Traveling in a RV - need your tips

[dogbert]

I make my own first aid kits when we travel. I know what we can and can't use as well as what we do and don't use. This way I get what we need/use and not a bunch of stuff we don't.

We looked into motor homes and decided on a trailer for a few reasons. I love the motor home idea though. But then hubby worked with a guy who owned a lemon that broke down all the time which of course left them stuck for hours or days till it was fixed since they didn't tow other transportation behind it. Not to mention towing charges/repair costs. Hubby won't even look at one now. We will get a trailer and leave it at campsites we like so we don't lose our spot, drive the truck to site see, dinner etc so our big butt won't be in the way around close quarters/small towns. If something happens to the trailer we SHOULD still have the truck. lol

[nana911]

Originally Posted by IamMiasmom

What brands of coaches do you all have? We are looking into one and I frankly want to hold out for a Prevost. But will settle for a 46' tandem to take primarily Mia with me. Funny you have a Mia also, my Mia is a water diva she won't drink non bottled water! And make sure you go up 15 to Salt Lake take the 80 bypass to 80 if you are going to IA that will have the fewest hills to climb. (I own 82 semi's) Pretty good with route analysis so that is the way I prefer when I go to Vegas for meetings and equipment auctions. Don't like to fly so that is also why I am intrigued with brands and such. Reason why I want something so large I like space in addition to engine size to climb hills. In horse trailer we have living quarters and always fill with bottled water, rv showers are not like getting a regular shower and will get the babies sudsed up about the time you run out of warm water, won't be well received. Where in IA?

That still puts her going over Sherman, right... course that's not too bad. Nothing like Cabbage.... Those were the days!!!!!

[dogbert]

Originally Posted by IamMiasmom

my horse trailer is dual fuel on the heater/air and the fridge. But the stove top is is propane and the microwave is electric. Mia still isn't sure she likes traveling with the horses

Poor Mia, she says they are really big and they bark funny!

[roseslevi]

Originally Posted by dogbert

I make my own first aid kits when we travel. I know what we can and can't use as well as what we do and don't use. This way I get what we need/use and not a bunch of stuff we don't.

We looked into motor homes and decided on a trailer for a few reasons. I love the motor home idea though. But then hubby worked with a guy who owned a lemon that broke down all the time which of course left them stuck for hours or days till it was fixed since they didn't tow other transportation behind it. Not to mention towing charges/repair costs. Hubby won't even look at one now. We will get a trailer and leave it at campsites we like so we don't lose our spot, drive the truck to site see, dinner etc so our big butt won't be in the way around close quarters/small towns. If something happens to the trailer we SHOULD still have the truck. lol

I have owned four motor homes, after the last diesel bus I will not own another one. We worked our butts off to finally be able to afford a diesel bus and in 2006 bought a 40ft holiday rambler with 4 slide outs brand new. It doesn't matter how much you spend on them, your going to have problems. They are like boats...I live on Cape Cod, and I don't own one of those either We had nothing but problems. Of course with this wonderful economy Holiday Rambler even went under. The problem with the diesel's is the electronics. Everything is run by computer components. The average person can't fix this stuff on there own and my local shop gets $120.00/ hr for repairs. Gas motorhomes are not as problematic. I recently purchased a 2011 5th wheel and I love it. I can't remember how many times we were stranded in the new motor home.....not to mention how many trips we canceled because it was in the shop! But I am truly loving the trailer and my Diesel truck that I get to drive daily

[dogbert]

Originally Posted by roseslevi

I have owned four motor homes, after the last diesel bus I will not own another one. We worked our butts off to finally be able to afford a diesel bus and in 2006 bought a 40ft holiday rambler with 4 slide outs brand new. It doesn't matter how much you spend on them, your going to have problems. They are like boats...I live on Cape Cod, and I don't own one of those either We had nothing but problems. Of course with this wonderful economy Holiday Rambler even went under. The problem with the diesel's is the electronics. Everything is run by computer components. The average person can't fix this stuff on there own and my local shop gets $120.00/ hr for repairs. Gas motorhomes are not as problematic. I recently purchased a 2011 5th wheel and I love it. I can't remember how many times we were stranded in the new motor home.....not to mention how many trips we canceled because it was in the shop! But I am truly loving the trailer and my Diesel truck that I get to drive daily

We have a diesel truck too. We don't want a 5th wheel due to how many other things the backof the truck gets used for. What brand of trailer did you get?

[IamMiasmom]

With owning all the semi trucks I have 11 mechanics but that is
Expensive! Want power for hills. And yes she will go over Sherman but. Not like a lot of others for sure. Many great yorkie photo ops! I just can't travel without Mia. Funny how at Christmas we weren't together and now I don't want to be apart. Packing with her I always have my yorkie diaper bag. She travels with me to jobsites and is well received about everywhere and want her to be comfy. .

[roseslevi]

Originally Posted by dogbert

We have a diesel truck too. We don't want a 5th wheel due to how many other things the backof the truck gets used for. What brand of trailer did you get?

I got a forest river wildcat 28rkbs. Rear kitchen, 2 slide outs on opposite side of awning(important), wanted to keep it simple this time around. Even special ordered mostly linoleum instead of carpet. Much more user friendly than the motor home ever was!

[nana911]

Class C gas Rvs don't have the trouble that diesel pushers have and if you pull a small car behind it, you have the same configuration of towing as large tk pulling 5th wheel. Something towing something. You park your rv, and have something to run about in, but you have the comfort of going down the road with all the comforts available to you.

[dogbert]

Originally Posted by roseslevi

I got a forest river wildcat 28rkbs. Rear kitchen, 2 slide outs on opposite side of awning(important), wanted to keep it simple this time around. Even special ordered mostly linoleum instead of carpet. Much more user friendly than the motor home ever was!

We've seen a couple with all linolium but they weren't the type of trailer we were looking for. 22ft is to small it's like our camper on wheels. 31ft seems a good length. So something between 22 and 31 is an option. At least 1 slide out is good, awning is a must. Awning opposite the slide is what we've seen do they do it the other way? Saw a really nice Montana Mountaineer but it sold FAST.

[roseslevi]

They call mine a 28 ft but it measures 30/31 feet. Sometimes if you get a trailer with to many slides, the slides are on the same side as the awning which takes up "living" space under your awning. We are outdoor people so this was important to me. My motorhome had 4 slides, one of which was smack in the middle of the awning living area(bad planning) and it had light beige carpet and hardwood floors. Not real user friendly for dogs and kids and husbands!

I think class C's are nice to nana911, the only thing I am getting away from....keeping it simple. Trailer has a water heater, pump, appliances, ac and heater for the most part. No big tax payment. No big extended warranty payment. No big insurance payment.

Class C still has motor....excise tax(mass), appliances, tires etc. Just trying to get away from the big expenses. Yearly excise tax on motorhome started out at something crazy like 4000.00.

I have a son that is a Junior in high school, so I need to be able to pay for college tuition

[dogbert]

What measurements make a 28 a 31ft? I could just ask hubby this stuff I guess but I like hearing from someone who already owns a trailer. lol

We want to keep it simple for the most part and low cost. One of the reasons we want to buy used instead of new. The taxes on a new one and how much the depreciate when you drive them off the lot.....

We are pretty much done with college (I hope) but this wedding coming up......YIKES!

[nana911]

Ahhh, well my youngest is 34, so college and weddings are ancient history. I occasionally indulge grandkids, but most expendable income goes to yorkie stuff....LOL I don't envy you youngsters....not a bit!

[roseslevi]

They measure the trailer from the hitch to the bumper....which isn't exactly living space...so it comes out a couple of feet bigger, but not usuable space.

[dogbert]

I figured that's how they measured.

Our youngest is getting married, we have grankids who live far away. Another reason to want a trailer.

[roseslevi]

We do so much camping now, that on the odd chance I have to fly somewhere I get all wound up. The camper is always packed and ready to go so all I need to do is clothes, groceries and dog stuff. I have a Ford truck that is extended cab and I just bought the new 2 dog car seat from Snoozer which I absolutely love. I keep a small cooler in the truck cab with some drinks for us and we are good to go.