Full Time RV'ing (5th Wheel vs Class C Motorhome)

[jkam]

Oz road train.



P.S. ImaPoser, ditto

[ImaPoser]

Originally Posted by bk brkr baker

My buddy has this Raptor with two slideouts and garage towed by a large Jimmy.

Takes my issue of a fifth wheel to the extreme. You still don't have an enjoyable vehicle to drive around when camp is setup other than the bikes.

[SeanF]

I full-time in my bus with only a motorcycle as a runaround vehicle, and it works. 1 week's worth of laundry or groceries, no problem. Some days a car would be nice, but it's not necessary.

Some things I have learned (and may have already been stated in the thread):
-Moving is a hassle, and more expensive than staying in one place for a longer perod. Not just fuel costs, but RV parks/campgrounds have better seasonal/monthly rates.
-A smaller rig is better for dealing with gas stations, parking lots and those small downtown areas that we sometimes have to go through. Mine is at 29' bumper-to-bumper and not bad from a maneuverability standpoint. If you have more room, you'll just accumulate more stuff. A bigger rig will also limit your roads and campgrounds, use more fuel, and cost more to insure & register.

The Escapees forum has lots of good threads by people considering or just starting the full-timing lifestyle. There's a lot to learn.

Good luck
Sean

PS: Here's a link for dollies that allow you to tow moto(s) + car. For your growing list of RVing bookmarks.

[McNeal]

Originally Posted by ImaPoser

Takes my issue of a fifth wheel to the extreme. You still don't have an enjoyable vehicle to drive around when camp is setup other than the bikes.

I don't know about that. Those MDTs are damn nice vehicles. Are they large .. yup, but not much worse than a crew cab 350/3500 dually. The large HDTs like a Volvo 780 that has been singled out and the frame shorten has a better turning radius than any 1 ton and it costs about the same as a 1 ton (used HDT verses a new 1 ton).

[bigdon]

I would suggest a fifth wheel in the 30' range with a 12' enclosed trailer to haul the bike and other stuff. I would pull it with a one ton single wheel diesel p/u.
My second choice would be a Motorhome pulling a 1/2 ton pickup with the bike in the back.
You will need two vehicles to get around with. You could ride the bike to your WalMart Greeters job and the Wife will have a way to get around.

[PirateJohn]

There is no one answer to this, but here's my solution:

40 ft. diesel pusher Bluebird Wanderlodge with a stout trailer:






I am in the middle of modifying the trailer as we speak. Just added the tie downs to carry one bike across the front of the trailer, in front of the Rover:





Next step? I lease a workshop in Jacksonville. We were on the road for 6 months last year but weren't prepared and, in fact, didn't take a bike along and unexpectedly wound up in some primo riding areas.

So I'm sketching a modular shelter for the open trailer that will lift on and off. On the trailer is will double as an enclosed cargo trailer. Off the trailer the shelter should stand alone, have RV park compatible hookups, and serve as a portable workshop for my bikes. I may not be able to get everything into the portable workshop, but I do expect to be able to carry extra bikes, tools, and spares as we meander around the country a bit.

Stay tuned.

Added: Just FYI the motorhome is an honest 40 ft. from bumper to bumper and the trailer is 26.5 ft. So yes, I'm a bit over the 65' limit here in Florida

Maneuverability? Not much. Newer motorhomes often have steering axles that cut in sharper then the one on this thing, so my turning radius is measured in miles it seems. You don't want to get into a position when you have to turn around, that's for sure. But I used to own a company hauling oversized loads so I guess that it just comes naturally.

I haven't loaded the Rover and the motorcycle together and am going to be curious because that's going to push the Rover's weight back a bit, but with the Rover centered on the trailer everything rides VERY well bearing in mind that I keep the speeds down around 55-62mph anyway.

I just did the 1,500 miles or so from Southern Texas to North Florida without any troubles and am looking forward to heading back.

Added added: The early Bluebirds are real bargains, but you need to have some mechanical expertise and know you limitations. They are built of steel, not fiberglass. Most have a 10,000 lb. tow rating (mine is actually an early one with a 7,000 tow rating but we have upgraded it). There is a whale of a difference between something like a Fleetwood with a single rear axle and a 5,000 lb. rating and a bus with a higher tow rating.

[PirateJohn]

Originally Posted by Lobby

A friend in meatspace advised to get the motorhome. The wife can then walk around to the back and go to the bathroom while it's underway.

You would be surprised how important that is!

[PirateJohn]

Originally Posted by spagthorpe

I most definitely is enforced here. I know someone that just hauls a flatbed garden trailer with dirtbikes on it, and has been busted twice by CHP, just moving with regular traffic. I don't know about big 5th wheels and such. I would tend to think that most people would slow down anyway, just because of the gas mileage. I know with my old F250 diesel, the mileage difference at 65 and 75 was huge.

According to the RV sites, California has been doing a big-time crackdown that essentially makes it impossible to operate a big bus and a long trailer without having a CDL, and that's a whole 'nuther can of worms.

[pookiebear]

Originally Posted by MotoMike

Revcon is out of biz and finding parts for them can sometimes be a challenge. I was trying to locate a trans yoke for one of their front wheel drive models (for a customer), and found one through a guy that DonkeyHotey turned me on to. He had one and wanted $800 fucking dollars for it I asked him if he is serious. He sez "Only one left in existence". What an asshole. We're talking about a part that was maybe $80 to $100 originally.

Hijack mode off.

I have an older class C G30 minnie winnie. I have tried to imagine living in it, and I can't see it. It's pretty small, but it works for what I do, which is going to the dez and riding almost every weekend. I wanted to put a bumper rack on it, then I found out the the G30 doesn't have a frame, just a uni-body structure. I just haul a 3 rail for the bikes, I can get into just about anywhere.

I bought it cheap, pretty clean in the coach part of things, motor was wore out as was the trans. The thing barely made it home from WARPED last year. So, as was said in an earlier post, no ever complains about to much truck I put a 340HP/435ftlbs 383CI GM crate motor in it, had the trans done with all the HD shit, and have been working on all the little things as I go. I am in to the whole thing for less $10K and it's reliable, actually hauls ass (for a MH) and it's all paid for.

pics?

[svs]

I have 27ft. class C with split beds in the back. For us it's a good length and works for an older unit with no slides. Has four separate beds. Hard to find in a Class C. The two captains chairs pivot and face into the RV when you are parked which opens up the living area.

We have a 14ft trailer and the two quads and 3 bikes all fit. This works good for a family of 5. Tight fit but it fits.



I am setting up this rig to flat tow on all four and then I will have my 4x and the KTM out at the same time with the RV. Kids are getting older and all 5 units travel out on the trailer only a couple times a year. A bit sad as time is marching on...



Another option is tow the Bug. But then you have no bike..It's always a trade off.



What I like about my set-up is the various options....Because the RV is older and the Bug and Trooper are too....It's not expensive.

Obviously we have to work within our budgets. Given more money I think I'd still do this cheaply..does not mean it has to be bad. But you need to be good at fixing things. I would not want to own this stuff If I could not work on it. There will be times you need help so keep that in mind. It can drain your pockets.

Good Luck getting set-up for adventures and travels. These activities and spending time with friends are what brings most of us a bit'of Joy in our lives.

[Lobby]

These are some really good comments. Many, not just I, are learning from this thread.

[saddlsor]

Originally Posted by PirateJohn

According to the RV sites, California has been doing a big-time crackdown that essentially makes it impossible to operate a big bus and a long trailer without having a CDL, and that's a whole 'nuther can of worms.

here in indiana the dot fellows have been cracking down on the guys that mow grass. seems if your trailer has dual axles, it's rating is 7000lbs. plus and you have to have a medical card, but no cdl. seems nobody knows this and I know a couple of people who have gotten tickets. don't know how this affects out of staters. I guess the state needs the money.

[k12steve]

Originally Posted by ImaPoser

It's kinda like this guy-



When I was shopping I had three ways to debate it:

1- A luxury class A with a lift on the back for a bike, and tow a jeep

2- A class C toy hauler with bikes in the back and tow a jeep

3-a crew cab diesel truck, towing a fifth wheel toy hauler

There are +'s and -'s to each setup.
As a retired couple(wife and my expected usage) with no kids, I would go with option 1.
Semi-retired, or euro quantity vacation with family, option 3.
family guy, limited vacation time, mostly long weekend trips and short(ish) vacations, or just for me being freshly retired, option 2.

Never did make a final decision. Instead, we bought a boat.
I would think no matter what choice we would have made, I would have wanted to try it differently in a few years time.


And Jkam, you rock.

I'd recommend the family guy with limited vacation time rent rather than buy. In my experience, TTs and MHs spend a LOT of time partked in backyards or storage facilities. Making that payment every month for something you use a couple of times a year prolly aint the best of investments . . .

[McNeal]

Originally Posted by k12steve

I'd recommend the family guy with limited vacation time rent rather than buy. In my experience, TTs and MHs spend a LOT of time partked in backyards or storage facilities. Making that payment every month for something you use a couple of times a year prolly aint the best of investments . . .

You bring up a valid point, but one that people shouldn't guess at and assume that one is more expensive than another. When I bought my TT years ago I looked at the cost and it was hands down cheaper to own the TT. When we bought our 5th wheel recently same thing. Of course I have a truck which can tow my trailers and always have. If you didn't have a truck and therefore needed to either buy a truck and trailer or buy a Class C I agree with K12steve. I'm just pointing this out to make K12steve's point clear.

One other benefit to owning your own RV which can't be expressed in monetary terms. You know how the RV is cleaned and who has slept in your bed. Not to mention that you can setup and keep your RV the way you like so that it becomes a true home away from home.

[ImaPoser]

Originally Posted by k12steve

I'd recommend the family guy with limited vacation time rent rather than buy. In my experience, TTs and MHs spend a LOT of time partked in backyards or storage facilities. Making that payment every month for something you use a couple of times a year prolly aint the best of investments . . .

True. When I was looking in to it, I had it figured at somewhere around 21 nights a year was the break even point of buying vs renting. Only issue is not being able to rent anything other than a basic stripper model RV. At the time, there was no place I coul dhave rented a toy hauler.