Help picking my next RV

[91tiger]

Hello, first post. Sorry it's extremly long.

I currently have a Sportmobile, class B camping van on a GMC 3500 van platform with a Duramax 6.6L Diesel.. It's also 4x4 but I haven't ever really needed to use it. I use it primarily for extended towing of a 18 foot flats boat (similar to a bass boat in profile) from Upstate SC to Florida. I will fish for a week staying in the van and drive back taking turns sleeping in the rear bunk and driving.

I usually fish the Keys or Everglades Park. The Keys has campgrounds with full hook ups. The Everglades Park (where I fish the most) only has power hook ups. The van doesn't have a shower or toilette, which is a real pain with the hoards of mosquitoes in the Park in the summer. The bathroom facilities at the campground are a nightmare of mosquitoes.

I chose the Sportsmobile because of it's towing capabilities and I actually used it as a daily driver for a while. It's not much different than handling my suburban but with the duramax it tows even better. But it's very cramped for a week with two people and 3 is impossible.

I have been searching for a while for a RV platform that will be an upgrade for my needs. I absolutely love the size and layout of the Winnebago View on the Sprinter chassis. The Cab over bed really appeals to me so each of my fishing buddies can have a separate bunk. I also like that it is narrower than my boat trailer (102") so I can see it well when backing and towing.

But I am very concerned about the towing ability of the View. The boat, motor, and trailer all loaded is around 3,000 pounds. I do not have brakes on the trailer. I do not want to go from an absolute towing machine to something that is marginal. I'm afraid the view will get pushed around on the highway by big rigs and the rear axel may be overloaded causing sway. Plus I have heard of transmission issues in the Sprinter RV's and towing near max weight rating cannot be good.

I have also looked a lot at some of the Super C RV's for their towing ability. I looked at one on the Chevy 5500 Kodiak platform and the vision didn't seem great. I like the looks of some of the Super C's on the International chassis. I haven't toured any of them but I read some on line reviews about poor workmanship in the living quarters on some models.

I have also looked at some of the shorter Class A Diesel Pushers like the Forrest River Legacy. Those seem like they would have better vision and ride. But I also read things about the shorter class A's not handling that great on the highway. Which handles better, a Super C or Short Diesel Pusher?

I launch and load my boat back on the trailer every single day and I worry about handling a Super C or shorter Class A around the boat ramps. I can back a trailer just fine if I can see it but I worry a little about maneuvering in some of the tight areas around boat ramps with a really long rig.

I have even gone crazy in my thinking and considered having an enclosed trailer built with living quarters in the front and a large garage that I could pull the boat and trailer into. I would have to get a special boat trailer made that would fit into the enclosed trailer but it would work. I would have to get a one ton dually to pull it but that would solve my vehicle to use for launching issues.

I have also considered storing a vehicle in Homestead just outside the entrance to the Park and the Keys and picking it up on my way through with a Diesel Pusher and boat. I just worry about what kind of condition it would be in after sitting in South Florida for 6 months with out being used.

Here are my basic needs: Ability to comfortably sleep 3 tall guys in separate beds, ability to tow a boat up to 5,000 pounds total, ability to launch the boat every day without it being a complete pain, generator (not LP) capable of running A/C's in case park service power hook ups aren't working (they consider cutting them off during the summer slow season), shower, toilette, microwave and decent size fridge. I have many of these things (not all) with my class B but it's just a little tight.

All advice is very welcome.

[DiploStrat]

You are only an hour and a half from Columbia, you really should take your Sportsmobile and pop down to look at Tigers. This would let you compare space, features, and build quality.

4x4 Sportsmobiles and Tigers are not conventional RV's and are not priced like them. A Tiger competes with Earthroamers, All Terrain Warriors, GXV, Earth Cruisers and some 4x4 pickups with things like the XPCamper or a FourWheel camper.

When you move into this market you pay a lot for greater autonomy and rugged running gear. If you don't need that, Winnebago (and others) make some nice Sprinter based RV's. Just don't expect them to have big water tanks, 4x4, serious batteries and solar, etc.

In our case, the Tiger priced out at between $50,000 and $200,000 less than the competition.

Everyone's needs are different.

[Handbasket]

Yikes!!! Regardless of which of y'all is right (Diplo just bought one), I sure am glad I got my Tiger CX back when one could be had, with most of the bells & whistles, for about $70K! While I envy many of the improvements Mark has made to the breed, I'm perfectly happy with what I've got.

Jim, "Sometimes I question my sanity. Occasionally it replies."

[DiploStrat]

91tiger wrote:
By the way I love the Tiger too and I looked at them when I built my Sportsmobile but close to $300K for it was way more than I wanted spend. And they are so loved by their customers and low volume you really don't see them used that I know of.

$300 for a Tiger? That is way over any price that I have ever seen. New Bengals typically run $125 - $150K, Malayans $160 - $200K, and Siberians $200-$250K. Most of the competition starts at $200K and often runs over $500K.

[91tiger]

By the way I love the Tiger too and I looked at them when I built my Sportsmobile but close to $300K for it was way more than I wanted spend. And they are so loved by their customers and low volume you really don't see them used that I know of.

[Mich_F]

Just going by the specs. on the View, it's doable, although you would be very near the ratings limits. I have no idea how close a fully loaded View would come to the 11,030# GVWR, but wouldn't be surprised if it's fairly close. The 15,250# GCWR leaves 4,220# towing limit between the GCWR and the GVWR. I see that it comes with a 5,000# hitch with a 500# tongue weight (which should be considerably more than the tongue weight of your boat trailer).
You would definitely need brakes on that trailer, or another trailer with brakes.

[91tiger]

I really need to find an RV dealer that will let me hook up my boat to a sprinter chasis C and drive it down the highway. I will be able to tell pretty quick how it does. I absolutely love the size and floor plans of those units.

[coolbreeze01]

I see many double towing travel trailers and boats.

[Ketchman]

I have a Prism RV also on a Mercedes Sprinter Chassis, 3500 series. I have not done towing so I cannot speak to that, but can tell you that the chassis and engine are really great and I just completed a 18 K journey to Alaska and back. If you are really interested in great pulling power I would suggest you look at Nexusrv.com. They have a super C on a school bus chassis. They sell direct from the factory. Check out the website and see if this helps. Good luck on your search.

[Mich_F]

With your towing needs at 3-5000#, you are nowhere near "needing" a Super C or diesel pusher. Just about anybody's (newer) 23-24' Class C's are rated to tow 5,000# and with a rear corner bed, convertible dinette or couch, and a cab over bed floor plan, it would meet your sleeping needs.
The biggest issue would be needing brakes on your boat trailer. Either a new trailer, or adding brakes to your current trailer would be a lot cheaper than going the Super C or Diesel Pusher route.

[DiploStrat]

I would agree with Handbasket; you really should pop over to Columbia and look at a Tiger.

At least one Tiger owner constructed a bed in a crew cab, so you could arrange for three, separate beds. (Would be cozy, but much roomier than your Sportsmobile.)

When we were at Overland EXPO we had at least one Sportsmobile owner spend a lot of time with us, commenting that the Tiger was just that bit bigger than his Sportsmobile while still retaining the maneuverability, small size, etc.

Certainly a diesel model with 4x4 should be able to handle a boat ramp and towing.

And, with a Malayan, you may have your air conditioning without the noise of a generator.

The factory website is here:Tiger Adventure Vehicles

You can learn about ours, here: Ndeke Luka

WARNING: Tiger owners tend to have a cult like loyalty; resistance is futile. 😉

[91tiger]

I've got pvc guide posts on my trailer that are at 102". I could probably come up with some sort of flag that sticks out a little wider off of them and see them when backing. Actually backing up isn't my biggest concern. It's the big motor coach with a trailer behind it being able to swing around in some of the tight turning circles at various boat ramps. And then a big motor coach bottoming out as I go from level ground to the ramp.

My other concern is the drivability of shorter Diesel Pushers. From what I have read all the weight in the rear can make the front out of balance and they can be all over the place. How does a Super C ride and drive compared to a shorter Diesel Pusher (35 to 36 feet)?

[nomad297]

THIS is what you're looking for

Bruce

[Handbasket]

I'm not sure they have a model that will fit your '3 separate' beds requirement, but Tiger Vehicles is (www.tigervehicles.com) located just outside Columbia SC. You might talk to them and see if they can modify a design. I suggest this mostly because you get a truck cab & drivetrain, so towing & cab comfort aren't an issue.

Jim, "Mo' coffee!"

[Artum_Snowbird]

Consider this.. if you get two six foot long pieces of wood and hinge them together, then when you launch the boat spread them across the boat somewhere, you will see the ends of the wood and react easily, making launching much safer.

After you get the boat into the water, just fold them up and put them away until next launch. Three guys into twin beds in a C with a fold down dinette will work well.