Anyone here own an RV?

There are tons of message boards with people of all ages sharing information

yea but nothing like an advice from a seasoned gfy troll

Hence the reason I posted this here!

Gfy'ers know everything!

I full time in a self built VW westy. (I built custom interior has solar/fridge/freezer/tv ect..ect)

Personally, I think you would be doing your self a favor to go rent a class A for a weekend trip or find one to drive around. Going for a weekend trip in one is one thing, having to drive the damn thing everyday for a year plus is another story entirely.

I guess it comes down to how much traveling you want to do. Myself I love to drive and explore so no fucking way was I driving a big ass RV. My van is awesome because I go anywhere I want with it. I want to park in a city and over night no problem, I want to head to the mountains hit a forest road no problem.. park on the beach no problems.... Try to do that with a class A and you will be very very limited..

If you how ever just plan to go hook up at a campground and pay $80/day to sit 4ft away from some old retired guy get the class A.. 8)

Also keep in mind no matter what BS a dealer tells you factory built RV's are meant to go sit in a campground hooked up to an electric plug.

If you want to do a lot of traveling get a van or maybe a class B or a truck with a slide in camper. Skip the oversized matchstick boxes on wheels.

You can call any question here.

I want to do this in a few years.... Once my kid is off to college. I'm thinking a class b - all I need is a table, a bed, a place to cook, and a bathroom. And of course an Internet connection.

Just go from campground to campground....

We have a class A RV, a 35' Tiffin Allegro Bay. We bought it used for what I think was a great deal, then spent $3000+ on new tires, upgraded some electronics, and now it mostly just sits in our yard (although we try and use it once a month or so).

But, even though it's not used all the time, I'm glad we bought it... when we do use it, it's really nice to have a home on wheels. I love the room of the class A, even going down the road. Stopped with the slideouts extended makes things even better. We have 50 amp electrical, dual A/C units, auto-leveling jacks, an in-motion DirecTV system (so we can watch satellite while moving), our bathroom is pretty roomy, I can actually fit in the shower (6'2", 225 lbs), our tanks are large enough that we won't run out of water (or have shit coming up through the toilet), and it drives pretty darn good for being so large.

That said, there are a few things I will do differently on our next one. Our next one will be larger. They don't get any wider, but the extra length would be nice. I think next time we'll look in the 39'-40' range, with an extra half bathroom. The extra room should allow for a king sized be, too. The queen bed in ours is too small for my liking. I'll also be getting a diesel next time. Ours is gas, and it works fine for most trips, but I could definitely feel it having issues with large hills and through the mountains, and that is without pulling a trailer or toad (tow behind vehicle). The diesels are also rear engines, which I would prefer, and are considerably heavier. I do have some issues when passing (or getting passed by) semi trucks on the highway. Our RV is only 20,000 pounds, and you can feel yourself being pushed wide by the trucks beside you.

But, I don't foresee trading ours in any time soon... what we have works great, and for 90% of our travels it serves it's purpose. Most of our trips are to the Keys to go diving, but we did take a 2500 mile round trip this year to Rocklahoma (outside of Tulsa, OK) coming home via St. Louis, without having a single issue.

And, we use it for work, too... (tax break!), with a site and DVD line featuring life on the road.

Here are some pics of ours...

Bike Week this year in Daytona:


At Rocklahoma (man, was it nice to have A/C, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a comfy bed!). I tried not to blow the generator exhaust into the tents of the people next to us, though


Gateway Arch in St. Louis:


In the Keys after a diving trip:


Me diving a shipwreck, without the RV:


One of our box covers (even though that's not our RV on the cover):


Yes, my wife can drive it, too:


And, I leave you with a pic of us working (BTW, who's driving this thing?):



(This was from a post I made a couple years ago when someone else asked about buying an RV. Everything pretty much stands, except we've taken quite a few more trips in it, and filmed a few more scenes. )

Not so bad at all Adam!

i cunt a4d n RV...

I have had trailers and campers for the past 30 years. Right now I keep a trailer in my backyard in NY and a class C on my driveway in NY.

Rent what you want first for a weekend and then for a full week.

Make sure you get as much (and as many) slide-out(s) as possible.

If you are going to do national parks at stay for week(s) at a time be sure to get at least solar panels if not wind turbines as well.

If you have the room be sure to get at least a small Dishwasher and Washer/Dryer. Crucial to me for very long trips (I sometimes do months at a time).

Get a specific trucker GPS that is updated or has a subscription.

I use my class C coachman as a mobile office and it is rigged as such.

I've gone on a cross road trip with a group of close friends to a national park once...it was fun but unless you're planning on roading a lot, I'm not sure if they're worth investing in long term

The one thing I wish I had are some solar panels.

Then buy them. They are like a $1/watt now days and less if you buy right.

I was just watching some YouTube videos of RVs.

I think if I was going to do it, I would prefer a small van. Rather than have lots of fitted wardrobes and stuff, I would try a custom design where the back of the van was just as clear as possible, e.g. I wouldn't have a wardrobe, I'd just use a suitcase, wouldn't have a permanent bed, would just roll out a mattress on the floor, try and use a folding table as a desk. I prefer as much space as possible, so that's what I would try and maximise and just have custom foldaway setups (that could be locked down for travelling).

I have camped for years and just told my 38' Diesel pusher. I prefer hotels.... less work and not a day of preparation before the trip and a day of cleanup after.
However, if you really are sold on getting one, get a Diesel engine and generator. They are so much better than a gas coach for many reasons.

Good luck.

Mitch.

Mine just started to sit more and more.....

I hope you are awesome Adam. Come to a trade show sometime. It has been too long since I have seen you both.

Mitch

I've rented and borrowed them a fair bit. The first hard lesson we had was how quick you go through all the water ( and power if no generator) they are great to enjoy the outdoors in areas where there are no hotels. Stove tops and fridges generally work great though, easy to get a meal made.