Lots of questions. First, I think the term RV is actually a generic term and applies to all types of camping units; trailers, motorhomes, 5th wheels etc. We did fold-downs(3 different ones) for about 25 years with a little tenting mixed in. Then we moved up to a small hybrid which was OK but we were RVing much more than we thought we would be so after only 2 years moved up again to a small, 25 ft. 5th wheel with no slide-out(purchased used for about $10,000). We are very happy with it. We tow it with a half-ton truck which we use as out only "car". It pulls great and a 5th wheel is much easier and cleaner to hook and un-hook for those one-nighters than a trailer.I can see advantages too to a small motorhome, but each type of RV has a list of pros and cons.
Mazdax605 wrote: ......What can I expect from a used RV on a smallish budget......Chris
Chris, you didn't mention your spending budget. That would greatly assist us in what to recommend in a motorhome for a family of four. The more you can spend, the better off you will be.
We were a family of 4, until now that our kids are adults and on their own. We owned this Toyota Mirage for 24 years through all the child years. It's versatility was one of it's biggest features for us. Not only for camping, we used it around town as an extra vehicle for commuting and general hauling. If not for that, it would have been much less service for us.
A typical Toyota based motorhome does not get any better gas mileage than a new Sprinter based motorhome today, but the Sprinter is "SO MUCH MORE" motorhome. Of coarse, money sets the limits.
We replaced our Toyota Mirage (18.5mpg) a few months later with a new 2007 Phoenix Cruiser model 2350 which gets about 8 mpg less. We figured the hit in gas mileage was well worth Real Home Comfort. At $67,000, the price of our Phoenix Cruiser was just over 1/2 the cost of an equivalent Sprinter with the same floorplan. The Phoenix quality and construction was also a big selling point for me. It also had to fit in our garage that has a 10' tall door and a depth of 25'.
Given your circumstances with little children, I would look at the Coachman Freelander 2130QB which has a queen rear corner bed, and the over-the-cab bunk. A used one may be found for around $30,000. It's biggest points to note are
- affordability in used condition (around 4 years old)
- huge comfortable beds
- mega-sized outside-access storage
- nice bath
- nice size dinette
- short length for ease of driving, parking, and long term storage
- small enough to get around, not needing to tow a car
I don't know how it's gas mileage would compare to ours, considering they are built on the same Ford chassis. It's heavier weight and lack of aero-dynamics would be the big influences, but limiting your top cruising speed to 55mph will help there greatly.
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Bought new in June 2007, Phoenix Cruiser-2350
Fits inside our garage.
Dingy towing a red Toyota MR2 Spyder
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Well today I ventured into the trailer to do some clean up,and I found some bad news. It appears as though we have a leak somewhere,and now the inside is looking rotted behind the ceiling material. I am really lost as to how it got like this with a tarp on the roof all winter up until about a month or so ago. We have had some heavy rain,but this looks like maybe it developed over a longer span than a month or so.
What do you think I should do? I got up,and put some caulking on the roof seams that looked suspect,but where do I go from here. I am afraid it is expensive to fix,and probably not worth much to sell. I am at the end of my rope. This trailer was $14k new in 2001,and now it seems like it isn't worth a dime. Any help/advice would be appreciated.
Mazdax605 wrote: Well today I ventured into the trailer to do some clean up,and I found some bad news. It appears as though we have a leak somewhere,and now the inside is looking rotted behind the ceiling material....What do you think I should do? I got up,and put some caulking on the roof seams that looked suspect,but where do I go from here. I am afraid it is expensive to fix,and probably not worth much to sell...Chris
Mad in Massachusetts
That is discouraging news, but things could always be worse. You are not the first one to discover a leak in a Recreational Vehicle (RV). Best thing to do is read up on what others have done. You might do a search and find this as an example what is so bad about water leaks and/or water damage . Here is another Leak in Overhead Cab . Best of Luck.
Well guys, I posted our camper on craigslist today,and with any luck we can get it sold,but I am not holding my breath. Maybe I can donate it to charity if it doesn't sell,but that will be a last ditch effort. If I can get $5-6K for this thing the way it is now I will be happy,but I am not counting on it.
I spoke with a local camper repair place,and the guy I have know for many years over there told me the same thing he did last season,and that was to think about selling the hybrid due to there poor quality of construction,and short life span. I mentioned to him that I was think about getting a MH,and he said I was crazy to do that because they are even worse than travel trailers because it is like owning a crappy car/truck,and a leaky camper all in one. I normally trust this guys word,but I thought I would ask you guys. Is a small MH a bad idea? He said avoid anything with a window in the front bunk if I do get a MH due to the windows always leaking. I am really lost as to what to do,but I know my wife wants to keep camping(I don't),and I also would like to stay married so getting a replacement for this trailer is a forgone conclusion. I really like the overall size of the Toyota based campers I have seen on line,but I really don't know if it will work for us,or if they are any good. Some have told me here that they are fine,but I have also read they are underpowered,and overloaded,and small. I would love to just get another pop-up,but my wife insists on a bathroom,and I have yet to see a pop-up with a bathroom. Is there a pop-up built with a bathroom? Any help or recommendations would greatly be appreciated. If it is a trailer I want lightweight,and no fold out beds this time,and if it has a slideout it must be a small one like on our hybrid now. I like small,and manuverable like the toyota MH's. We can only maybe spend $20k tops,and even then I have no idea if that is feesable.
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