Snead44 wrote: ....The whole object of the trailer, of course, is because I really can't see me staying in the confines of a Class B for possibly days on end, unless on the road......These are definitely priority as I realize that most Class B's only have a towing capacity of 5000 lbs....
As has been said already, the trailer you might consider pulling will not provide you with a significant increase in living space compared to only the Class B.
One advantage of pulling a trailer about the size of the motorhome is to be able to do a complete hook-up of the trailer and do your daily jaunts with the "B". And not feel like you have to do the dishes or make up the bed before you leave.
As to the space needed issue, there are couples who are full-timing in a Class B, so it can be done.
As to the size of trailer the Class B can pull - it would vary some by converter. Every motorhome has a weight sticker usually on the door post. The information would be something like Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front and the rear. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and frequently the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). All the ratings are maximums to not exceed. The combined rating is for the motorhome and whatever is being towed. Would need to weigh the motorhome (how heavily are you loaded) and subtract from the combined to arrive at the maximum weight of what you could tow. And ... the hitch rating might be a limit as well. Usually 3,500 lbs or 5,000 lbs.
2002 Trail-Lite Model 211-S w/5.7 Chevy (click View Profile)
Gene
My class B has a 454 GM engine, 4 speed trans, 4:10 rear end. A little high school physics can tell you how much torque you have available. My class A has the same specs. The A will tow 4000 Lbs. and weighs 12000 itself. The B weighs 8020 Lbs. Swaying can be controlled with the right hitch. This is not to say I would tow a heavy, large trailer, but that you should consider what you buy with as much information as you can get. Good luck with your decision.
Thanks MyRoadtrek and Escargot for your kind words and good suggestions. I think you (all) may be right in suggesting just getting the "B" first and giving it a whirl to see what works and what doesn't. I have concerns that I may not be cut out for RVing - I'm not a "joiner", so you won't find me leading the karyoke contest down at the hoedown - just another rationale for me to have that additional "space" while "holed up" in the campground. But I do have a desire to see more of the country than a recollection in "time-lapse" of my neighbor across the street, cutting his grass. Again the Sportsmobile and N6-Active both look interesting and accommodating, however, for me personally, I'd be a little concerned (maybe timid is the better word) with the "tent-like" nature of the improvements. Reminds me of years ago when I took a class in Residential Inspections. The instructor asked, "What is the first tool to remember before entering a crawl space" - a guy in the back of the room, from NY ventured the guess, "a gun?". So I guess I shouldn't be squeamish or paranoid, realizing safety is dictated by common sense and where one parks. Now, as for the Evergreen Ascend, this is sort of what I had in mind MyRoadtrek - not overly luxurious (its just me) but with some room to walk around, larger shower, and a place to read or maybe even do a little hand woodworking - as you see rather solitary pursuits. I do understand your point about the "two of everything" - in analyzing the options and realizing that "trade offs" seem to be the name of the game, I had just concluded that having two such vehicles (but only one motor) might provide most of travel design I was looking for, though not without trade offs. You all have been so helpful and knowing that experience is the best teacher, I truly respect all of your opinions as having "been there and done that". Probably without question my own best education will come when I get some experience. For those of you old enough to remember, I'm just trying to skip the calamity of Lucy & Desi, in "The Long Trailer". HaHa! With good advice like yours, I should be able to do just that. GPM
Hello - You are really going about this right! We owned many tents, 1 pop-up camper, 2 truck campers, 1 Class C, and one 5th wheel before we found the Roadtrek 190 P which we now own. What a lot of wasted money. We bought it used, but probably could have afforded to buy it new without all the experiments through the 50+ years that we have camped! We really love the B for the ease of parking anywhere, not hauling anything behind us, being ready to leave the campground in 15 minutes or less, and having everything the "A"'s have, including a generator for dry camping. Try one for awhile and see how you do in it......you will probably decide that it's just fine all by itself. (We are 76 & 73 years old, retired over 10 years.)
Some CG's have a 'one camping unit per site' policy. I have no real idea of what percentage overall. I've encountered it myself several times, as little as I stay in campgrounds. And there's the good point already raised that you're going to have two of everything to take care of and worry about. You'll even have _five_ electrical systems to learn & care for, two 120V + two 12V 'house' + 1 12V chassis.
If you're sure a B is too small for you long-term, I think it's time to consider an A or C with a toad, or a towable & tow vehicle. Or maybe look at the few 'wide-body' B's that are available (RT 210, PW Excel). Or the slighly larger small C's in the 21-24 foot range.
FWIW, I've only done 3+ weeks in my Tiger CX (a C with about the space of a B) solo with a cat. That was mostly overnighting in truck stops & rest areas, so no sitting outside. But it was more a sense of needing to get home and back to work that kept me from extending that trip. It wasn't any any feeling of being 'too closed in'.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
This is the classic trade off in RVing: room vs convenience. My wife and I tend to prefer to camp in non commercial campgrounds (state and national parks, national forests, BLM, etc.) and we have found over the years that "less is more". When we come back from a couple of weeks in our RT, we are amazed at the size of our home and wonder why we enjoyed our B so much when its size is not much bigger than a good sized walk in closet.
All that being said, we also have been looking at small trailers with the idea of spending extended time in one place as opposed to moving around so much. I have often thought that if I were alone, I would probably buy something like a RT 190 P and it would be plenty big for me for a month or two trip. If I was going to fulltime, I don't know what I would buy, probably a small fifth wheel and pull it with a pickup. Again, compromises. Personally, I will always need a "home base", a real house to come home to. Just my personal preference.
I would agree with some of the others that have commented. I would suggest you consider buying a B, trying it alone for a few months and then see if you wanted to do something else RV wise. You will find out rather quickly, I would think.
First of all, let me admit (shame on me) that I have not read every word in all the posts in this thread so forgive me if this has already been suggested.
Have you spent anytime in a Sprinter based motorhome yet? We recently downsized to a Winnebago ERA (Sprinter based) class B and luv it. It has every feature our Allegro bus had including sound-a-round, flat screen tv , etc, etc. The ERA is 24 ft long, 6' 4" interior height and adequate width (no side outs) so it has the interior room of the size trailer you could probably tow with a class B. I saw a Scamp 16' fiberglass camper recommended, well we have a 13' Scamp and are very aware of the room in all the 16' fiberglass rv's and I can tell you, there's a lot more room in the ERA.
The ERA for 2013 comes in 2 floor plans and you should be able to pick up a new unit for about $80K fully loaded. Give the ERA a look, you may be surprised as there's a lot more room in the 24' sprinter than a competitive Chevy or ford class B. Best of luck in which ever way you decide to go! Ron
Snead44 wrote: I have concerns that I may not be cut out for RVing - I'm not a "joiner", so you won't find me leading the karyoke contest down at the hoedown - just another rationale for me to have that additional "space" while "holed up" in the campground.
I must be hanging out in the wrong RV parks and missed all those "hoedowns." I too had never been a person who camped or had any interest whatsoever in "roughing it." In my experience, RV Parks and campgrounds offer you the option to take part in their organized activities... or not. I am pretty much a loner and stick to myself. People are friendly, but usually not pushy about it. I can easily choose when and if I want to be sociable or not. Of course, one always has the option to head out to the countryside and avoid people completely... and this is the goal of a not insignificant number of people with small RVs.
I spent 3 winters in a small Class B. I had managed to set it up for my needs. (a permanent bed... passenger chair turned around to form my "office" with a folding table to hold the laptop... also able to see the TV if desired.) Towing a trailer would have merely added two of everything that I already had to maintain. RVs do require regular work so it helps if you are handy.
My suggestion would match others here. Do some experimenting. Try renting a B or small C and see how you like it. Or just dive in and buy one and see how it goes. I know people who have done it for years and built themselves a lifestyle that they love. I also know people who tried it for a year or so and decided that it wasn't for them. But, they still managed to see a lot of the country and meet some interesting people. So... try it
One of the reasons that I enjoy my B- Honda Element conversion is that I like to be outdoors. Staying inside Elli is something I do only if it's wet or cold.
Something I've noticed on every campsite I've ever stayed at is this: The smaller the rig, the more the owners are outside: sitting under the awning, cooking, or walking or cycling. The bigger the rig, the more the owners are inside, even if it's nice weather. I offer this as a general observation: it's obviously not true for everyone.
So I'd suggest you ask yourself this question: Am I considering this life because I want to be outside as much as I can, using my RV to retire to for sleeping, for evenings, perhaps for food prep. and storage, or for bad weather? Or do I intend to treat it as a substitute home on the road, remaining indoors as much, or nearly as much, as I do at home? If it's the latter, I'd counsel getting a big rig.
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