Motorhome purchase

[97TJlifted]

As a Travel trailer owner I would recommend just that travel trailer. Your not going to use it enough to justify a Motorhome. I have a 2017 18 ft travel trailer for me and the wife. I park it at the house and if it doesn't get used its ok it. Its paid for and insurance is cheap. We use it 3 or 4 times a year.

 

[bobthetj03]

Drive a class C and a class A to be sure what you're getting into. They drive and feel completely different on the road. Class A is nice as you're not wasting space up front, and the swing around captain's chairs allow for added seating. Class C's drive more like a van and are lower to the road. We started out with a 25' class C, sold it, and paid cash for an older 29' class A. The room is nice, but I prefer the class C better for handling and towing. Oh, and they are built by 3rd graders, or monkeys, or something, cause they are built like junk! Be prepared to get your hands dirty, or have a large wallet. Keeping them stored out of the weather is key.

 

[RINC]

 

[bobthetj03]

Add to edit: Good luck finding a RV in today's market. As a result of Covid, everyone's brother, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cousins have wiped the market out, along with production woes. If you find one, you're gonna pay a premium.

 

[Farmergreg]

Add to edit: Good luck finding a RV in today's market. As a result of Covid, everyone's brother, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cousins have wiped the market out, along with production woes. If you find one, you're gonna pay a premium.

I kind of tied into that selling the 5th wheel October 2019. Then looked at lots of crap motorhomes into the spring of 2020. I initially looked at the one I bought in February and purchased it in June 2020. But in my case the sellers were motivated and we got together on price.

Here in the Midwest the market drops off after Labor Day. Combined with the jump in fuel prices, I wouldn’t give up hope on finding a decent deal. There are more newly minted RV owners then there ever was, chances are some might be deciding it just isn’t their cup of tea.

 

[Farmergreg]

View attachment 268707

The TJ must have broke away....

 

[Apparition]

I kind of tied into that selling the 5th wheel October 2019. Then looked at lots of crap motorhomes into the spring of 2020. I initially looked at the one I bought in February and purchased it in June 2020. But in my case the sellers were motivated and we got together on price.

Here in the Midwest the market drops off after Labor Day. Combined with the jump in fuel prices, I wouldn’t give up hope on finding a decent deal. There are more newly minted RV owners then there ever was, chances are some might be deciding it just isn’t their cup of tea.

And the payments start stacking up vs usage

 

[bobthetj03]

There are more newly minted RV owners then there ever was, chances are some might be deciding it just isn’t their cup of tea.

This is what I'm banking on within the next couple years. Hopefully, they will flood the market with good, used RV's and I can sell mine and get back into a Class C.

 

[Farmergreg]

This is what I'm banking on within the next couple years. Hopefully, they will flood the market with good, used RV's and I can sell mine and get back into a Class C.

There was a cream puff Chevy class C on marketplace just 10 miles up the road a few days before I bought the class A. Asked them when I could come look, set up a time, an hour before they messaged that it sold.
I’m old school, when you commit to come look at a certain time (at their convenience) you expect them to not sell it out from under you. Different times these days.

 

[bobthetj03]

There was a cream puff Chevy class C on marketplace just 10 miles up the road a few days before I bought the class A. Asked them when I could come look, set up a time, an hour before they messaged that it sold.
I’m old school, when you commit to come look at a certain time (at their convenience) you expect them to not sell it out from under you. Different times these days.

It's dog eat dog out there these days. You didn't want the Chevy drivetrain anyways. They can't even get out of their own way.

 

[Robert Sullenger]

After reading everyone’s comments about the cost of rv ownership makes me glad I don’t own one.(lol) There have been a few who suggested travel trailers. If you went that route do you have something that will pull it, or will that be another purchase as well?

Good luck whichever way you decide.

 

[Apparition]

The more cost effective way, may need an additional ground tent for a group of 4.

 

[P man]

After reading everyone’s comments about the cost of rv ownership makes me glad I don’t own one.(lol) There have been a few who suggested travel trailers. If you went that route do you have something that will pull it, or will that be another purchase as well?

Good luck whichever way you decide.

I dont currently own a pickup so that would be an added expense. I can justify the pickup because I am always needing one.

 

[P man]

I appreciate the info and opinions and I have decided a motorhome is not a good fit for my family. I will look into travel trailers but am going to wait until things get back to normal. We have some close friends that bought a brand new travel trailer last year and haven't had it out yet this year. I asked them why and they said because they didn't make reservations earlier that every site is booked through the season...so to buy something now doesn't make sense anyways.

 

[cliffish]

I appreciate the info and opinions and I have decided a motorhome is not a good fit for my family. I will look into travel trailers but am going to wait until things get back to normal. We have some close friends that bought a brand new travel trailer last year and haven't had it out yet this year. I asked them why and they said because they didn't make reservations earlier that every site is booked through the season...so to buy something now doesn't make sense anyways.

VRBO, airbmb and hotels are good enough for me

 

[Wildman]

I went from this which while smaller as far as room size I was able to get 10-14 MPG fully loaded. And had limited maintenance cost other than the up keep on the truck and trailer.

And then my ex JUST HAD to have a motorhome since she felt there would be more room. So my FIL bought us this 33' Beaver diesel pusher and had to dump about $20K into it a month after we got it because it was a POS. Then it cost me $6-10K each year for maintenance work and to fix crap that was broken. And I was lucky to ever see 8 MPG towing my Jeep on a trailer behind it.

Most times I would say ALWAYS get a diesel becasue as others have said most Class C or A MH's are at or close to their weight limits. I use to be a line mechanic at a RV dealer and I can't tell you the number of gas engines I replaced because they blew up.
But if you are just looking to use it for local type camping and towing your Jeep to 4wheeling spots that are 500 miles or less away from you I'd suggest a Class C on a Ford or Chevy chassis with a big block.

If you decide to get a travel trailer instead then you also need a truck to tow it with. I get that you WANT a truck anyhow. If you go that route I strongly suggest that you get a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck. Yes many 1/2 ton trucks are now rated to tow 10K lbs but IMO they should not be used to tow any decent sized TT.

One other possibility would be to get one of the outback style trailers that you can tow behind your Jeep.

You can build your own with Dinoot trailers or something like TurtleBack trailers or Freespirt trailers or Moab trailers.

Just some other ideas.

 

[Wildman]

Check these guys out as they have a lot of trailers that might interest you and they are in ID.

Happy Camper

 

[Plumber1]

Well you guys are making me think I should just rent one now also. Do you know if rental places will let you tow a jeep behind a rental unit ?

 

[bobthetj03]

Well you guys are making me think I should just rent one now also. Do you know if rental places will let you tow a jeep behind a rental unit ?

You'll need to spend $2500 for a proper tow bar and supplemetal braking.

 

[Rick Flair]

Well you guys are making me think I should just rent one now also. Do you know if rental places will let you tow a jeep behind a rental unit ?

You’d have to call.


I’d honestly look private too. It’s a thing with RV’s.

That’s the funny part. When you see $300 a night you go OMG…so expensive!

But a $60k RV (which is a cheap one) will cost you that much or more for the payment, insurance, fix the damn thing as it breaks sitting in storage or your driveway….each month.


You have to really WANT TO RV as a lifestyle or they are a complete waste of money. Like those I laugh at for having a time share. It’s their thing, RV people get the same treatment from non-RV people.


If it flys, floats, fucks OR (here is a new addition to a old saying) is a RV, it’s cheaper to rent them.