RVers: I have decided to purchase a Class c 30' RV and travel the US with a car in tow on a trailer. Was wondering how many other members are doing this and have any words of advice...

BillG

I have decided to purchase a Class c 30' RV and travel the US with a car in tow on a trailer. Was wondering how many other members are doing this and have any words of advice, or any constructive advise...Thanks BillG

kenievans Loc: Dallas

There is a group on Facebook called Texas RV Camping. Lots of folks with experience that are happy to help. You might also look for one in your area.

MrBossHK Loc: The West Valley of Phoenix metro area

YouTube has a number of channels of Full-time RV'ers showing their travel pursuits as well as tips, tricks and advice on RV's and gear. It may take some culling on your part to eliminate the goofballs from the well-meaning experts. Good luck with your decision and enjoy your experiences.

krashdragon

Check out Escapees.com
Lots of good info there.
Also, check out LazyDaze.com, not to be confused with LazyDays rvsellers.
LazyDaze makes a really nice Class C.

hasslichhog

BillG

"I have decided to purchase a Class c 30' RV and travel the US with a car in tow on a trailer."

With that big an RV, then, additionally, towing a car on a trailer, please make sure the transmission on the RV can handle the greater load. I lost the transmission on my Ford 150 towing a too-big 5th wheel. For what a new transmission cost me, I could have bought a Ford 250 and avoided the inconvenience of a breakdown while on the road.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

In the UK the chassis plate will tell you the maximum train weight that you can safely tow. OR take the net weight from the gross weight = tow weight. Towing isn't about engine size its about transmission and back axcel build.
Have fun

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I've been RVing full time (no home base) for going on 12 years. I could give all kinds of advice, but I won't on this venue. The one piece of advice I will give you here is to think about the length of your RV. Most state parks will accept a maximum length of 28 feet. Speaking from experience. That eliminates a LOT of camping options for us with a 32 ft. Fifth Wheel. We pull with a Ford F-250 diesel and I've never had any concern about a lack of towing power. Stopping power however is a major concern.

Kuzano

One person.... 30 feet = 10 feet too long. I closed off 10 feet of my 30 foot unit and used it as a 20 foot for a year. Never missed the extra space and can't imagine how much more than necessary I paid for fuel.

Am looking for a Trek 20 foot MH, rear bathroom. First time I walked through one, I couldn't find the bed. Turns out it was on the ceiling behind the driver area and came down on 4 tracks. Has a 4 cylinder Isuzu diesel and keeps up with the big boy pants guys OTR for the most part.

Also, I cut camping space cost with BLM campsite annual passes. For instance BLM (Bureau of Land Management) has something like 400 campgrounds (some up to 2 week stay) for one annual fee, in AZ alone.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

BillG wrote:

I have decided to purchase a Class c 30' RV and travel the US with a car in tow on a trailer. Was wondering how many other members are doing this and have any words of advice, or any constructive advise...Thanks BillG

We've been tempted several times, still haven't and probably wont buy, just does not work out financially for the two of us, think carefully, motels/hotels are not that expensive, campgrounds can be, expense of the RV, gas at 8-10 MPG. I don't think I'd worry about towing a car on a trailer but beware of the extra tolls for the trailer.

twowindsbear

BillG wrote:

I have decided to purchase a Class c 30' RV and travel the US with a car in tow on a trailer. Was wondering how many other members are doing this and have any words of advice, or any constructive advise...Thanks BillG

Rent for a while first. Buy used, depreciation is a BITCH! Remember, as a boat is a hole in the water into wich one throws money, a motorhome is a hole in the highway that sucks money out of your pocket. Be aware, be VERY aware of leaks. Water can go everywhere

Good luck, safe journeys, and have fun!

Travelin' Bud Loc: New Mexico, Central Ohio & Eastern Kentucky

BillG wrote:

I have decided to purchase a Class c 30' RV and travel the US with a car in tow on a trailer. Was wondering how many other members are doing this and have any words of advice, or any constructive advise...Thanks BillG

Hi Bill.

We've been full-time RVers for over 2 years now, starting out in a 30' Lazy Daze Class C. No slides, so after 17 months it felt like living in a hallway. Last October we moved up to a 36' 5th wheel pulled with a F-350 dually.

Our LD was equipped with solar panels and a generator, this 5th wheel doesn't have either. I miss the convenience of just plopping down in BLM or National Forest lands.

CheapRVLiving.com , while mainly for van campers, will have a wealth of information for you. Also, if you want to live cheaply, volunteer.gov is a good place to go and find working gigs in exchange for free site w/amenities. We do that a lot. The work is rarely difficult and the hours are usually less than 24 hours per week.

Best of luck to you and your new adventures!

Bud B., currently in N.M.

BillG

Thanks to all of you for your helpful advice - we never jump into anything without thinking through, researching...still haven't decided but thanks again, keep your comments coming

w_crow

My wife and I full-timed in a 40' diesel pusher for 12 years. I would still like to do it, but health says otherwise. It's a great lifestyle. We never had a problem finding a place to park it near where we wanted to be. We found most state and national parks were almost as expensive with no/few hook-ups as the private parks with full hook-ups. PM me if you would like more info.

oregon don

As my brother told me, "if you don't use it 6 months a year it will not pencil out.

wear and tear, additional Ins, wear and tear on pulling rig, additional Ins cost

all of those tires you have on both truck and camper.

replacing Brake pads more often, and on and on and on and on

Don W-37 Loc: Bangkok, Thailand

As someone mentioned above, check out Escapees.com. Great outfit. Join up. Highly recommend their Mail Service - they have handled mine for 16 years without even a hiccup. And Texas has no state income tax.