Question for you RV owners

forrest · Tue Jul 14, 09 10:11 am **Question for you RV owners**

Katie and I recently got a chance to hang out in Colby's RV and decided that it's probably the best way for us to enjoy the NW as new parents. We're a few years out from having the funds to buy something and have been mostly thinking about it's use for Snowkiting in Idaho and Utah.

What's it like to drive a 28 foot C class RV in the snow and ice? Are there many snowkiting areas that are accessible in an RV or do you need to tow a second vehicle to the destination?

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jul 14, 09 10:23 am

Forrest, you guys need to save up and get one of these... amphibious RV!!!

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jul 14, 09 10:33 am

Oh my God, this video starts off slow but when they actually get out on the track, my stomach hurt from laughing so hard.

Link

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

Just like you think it would be...not very fun. I spent most of my weekends thru high school in one traveling up and down the west coast. They are heavy vehicles and require chains.
My recommendation is to get a tow behind trailer for your rig. Way cheaper, easier to get around in, less maintenance and you can leave it behind when you don't need it.

forrest · Tue Jul 14, 09 10:51 am

Trevor I hear ya but I work from home and I could potentially work from the RV.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

rvs are fun
until you start having problems...
which you will....
it's like a big hole
on the highway
that you dump
your kid's inheritance
into

jblum · Since 13 Jul 2008 307 Posts The Gorge Obsessed

I drove an E350 25 passenger rig around last winter, and have some experience driving big busses/ rigs around in the snow. Generally, they seem to do pretty well because the weight of the rig makes up for the size of it. Big trucks (like F350 sized, ect...) without 4x4 have a rough time because they have no weight in the back, but RVs and busses that have the added weight seem to do pretty well.

Strongly recommend studded tires if you'll be in the snow. Will save you the pain of doing chains when its not too bad out, but when it gets deep you'll need the chains anyway...

tonyb · Tue Jul 14, 09 12:10 pm

that video is great!

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

My second happiest day was the day I bought an RV.

The happiest day was the day I sold it?

Trever is on the right track, if you are going to do it, get a trailer, you can work out of it as good as a motor home, but Katie and the family can run around in the tow vehicle and give you some private time to work.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

awesome video!
hey forrest, go to rufus and talk with the rockpile gang there. I'm sure you can get some good feedback from all the RV and camper owners.
I like my vanagon because it fits in my driveway but I wish it had a little more room for everyone. it can get tight quarters when I have more than me and my dog in there.

Mark · Tue Jul 14, 09 4:07 pm

Avoid this Shocked

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/motor_home_almost_drops_into_o.html

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

Ok so my wife and I have started to breed our selves and were comming to the same issues. the following is my two cents....

Motorhomes are great if you have the money to spend TONS OF MONEY ON ONE!

Motorhomes are great if they are big enough to tow a small pick up.

This is why......the wife and kids will adventually tire of chasing wind and you will be set off to due so on your own......which is tough when your living in the same place that has the transimission and motor needed to go to the wind. You wife will also grow tired of having to pick up everything to just drive to get some butter which i'm sure that she told you (according to her) to put in the fridge.

Motorhome transission and motors in class c's are nothing but one ton pick up motorhomes and adventually get stressed out.

motorhomes are a expense to insure,,,,,,,your pick up is your pick up .......and a tow behind trailor should only add 15 bucks every six months to insure. Tow coverage on a motorhome is expensive, it isn't on a 1/2 ton pick up.

Average life a motorhome transmission and engine is a half life of that of a pick up.....you'll get more use of a pick up.

unless you get a toy hauler, where are you to put dirt bikes, kids toys ect without strapping them to the rig ect.

We personally want a 1/2 ton pick up and a 20-25ft travel trailor that has two solar pannels and plenty of storage.

however I currently sleep in a tent at rufas during the week......i'm poor.

hahahahah

gorgebob · Since 25 Jun 2007 259 Posts Portland, OR Shop Owner

Heading to the blow out a few years back our RV lost its tranny just after my wife drove past me only later to find out because of the smoke coming out of the RV was annoying. The RV sounded like an idea having everything packed and ready to go but it never really worked out . Long distance too much gas cost, short trips we just take the pick up and come back home. The kids love RV camping in the driveway however.

Knot Kracker · Since 02 Jul 2008 130 Posts Clackamas River Stoked

I've had a camper, large motorhome and now own a small 24' RV. Winter camping at Bachelor and White Pass would get cold enough that the either the generator would have to run all night to keep the batteries charged and heater running. You need to decide how much winter camping you'll really do and what comforts you'll want. The camper was the only one I wouldn't place chains on until absolutely needed, whereas each time over a pass where chains are required, the chains were installed on the motorhomes.

The larger motorhome was a diesel pusher, had hydronics heating (circulating water for the heaters and lower compartments) and a diesel generator. The generator ran 24/7 from the time we left until we returned. Only had to fill the propane tank up once every 2-3 years - BUT the diesel fuel bill was incredible.

The camper and 24' motorhome had propane generators, and the heat also operated off the propane. Heat strips in the AC units were not sufficient to keep the camper/motorhome warm. Probles normally happen around 3-4 am while we were asleep, the alarm would buzz or the power would just go out. There would not be enough amps to start the generator, so the vehicle engine would need to be started to charge the chassis battery for the generator to start.

I'm only bringing this up because your family may go with you in the winter. I would seriously look at a "very" insulated camper (arctic fox) or other motorhome that can operate in the winter for the period that you want to camp. Large motorhomes can dry camp for 3-5 days easy, whereas you may want to bring extra propane bottles ( if you can switch them out) on smaller Rv's to keep them operational. Oh yeh, by the way, normally smaller ones are winterized whereas the bigger ones are totally operational in the winter (sinks, heads, etc). Yes, we would have to carry a porta-potti in the small RV's that we winterized so the pipes in the RV wouldn't freeze because of heating problems.

Hotel rooms are pretty nice!

Very Happy

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

nice one Forrest
give the wife and fam a break

We've had Rv's for a long time ,
Campers are fine by yourself or in warm weather
trailers are cheapest but hardest to haul ,but campers are a close second
in the time to get going.

Most of our family(5) plus the kids friends time was in a 28 winne 1980 gas 454 7.5 mpg $25k newish ,$7500 in good condition
Well insulated, pulled the sled trailer with 5 sleds fine in the snow.
Did chain up a few times but dual wheels helps,
over 10 years ,minor problems.

Our next rv (2)was the 95 Monaco Dynasty 32 28,000lbs of sheer highway domination, air ride which leaned in to the corners,$95k newish $48k in good condition
All the shit we needed to run around the us and mexico(but I didn't like being a bus driver) combined vehicle weight 34k lbs
I haven't owned the b or c class rv's but I v'e rented them and the c class are overweight and handle dangerously the way I drive.

I have an antique rv now the Cabana made in Forest Grove Oregon 36 years ago
24' of kook Laughing

she's cherry!!
craigslist $1800 ,
prolly the biggest diff in rv's
is status

alleycat · Since 29 Jun 2006 176 Posts Portland Stoked

I own a 36 foot diesel pusher and love it. To dry camp in elevations and cold weather there is a small list of must haves. Dual pane windows is huge and absolutely a must, cold weather package had to be factory ordered, a propane or diesel generator, and finally a diesel engine for fuel efficiency. There are quite a few ski hills that offer 30/50 amp power along with showers and washroom facilities.

You have to be handy and willing to take on the repairs yourself, if you are not the type of person that can diagnose and repair simple electrical, pluming, roof sealing, oil changes ect ect ect the MoHo will sink you. Basically a MoHo will require a 1 to 1 ratio.... for every 1 hour you drive the sucker you have 1 hour of maintenance on something somewhere... the cost of repairs is dirt cheap if you do your own repairs...

The problem with owning a tow behind trailer is that you will always need to drive a big truck 100% of the time. With a MoHo you can continue to drive a smaller fuel efficient car as your daily driver (and easily tow it). Driving the smaller car as a daily driver will save you in the long run.

I hope this helps a bit....

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward