Community Forums

GeoffF · 02-07-2017, 11:49 PM

Hi!
We are a homeschool family spending the best part of a year travelling the world. A road trip through the US is a big part of our plans. We are thinking of renting or buying an RV but would appreciate advice!
We will be flying into LA in May 2018. We will be visiting friends in LA, Fort Worth, Virginia, Toronto, Boston, then flying out of New York 2-3 months later.
We have 5 children who will be age 7-15. I've seen adverts for RVs that can transport and sleep 7 people but am conscious that we are likely to want drive around separately from the RV. I wonder if a 5th wheel is suitable - can any towing vehicles carry 7?
I understand if we buy then we'll need to register in the US, I expect one set of friends to be willing to do this for us. We are budget-conscious (hence contemplating buying and selling) - any guidance on the best age and type of RV to keep its value? I'm reasonably proficient with DIY and vehicle repairs so am happy to take on something that is likely to need maintenance (and hey it will give me something to do when we're relaxing in a campground!).
Many thanks for the help, Geoff

MSHappyCampers · 02-08-2017, 07:30 AM

Hi Geoff!

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Hope the trip works out great for you! Sorry I can't offer advice on the best way for you.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

TonyDi · 02-08-2017, 07:33 AM

Glad to have you here in the forum with us.

Wow, this is going to be a task. Not impossible but difficult. The problem is that a vehicle that can tow a 5th wheel large enough for the family, most likely won't have seating for 7. A motor home that can sleep 7, is doable, but then you won't have a vehicle to take side trips with. Maybe someone else will have a suggestion.

Good luck with your plans. Maybe we'll see you on the road.

Happy Trails!!!

GeoffF · 02-08-2017, 08:12 AM

Hi guys!

Thanks for the responses.

I agree it seems tricky to do this kind of trip with 7 of us... best I've seen is 5th wheels with a tow truck that's had an extra 2 seats added (by cowtownsleepers in Fort Worth) but I'm hardly likely to get the money back when I sell it!

Don't suppose a motorhome is likely to be able to tow a small 7-seater (I don't even know if those exist in the US, they do in the uk!)

Is there another part of the forum it's worth me posting this on?

mimi2Three · 02-08-2017, 06:31 PM

We too are a homeschool family. Public transportation is always an option as well as renting a vehicle for the week with unlimited mileage.

TonyDi · 02-08-2017, 08:51 PM

Public transportation is a good idea. However, most camp grounds and parks are usually off he beaten trail. So public transport will be difficult. Renting is an option. I know some car rentals have vans that will seat quite a few. Check with them. Why buy something you may have trouble selling.

l1v3fr33ord1 · 02-09-2017, 06:19 AM

Geoff-

I'd be inclined to rent a motorhome that comfortably sleeps 7, and has seat belts for 7 as well.

While you can find vehicles that seat 7 to tow behind a motorhome, they may be heavier than most smaller motorhomes can tow. Plus, some coach rentals may not come equipped to tow. Not towing a car or van does have the advantage of making the coach driving, setup and teardown easier.

You have the option of renting a van and driving it separately, if you have two drivers. This could be done for the entire tour, or for shorter "hub and spoke" periods. If done for the tour, it could get you around any shortfall in the number of seatbelts in the motorhome.

I applaud your desire to see the U.S.. Nothing like visiting historical sights to buttress those history lessons!

You could think of your RV as a mobile apartment, and an auxiliary vehicle as the "get-around-with-everyone-to-see-things-where-the-RV-won't-fit" tool.

Anyway, these are my thoughts.

Isaac-1 · 02-09-2017, 07:06 AM

From an economic point of view buying a good used RV then selling it when you are done is probably the best option. Given the lack of tow vehicle with seating for 7 that can pull a 5th wheel trailer, the better option is probably a diesel pusher class A motorhome pulling a small 7 passenger car on a tow dolly as a 7 passenger car and a tow dolly would likely be easier to sell at the end of the trip separately than a 7 passenger car equipped for 4 down towing.

If I were going to pick a relatively cheap 7 seater for such a project I would likely pick a 10-12 year old Ford Freestyle (offered in 6 or 7 passenger seat layout so check for second row bench vs bucket seats). My wife had one and overall it was a good car although somewhat utilitarian, the Freestyle was a bit of a market flop, Ford did not promote it in their crossover market, instead all the advertising went to the Ford Fusion, it also had a CVT transmission which has about a 150,000 mile life expectancy and cost more than the car is worth to replace, therefore they don't retain much market value as they age, a quick online search found over a dozen for sale within 150 miles most in the $3,000 ballpark. The Freestyle is also fairly light with the frontwheel drive version weighing in under 4,000 pounds (you of course would want to avoid the all wheel drive version if using a tow dolly).

Finding an appropriate Class A diesel pusher that comfortably sleeps 7 may be another matter, but they are out there. In general I would suggest looking at the 10-15 year old model range, this age is reasonably modern, yet is old enough to have taken the big initial deprecation hit, and with a bit of shopping you may find one with some nice updates and upgrades, new tires, batteries, etc. Some people will suggest buying in the 5-7 year age range, I think this is a mistake, as these still have a fair chunk of the initial depreciation hit to go, and this is also the point at which initial tires and batteries will need replacing (tires age out on RV's) which will add $5,000+ to your cost.

p.s. here is a link to a possibly appropriate diesel pusher assuming someone sleeps on the J sofa for sale at PPL in Houston TX (They are a big high volume consignment dealer)
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/diesel/...ffin-34570.htm

GeoffF · 02-09-2017, 09:53 AM

Wow, fantastic information, thank you. I didn't even know MHs could come that big! Would I really be allowed to haul a tow dolly with a car behind a 40' MH?!

I think I'm inclined to buy a suitable MH (equipped for towing) and see how we go - I can always add a tow dolly and car if we find we need one.

Any recommendations from anyone on a suitable dealer in the LA area? I'm guessing buying privately (e.g. Craigslist?) is riskier but I could get a better deal? Would I have to pay tax if I buy privately?

Many thanks, Geoff

Isaac-1 · 02-09-2017, 11:31 PM

Diesel pusher motorhomes generally max out at 45 ft of length. As to pull either a car 4 down with a tow plate adapter, braking system, etc or a car on a tow dolly with either hydraulic or electric brakes it is commonly done, although the exact maximum length allowed by law varies from state to state, I think some states limit total combined length is as little as t55 feet, others allow up to 75 ft and a few allow triple towing, I think 65 ft total overall length limit is fairly common, but such laws seem to be rarely enforced against RV's.

I bought my motorhome off a craigslist ad, and yes there are a lot of scams out there, but there are also deals. You may want to check out RV Trader also, it is a popular online classifieds service. As to motorhome dealers near LA, I can't help you much there, other than to say I would hate to try to learn to drive a large motorhome in southern California traffic, and I do know lots of people from California seem to buy used motorhomes across the state line in Arizona and there are lots of used RV dealers in Arizona. I don't know if this is done for tax reasons, etc. California can be problematic with their regulations on some things.

l1v3fr33ord1 · 02-10-2017, 06:45 AM

Questions for fellow iRV2ers:

1) How does one go about buying, titling, registering, paying taxes on (if applicable) and insuring a U.S. motorhome when one is not a resident of the United States? Geoff (the OP- Original Poster) says "I expect one set of friends to be willing to do this for us." Would you do that for friends of yours? Could you do it, legally?

2) Is the buying, learning-to-use and selling process one you would consider reasonable if you planned to visit the U.S. for three months (particularly for a large Class A coach)?

3) "LA, Forth Worth, Virginia, Toronto, Boston, New York" Are these places you'd recommend an inexperienced RV driver take one? In the May-July tourist season?

Everyone's different, that's for sure. And a grand motorcoach vacation in the U.S. would be memorable. The more I think about it, though, the more I'd be inclined to rent a large van to get between points of interest and stay in motels, beds and breakfasts, and the like. That could be done without spending a lot of money, I should think.

Just an opinion, though. You know how much those are worth. ;-)

Percival6 · 06-13-2017, 11:36 PM

I know this is topic is a fee months old, but did u find what you were looking for? Or are the plans still off in the future?

If you are still looking, and still need a recommendation for a car to tow behind a motorhome, look for a 2013 or earlier Honda Pilot. They are 8 passenger SUVs that would be snug for even 7, but are towable 4 down behind a motorhome.

Please report back when you are on your trip. We are considering taking a year long trip with our 4 kids and showing them all there is to see in the US.

Sespe · 06-14-2017, 06:03 PM

I'm travelling LA to NY right now. I've chased the same rig for 3 days now: A commuter / airport shuttle bus (with private plates) towing a popup camper. It's just out-of-the-ordinary enough that I see it over and over again.

Seems like a neat idea, if it wasn't 104 in the desert right now...