New guy here, I am a sponge

[treimche]

Hello. I registered here so I can research and learn about RVs. Have been interested in getting one for a while, and now considering selling my pickup and buying a motorhome. I am moving across the country soon, from ND to FL, and will be looking for suggestions on places to stay along the way and where to stay once we get there.

This forum is huge! Where to begin......

[D Gardiner]

Hello Treimche,
First congratulations on considering the RV lifestyle, and more importantly doing your research before you buy. As my step-dad used to say,"It's easy to buy. But, it's hard to sell."

Not sure what type or size of truck you have. If it's a heavier duty truck perhaps borrowing a trailer for a weekend or two, just to make sure you really want, before you take the plunge and get a class-a. As even the cheapest class-a is over $150K.

Not sure if you are considering a new or used class-a, or what length. Would you be using the RV to stay long-term (6+) months in an RV park, or would you be traveling the country frequently?

As for places to stay, up and down any route, look for smaller towns off of the interstate. Here you will generally find those, interesting places you otherwise would not.

Lastly, trust no RV sales person at face value. Assume they are just trying to sell you a rig, and make their commission. Take the time to research the rigs on your short list, and look for a trust worthy dealer. Lastly, always get a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) from a third party. It will cost you $500 or more dollars, but it will help you determine if you are getting a good RV or a bad one.
If it's a good rig that has minor issues to address, get the deal to fix everything before dropping your cash.

Good luck.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We’re sure glad you joined the gang here!

Get out there and kick some tires!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[Dieselboy]

Welcome to the forum. Lots to learn. Ask and search away.

[bobmar]

Welcome and good luck finding your wishes!!! Ask Q’s, lots of great people with suggestions, ideas and opinions. Go for it!!

[Arch Hoagland]

Have you ever owned or used an RV before?

[TandW]

Welcome aboard!

[treimche]

Originally Posted by D Gardiner

Hello Treimche,
First congratulations on considering the RV lifestyle, and more importantly doing your research before you buy. As my step-dad used to say,"It's easy to buy. But, it's hard to sell."

Not sure what type or size of truck you have. If it's a heavier duty truck perhaps borrowing a trailer for a weekend or two, just to make sure you really want, before you take the plunge and get a class-a. As even the cheapest class-a is over $150K.

Not sure if you are considering a new or used class-a, or what length. Would you be using the RV to stay long-term (6+) months in an RV park, or would you be traveling the country frequently?

As for places to stay, up and down any route, look for smaller towns off of the interstate. Here you will generally find those, interesting places you otherwise would not.

Lastly, trust no RV sales person at face value. Assume they are just trying to sell you a rig, and make their commission. Take the time to research the rigs on your short list, and look for a trust worthy dealer. Lastly, always get a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) from a third party. It will cost you $500 or more dollars, but it will help you determine if you are getting a good RV or a bad one.
If it's a good rig that has minor issues to address, get the deal to fix everything before dropping your cash.

Good luck.

Thanks for the post. My current pickup is a newer Ford Ranger, and I need to pull my car and trailer behind it (about 5000 lbs total), so a travel trailer is not an option. I have stayed in a travel trailer many times over the past few years, at a seasonal campground near by, and enjoy it. I'm not sure whether I'd be better off going Class A or Class C for our needs, but that's why I'm starting to research.

I will be buying used to start off with, I'm not sure of the length, but we just need space for us 2 adults and 2 small dogs, with the ability to pull my car/trailer. While we look for a house, we would live in the motorhome, which would be parked in an RV park, so it could be anywhere from 1 month to 6+ months until we find the right house. Ideally, I'd like to keep the motorhome so we can use it for camping trips and taking my car to racetracks around FL for different events.

As far as trusting a sales person, I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them. I have worked at car dealerships, and more recently a boat/rv dealer, and sales people are....... sales people. Some of them don't even know what they're selling. They are just smooth talkers trying to take your money. The mark up on RVs/TTs/MHs is huge, and all their extra crap they try to sell you like extended warranties/service contracts/etc are grossly over inflated. They make a TON of money off of them, and it's honestly sickening seeing how badly customers are taken advantage of when being sold on those items. Anyway......

I will continue to research and possibly start looking and test driving some motorhomes soon, if our winter would ever end here

[treimche]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Have you ever owned or used an RV before?

Not yet no. I'm seeing there is a ton to learn. It's like a whole new world. I'm familiar with cars/trucks as I have been working with and around them for all of my adult life. Have also owned other toys like motorcycles and boats, so I understand everything has its quirks.

[Winemaker2]

Originally Posted by treimche

Not yet no. I'm seeing there is a ton to learn. It's like a whole new world. I'm familiar with cars/trucks as I have been working with and around them for all of my adult life. Have also owned other toys like motorcycles and boats, so I understand everything has its quirks.

Welcome aboard...
Boat experience CAN be applicable if it has "living" accomodations and systems... extensive 12V accys & systems that are different than home.
Will you have another means of transportation or just the MH?
Towing a vehicle is a broad topic but needs to be considered.
If you already have a pick up is it capable of towing a travel trailer or 5th wheel?
That can be a less costly alternative provided it is capable for the size & wt unit you desire.

[MRUSA14]

Originally Posted by treimche

Thanks for the post. My current pickup is a newer Ford Ranger, and I need to pull my car and trailer behind it (about 5000 lbs total), so a travel trailer is not an option.

I am puzzled by this. Do you plan to pull a car AND a trailer, or a car ON a trailer? Towing a car AND a trailer will not be practical as most states do not allow double towing. Unless a second driver drives the car, and the car pulls the trailer. But even in that case finding campsites would be a problem. The vast majority of campsites have the ability to accomodate a Class plus perhaps a car OR a trailer. It would be rare to find a campsite that can accomodate a Class A PLUS a car PLUS a trailer.

Please elaborate on this so we can give you more guidance.

[treimche]

My bad I worded that confusingly. It's just a small car ON an open trailer. The trailer is aluminum and around 1800lbs, the car is around 2900lbs give or take, and a few extra pounds in tools/etc, so around 5000lbs total.

[Scott_B]

Hello Treimche, welcome and enjoy. Being new here myself there is lots to read and learn from. Don't be afraid to ask any question you have regardless of how silly you might think it sounds. Heck I'm 60 and have camped since being a teen and I still get those head scratchers once in a while and my son-in-law will answer and remind me that I told him the bit of wisdom just a few years ago.
Wait, maybe my memory is starting to fade, hmmm!
Either way, WELCOME!

[Arch Hoagland]

I'd like to suggest that you rent an RV for a few days. It will pay for itself.