Is owning an RV all its cracked up to be or a pain in the ass?

[Demondosage]

For anyone who has ever owned an RV, is it as much fun as you thought it would be?

We love road trips and having the time to travel isn't an issue, but I'm smart enough to know that sometimes the wanting is better than the having. So let's hear it

 

[MindlessWork]

Think of the gas and the hassles of parking it. Better to pull a travel trailer with a pickup than driving a motorhome. My brother once owned a motorhome (which was as big as a greyhound bus, but sold it as it got to cost too much to keep up. The gas bill alone was like almost $400 a trip. He now owns a 29' Jayco travel trailer that he hauls behind his Dodge RAM truck.

 

[flenser]

Start with a popup, and if you use it enough you can trade up. I used to downhill mountain bike and spent a ton of money renting weekend cabins near the slopes.

Several of my friends bought popups, but most of them eventually traded up to motor homes, though nothing as big as Mindless is talking about. Of course, they spend nearly every weekend during the summer on the slopes. It makes sense for them.

I still think my cabin was more comfortable, but I only went a few times a year. No way I could have afforded a cabin every weekend, and I don't do it anymore. It would have been a money pit for me.

 

[FishnTom]

Travel trailer is way better get a cheap one

 

[MindlessWork]

Travel trailer is way better get a cheap one

A good clean used one in good shape can be had for $4-5K. Look on Craigslist or in your local paper. You don't have to always buy new.

 

[Cookieman]

I had a 32ft travel trailer for a few years. If you have the time, they're something that can be very enjoyable. I sold mine because it sat in the driveway more than it ever got used. When we did use it, always had a great time, good family fun. It also came in handy during hurricane season. If we were without power for a week, hook it up to a generator and had a/c and somewhere comfortable to sleep. I sometimes wish a still had one

 

[MindlessWork]

I had a 32ft travel trailer for a few years. If you have the time, they're something that can be very enjoyable. I sold mine because it sat in the driveway more than it ever got used. When we did use it, always had a great time, good family fun. It also came in handy during hurricane season. If we were without power for a week, hook it up to a generator and had a/c and somewhere comfortable to sleep. I sometimes wish a still had one

That's exactly what my brother did when we had Superstorm Sandy. He put his motorhome next to the house and ran the internal generator in the motorhome as the house had no power for 5 days.

 

[Demondosage]

Thanks guys, yea I didn't even think about the parking issues with an RV. I was talking a smaller one but this would still be a pain leaving a campsite each time and packing up I suppose.

I just don't want to be one of these people that tows everything I own behind me, that seems like a bitch. I would most likely keep whatever I got under 20', trailer wise.

 

[shackleford]

You could get a van, like an e series, and frame out a bunk and some shelves

 

[Demondosage]

You could get a van, like an e series, and frame out a bunk and some shelves

If it were just myself I would do that, but it has to fit 3 or 4 ppl and a pitbull that lives for road trips. How bad is it that the dog is a motivational factor behind this? I love going on road trips with that dog, it's pretty much the highlight of my life

 

[shackleford]

If it were just myself I would do that, but it has to fit 3 or 4 ppl and a pitbull that lives for road trips. How bad is it that the dog is a motivational factor behind this? I love going on road trips with that dog, it's pretty much the highlight of my life

Not bad at all, that's man's best friend! I guess a van would be a bit too small with that many people. Just take the dog.

 

[MindlessWork]

Not bad at all, that's man's best friend! I guess a van would be a bit too small with that many people. Just take the dog.

Lol best choice ever made

 

[CrispyRockClimber]

My dad owns a 33 Toy hauler we would take to the races, we could sleep up to 6 and fit three dirt bikes. We don’t race as much anymore, too many injuries. Was alway a good time! But I’d like to start visiting some national parks with friends. And definitely go with TowBehindManCave if you want to leave camp you just detach. But I get the desire to have the dog with you. Traveling cramped in the truck for too long with 4 people got annoying, add in a dog and it’s too much. I’ve been trying to find a 2500 suburban so we can take a trip with 4 people and the dog and be a bit more comfortable.

 

[Demondosage]

My dad owns a 33 Toy hauler we would take to the races, we could sleep up to 6 and fit three dirt bikes. We don’t race as much anymore, too many injuries. Was alway a good time! But I’d like to start visiting some national parks with friends. And definitely go with TowBehindManCave if you want to leave camp you just detach. But I get the desire to have the dog with you. Traveling cramped in the truck for too long with 4 people got annoying, add in a dog and it’s too much. I’ve been trying to find a 2500 suburban so we can take a trip with 4 people and the dog and be a bit more comfortable.

Awesome, we ride dirtbikes also. My son has a crf100, wife rides a ttr-125 and I ride a YZ 250f. One of the places we ride in Georgia has camper and cabin rentals so covered there.

I hear ya on towing, I drive an 02' Ford Ranger which is perfect for throwing the bikes in the back, but limited on cab space and power. We have an older Yukon which is better on towing and plenty of room. Next vehicle will be another Yukon/Tahoe. But I still love that little Ranger truck

 

[MindlessWork]

Awesome, we ride dirtbikes also. My son has a crf100, wife rides a ttr-125 and I ride a YZ 250f. One of the places we ride in Georgia has camper and cabin rentals so covered there.

I hear ya on towing, I drive an 02' Ford Ranger which is perfect for throwing the bikes in the back, but limited on cab space and power. We have an older Yukon which is better on towing and plenty of room. Next vehicle will be another Yukon/Tahoe. But I still love that little Ranger truck

To tow a 20' or longer fully loaded travel trailer you'd need a truck with decent towing power.

When I was younger I did some dirt biking but a nasty leg injury ended that for me.

Yeah why not keep the little Ranger for those days you don't need the big truck?

 

[CrispyRockClimber]

That’s awesome that your wife rides with you guys. And that Yukon should be good for a 24-28 foot trailer that sleeps 4. Might want to do some suspension upgrades. If your load leveling is leaking or ready to replace just get rid of it and use a regular shock and add in a airlift air bags it’s cheaper and you’ll be able to tow more. I know many people with this vehicle.

 

[Demondosage]

To tow a 20' or longer fully loaded travel trailer you'd need a truck with decent towing power.

When I was younger I did some dirt biking but a nasty leg injury ended that for me.

Yeah why not keep the little Ranger for those days you don't need the big truck?

I read somewhere that my ranger is rated to tow up to 7500 lbs, I was in shock, hahhaa

 

[MindlessWork]

I read somewhere that my ranger is rated to tow up to 7500 lbs, I was in shock, hahhaa

That should then be good for a fair sized trailer, such as a 22' one fully loaded.

 

[Demondosage]

To tow a 20' or longer fully loaded travel trailer you'd need a truck with decent towing power.

When I was younger I did some dirt biking but a nasty leg injury ended that for me.

Yeah why not keep the little Ranger for those days you don't need the big truck?

Yep, and this is exactly why I ride like a bitch too, hahaha. It's not someone you meet here and there that gets fucked up, IT'S EVRRYONE that has been riding long enough. I don't do jumps, don't race, and rarely get out of 2nd gear on trails. I'm out there to be doing something with the family, but I'm not trying to get good at it, just focused on being good at not getting fucked up

 

[MindlessWork]

Yep, and this is exactly why I ride like a bitch too, hahaha. It's not someone you meet here and there that gets fucked up, IT'S EVRRYONE that has been riding long enough. I don't do jumps, don't race, and rarely get out of 2nd gear on trails. I'm out there to be doing something with the family, but I'm not trying to get good at it, just focused on being good at not getting fucked up

Lol well said, but when being young and reckless then that's something we learn from.