Class c, b or even a?

[Elmetal]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the form and I couldn't exactly find a good Location for this,

I'm a pilot, but not the airline kind (not my type of lifestyle). With that career choice, it means I move around a LOT. Think around once a year at least.

With that said, after this next contract is up (have another 10 months) I am planning on moving into an RV.

Currently I do not have any children or a wife/girlfriend.

I'm looking for something I can move with me around the country. Say I find a job in omaha Nebraska, I can find an RV park and move there no problem .


Some requirements from me for this vehicle

• Must be able to haul my motorcycle (Honda Shadow)
• need Internet, not sure if this is an rv park ting or if y'all do satellite.
• need an oven (may be flexible here, I just hate cooking without one

I'm a male in his mid twenties so I am plenty flexible, and I am very well versed in gas engines.

My price point is somewhere below 15k but then again I'm by myself, as long as at least the 2 top bullets can be met, I wouldn't mind being in a class b. so long as I can run ac or heat off a generator.


What does the communit think is a good move for me? The reason I want an rv is the flexibility to pickup and move wit the jobs, which are very insecure in this industry. And very volatile.


Thanks for your time

[northmeck0255]

http://www.airstreamclassifieds.com/showcat.php?cat=6

This would be my choice in your situation. Carry the bike in the bed of the truck.

[northmeck0255]

www.buybuybluebird.com

They even have altimeters as standard equipment!

[Johnworth914]

You will likely find you best value will be in a used C. B's carry a premium.

[Elmetal]

Ireally don't need much. need shelter, a battery (for when I'm not hooked up to elec), possibly a genny (thiswould be a plus but by no means a req), a range or two, a minifridge would be a plus but not required.

I live very simply for the most part. anything I eat can be made in a range but I can adapt, I can always get a cheap gas grill (like the 30 dollar one I just bought here in canada) to make food as well if I'm making any sort of grilled meats. (outside obviously)

My main concern really is security. I imagine regardless of c or b, it'll be easy to break into, so I try to not have too much stuff. right now I live on the road with a 90L duffle and a backpack for my computer. I don't own much and I like to keep it that way. So a B wouldn't be a breaker, but if I can get a C for the same price? Count me in! Especially since I don't plan to move around too too often.

[Monaco_Montclai]

Hey man, wish nothing but the best, your way. We have a c-looking RV. It's a Monaco , 29ft,three slides, and I have found out, that the a-s ain't. Got anything better(IMHO , I feel like that would be a good place to start. I use things like, anything outside the small amount of tools, I will find a nother way.eat in the mh, just trying to make it pay for it self,Ora portion of. How much do u really need. So far it's working here.camp hosting is a way to save too. IMHO. We have learned a lot, u can too--happy-camping

[Elmetal]

Jim Shoe wrote:
El,
I'm not trying to ruin your plans. I'm a private pilot myself, just no longer current, and I have two good friends that fly for a living. Both were instructors first to build hours. One wound up flying passenger charters in a King Air and living in motels while "on the road" so to speak. The other guy flew cargo overnight in a twin Beech. They shared an apartment but never saw each other. I know how tough it is to compete with people that will fly for free just to build their hours.
And I understand your need to be able to chase the jobs around the country. The FBO that I flew from had an RV parked next to the building with Water and Electric hookups. I didn't know who it was, so don't know if he was paying or not, but he would at least need to be able to drive to a dump station unless he used the FBO inside facilities.
As far as B vs. C, their price points aren't that far apart, especially used. If it were me, I'd prefer a C with a full time bed and a small utility trailer for the 'cycle. I've had both, and prefer the extra room that a C provides, especially as a full timer. Good luck, whatever you choose.

thanks a lot Jim! I'm still a bit unsure whether I'd prefer a B or a C for pretty much the reasons you listed I mean, I'm really not home much as it is anyway, at least with a class B I can get away with parking at walmarts or random parking lots here or there, not to mention the much better gas mileage. but with a C I'd have more of what can be considered "home".

I may have to just rent a B and a C for 3 days or so in may and see which ends up being more to my needs. I don't think anyone rents Bs though... I need to hit up a trade show or something

[Jim_Shoe]

El,
I'm not trying to ruin your plans. I'm a private pilot myself, just no longer current, and I have two good friends that fly for a living. Both were instructors first to build hours. One wound up flying passenger charters in a King Air and living in motels while "on the road" so to speak. The other guy flew cargo overnight in a twin Beech. They shared an apartment but never saw each other. I know how tough it is to compete with people that will fly for free just to build their hours.
And I understand your need to be able to chase the jobs around the country. The FBO that I flew from had an RV parked next to the building with Water and Electric hookups. I didn't know who it was, so don't know if he was paying or not, but he would at least need to be able to drive to a dump station unless he used the FBO inside facilities.
As far as B vs. C, their price points aren't that far apart, especially used. If it were me, I'd prefer a C with a full time bed and a small utility trailer for the 'cycle. I've had both, and prefer the extra room that a C provides, especially as a full timer. Good luck, whatever you choose.

[Elmetal]

Johnworth914 wrote:

midnightsadie wrote:
15k will not buy you a reliable rv. your better off at the YMCA. or find a nice beach condo.

Or.. You need to be a better shopper. While you may have to look a bit, 15k certainly can buy you a reliable older motor home, class a b or c.

so on that note, I've been more and more thinking about going straight to a class B. It has more than the space I need to be completely honest. I just need the range to work and a microwave. shower and toilet and a couch really. a bed is a plus so that's always good.

I think a B would be suitable for me. anything decent in the 10k range or is that too low for a reliable vehicle?

Any B's that can haul a shadow on a hitch in the back?

[Elmetal]

so I'm not 100% set on class c/b, I would be willing to look at a TT provided my budget would be diminished by the truck I'd need to buy to haul it. Like I said I am partial to a ranger, but I understand the lack of hauling power so I'd have to step it up to a ram or something of the size for a 20+ foot.

I think a 19 and under would fit me just fine though, I have been living in a hotel room for the past 8 months now (from hotel to hotel, one bag) so I'm really not downgrading from a big house or anything.

[Johnworth914]

midnightsadie wrote:
15k will not buy you a reliable rv. your better off at the YMCA. or find a nice beach condo.

Or.. You need to be a better shopper. While you may have to look a bit, 15k certainly can buy you a reliable older motor home, class a b or c.

[Elmetal]

Firstly, thanks for all the replies

secondly, I am an airplane pilot, just not the "commercial pilot" aka airline pilot. Believe it or not, lots of us have no desire to be airline pilots and make freight/charter/corporate a career. I personally do freight. It is sometimes more lucrative and personally always more rewarding than airline jobs. But I digress.


At any rate, I don't plan on living in Minneapolis or anything crazy like that. I just want to be able to move bases or companies at a whim. Say I am in Austin, TX but the San Diego, or Las vegas base opens up, I can be ready to move in less than a day. That's the kind of flexibility I want/need.

In regards to the whole TT/Truck combo, I don't own a vehicle (at this current job I'm home less than 4 weeks a year, no need for a car) and I really don't see myself buying anything bigger than a ford ranger, so as long as something can be had for that size that would work for me.


Again, I don't WANT to be in minneapolis in the winter, but there is a lot of activity in Omaha, Sioux Falls, Portland, Seattle, Sanfran, PA, Texas and so on so I may end up in a place that gets a good bit of snow or what have you.


This is all in the preliminary state, just thinking at the moment.

[2gypsies1]

Living in the north is doable for RVers. Have any of you seen the recent article or pictures of an INDOOR RV park for workers up there? It's a neat concept. Granted, I've only heard about one such place... but...there definitely ARE workers who live in the north as RVers and the parks stay open just for them. They do have to make a lot of changes to their RVs as to insulating, propane costs, dumping issues but it can be done - not easily and I would say, not comfortably. I would also recommend a travel trailer so you have a good truck for winter driving and you can also put your cycle in the bed. Good luck!

[Jim_Shoe]

Although you weren't clear on exactly what you do, unless you drive a car with a big "Pilot Drive" sign on it, escorting wide semi loads across the country, you're a commercial pilot flying planes that carry freight and competing with other commercial pilots trying to build up hours so they can get a real job in the aviation field that pays a living wage, or you're a flight instructor trying to build up hours, or you're a tug boat pilot, which kind of limits your locations. Not many tug boats in Montana.
As RR points out, you're going to have to stay well south of the Mason-Dixon line during the winter months or drive your motorcycle in snow and stay in FHU RV parks at $30/night if you can find one that's open.

[PapPappy]

I will also say that the "B" should be out of consideration as a Full-Time vehicle, but there are those who do it....and you are young enough to still be flexible in moving around inside it.

Internet is usually on YOU, if you want it to be reliable, and fast. You can get WiFi at many CGs now days, but you are sharing with everyone else, so it's weakened....and there are all the security issues associated with WiFi. It would make more sense to get your own AirCard, or maybe even tie in off your cell-phone. Satellite is good, but you may not need it, if you are going to be in areas that have cellular signals.

The issues with the "B", is that you will probably need a trailer for your bike, as I doubt that you'll find one that has the capacity to hold a bike that size on a rear hitch.
Also, more than likely, you'll have a very limited "kitchen", so I doubt you'll have the oven you'd like. Usually just a cook top.
And, a "B" is usually pretty expensive, so getting one in your price range, may not be up to the standards you'd like.

A "C" would probably be more to your liking, and should meet your "wants" list above. Depending on the chassis, you may have enough weight to hold the bike on a hitch mount...and there are some tow dollies that allow you to hold a bike and a car.

Which brings another suggestion.....a TT. This would allow you to carry the bike in the back of the truck (or you could buy a Toy Hauler (TH) and keep the bike inside the trailer (security and out of weather)...and you would have a vehicle to drive when you reach your destination (on rainy days)....when you park the TT.
Remember, if you have a MH, you would have to unplug and disconnect everything if you wanted to move it....with the TT, you could leave it, if you use the Tow Vehicle.

There are lots of people doing what you want to do, so there is lots of information and blogs on the internet. Search around, and you may find some good information.

Good Luck, and welcome to the Forum:)