RV vs Trailer

[gypsyrose1126]

Thanks for all the information and the view points --- I have a lot to think about!

[WickedLady]

My 1991 16ft trailer has all the comforts of home; dinette in front, couch that I leave down as bed in back, stovetop with oven, kitchen sink, bathroom (shower with toilet and hand sink combo), outside shower, all holding tanks (including fresh water), 2 way fridge. Not a great deal of storage area but enough to get along.

[Cudedog]

Plan on jumping in here later today as time permits.

Anne

[Redetotry]

This would make you or someone a great little RV, it's a Born Free Built for Two, only 22' long. If I traveled more I would definitely be on this one at this price especially! Don't think twice it won't last long if it is even still there.

http://www.phoenixusarv.com/u?id=2012-B ... o-22-10686

[Acadianmom]

That looks like a good deal. We don't see many Born Frees in Louisiana and when they go up for sale they go fast. It's just a little too small for me because I need 2 beds. I also like the Phoenix Cruisers with the twin beds.

Martha

[Carolinagal]

Not sure you need my 2 cents worth, but here it is anyway I was left with a 21' motorhome, drove it almost into the ground, now have a 24'. diesel 24' motorhome. I never thought to go any other way when getting the new rig. BECAUSE, I travel alone and cross country and have for many years, there are some hwys that are lonely on my route to my sons in Colorado and have always felt safe and have always thought it best to be in a vehicle that no one could ever really know, hey that lady is traveling alone. I like to have my own bathroom as many rest areas if there is no one else there and you go inside, you never know who might be waiting for you outside and also I like using my own facilities. That situation was my only scare in all of the traveling I have done alone, I had to drive my car one trip and I went into this bathroom, hey had to stop, and no one there, which made me feel very uneasy, and when I came out of ladies room there was a man standing right there. Thankfully the situation turned out ok, but my heart more then flipped !!! My only scare in all the years I have traveled alone and that was way more then I needed .

I sold my car when getting this new rig, the car was getting old and the upkeep of two vehicles was senseless, and the car set here half the year and sometimes more, what a waste. I drive my RV everywhere, live in a rural area so wherever I go, no problem with parking lots for shopping, drs. etc. Even at 24 ft, its is so easy to drive everywhere. Had a person ask don't I miss a car. Well, NO. Another point in favor, besides saving money on only having one vehicle , is the fact at my age, I am not climbing in and taking off on a trip with a vehicle I haven't driven in a couple of months, thinking that really is a good point. So used to driving in all conditions at all times, AND all of the time, So, I never start out with that nervous type feeling that is the norm for some of us, used to be for me anyway.

So those two points are why I would only consider a motorhome. But as its been said here many times, you must figure what will work for you the best. What are your plans, how much traveling, camping or living in it , and how much room or what kind of lay out would most suit you?? No one can answer that for you, but after you've had the opportunity to attend some rv shows or GTG's and talked with others or seen how they use what they have, I feel certain that what you need will pop out of the woodwork somewhere at sometime, so keep looking, discovering all you can about the lifestyle and what you hope it will bring you.

Good Luck !!!
CArol

[Readytogo]

BJ I didn't see a price How much was that one?

[gypsyrose1126]

Carol those were some good points - I am planning on looking at some Class C, B's and TT this weekend.
I appreciate all the input everyone.

[Acadianmom]

You have to go to the inventory page to see the price. It was $44,995 and it's sold. I didn't think it would last long, a new one is about double that. I have 2 friends that are full timing in the 25' Phoenix Cruisers.

I want a motorhome for the same reasons Carol has one. I might stop at a rest stop but I'm not getting out unless I'm with someone and wouldn't at night. I do more traveling than camping on long trips. I will spend the night in a campground along the way but I usually have a destination to get to. If I haven't driven my motorhome in a couple of months it makes me a little concerned when I first start out. If I drove it every week it wouldn't bother me.

Martha

[Dee]

My thought is that a trailer/tow vehicle combo is way more versatile. I have a pickup which I can use all year for all kinds of things, while a motorhome or van conversion would not be useful for anything but camping, and it would just sit all winter. Also, when you're camping and want to do a little touring in the same area, you don't have to secure everything for travel and pull out of your spot. It's a lot easier to park at tourist attractions and restaurants with just the pickup. My little trailer is 21' long. I wanted a tandem axle because they feel more stable on the road, and be sure to have a weight distribution/load leveling hitch. I don't have any sway even in windy conditions when a semi passes me. It's not that big a trick to hitch up. I do have a back-up camera on my pickup and that helps a lot. You can find some very reasonably priced late model used trailers, and my brand new Rockwood Mini Lite was only $17,000 which is way cheaper than anything with a motor in it. I already had the pickup, which was the tow vehicle for the trailer my late husband and I had, but as I said, I'd need the pickup in any case, since I have an acreage and Iowa winters are brutal.
I posted earlier this year, asking about for suggestions with backing a trailer, since that is the only thing I had never done while traveling with my late husband. Here's what I found out. Anyone can learn to back a trailer. It took me about an hour of practice in my big backyard, and a couple of camping trips to be reasonably proficient. Just check out YouTube for some suggestions, and remember that a short trailer comes around pretty fast, so straighten the wheel before it swings around too far. You'll see after a few practice backs. Check out the site before you back and go slowly, getting out to look if you have to. Don't let fear of backing stop you from getting the trailer. Find a big parking lot for practice if you don't have the room at home.

[Cougarfan]

My thought is that a trailer/tow vehicle combo is way more versatile. I have a pickup which I can use all year for all kinds of things, while a motorhome or van conversion would not be useful for anything but camping, and it would just sit all winter. Also, when you're camping and want to do a little touring in the same area, you don't have to secure everything for travel and pull out of your spot. It's a lot easier to park at tourist attractions and restaurants with just the pickup. My little trailer is 21' long. I wanted a tandem axle because they feel more stable on the road, and be sure to have a weight distribution/load leveling hitch. I don't have any sway even in windy conditions when a semi passes me. It's not that big a trick to hitch up. I do have a back-up camera on my pickup and that helps a lot. You can find some very reasonably priced late model used trailers, and my brand new Rockwood Mini Lite was only $17,000 which is way cheaper than anything with a motor in it. I already had the pickup, which was the tow vehicle for the trailer my late husband and I had, but as I said, I'd need the pickup in any case, since I have an acreage and Iowa winters are brutal.
I posted earlier this year, asking about for suggestions with backing a trailer, since that is the only thing I had never done while traveling with my late husband. Here's what I found out. Anyone can learn to back a trailer. It took me about an hour of practice in my big backyard, and a couple of camping trips to be reasonably proficient. Just check out YouTube for some suggestions, and remember that a short trailer comes around pretty fast, so straighten the wheel before it swings around too far. You'll see after a few practice backs. Check out the site before you back and go slowly, getting out to look if you have to. Don't let fear of backing stop you from getting the trailer. Find a big parking lot for practice if you don't have the room at home.

I have a trailer for the same reasons but you have to find what works for you.

[MandysMom]

I drive my Sprinter Van Conversion motorhome almost anywhere I would drive our car. For a few years it was my car while hubby was still working. It's 22 ft and fits in all but the tightest parking lots. It gets better fuel economy than our PT Cruiser! I feel very safe up higher than in our car. As said, I can stop at a rest area and not have to get out. Have neighbors who years ago were driving home from somewhere and stopped at a rest area. He got out and went in restroom, while his wife sat in the car. When he came back he said two men had bumped into him in the restroom. Said and now my shoulder kind of hurts. She looked at his back and the hilt of a very narrow long blade was sticking out of his shoulder!!! No cell phones back then and she sure did not want to get out to use a pay phone. And of course her husbands wallet left with the bump of the pickpockets in the restroom. She sped off to find the nearest town and ER. He ended up with a collapsed lung but recovered fine. He actually showed me the leather jacket with the hole in it he kept to remind him how lucky they were that night. Anyhow, I vowed after that story I would never have a TT where I would have to get out to go potty if I did not want to and ESP at night.
But everyone has to decide what makes them happy and comfortable.
By the way a 22 ft van conversion with its fridge running is a real asset on a grocery run in warm weather-- no thawed ice cream!!!
Velda

[gypsyrose1126]

I have been looking at TT and the more I look the more I think that is the way I am leaning. I looked at a few last Sat. and will go to a couple more places tomorrow. I am limited in the weight I can tow (3000 max), so a small unit is better. Have also been looking at the TT hybrid, which I like the looks of, gives you the tent feel with more room and the comforts of home. I had worried that in some parks you might not want the bed/canvas out, but you can leave them up and sleep inside the TT, so then it is a complete hard-shell TT.

[judi]

I also have a Sprinter-based RV, and I agree with Velda. I was camped in the Yukon and watched a young couple trying to get from their truck into their trailer, while a bear was sniffing around. Every time they would open a truck door the bear would come to the door. Finally someone from the camp office drove up in a golf cart type thing with a cage around it, like you see at a driving range. He scared the bear back into the woods.

[JudyJB]

Yes, do make sure you have a hard-side option for bears!! Some campsites with bear problems, especially out west, will only allow hard-sided campers! Personally, I like the idea of having walls between me and bears in those locations, anyway.