Making THE List - RV-Dreams Community Forum

earthmommy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Making THE List

JayKim-no regrets · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi earthmommy:)

Sounds exciting to be starting out on a new life huh? And it is, I hate to be a 'debbie downer', I just think that you really need to do a lot of research, it's going to be a lot different for you guys, it's much easier for 'us', we don't have to worry about our kids schooling, health, 'attitude' from teens all in a small space, to be honest I am not sure we would have the patience to do fulltime in a class C with young children! I admire you for what you are planning, there are families out there full timing with children, maybe you could read some of their Blogs, get some idea of how that all works?

I am a little worried too about the choice of RV, do you really think a class C will be big enough for 5 people? sometimes 7? I know that there are people that do fulltime in Class C's, I would advise you to tour a few RV dealerships and take the children too, just spend some time in different RV's and get an idea of the space/storeage etc in the Class C's, and others, have you thought about travel trailers? they usually have more room inside them, depending on size etc.

Whatever you decide will be right for you and your girls, just spend a lot of time researching all your options, I wish you the very best and hope you can make yor dream a reality

huggs Kim x

earthmommy · RV-Dreams Family Member

You make very good points. Teen attitude in an RV...that right there is enough to scare me off! LOL.

Actually we're not planning to fulltime right now. For now we just want to be able to take trips together, so the size of the rig should work out for that.

JayKim-no regrets · RV-Dreams Family Member

earthmommy wrote:
You make very good points. Teen attitude in an RV...that right there is enough to scare me off! LOL.
Actually we're not planning to fulltime right now. For now we just want to be able to take trips together, so the size of the rig should work out for that.

Ahhhhhhhh ok, sorry my mistake. Happy travels to you guys

huggs kim x

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

5 to 7 in a small Class C? WOW, talk about close quarters.

With tongue firmly in cheek, there are rules about inside 5th wheel RVs. There is room to sleep 2, feed 4, have drinks for 6 and for more than that, the lawn chairs come out.

It is only my opinion, but after a weekend with 5 in a Class C, there will be a period of not wanting to see anyone. That is, if you are still on speaking terms.

Seriously, take the expected crowd with you to see a prospective RV and spend a couple of hours inside like it was raining or inclement weather. Do the expected activities, fix dinner (make believe), go to bed, etc. That will enlighten you. Leave the "Well, we can make this do attitude at home". Be realistic and truthful with one another.
Best of luck.

Trabuco · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think I would pile all the folks and kids into a rental class c, and try it for a weekend or 2. Then try the same thing for and entire week. It'll give you a little experience behind the wheel as well.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

Like others have said, I think you should try both a Class C and a Class A for comfort and driveablity. You'll be amazed at how quickly you will become comfortable behind the wheel, size really won't be the difference. It's more about being able to see what's going on around you, the stability and maneuverability of the vehicle.

To assist in getting up and out of the RV there are add on lifts that can help. An inexpensive one is made by Burr Industries. http://www.burractuators.com/lifts/handy_lift.htm There is also a model that uses a seat instead of a platform.

Whatever you choose look for a well cared for RV, one with low miles but used at least 6 times per year and make sure the tires are fresh and in good shape. Try out all of the appliances and equipment to make sure everything works and works for more than just one time or a few minutes. I would run the A/C and generator for at least an hour.

Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Saturday 31st of March 2012 08:00:28 AM

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our experience with a small rig was many, many moons ago when our two boys were young. (Think back in the '70's and '80's.) In our case, while we had a small travel trailer (one 16' and later a 21'), the boys would sleep outside in their own tents. Then, the camper became the gathering point for meals and shelter in cold or inclement weather.

I'm not sure that would be an option for you or not, depending on security reasons, campsite regulations, or whatever, but it might be something to consider.

Good luck with helping everyone to enjoy the lifestyle to some degree.

Terry

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our first RV was a 23' Minnie Winnie class C. We had three kids, and we were homeschoolers. Our first long trip in it was from Concordia, MO to near Denver, CO for a national homeschool retreat. The twin girls slept in the cabover bunk. The dinette and couch made into a bed that stretched across the coach. My wife slept on one side, I was in the middle, and our son was on the other side of me. The girls had to crawl up to their bunk first, then the rest of us stretched out. Trips to the bathroom during the night were "interesting." The kids were 12-13 or so back then.

We've thought about a Class C as a full-time rig for the two of us, and have pretty well decided against them. We can buy a Class A for the same money and have more space. As you look at coaches, make sure that you take your kids with you, and listen to their comments carefully. After you've seen some coaches, have a family meeting and really tear into what each of you saw, both good and bad. It won't take long for you to get past the glitz to the practical issues. When a coach seems attractive to everyone, then you really need to play devil's advocate with it. Figure out the weak points, and ways to work around them.

Enjoy the hunt!

earthmommy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks so much for all the input!

I never really thought much about the Class A and Class C being relatively the same prices. And, I admit, the size really does intimidate me. I guess I lean toward the class C because I drove an ambulance for a few years and the design is similar so I feel like I have a little experience there, but from now on I will consider both.

I so wish that it wasn't so expensive to rent one. For what we'd pay in rent from the local places I've checked out we could make a nice size down payment on one! Anyway, we're just starting out the shopping process so I will consider all these points and keep everyone posted. In the meantime any and all input is welcome!

Anyone in the Charlotte NC area willing to teach me to drive???? LOL.

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

I know exactly what you mean...the sheer size of a DP class A intimidated me. I test drove our coach once before we purchased, before that the biggest vehicle I had driven was our 30' class C. When we purchased our coach we had to take delivery outside California for tax purposes, so the dealer had a driver who drove the coach to Reno where we did the final paperwork. He then left us in Reno in a large strip mall parking lot with our new coach. On top of being scared to drive this monster it was snowing! What an introduction to driving a big rig. Now, years later, I love driving the rig.

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've not yet driven a DP, but I have driven a school bus with a bunch of high school kids on board. For all practical purposes, both a Class A and a Class C are big boxes. You can easily see the sides and corners if the mirrors are set properly. There are various driving schools available, but you might consider a cheaper alternative. Find a friend who has a Class A and ask to sit in the drivers seat (with the slides in and engine off). When they're going to take the coach out for a short drive, ask to go along. Should you buy one, have the seller take it and you to a large parking lot and practice a bit. You already know about using your mirrors to help you stay in your lane, so you won't have much trouble.

earthmommy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Speaking of the Class A vs Class C, how to they stack up against each other for gas mileage?

Trabuco · RV-Dreams Family Member

My Diesel Pusher class A gets about 8 -9 MPG. I have a friend with a 31 foot class C gas and he gets about 9 MPG. This of course will vary by how you drive.

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Some of the Foretravel people are reporting 10 mpg, although most are more like 8-9. The heavy Wanderlodges are reporting 5 mpg on the Detroit Diesel two cycle engines. The BMC coaches with a more modern engine and lighter weight are more like 8-9. From some of the stories, I suspect that fuel use might go down considerably if the speed came down.

I think our old Minnie Winnie may have gotten 8 coming back from Colorado, but most of the time it didn't get that. I tried to keep the speed around 60, but sometimes I couldn't make it go that fast. That was a 1976 that we were driving in the late 90's, so it was not as fuel-efficient as the new ones are.