Single Female New to RVs, Need Purchase Advice--Please Help!

[Old Traveler]

We bought a 94 Southwind for 3500.00 I have to rebuild the Transmission do some minor repairs, a new drivers windshield. Other than that its clean. Carpet is in great shape 54000 miles on her. 7 kw power plant 460 engine. If we had to have someone replace the trans add 2 to 3 thousand to the price windshield is 800.00 plus shipping and 500.00 labor. we put a new toilet in and a new bed. It has some water damage due to lack of use . I figure total cost would be what we paid for it and maybe 3000.00 the total rig would have cost us under 10,000.00

[Busskipper]

Last time the OP posted - was on Page 5 post 60 - You guys - -

Is it the single or the female that draws you in?

[vincee]

Hmmmm....?

But what the heck, during the Covid-19 quarantine what else do many of us have to do? It's been a great "campfire" conversation.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by vincee

Hmmmm....?

But what the heck, during the Covid-19 quarantine what else do many of us have to do? It's been a great "campfire" conversation.

So I guess both caught your eye.

You Boys keep putting the Logs on that Campfire.

[HJLowell]

Originally Posted by Busskipper

Last time the OP posted - was on Page 5 post 60 - You guys - [emoji144] -

Is it the single or the female that draws you in?

I can see why [emoji2369][emoji2369][emoji2369][emoji2369] she is gone.
After reading a few doom and gloom posts
Like deltams post I was ready to sell my rig also. [emoji6]
My lordy

[Mile Marker 42]

Both! LOL

[RM Art]

Maybe she found a Bo!

You know how that goes regarding losing your train of thought!!

[Lexir]

I ended up buying a 2004 Tiffin Allegro with reasonable mileage at a great price.

Still trying to figure out whether I want to pull a trailer or sell my prius for a 4-down and learn to drive manual (I don't like the automatic options for 4-down). I heard there might be trailers you can slide under the RV while parked to save room? Or is that wrong?

Currently working on moving into it... I want out of my apartment now that I have it and it's at a friend's place.

[Lexir]

Thank you everyone for all of your advice! I am reading through it and learning a lot.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by Lexir

Thank you everyone for all of your advice! I am reading through it and learning a lot.

Thanks, Always good to get back to the Group - Lot of help on the Forum. -

[RM Art]

Originally Posted by Lexir

I ended up buying a 2004 Tiffin Allegro with reasonable mileage at a great price.

Still trying to figure out whether I want to pull a trailer or sell my prius for a 4-down and learn to drive manual (I don't like the automatic options for 4-down). I heard there might be trailers you can slide under the RV while parked to save room? Or is that wrong?

Currently working on moving into it... I want out of my apartment now that I have it and it's at a friend's place.

Lexir - Photos of your 2004 Tiffin Allegro??

We own an older TA in great condition. It's a rather small one. Just great for our occasional jaunts. Private, walk around bed room too.

[Brob]

Originally Posted by Lexir

I ended up buying a 2004 Tiffin Allegro with reasonable mileage at a great price.

Still trying to figure out whether I want to pull a trailer or sell my prius for a 4-down and learn to drive manual (I don't like the automatic options for 4-down). I heard there might be trailers you can slide under the RV while parked to save room? Or is that wrong?

Currently working on moving into it... I want out of my apartment now that I have it and it's at a friend's place.

Congratulations on the new to you Tiffin! One thing I would encourage you to do is spend some time on the roof making sure everything is sealed tight. Lap sealant such as Sikaflex 505UV and Eternabond tape will keep it dry for a long time to come.

Based on your original statement of staying put for stretches of time, I personally would be inclined to hang on to the efficient, nimble Prius and find a lightweight 2 axle trailer to haul it. You can use the trailer when you are long-term parked to fetch potable water and dump portable black water tanks. A tow dolly would be another good option for the prius as the drive train wheels are off the ground. The dolly can be stowed upright which takes up very little space.

There ARE automatic transmission vehicles that can be safely towed 4 down.

[Rockwood27]

This is my toad (i.e. 4 down towing). My wife has a 2010 Prius, that we towed on a dolly. Sold the dolly, kept the Prius. My toad is a 2016 Chevy Sonic. It comes as a 4 door sedan or the hatchback, seen here. It can have a manual transmission or 6 speed automatic transmission. Both can be towed 4-down (mine is an automatic). I originally bought it to tow behind my 36 foot Class A on a 6,000 mile trip. Got rid of the Class A and replaced it with the Class B, shown. I bought it with 20K miles on it and now it has 60K. I've had zero problems with it. It feels comfortable to drive long distances and gets around 30 mpg (not quite as good as the Prius' 51 mpg+!).

[MEC57]

You don't have to buy a manual transmission vehicle. If your Allegro can tow up to 4k pounds, the Chevy Colorado or GMC Canyon 4WD automatic mid size pickups can be towed 4 down. The crew cabs Z71 models qre plentiful on the used market and the 5cyl engine is very reliable and easy / cheap to maintain.

2004 - 2012 model years for sure, but newer may work as well. All you do is put the transfer case in neutral, unlock the steering wheel and tow away! Just bought a 2009 in great shape and towed it 1,000 miles.

Nice side benefit of the Z71 is that it can do some off roading as well as hauling and still has a nice cabin with most bells and whistles. Gas mileage is also not terrible with the 5cyl.

If you are not a pickup truck kind of person, you can check Roadmaster's chart for other 4 down towable vehicles. Many out there such as Hondas, Saturns, Chevy SUVs, etc.

Good luck.