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Re: Can't wait for a Class B, might just get a van
Gardena California, nice man. Orange County/LA, I sure love that metropolis. I checked out a van just for fun today. A big Ford E350 cargo extended model. It was huge inside. They're very wide inside too. I'm 5'9 and was able to stretch out width-wise. That means I could have a bed in the back running widthwise, freeing up the rest of the space. I'll continue saving up. May even pay off the motorcycle early. I should be able to get a couple thousand for my car. When the time is right a nice Econoline or Express should cross my path. I don't even need the extended model. F1bNorm wrote: We started RVing in a converted cargo van. I built two boxes with hinged lids that fit over the wheelwells. Made a drop down table that fit in between. Wife sewed covers for foam pads. Daytime it was a dinette, nitetime we dropped the table and had a bed. Had porta- potty, ice chest and coleman stove. Traveled the western states, great time, great memories! Later the same van towed a small TT, we added kids. 40 years later, we have 24' Winnie, kids and now a grandkid join us when they can, great fun! Norm597Views0likes0CommentsRe: Can't wait for a Class B, might just get a van
I'm going to say I easily take home $375/week, that's with tips included. Monthly that would be: Net Income: $1625 Rent, Utilities, Food: ($600) Motorcycle Payment: ($100) Car and MC Insurance: ($50) Disposable Income: Around $875 Could be a tad less if I eat out much. But yeah, it does take a long time for to safe up for big items. I paid $4,000 cash for my old Grand Marquis 4 years ago. And at the time I was paying cash for my courses at U of S. Florida. That car represents a long period of slinging loans at the pawn shop to crackheads. That's probably why I take such good care of my car, as I will with whatever other vehicle I get. BudJ wrote: Lwiddis wrote: Respectfully, you bring home a max of $400 a week, have Harley payments and want to buy a Class B or van? You must budget very well. I want to ask and maybe Mr Snowman999 too (a wild ass guess), have you done the math? Thank you. Bud597Views0likes0CommentsRe: Can't wait for a Class B, might just get a van
Hey guys. I think there was a misunderstanding. I'm not looking into full time living out of a van. I already live in a house in Sun City AZ. My brother and I split all the expenses and mortgage. Ultimately my brother and I will inherit the house if we stay here long term. I have my own bedroom, a garage, I live cheap and pretty comfortably. But sometimes I just need to get out of the house for a little me-time. I just need a van for day trips at the parks or wherever. Maybe an occasional trip to Socal for a few days. I can take time off at my job anytime I want. I thought about selling the Harley. But I wouldn't pocket much more than $1300 on it, and I've been making payments on it for 3 years. I owe $2800 on it, and I should probably just keep at at this point. I could just about pay it off right now if I wanted. My job: yeah the pay is lousy but it's not physically laborious or stressful. Lately I've only been working 4 days a week. Each shift is about 4 trips to the airport dropping off customers or picking them up. I guess I'm not a real motivated person in general. Well I think I've about covered everything! I'm keeping my eye out for a decent full size van. An Astro van might work too. Edit: I did forget something! Love-life issues! Got an an answer to that too: vasectomy. I'll shell out for the operation once I start dating. Right now it's not an issue.400Views0likes0CommentsCan't wait for a Class B, might just get a van
Hello you all. I've been working long hours trying to save for an older class B motorhome. I looked at my bank account today and it's about $1700 (granted I just paid off a $600 credit card balance). In a couple weeks it's time to come up with my part of the mortgage and bills. The reality is, it's going to take me YEARS to save up enough for a decent old Class B. I can't wait that long and I don't want to finance. I already have Harley Sportster I'm making payments on. I only bring home about $350-$400 a week at my job shuttling senior citizens to the airport and back. What I'm getting at is I think I should just get a full size cargo van for a few thousand dollars, and just outfit the van as needed. Immediately I'll have a vehicle that gets me out of this house. I'm going a little stir crazy here with the Luke AFB noise and the politics in this household. A couple days ago during the presidential inauguration, I literally sat in a parking lot in my sedan while it was raining out. At least with a van I can get horizontal and comfortable. And it doesn't have to be a high-top either. In fact a standard roof would probably be better for stealth parking on the streets of San Diego and Los Angeles, place where I'll be going alot. The only other major difference, is that a van won't have a plumbing system and holding tanks. But that can be substituted with a porta-potti and tank of water inside. Later I could install a real toilet if I needed. In general I would keep the interior simple and professional looking. Duramat the walls, and do a really nice job lining the interior walls with wood paneling, some insulation in between. Everything else, a mattress, cooler, storage bins, that stuff can just be free standing and taken out when not needed. Don't you all think a van would be the cheapest and most practical solution for me?7.7KViews0likes36CommentsAn older class A for a single traveler
It's me again, the dreamer. But it's all about all you can do though when you're saving up for a motorhome. I know an older class B would be the most practical motorhome for me. Most of the time I will travel by myself, and they're easy to drive and park in big cities like LA. I'm constantly surfing craigslist, and every so often a beautiful older class A will come up for sale, like 1980's Pace Arrows, Chieftains, Holiday Rambler Aluma-lites, and Tiffin Allegros. And between 7 and 10 grand it looks like you can get one in beautiful condition. You just can't find many class B's at that price. Plus a class A, well it's a real home on wheels. It would be decadent to have a dedicated queen bed, dinette, and sofa! Do you think an older, short (25-27') class A would be a good choice for a single traveler in his early 40's? Many times I will just take it out to local parks around Phoenix just to get away from my roommates (family). And occasionally I might take it to southern Cal to cool off in the summer and go surfing. I see people parking old motorhomes all over the streets of LA. Now for my biggest question. These old motorhomes all have 3 speed trannys right? Is there such thing as a 4 or 5 speed conversion that would allow you to get better mileage on flats? It seems all that torque of a big V8 could be better utilized with taller overdrive gears, allowing you to cruise at 70mph without chugging so much gas. Thanks, Matt5.3KViews0likes19CommentsRe: How solid are the walls in a class C?
Hey guys, thanks for the posts, including the pictures! I went to a dealer a few days back, they had beautiful new Minnie Winnie 22's. Out of curiosity I put my hands on the exterior sidewall and pushed, kind of rocking the coach. I didn't realize that a salesman was inside showing it to a lady. He popped outside and said, what are you doing? I told him I've seen these things completely disintegrate at a monster truck show, and I was testing the walls. He joked, "you break it you bought it!". Maybe next time I'll bring my sledgehammer, just kidding.712Views0likes0CommentsHow solid are the walls in a class C?
Generally speaking, how solid is the structure and walls of traditional class C motorhomes? I'm talking about your Leprechauns, Minnie Winnies, and Freelanders built on the E350 chassis. I'm trying to comprehend the construction process of these class C's. The way their built, from the inside out, with the walls added last, reminds me of my childhood where I would build little houses out of playing cards. You remember, how you would groove them into the carpet to keep the walls up! I understand why they build them like that, it's more efficient, quicker, and ultimately a lower cost. But when you're used to seeing cars and trucks go down an assembly line with fully enclosed steel frames, it makes me wonder how strong the end product is. Look I know they don't fare real well in rollovers. But as far as leaning against a wall and stuff, how much pressure can they take. If you're were to brace your feet inside, place your hands on the wall and push as hard as you could, would the wall collapse? Would your hands go right through the wall? If you were parked on the street, could somebody break through the wall with a few wacks with a hammer? I know these are crazy questions you all. I've been to some RV shows, but you get so taken in by the beautiful cabinets and upholstery, that you don't really inspect much of anything else. Thanks5.6KViews0likes13CommentsRe: The seal on older Class B's
RnRs-RT wrote: I-10bound I have a 99 RoadTrek and have had no problem with the roof or have I heard of any problems. What I have found is that most "B"s have been well taken care of,a few exceptions. Most people form an attachment to their "B"s, treat them well and a lot have complete records of all the maintenance. I usually put at least two coats of wax on the fiber glass roof and at least one coat on the body every year. I also keep it under roof/ carport, out of the sun, rain and snow. Bob, from the NE That's good to know, thanks. Hopefully I'll find one that has spent most of it's time in AZ.179Views0likes0CommentsThe seal on older Class B's
I'm thinking I'll go with an old class B as my first RV. I find comfort in there being steel surrounding me. And I think it will be the perfect size for just me, and maybe my brother joining me for a trip. I plan on doing many trips to the big city...Los Angeles. So a B will be easy to maneuver around the city and find parking in. Back to the RV though. One thing I do wonder about older B's such as your mid 90's Roadtreks and PW's, is how does that rooftop seal hold up over the years? Do they require maintenance, if so how? Once they install that topper on the van, I don't think it's designed to be taken off again is it?. But on some older models, you see rust developing around this seal. Is it generally superficial rust, or dust it run underneath the rubber seal? Have any of you all ever had leaks in this area? And how did you go about fixing it. New year coming up, time to get this RV lifestyle happening. Thanks! -Matt from Phoenix, AZ-1.5KViews0likes4Comments
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