bobbyg123
Duvall, WA
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Joined: 10/03/2007
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Hey guys,
I'm normally lurking over on the travel trailer forum, but I wanted to run something by you C owners. We're a family of 2-year old twin boys and I've been looking at getting a travel trailer for the end of summer or next spring. My reasoning for the TT was a lower initial investment and the ability to unhitch and take the truck into town if we see fit.
Now, given the crazy jump in fuel prices, I'm beginning to wonder if purchasing a used class C that we only have fuel up for camping trips isn't a better long term option for us? I'd be able to trade in my F-150 for an economical daily driver and only worry about gas prices when it's time to camp.
I'm sure many new owners went through the Class C vs. TT decision, so please weigh in with your Pro's and Con's for each rig. Thanks in advance.
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Bud & Julie dreaming
Thousand Oaks Ca.
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Joined: 09/19/2005
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I would go with the Class C and get a daily driver you can also tow 4 wheels down behind your rig.
PS. WARNING>>>Before I got my A class I rented a C Class a few times, than sat in the drivers chair of an A....Like flying First Class....Also I can drive more miles in a day if needed.
Bud
Bud & Julie, Now living our dream!
"Heaven" A place where dreams come true.
MOHO - 2006 3180 DS Coachman Epic
TOAD - 2006 HUMMER H-3
TOAD - 1995 Jeep grand Cheerokee
TOADETT'S - 2 2007 Honda Ruckus scooters
BOAT - 19' 160hp IO bowrider
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Richmcm
Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Joined: 12/27/2004
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The class c will allow you to drive with facilities at hand and you will also have a quick set up. I would consider the class c.
Richmcm
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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There are pro's and cons in all the RV's Classifications. I've had TT, "C's" and now have an A. I will also add my least favorite was the TT, which was a personal thing..... First you had to have vech. to pull it. Then you had to modify it to pull it and then set up's and what have you. My next choice was "C" which was by far a better choice for my style. The "A" now fits my life style in that it affords me longer driving days, ease of set up with auto levelers, better ride and a lot more room.
Trailers are great in my personal view if you choose to go one place and set up for a period of time longer then a day or so and more towards a week or so.
"C's" Were great for getting there and spending a few days then moving on. I never had one of the supper "C's" so there out of my knowledge base. It was easy to handle and could go anywhere a van could go. It was short on space for more then the two of use which is why I moved to the "A".
You will have to find a comfort zone based on what you family's need and budget are. If your find it hard to decide rent one for a week or weekend. With children involved it only complicates the choices. But you have on big tool that should be making the choices and that's the wife. You should go with what she feels is best for her. She's the one that will be cooking, packing, and chasing the kids.
Just a note, I have always let my wife decide what to go with. I'm the one that keeps it running and clean on the outside. And don't let fuel usage decide. My 'A" gets a little better them my "C" did. My "C" was an older vintage. Good Luck and hope you find you sweet spot in choice of an RV/ Bill
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klhutch
Sububan Chicago
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Joined: 09/14/2005
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I think it depends on whether you need the tow vehicle for other uses or not. If you are going to have to use a 15 mpg (?) vehicle as a daily driver (or even as an occasional use vehicle) anyway then the TT makes a lot of sense. If you don't need such a vehicle as a daily driver and can use a high mileage vehicle instead then the composite mpg of a class C (or A) and your daily driver can be quite high. My car is a 41 mpg VW Passat TDI and combined with 10 mpg in our class C that is driven 3,000 miles per year (and usually less than that) the composite is at least 25 mpg. If I'd gone with a pickup and a TT I'd be at 15 or less.
Ken
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zig123
Jacksonville, FL
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Joined: 08/08/2003
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HI
I just did that. I went from a Chevy Silervado 2500HD and a 30' Laredo 5th wheel to a 2008 Safari Damara 235s and a 2008 Toyota Yaris 5 speed to drive to work and as a toad.
The first two weeks I saved $127 in gas just going back and forth to work. Toyota= 40mph Chevy= 14 mph.
Realy glad I did every time the price at my "cheap:|" station goes up.
Zig
2008 Safari Damara 235s-Chevy Workhorse Vortec 6.0, toad 2008 Toyota Yaris 5 speed
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thebat68
Spring Hill, FL
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Joined: 06/10/2005
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Here is another option to consider - get the TT for the room, use the F150 just for towing, spend the $$ you save over a C to buy a cheap daily driver. That way you also have the availability of the pickup for hauling and what-not around town. Just one more opinion to throw into the hat.
2000 27' Fleetwood Prowler
2000 Ford Expedition 4WD Eddie Bauer
'91 & '95 daughers, '94 son.
RV'ing or Camping in one form or another all my life.
(Map is only with current TT)
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joe b.
Florida
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Joined: 08/24/2002
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We got rid of our 5th wheel and bought a C with bunk beds when our daughters were small. ( 3 and 5 )years ago. They enjoyed having their own space and a place to keep their stuff. One of the main things I prefer with a C over the 2 Class As we had, is having a drivers door to get in and out of and not have to walk back. The C also gave me the ability to haul/launch my boat behind it or haul a Jeep for off road use. Things we couldn't do with a trailer where we were living at the time.
We had the driver's doors on our Class As but they are not really usable for me to get in and out. Fine for emergencies or if you get pinned in but not everyday use.
I liked the ability to be able to pull over most anywhere if the kids needed to use the bathroom or to get a snack, etc. Not easy to do when pulling a trailer or any type IMHO especially if it is raining, cold, etc.. My main complaint of the 2 Class Cs we owned was the heat from the engine and the noise of the engine.
I don't think a person with young children can go wrong with a Class C. My wife and I are considering buying another C and getting a small economy car for my daily driver instead of my pickup.
joe b.
South Florida, Stuart
Formerly of Colorado and Alaska
Driving a Dodge/Cummins
www.jbpacooper.com web site
http://www.picturetrail.com/jbpacooper Alaska 2004 - Alaska 2006 - Colorado photos
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Joined: 07/10/2002
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With a trailer you only have one engine to worry about. With a Class C, and a smaller car for commuting, there are two. Only one engine is worth something but only you can determine the potential savings.
Any difference in licensing cost?
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
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tatest
Oklahoma
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Joined: 05/14/2005
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My reason for the C, in your circumstances, is that it might be more comfortable traveling with small children, if you are willing to compromise on their safety while moving.
Economics might not be a good reason for doing it. You have to be really careful about analyzing fixed costs and operating costs for the vehicles involved. A lot of people are now jumping into paying an extra $500 a month to have vehicle that saves $200 a month on gas (e.g. one of my neigbors put $50,000 into a new hybrid that gets 45 mpg, but her paid-for trade-in got 35 mpg, and she drives only 200 miles a month).
A C is going to cost about three times as much to own, as a TT of equivalent size and build quality; more of a difference if you've been looking at entry level TTs, or less of a difference if you are looking at high-grade TTs. What you pay up front is a rapidly depreciating investment; a modest C bought new will cost several hundred to a thousands dollars a month while sitting unused in the storage lot, a TT a third of that.
A big savings RV depreciation can buy a lot of gas for daily use of a tow vehicle. It depends a lot on how much you drive that daily driver, is it 5000 miles a month 500 miles a month or 50 miles a month? Three mile commute, thirty mile commute or 300 mile commute?
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B
2001 Ranger Edge
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