How did you choose?

[Queen]

We have the endless conversations of Trailer v Motorhome, round and round, trying to make the "right" pick on this second and final go-round.

One of the things we're considering when Mary retires is taking our nice camping gear (big tent and comfy cots, no ground sleeping!) and hitting the road. Camp some, do camping cabins some, hotels occasionally, and just see what we really want; before we drop $15,000 - $50,000 on a TT or used MH. Since we're doing this at retirement and money will become a very big issue at that point, we won't really have the option of changing our minds and going with something different.

So, how did you choose, were you happy with your choice??

[Queen]

Having camped a lot in both, I get the talking points about both; another engine to deal with, no way to get into town without a toad, towing a TT is a pain in the behind, backing and setting up is easier for one harder for the other... A gal can go crazy trying to figure out the "best".

[Liz]

Sounds like you have a good plan. Start with simple. As you travel, you will see and talk to other campers with different setups, and you will come to know what is (and is not) important to you.

[Bethers]

I think you need to get into as many of all as you can. Get to the big rv shows and delve into them. Check hookups to know you can do it. See if in doing that helps you lean towards one more than the others. There are good reasons (or negative) for all of them. Keep a list of what you find that makes one better than other.

[Queen]

We are hoping some time on the road, staying in campgrounds, will give us a better idea of which way we want to jump, right now we're suffering from analysis-paralysis. Too much research, too many trips to rv shows, and not enough time out on the road.

[BirdbyBird]

Tents sure have changed in 60 years......and air mattresses are deluxe especially when there are now electric air pumps. I have a friend that I see a lot at dog shows. She stays in Motels and comes back and forth to the shows. She asked me if it wouldn't be cheaper if I just stayed in motels rather than paying fairground/campground fees and the cost of running my MH down the road. There is cost and there is cost. When I watch tents go up in a campground near me I always give folks a mental salute. They are out there getting to see the same sites as me. I also remind my friend that my rig is not just for dog shows but for travel adventures.

RVs are not necessarily ever a good economic decision. They are a travel style and comfort style decision. As you already recognize your needs and wants will most likely be unique to the two of you. Your acceptable trade offs will also be unique to the two of you.

I purchased a rig that was easy for me to drive, load, and park. If I am tired I can get to bed very quickly and deal with the rest of a set up later. Currently I travel more than I set still so the set up and break down is still important. (I could also be lazy....) But I also sit still just long enough to value some space that a small Road Trek or 22 footer would not provide. I think you are taller than I am but I value my ceiling space and room on the floor plan for my size 12 feet. Yes, go walk around and jump into and out of as many rigs and combinations as you can. If someone like Kathy can meet you at a show great. Walking in and out of rigs with more eye means you will notice more about where storage is, where all those bells and whistles are hidden and if the engineers actually had a clue when they put the rig together.

In 12 years....I am on my third rig. I meant to buy a used rig this last time. I really looked and tried to find one.....until I found this floor plan......

[Queen]

We had our hearts set on Roadtrek and that's what we bought, only to find at 5'10" I whacked my head constantly, and the hookups were far too low for my bum knees. So we definitely want more space and more comfort this time!

I always say if we ever win the lottery it's be a big Class A and a Jeep toad, but until that happens it will probably be a TT since we already own a new truck that could tow one easily. Just have to wrap my head around the set up part of it.

Also, the TT we've been eyeballing is a Winnebago Micro Minnie 2106 FBS, seems like a very nicely made camper, we like just about everything about it... except the doorway into the bathroom is only 19" wide, that can't be normal, can it??

[Azusateach]

We had our hearts set on Roadtrek and that's what we bought, only to find at 5'10" I whacked my head constantly, and the hookups were far too low for my bum knees. So we definitely want more space and more comfort this time!

I always say if we ever win the lottery it's be a big Class A and a Jeep toad, but until that happens it will probably be a TT since we already own a new truck that could tow one easily. Just have to wrap my head around the set up part of it.

Also, the TT we've been eyeballing is a Winnebago Micro Minnie 2106 FBS, seems like a very nicely made camper, we like just about everything about it... except the doorway into the bathroom is only 19" wide, that can't be normal, can it??

Welcome back.

I think you're getting the idea that you'll know what is meant for you only by visiting as many rigs in the specific class of RV you're interested in as possible.

I started with a 10' box pop-up, because it suited my needs at that time. From that we moved up to a 19' hybrid, then a 19' hard-sided trailer, then a 26' trailer, and now a 31' Class A. Everything met our needs at the time. And when they didn't we found something that fit the bill.

Keep looking, and keep talking about what the non-negotiables are. You need sewer hook-ups that aren't under the rig (good luck!). And it's sounding like a higher ceiling would be nice. Do you want a walk-around bed? You'd be surprised at the implications for not having one are when there are 2 of you in the bed! A pantry? Food prep space? TV opposite the main seating area -- if there's something to sit on other than the dinette? As far as bathroom doors go, they're not as wide as in S&B homes.

Get as much rig as you can afford AND that your truck can handle. Keep in mind the "80%" rule -- try to stay under 80% of your truck's allowable towing capacity -- which includes whatever you put in the truck also. Remember that it's not whether the truck can pull the trailer, it's whether the truck can STOP it.

Enjoy the search. You'll find one that suits you some day!

Laura

[Queen]

Thanks, Laura, funny you mentioned walk around bed, that went on the non-negotiable list this weekend! I didn't mind crawling around when I was younger, now not so much.

[IrishIroamed]

Mickie,
I know what you're going through. When I decided to full-time when I retire about 7-8 years ago, I started going to RV shows everywhere (IL, IN, WI) that I could get to in 1 day. After about 4-5 years of driving myself crazy trying to figure out what I wanted, it dawned on me to start with a TT to make sure I liked it and still wanted to full-time. A TT helped me because no one in my family ever camped (I was the outdoorsy one in the family).

I still have no idea what I may want when retirement comes, but I seem to be leaning more towards a TT now than a C or A for all the reasons people may say (i.e. 2 vehicles vs 1 vehicle to maintain, 2 insurances, having a vehicle to run around with, etc). After watching a few people hookup and unhook toads, it doesn't seem that is any easier to hookup than a TT is, so to me hooking up a TT or a toad is a wash.

Yes, backing up a TT takes practice, I still can't do it in one shot, but maybe someday (wishful thinking), but you need to unhook a toad before you back in a C or A (from what I hear). But since you have already have a 2nd set of eyes with Mary, that will help.

Also, nowadays TTs are getting more things that the C & A rigs have (backup cameras, satellite hookups, solar ready, multiple batteries can be added easily, electric jacks (not leveling jacks yet tho).

A big difference (to me anyway) is a C or A may be able to pull any size toad (I don't know), but towing a TT depends on what your tow vehicle can pull.

Probably just made you head spin more, but just some other things to think about also.

P.S. Sent you a PM

[snowball]

you may have said and I promptly forgot but are your plans to full time or just long trips?
I personally think that changes the way one looks at it...more storage if full timing long trip
may be able to make do..ect also perhaps a pop up would be worth looking at for the first year
more than a tent but not on the ground stove sort of might be worth giving it a thought
is your truck big enough to have a camper?
another source to try and see if you like the travel aspects
sheila

[Azusateach]

I still have no idea what I may want when retirement comes, but I seem to be leaning more towards a TT now than a C or A for all the reasons people may say (i.e. 2 vehicles vs 1 vehicle to maintain, 2 insurances, having a vehicle to run around with, etc). After watching a few people hookup and unhook toads, it doesn't seem that is any easier to hookup than a TT is, so to me hooking up a TT or a toad is a wash.

Yes, backing up a TT takes practice, I still can't do it in one shot, but maybe someday (wishful thinking), but you need to unhook a toad before you back in a C or A (from what I hear). But since you have already have a 2nd set of eyes with Mary, that will help.

Also, nowadays TTs are getting more things that the C & A rigs have (backup cameras, satellite hookups, solar ready, multiple batteries can be added easily, electric jacks (not leveling jacks yet tho).

A big difference (to me anyway) is a C or A may be able to pull any size toad (I don't know), but towing a TT depends on what your tow vehicle can pull.

Cheryl, let me share with you what I've learned after moving from a 26' TT to our 31' Class A.

You're totally correct about having to maintain 2 auto engines if you go to a motorhome and toad. And there IS more insurance to consider also.

As far as hooking up a TT vs. a toad, I'll take the toad any day! The equipment for a TT is heavier, especially if you take the ball hitch out when not towing. Both can be hooked up by one person, but the toad is much easier physically.

There are lots of bells and whistles in TTs now ... except for a generator. That's where motorhomes have it in spades over trailers. I had a Honda 2000 generator but was reluctant to carry it much because it had to travel in the trailer. I towed with an Expedition and didn't want to carry it inside. And they're heavy -- something to consider if your back isn't what it used to be.

You mention leveling jacks vs. stabilizers. Depending on the equipment you choose on a motorhome, leveling, and hence, stabilizing your rig can be done with a push of a button from the driver's seat. Motorhomes are inherently more stable -- they've already got 4 tires that are on the ground. Getting a trailer, especially a longer one, stable and level can take quite a bit of work.

As far as toads go, motorhomes do have towing limits. Our 31' gas Class A can tow 5000#. But we wouldn't tow that much. Just like trucks, I wouldn't look at anything over 4000#, just to be safe. As it is, we've got a 2200# Fiat, so we don't have much to worry about. And yes, I shudder to think about the day we get ourselves into a bind and have to unhook in a hurry. Hopefully it won't happen until we've got some more practice under our belts.

Don't get me wrong! We loved our trailer! And we missed having a car at the ready once we were settled in our campsite. But our needs/wants changed, and we were in a position to make the change to a motorhome. Notice I didn't say "move up"? One is NOT better than another. It's all about personal preference.

As an aside, we'd thought all along that we'd get a Class C, but when comparing the same size rigs between an A and C we found that we liked the Class A better. More storage, more windows ---> more light.

But the bottom line is what you feel comfortable with, the size of your pocketbook, and your list of must-haves.

Laura

[Bethers]

Laura, I can unhook in a minute or two now. It's even faster for me than hooking up. If I wasn't using locking clips it would be even quicker. When I pulled into a cg last month that required someone taking me to my site, the man was rolling his eyes about waiting for me to unhook. A minute later he said, you know what you're doing, don't you.

As to cost of insurance, I have an older car for my toad, 2004. Insurance isn't bad. More than for a trailer, though.

After helping Jean hitch and unhitch her tt, I could do it, but it would never be as easy or fast for me as the car. And I totally agree about the generator. I just saw someone on one of my forums that got a remote start for his, but first it has to be in place, etc. I remember when Sparkle and I pulled off for lunch, I could start my generator, heat lunch and eat and next thing I knew, she was standing at my door asking to use my generator lol. She loved her trailer, but that was one reason she was considering changing had she lived.

I'm glad there are so many options for us all to pick from.

[Colliemom]

I'm on my second TT and have considered a small MH, but it's out of my budget with two insurances, maintainence etc.. MI just raised our license renewal fees another 20% and gas taxes another 7 cents. I already have a truck. And we have permanent trailer plates, meaning a one time fee and the plate needs no further renewal. So it's cheaper for me to go that route. Plus TT insurance is cheaper. Yes, it can be a pain hitching and unhitching, but after awhile it becomes second nature. And with electric jacks, all you need to do is back under your hitch and let the jack do the work.

There are a million floor plans out there and yes it can be exhausting to find the one you like. Narrow down what you want in a floor plan and that will eliminate some right there. Like there being two of you, would you like a plan with more living space to move around, one with a slide perhaps, or maybe one that has a bathroom the full width of the trailer rather then just one corner. Also determine how long of a trailer you want to pull and what your truck will tow. The biggest thing will be what your truck can pull. Remember, although a truck can tow a certain weight, that weight is based on a vehicle with it's equipment, fluids and a 150 pound driver. Any additional options, truck cap for instance, another person or persons, plus what you carry in the truck bed, needs to be deducted from the towing capacity.

I too am considering another trailer. Need a bit more room for me and then the two pups, so am looking also. Take your time experimenting with your idea of the tent, camping cabin etc. and you will find what best suits your needs and wants. Sounds like it might boil down to whether or not you want to put up and take down a tent especially in rainy weather, whether or not you want to haul your stuff in and out of a Vehicle to cabin, motel etc., or just pull or back in, set up and enjoy nature. If you do,pull a trailer and are traveling from one place to another, it is not necessary to unhook every night unless you plan to sightsee the area for a daybor two. Laura mentioned generators. Unless you plan to boondock, you won't need one. Most parks won't allow them to be run anyway.

I'm sure by now, your heads are spinning. Good luck and happy hunting. Come up here this summer and we can GTG.

[Queen]

I KNEW you gals would have excellent insights, I just knew it!! And all without talking down to me like the men did on RV.net. Thanks!!

I'm going to re-read and think about stuff then pop back in with some more questions. Good stuff!