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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Introduce Yourself! -> Preparing for what's ahead?
Post Info TOPIC: Preparing for what's ahead?
jdkblue


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Preparing for what's ahead?
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We would like to hear of your suggestions on the pros and cons of our two ideas that we've been kicking around and if anyone has traveled this way and can suggest a better way of going about all this.

We are currently living in a bus conversion/motorhome and we tow a small cargo trailer (two motorcycles is a snug fit).  We have one motorcycle between us two riders as our only transportation so we are desperately looking for a small trailer to haul on the back of our motorcycle as well as a second motorcycle for my husband so we can get groceries easier and take our two labs with us where ever we decide to go.  We like living economically or living with less that's why we've decided not to have/get a car.  However some day in the future when our house sells we plan to upgrade, our bus is/has been great to us and we are doing fine with it, its just that we know we'll need more room someday since we've been trying to get pregnant.smile

1ST OPTION:  We've thought about possibly getting another motorhome (hopefully another diesel pusher) with slides, keep the cargo trailer or trade it in and get a bigger one so that we could keep the motorcycles or motorcycle and the smaller trailer towable by the motorcycle and possibly put a really small car in but we aren't sure if that's too much for the motorhome to haul, what type of car or how big of trailer we'd need.  In the future we would like to travel more so I don't like the thought of us traveling separately and one of us missing out on half the luxury of having a motorhome. We both don't think we could give up riding motorcycles; of course I would for awhile if I did get pregnant and that's why we would then need a car.

2ND OPTION:  We've also thought about if we'd like a fifth wheel or not since there is more living space in them and separate bedrooms but we don't like the thought of using a big HD truck for every day use so we would definitely keep the motorcycle(s) and use the truck rarely.  We absolutely dislike the majority of the toy haulers available; there's too much garage and not enough living space or if there is its set up more for temporary fun trips for larger groups.  Most states you can't triple tow in.  So we thought about getting a (flatbed) truck with a longer frame so that there would be a bigger space between the cab and the fifth wheel so we could put the motorcycles up there.  We've never seen that done and don't know if it's feasible.

In your opinion which way is better?



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1964 MCI Challenger 35' Diesel Bus Conversion
Workinrvers


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Here is a link to my blog showing how I haul my Goldwing.

http://workinrvers.blogspot.com/2009/05/back-in-groove.html


We have friends who tow an enclosed cargo trailer behind their 5th wheel and yes it is illegal in several states. They have towed in some of these states and have never been bothered nor have I heard of any personal expierences of Rvers being stopped and ticketed for double towing. You are the only one that can answer if that is a risk you want to accept or not.

I used to have a cargo trailer we pulled behind the Wing on trips. I sold it when we went fulltime because I couldn't figure out a good way to haul it. I purchased one of these to take it's place and we really like it.

http://www.drivelikeapro.com/pages/motorcycles.html

We don't use our HDT for our daily driver, just almost exclusively for towing the 5th wheel. Like H and L we have a small 4 wheel drive that Rudee follows me in when we travel (unfortunantly that is not too often right now).

There is a wealth of information on the Escapees Forum under the HDT section.
http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?s=fc226640502b58529ad19f86b035c075&showforum=32

 I can also be reached through my blog or shoot me a private message here on the forum and I'll do my best to answer any questions you may have. 

Our  total length is 63' long. We get around 9.5 MPG towing and not much better not towing.  The truck is easy to drive even with the straight transmission, an auto shift would be even easier. The best part is we bought the truck already converted for 5th wheel use (I added the Rampage motorcycle lift) and we paid less than 1/3 the cost of a new deisel pick up truck and I get to bring my motorcycle along biggrin.

Phil



-- Edited by Phil Bob on Monday 5th of October 2009 12:03:44 PM

-- Edited by Phil Bob on Monday 5th of October 2009 12:04:33 PM

-- Edited by Phil Bob on Monday 5th of October 2009 12:07:02 PM

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Phil and Rudee
http://workinrvers.blogspot.com
2002 Winnebago Journey DL
2007 Dodge Dakota
2011 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited
GENECOP


RV-Dreams Family Member

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40 FT.. CLASS A TOY HAULER WITH A SMART CAR IN THE GARAGE. Damon makes the Outlaw, Gulfstream makes the Bounty Hunter, Newmar makes one as well. G

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GOING FOR IT
Camper_Boy


RV-Dreams Family Member

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We ended up with a Newmar X-Aire toyhauler, even though I was initially opposed to it because of the same reasons you mention -- gaudy colors, what do we need a "garage" for??

BUT . . . we found one that has a very nice interior (would never know it's a toyhauler), and we decided that it could best be adapted for our needs.  We are looking at getting a couple of motorcycles (or large scooters) once we hit the road, but for now we just carry our 4 bicycles, and the dog, and our chairs, and our grill, etc . . . back there.  Our project for the winter is to build a loft bed for our oldest son (we opted not to go with the electric bunks), and get a carpet to fit the floor.

We happened upon this particular RV, and it was a good fit for us, but the Keystone Raptor is another very nice toyhauler that comes in several floorplans that might work for you.

If you want to see our toyhauler, check out our blog.  I posted interior pictures back in June.

Good luck in your search, and in your efforts to build your family!

Marci

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Tom, Marci, Nicolas, Bryce and our dog, Casey
2008 Newmar X-Aire 41CKLG toyhauler
2008 Ford F-450 Lariat
Check out our blog  http://roamingfree2010.blogspot.com/
JLitton65


RV-Dreams Family Member

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We also have a toyhauler.  A Heartland Cyclone 3795.  We love it, it doesn't have the radical interior ie: racing stuff.  We do haul 2 Harleys, and sometimes a Suzuki.  We have also hauled a small john boat.  Once we set up camp, the garage becomes the utility room/dog kennel room.  We also bring the dogs in through the back door, wipe their paws before they come inside the living qtrs.

Julie

http://brljal1.blogspot.com/



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Julie
Jacksonville, FL
http://brljal1.blogspot.com/
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