulp plant)
OutdoorPhotogra
Explorer
Aug 04, 2016
If you search the RV forum, you will also find that some just rent a car when they are in areas where parking is a challenge with their RV. Enterprise will pick you up if you are close enough. Doesn't work everywhere but it's an option.
RRinNFla
Explorer
Aug 04, 2016
You share an anxiety about towing with a lot of other people. Towing is a skill that ANYONE can learn. It is simply matter of experience.

There have been some good points about Wi-fi I would guess that about 95 per cent of commercial campgrounds have wi-fi. I would also guess that wi-fi service is poor at about 95 per cent of commercial campgrounds. You should learn a little about hot spots. You can post specific questions in the Technology forum.

As to cell service, the two carriers with the most extensive coverage are Verizon and ATT. That doesn't mean you have to use those companies. Cricket, for example, uses the ATT network. My wife has a Cricket phone and I use Verizon. On a recent trip through the plains states there were plenty of times when one of us had no service, but hardly any time when neither of us had service.
Stormy_Eyes
Explorer
Aug 04, 2016
Another easy option to consider as a newbie (assuming you and your spouse both drive)...one can drive the motorhome while the other drives the car....basically a chase car. You can communicate with Walkie talkie or cell phone. Car driver can assist newbie motorhome driver with extra set of eyes and with merges and lane changes. Not too pricey to drive both, especially for short trips in fuel efficient car. You may later decide to tow or sometimes rent a car or sometimes go without a car. You will soon know your preferences.
NCWriter
Explorer
Aug 04, 2016
In considering the cost saving by not towing, it might be helpful for the OP to know that many National Parks like Glacier, Zion, Bryce, Acadia, etc offer free shuttles to reduce the ever-growing numbers of vehicles. We stayed in Zion's Watchman campground by the river, and the visitor center next to it had free transportation and ranger-led tours all over the park.
rexlion
Explorer
Aug 04, 2016
I doubt you could take your MH to the top of Pike's Peak, but the road up Mount Evans would probably be ok. In other words, yes you may have to bypass a place or two that might have been tempting, but most places will be accessible. If you take a couple of trips and the lack of a towed vehicle (toad) is irritating you, then look into adding one; if not, no worries.

BTW, I just have to say this since you are newbies: make sure you have a pressure reducer on the end of your fresh water hose before screwing it into your MH's water connection.
CharlesinGA
Explorer
Aug 04, 2016
Before I got my MH I had driven a small cargo van once or twice, that was it for vehicles larger than a full size car or pickup. I discovered my fuel pump seal into the tank was leaking when the tank was full, so I set about burning the fuel out of it so I could drop the tank and replace the seal. Took over 400 miles of local driving (I live in the country, sorta, Walmart is 20 miles away, some other stuff 15 miles or so) I used the MH instead of the car to get groceries, go out to eat, etc. Gave me a real good chance to get used to driving it and work out what else I needed to do to it to improve the driving situation (added OEM parabolic mirrors, which mysteriously were not installed from the facory).

I highly recommend doing some day trips or simple overnights to work out the bugs, and determine what you need that you don't have, or what you are doing wrong or need to do differently. A simple day trip to a state park and grill out some burgers and eat and go home will help you learn alot.

Charles
2007 Winnebago View 523H on a 2006 Dodge (Daimler-Chrysler aka Mercedes) Sprinter 3500 chassis. Bought Sept 2015 with 18K miles on it, Prog Ind HW30C, Prog Dymanics PD4645, Chill Grille, PML/Yourcovers.com deep alum trans pan, AutoMeter 8558 trans temp gauge, Roadmaster sway bar, Fantastic Ultra Breeze hood.
naturist
Nomad
Aug 04, 2016
You asked for a specific place you can't go sight-seeing in a 26 foot class C, I'll name one: can't take that up Going tothe Sun Road thru Glacier NP. There are also spots on the Pacific Coast Highway. As well as certain city streets all over.