RV or trailering a camper

[cookiedough]

Seen some good deal on RV's with engines in that 40 to 50K range low miles say 37K miles most 20 to 23 ft long which is what size I would want, nothing too big.   Wonder why so cheap considering a trailering a large 23 ft. camper even used is 15-20K?  I would think a V6 diesel engine would outlast and get much better mpg than a big 8 or 10 cylinder gas engine, not sure on that?

Since most on hear are retired or going to be retired soon, anyone have any RV suggestions to look out for besides the obvious making sure everything works and the engine runs well?   I find it hard to believe 6-7 year old RV's with engines under 40K miles would have many issues, right?     The price of them in that 40-50K range used I think is reasonable considering a new 1/2 ton truck is in that same ballpark amount. 

[scooperhsd]

Are you looking at a Motorhome / minimotorhome, or something else ?

These basically have the 3/4 - 1 ton truck chassis / powertrains, so yes all the usual drivetrain stuff would apply. Figure 8-12 (maybe higher) MPG.

I like the trailer idea, simply because once you get to your campsite and disconnect / setup the trailer, you have your separate vehicle to sightsee / shop / etc. Also, your tow vehicle can be replaced and you still have your RV. This can be compensated for with the motorhome by towing a small vehicle, at the cost of even lower MPG. Not that trailering is going to be all that great MPG wise either...

Only you (and your S.O., of course) can decide what is most appropriate for you. I wish you good luck and good travels.

[0leman]

We have tried several different options for RV'ing.  Have a camper sitting on a 2500 Deisel truck.  iT worked pretty good.  If one was going to sit in one place for a week, one could drop the camper and run around in the truck.  0nly downside was we oversized the camper for the truck.  We tired pulling a trailer, a A-Framed popup.  it worked great, especially when we were going to stay in one place for a bit.   Easy to setup/take down.  We now have a diesel van.  It is not bad.  Took it from OR to FL in May.   We were out about a month.  No major problems in living in it. 

Really depends on what you want.  The diesel engine would get better mileage.   Ours got 19 mpg for our trip.  That was driving at 65-70 mph and a high-profile van.

[f6john]

I would like to have a diesel pusher, I think. Of course it would have to be used to even consider, and that causes me nightmares about all the possible issues that could arise and the cost of ownership. Probably won’t happen for me, but I still think it could be a lot of enjoyment.

I haven’t done any real research but I’m sure that when it comes to motor homes some are just better made than others but I really don’t know what to look for and ones to avoid.

[cookiedough]

yah, one never knows about buying used if everything works as it should. Most been looking at are 20-23ft max and would prefer diesel for better mpg mostly vs. say a big V8 or V10 gasser.  Just cannot believe the pricing on 3 or 4 I seen 6-7 years old ONLY 13 to 37K miles on them around that 50K range am sure new is pushing 100K.  

never ends though,  I found going to take off 4 hrs. work (boss reluctant to let me go) late today to go see a used UTV deal seems really good about 2K less than what they are selling closer to me.  Is 3 hr. drive south into IL....  home by 10 p.m. am sure......  Work sucks especially for the other 2 that always seems weekly to NEEDING to take off work 2-4 hrs. weekly for errands and the 1 time I ask off boss raises a stink about it.   Time to retire and say the heck with working for sure.  Wife is in same boat all the others she works with takes off 2-5 hrs. weekly to run errands yet the ONE time we do it,  they frown upon it.     

[Reb]

Kudos on the diesel pusher side for motorhomes.

Only downfall, if something does go wrong on the engine side, a lot of shops pile on fees out the wazoo for repairs. Mainly being the engine resides under most bedroom areas on the motorhomes/coaches. Requiring mechanics to  plastic wrap interiors from getting oil/grease stains.

My pops retired from Fabick Caterpillar dealership. Was always quick to cuss quoting and working on motorhome power systems.

[0leman]

Kudos on the diesel pusher side for motorhomes.

Only downfall, if something does go wrong on the engine side, a lot of shops pile on fees out the wazoo for repairs. Mainly being the engine resides under most bedroom areas on the motorhomes/coaches. Requiring mechanics to  plastic wrap interiors from getting oil/grease stains.

My pops retired from Fabick Caterpillar dealership. Was always quick to cuss quoting and working on motorhome power systems.

Sounds like Cookie is looking for a RV that is less than 25'.  Those would probably be those on a truck frame with engine under the hood in front of vehicle.  So, working on engine would be no more an issue than one would have with a light truck. 

[MarkT]

We chose to separate the living space from the road motivator (that is, pull a camper) to
a) reduce the complexity of a single platform to increase reliability and lower repair costs
b) reduce the purchase cost - already had the 4runner
c) provide mobility after the camp is setup, not lose the campsite if not reserved, and not have to repeat camp setup - levelling, water & elect hookup, awning, carpet, chairs, BBQ, table etc.  FYI Dometic says their absorption refrig has to be within 3° of level when parked for an hour or more with it running or you will damage it.
d) be able to replace the 4runner or camper separately
e) maneuverability is better with a trailer - at least for me.
f) more living features can be packed into a given length - 17 ft camper holds more than a 22 ft RV

Remember the living space is very complex and it is subject to severe abuse.  High vibration / jolts, hurricane force winds.  RV maintenance & repairs, whether motorhome or trailer is much more than the uninitiated are aware of.  Add to that the maint & repair of a drivetrain on the same platform - which may be difficult to access depending on configuration.  Also, who made it?  Is it a quality platform?  I don't know if you can get info from say Consumer Reports on these.  But there are lots of experienced sources online, in addition to FB & youtube.  rvlife, allstays, many more.  Will take some surfing to come to your conclusion.  Including asking those who have already learned that via research & experience, in appropriate venues.

Here's one more issue, at least in this state:  Colorado will pay for the registration of one vehicle owned by a disabled veteran.  Including an RV.  However, that RV (which campers are technically an RV) must be a motor-RV.  So I had to use that benefit for my 4runner instead - which saves some but only about 1/20 the cost of the camper reg.  It cost $950 to register my Mini-Max camper, I posted about recently, here.  The DMV clerk said "The good news is, next year it will go down to $750."  That's GOOD news?

[cookiedough]

RV will have to wait a tad longer now  drove 3 hours south into IL and picked up a 2012 can am commander 1000cc limited in decent shape overall (few minor issues I hope can fix)  asking 9K with 2800 miles has about 2K in accessories installed got for 8.8K (asked 200 off even though he said was FIRM on price) since did not like not told to me when we talked on phone pretty severe passenger seat rips in 6 places will need seat bottom cover,  tailgate paint chipped badly on top and not close too well hope can realign or something?, and 1 of 4 headlights burnt out, among other minor issues I can attempt to fix. 

Wife said NO but I won this one since she is not so sure she wants to be enclosed in a big UTV feeling trapped sort of with hard doors on, etc. plus is louder by far inside  vs. our 2-up can am 800cc outlander max xt ATV.    If not like it for whatever reason,  since bought in rural mid state IL where I live near Madison WI the UTV market is higher priced can get 2K profit and resell it.   The guy I bought it from said his wife said the same darn thing TOO LOUD inside and not like it.  I guess we shall see since plan on using it a few times yet before winter.  If I lightly step on the gas slowly,  the engine/exhaust is bearable, but if i STOMP it like I did a few times the exhaust note and engine right by us was VERY LOUD without helmets on anyways.   Only drawback I can see is the engine on that monster 1000cc is midship meaning right in between passenger/driver in the middle and gets HOT if say over 80 degrees out.  I sorta noticed that running it around at low speeds before buying tonight at 7 pm. the heat was bearable but also was ONLY 75 degrees out when I bought it, if that even. 

Now just gotta convince the wife we need a brand new LT1 mid level trim chevy camaro is the lowest trim level LT1 that has the 6.2L V8 455 hp non supercharger and can get brand new msrp around 40K which is by far the BEST muscle car for price paid on the market brand new, or at least IMO anyways. 

I hope I like it and the few things are fixable but glad my search is over for one right now since been looking daily almost past 6 months or so for a decent deal on a used UTV.   NOT many UTV's under 3500 miles, if any, are under 9K range and those are near base pkgs, this is the top of the line limited pkg. new msrp was 19K having air ride 6 push button level fox shocks, beefy winch with synthetic rope,  rock crawler side bars,  monster 28 inch tires  with 3 inch wheel spacers(too big IMO),  roof, front-rear windshields, speakers/radio, lights galore added, beefy front/rear bumper guards, power steering which is a MUST with monster 28 inch VERY aggressive maxxis carnivore tires (I might go stock 27's), hard sided doors, air pressure hose that capable of airing up tires with air shock system, the list goes on and on pretty much loaded.  sorta sucks the seats are ripped but guess spend 100 bucks get seat covers? and the tailgate not latch very well/tight but does latch at least just not great, and several big chips of paint off top of dump bed in back.