What type of RV fits your needs?
 |
| Panoramic RV |
Introduction
So it is 2020, I am hibernating in Lincolnville on the coast of Maine. I am bored. I already hung out at home all winter. I had been ill 6 weeks prior to the 2019 Christmas holidays (was diagnosed with Celiac). I wasn’t going out to eat, I wasn’t going anywhere and then covid19 hit and we were all home staying safe. It was an interesting time with regards to my productivity. I had none! Nada! Jammies reigned supreme, read email, wrote Facebook posts, cooked amazing meals, and felt like I could be dead in my house for days before anyone here in town would even notice, nor care. My daughter was working in Chicago and would call periodically. I am sure if I didn’t post to Facebook she might have been concerned.
By April I had confirmed what I long suspected, it was time for me to find my tribe. They could be here but I hadn’t found them yet, I wasn’t included much being “from away” and being a single senior. So in my self reflection I realized that selling the two hotels really was my goal and once not bound to here by the businesses, I could do more travel again. But how? Covid19 would be here for a while. So I started by making my bucket list. On it were a lot of places throughout the USA that I wanted to see or return to. Then one day as I was flipping through the channels on the TV I discovered the show Going RV. I watched it... Class A Pushers, Toy Haulers, 5th Wheels, Class C, Winnebagos large and small.... and more. And as I watched these shows I learned a lot. A LOT! I started making lists of things I liked, features, and considered the costs. Some costs seemed really low while others astronomical.
As I said, I learned a lot about RVs. I had only gone tent camping as a kid with my relatives in California. And though my Aunt and Uncle nearby in NJ had several campers over the years, we had never been invited to go along. Likely my mother showed no interest. We had a house at the Jersey Shore and that was where we spent vacation season.
I had long thought about a unit that I could drive versus tow. And knowing my Hyundai Tuscon wasn’t going to tow anything other than a teardrop, I started the research project more seriously. First, I discovered that there are no RV dealers near where I live. Really none. While everyone in their brother was selling their used rigs for a wide range of prices. I wanted something new. Maybe even customized? But I didn’t want a used RV though it is a great low budget option especially if you are handy and can renovate if needed.
So with the closest RV dealer 2.5-3 hours away and everything pretty much closed for Covid19, I decided to avoid the drive, the public restrooms there and back, and risks associated with eating out (both covid19 and my gluten intolerance).
Resources I used:
- Online Searches of key words
- Searches of RV Dealers and their websites, videos, inventory
- Searches of RV Manufacturers and their websites, videos, inventory
- You tube videos of RVers, Customizers, Reviewers
- Pinterest Searches
Hours turned to days turned to weeks. I was getting a stiff neck, twisted back and nearly wore out my ipad! I kept copious notes. I made charts. I loved matrices of features of each manufacturer. I had a list going of things I would need to buy as well. And then I started joining different manufacturers Facebook groups where I could ask questions. People kindly answered and I continued to learn from the questions other people asked as well. Learning “what I didn’t know I didn’t know” became an important part of it all.
And, it was all worth it! Until....until one day a fairly well-liked, well-followed, review guru on You Tube admits while answering a guys online question “what is the longest you camped in your RV?” with “4 days.” “Maybe a week once.” What? I have been watching your videos on helpful tips and which rig is better than another and you haven’t traveled in your own rig for more than a long weekend!? I was disappointed. I felt let down. I felt I lost a little of my trust in him as a newcomer. Though a bright and intelligent guy, he hadn’t stayed out on the road long enough to even need to empty his black tank away from home. In that moment, I realized I had come to the point in time when I had researched enough and could make a decision. And so I did! My decision is a ClassB, Panoramic RV, made in Montreal.
I present to you my process of making my decision. Use what you can, throw away what doesn’t fit, adapt to what fits .... recall my perspective is that of a 65 year old former shop teacher/industrial trainer/executive coach who sat around for 8 months thinking about her tribe. And the tribe-mobile....the RV that will take me around the country to places where my tribe hangs out.... National Parks, wineries, hot glass studios, artisans, historical sights, museums, cool restaurants and coffee shops, book stores, harbors and lighthouses, mountains galore and more!
Cost
I started to consider the costs. I have a retirement income but am property poor right now trying to sell two hotel properties. And the second one sells, I will be ready to pull out of the driveway!
The costs are more than the rig itself and include:
- Cost of the RV
- new and ready to roll
- new but you or a professional can convert/customize it
- used in good condition
- used in questionable condition, i.e. it is going to cost money to make ready
- Cost of your base vehicle, personal or family car/truck
- will you provide a vehicle yo an upfitter
- will you drive the RV as a primary/secondary vehicle or only use it for recreation
- will your current vehicle tow an RV or will you need a new vehicle in order to tow the RV
- will you want/need to bring a vehicle along (current or new) as a tow-behind
- Cost of other transportation and your recreation options (and thus racks, storage, trailers, tow-bars, and roof space)
- are you bringing along bicycle(s) or getting an e-bike(s)
- kids toys, bikes, tubes (needing air)
- kayaks, canoes, surfboards, SUP boards, boogie boards, rafts
- ATV, golf carts, snowmobiles
- horses, cattle (just seeing if you are paying attention! Lol)
- Cost of the contents - AKA outfitting the RV
- bedding (specialty sizes)
- storage containers, kitchen equipment
- supplies - cleaning, personal, medical, safety
- hoses, fittings, tools, cables
- chairs, tables, rug, grill
- Cost of operating RV
- insurance
- camper membership organizations including roadside assistance
- food, dining out, guests
- fuel, LP gas
- regular maintenance, replacement timeline (tires, battery, hoses, oil, etc.)
- winterizing/storage or snow tires, cover
- lot/park fees, camping fees, waste fees
- shopping on the road
Size
Size matters! Size will have a correlation with cost of the RV but there are some other size surprises. Bigger is not always more expensive and smaller isn’t always cheaper. Determining which unit fits you is about these key things:
- do you want to drive it or tow it
- fuel type (gas, diesel, bio diesel) and efficiency (fuel mileage and availability)
- how many people do you need to sleep inside
- do you need a kitchen
- do you need a toilet, shower, tub (dry or wet bath)
- will you be staying off-grid (aka boondocking) or at a campground where services may be available
- how long can you go before you need power/water/dump-station
- how much storage will you need inside/outside
- are you living full-time, for work as extended stay, or only for recreation/travel
- tank sizes - fuel, fresh water, grey water, black matter, LP gas
- technology capacity - batteries, solar, generator, internet, tv, satellite
Class A - these are the big rig units build essentially on a tour bus chassis and command the road (space, tolls, fuel consumption). Costing the price of a house ($75-350,000 USD) based on size and features. Many people, young and old, live in these units year-round, tow a small car or boat behind on their ways to various destinations. Retirees often winter in the south, summer in the north. You can see the migration every spring (May) and fall (October) past my house. These units can offer an amazing array of amenities such as full-size refrigerators, king-size beds, sleep 6-8, multiple dry bathrooms, fireplaces, washer/dryer units. Plus the slide-out options create so much space. For year-round use in colder climates, this is a great option.
Personally, I decided right from the start that these “pushers” as they are called, or “diesel pushers“ since most are diesel, are way too big, too hard to drive though I have driven our 55-passenger tour bus in Beijing before, and all the features are more than I need. I don’t need a big house to travel in.
Class C - the next size down or medium motor homes are built on the truck chassis and you drive a truck cab or or van cab. These are easier to drive than the Class A models and a bit more fuel efficient but don’t get too excited! They are available in gas or diesel. They are wider and longer than a pickup truck or commercial van. They can be from 22-35 feet. Usually they cost between $75,000-$250,000 with the typical unit between $75-150,000 range Depending on manufacturer. Of course features in the kitchen, number if beds, slides, and technology will drive the cost up. These Class C units can be compact or expansive. Class C units are great family travel units and good for couples needing a bit more space for longer stays than a Class B motorhome. Again, these RVs are bigger than what I want to drive and definitely bigger than I need for recreational use and perhaps a winter-time extended stay in a warmer climate.
Class B - the target of my affection! Think tiny house in a commercial van. Base units are typically Mercedes Benz Sprinter (diesel), Ford Transit (gas) and Dodge Ram Promaster (gas). There are 2-3 length choices ranging from 19-20’ to 22-24’. The smaller lengths will fit in a standard parking space, drive like a van, and get reasonable RV mileage. Some people will do the van conversion to RV themselves either as a DIY or buy premade drop in units for beds and cabinets. Like the other two motorhome categories, you can buy from a dealer or order direct from a manufacturer. You can also use a commercial custom approved upfitter. There is a large range of interior options in terms of bed styles, kitchenette configurations, bathroom placement, technology included/available. The price of these units can range from the bare cost of the van itself if you DIY ($30,000-50,000 USD or more) to basic outfitters ($75-100,000 USD) to manufacturers ($90,000-250,000). A typical cost is $125-150,000.
There are more rustic and family friendly Class B units that have pop up roofs with a great bed for kids, teens, and lightweight adults. These are offered by the same Class B manufacturers as well as some automobile companies like VW. They are modern adaptations of the VW bus. All the same considerations apply and price is lower. They may offer a small kitchen but rarely a bathroom. If you camp at campgrounds with restrooms or outhouses, this may be a fine option. For me as an older and bigger gal, the bather location and ease of getting into bed a definite concern.
Towables
If you are going to tow behind your car, SUV, Van, or truck, the options are huge and diverse. The price can be as low as $5,000 and as high as $200,000. Great options exist for really great prices! Used units can be found everywhere and even RVs that are 10 years old or less can be very affordable. The trailer manufacturing capital of America is Elkhart, Indiana. Most RV dealers throughout the country carry a wide range of these units offering lots of choices. The Airstream brand which is notably expensive yet highest quality and holds its value. A good size towing unit is not more than $75,000.00.
Teardrops and Popups - as this sounds these are small easy towable units for 1-4 persons and towed usually by a car, SUV, or Van. Check your vehicle manual for tow-rating. Can you add a tow-bar to your undercarriage? And, when you look at towable consider their weight PLUS all the “stuff” you plan to haul along inside the towable and your vehicle. It all adds up and weight distribution has ruined many a tire, alignment, Jack-knife, and more. They often have a kitchenette but not a bathroom. Larger units are the exception. What makes these the least expensive are size and features AND they lack the base van/truck/bus vehicle (engine, drivetrain, technology, amenities, etc.). These are ideal for camping and seasonal recreational use versus living in them full-time. Price can be as low as $2000 and go up to $20,000 on the high end.
Trailers - getting bigger at 25-35’ and are like their Class C cousins in terms of features and amenities in towable form. This category offers great low prices with big impact options for singles, couples, and small families. Any feature you can desire can be found in this category. A trip to an RV dealer, RV show, or even online, will boggle your mind in terms of choices. Think $16-20,000 and up.
Toy Haulers - At the $50-75,000 range these trailers are towed by trucks given their length 25-35’+. They have garage areas to secure and store during driving larger recreational vehicles such as ATVs, motor cycles, e-bikes, rafts, canoes, kayaks, and more. Usually the garage area is converted to a dining space or pull-down living/sleeping beds. There are decks (sometimes side and also where the ramp is on the back) and party options like kegerators. These RVs are designed for groups/families with active lifestyles. They are huge in terms of sleeping capacity.
Fifth-Wheel - is a trailer of varying length that sits upon a hitch based in the flatbed of a truck or pickup truck. These offer Lots of storage, living, and family sleeping space. They are also popular for year-round living or to place “permanently” in an RV Park. These offer all the same amenities as the Toy Haulers and regular large towing trailers. They can also have features like the Class A big rigs.
- Electricity/Electronics - batteries (lithium), inverter, generator, solar panels, exterior options for lights, TV, outside kitchen
- Mechanicals - tank sizes and pumps, toilet type, awning/power awning, slides, decks
- Appliances - refrigerator type and size, stove top (gas vs induction), oven/microwave/convection, washer/dryer, dishwasher, kegerator
- Window types - style, glass vs plastic
- Window coverings
- Upholstery on seats and sofas (leather or not)
- Flooring materials
- Cabinetry - quantity and type of units: wood, laminate, lock styles (so they don’t rattle or come open)
- Technology for TV, satellite dish, internet, cell boosters
- Bed style and size
Other Options - Saving Money
DIY - if your are handy and feel the joy of doing projects yourself, this may be for you. The result is only as good as the effort (and skills) you put into it. Your intent might be to save money. That rarely happens. Your time is money! Pride of doing it yourself is value too. There are premade drop in units. Or, you might buy a used trailer or motorhome and update it.... paint, upholstery, cabinet doors, add technology. All over America there are used RVs sitting in people’s back yards or behind the barn. Often estates have an RV available. Check also banks and credit unions that may reposses an RV for non-payment of the loan.Sometimes people trade-in and trade-up/down in RV size. Dealers will have units available that may or may not offer some assurance of functionality.
Comments
Post a Comment