Should I take the RV or not?

[oldsarge]

We are heading south 500 miles from the Northeast area for 6 days to help family. 500 miles one way. Will stay at family house in spare room. I love driving the 32 foot Class C RV but is it worth it overall. We will not really use it but maybe a one quick night going down or even back up. Its nice to have your own bathroom and pack food and things with you. I just feel I am rushing the trip and putting extra miles on it and burning more gas. Any suggestions, advice, thoughts.

[oldsarge]

All good replies. All good ideas and concerns about how each one uses their RV. Since its a fast trip and the RV is just a mode of transportation in this case. The High Country Silverado wins here. Plus nice spare room for both of us waiting. Cant pass that up. Nasty few days ahead with crazy rain and travel. That never makes it fun. Note: I am thinking about downsizing to a Class B+ sprinter type at 25 feet and more of a van on the go in all kinds of travel scenarios. Of course that is a whole other subject. I enjoyed the comments.

[opnspaces]

I would probably leave the RV at home and take the car.

As far as possibly staying in a motel/hotel: I've never in all my years of travel had a bad encounter staying in a hotel and I still always look for the low priced ones. Sure some are not as nice as others, I just try to keep it all in perspective. I'm in this hotel/motel room to sleep use the bathroom and take a shower. I don't really care what it looks like inside. I don't bring a black light to look at the comforter/bedspread, and I don't really think about it. I'm sleeping under it and the blanket and the sheet, I'm not putting it in my mouth and chewing on it. I have never seen bedbugs and yes I always check. It's just a non issue for me.

The fuel prices (almost $4 a gallon in California) favor the car.

The ability to get on the road, to accelerate into traffic, to put on my signal and easily go around that slow moving truck, trailer, or RV favor the car.

Yes the spare room for at the house could be a problem, but that all depends. How much do I anticipate being in the house vs how much will I be out and about? Excluding my family how many people are in the house besides the owner? If only one bathroom I'd probably take the RV, but not always.

All in all I would probably take the car.

[olfarmer]

To each his own, do what you prefer. I would rather have my RV, it is just more comfortable to me. It will cost more if yo have a bed when you get there, but I still like my MH.

[time2roll]

oldsarge wrote:
We are heading south 500 miles from the Northeast area for 6 days to help family. 500 miles one way. Will stay at family house in spare room. I love driving the 32 foot Class C RV but is it worth it overall. We will not really use it but maybe a one quick night going down or even back up. Its nice to have your own bathroom and pack food and things with you. I just feel I am rushing the trip and putting extra miles on it and burning more gas. Any suggestions, advice, thoughts.

Just take the car unless you plan to stop a few days on the way back and actually use the RV.

[Terryallan]

I agree. It is a day trip. no more than 10 hour drive. We just did 560 miles in the car in 10 hours. Eazy with little to no stress. Filled up before we left, and once in route. Averaged 28 MPG, and it was NOT a compact underpowered car. It is a very nice ride. Can't even feel it is moving at 75, and 80 MPH.

If I had a place to stay at the end of the drive. No way I would take the RV, and we don't.

[Jayco-noslide]

Do the math and compare costs and you'll probably not take the MH if you will have free lodghing.

[monkey44]

We take the RV - Truck Camper - even when we visit the kids, now adults - and it's less then a hundred miles, round trip. But we often stay overnight, and we can cut out and relax later in evening when kids stay up later. Plus, we have our own bed, etc. Stops us from driving in the dark on winding roads, and protects us and the wildlife that roams at night, sometimes crossing in front of our truck.

[ppine]

Getting there is a day trip.
Would you rather stay in the house or stay in your RV?

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

We used to take our Class C for much shorter trips than that! Even for one-day adventures - I always appreciated a clean potty, a place to relax/nap for a bit; and it was as comfortable to drive as most of our cars. Especially loved it for overnighting at family visits - knowing I'd have a quiet night during MY sleeping schedule 🙂

[dodge_guy]

You bought e RV, use it. Putting extra miles on it? Why did you buy it then? Use it fo it's intended purpose! I would definitely take it. You'll have your own bed and bathroom and a place away from family at night.

[Powertour]

RV.

Having own bathroom while en route is more convenient & safer than public options. Others w/you free to move around instead of being cooped up for 6hrs
Privacy better at end destination
Food / drink with you

It’s good you have viable option either way, but the RV gives you more options & definitely more comfort going to/fro.

ETA: The putting 'extra miles' on it way of thinking is flawed, & I know because once upon a time I was like that. Think of it like this: Who are you saving the miles on it for, the next guy that owns it? 😄 You bought it to use. Your RV should be serving you, not you serving your RV. Make sense?

[wowens79]

Our daughter just started college and is about 4 hours away, and we had a quick one night trip. We decided to do a hotel, and hated it. We decided from know own, even for a one nighter to take the camper.
I sleep better in my own bed, and honestly driving is not much different with the camper. A little slower, and lots more fuel, but we'd rather stay in our home on wheels.

[oldsarge]

I did consider weather conditions and the only thing I will run into is some rain. Can be less fun driving in November rain. No snow yet. Also I wrote the pros and cons on this subject like mentioned in a reply. The cons won and the answer was clearer. I have to say if staying longer and more time the RV would be the way to go but in this case its a 6 day turn around with 2 of them days 10 to 12 hour drive time. Great responses and it does make you think.

[DutchmenSport]

oldsarge wrote:
Hookups at house, family is great. Really, no reason to be in RV while there. Just more for transportation.

You just answered your own question.

But personally, I'd take the RV for the sole purpose of having our own privacy. It's actually a good thing to be able to get away from your host. Your presence 24x7 is extremely exhausting on the host. They need their "away" time from you too.

We always take our TT's and now our 5er when visiting family, even if it's just for an overnight.