Need Advice

[okcnewbie]

Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

In 1967, my mom and grandparents took 7 of us kids to Alaska in a Dodge camper van. The trip took 6 weeks and Grandma and Grandpa slept in the van and we kids slept in a big tent with Mom. Cooked on a coleman stove and perishables were kept in a little icebox. We all thought it was wonderful, maybe because no one had told us different.

Perhaps expectations are different these days.

Maybe so. I think many people ( some posted ) don't spend time with grandkids now a days and couldn't stand to be camping with them. I took a trip in our Class C with 8 of us and we "all" thought it was the best trip ever. I think the OP already has the right attitude to have a great trip if they find the right MH. I do have to admit I didn't weigh the MH before the trip.........

[weredoingit]

Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

In 1967, my mom and grandparents took 7 of us kids to Alaska in a Dodge camper van. The trip took 6 weeks and Grandma and Grandpa slept in the van and we kids slept in a big tent with Mom. Cooked on a coleman stove and perishables were kept in a little icebox. We all thought it was wonderful, maybe because no one had told us different.

Perhaps expectations are different these days.

Yeah I'm the youngest of 6 kids. In the 1960's we did lot's of camping trips. We were happy, well not my older sister, she was never happy. But we had a 57 chevy wagon 4 door. When I look at old camping pictures we looked we were in the middle of the great depression not a family on a camping trip. But we didn't know any other way, so we loved it. Looking back. I can't imagine how much work it was on my parents. My mom and sisters slept in the station wagon, the boy's and dad slept on the ground. I don't think we bought a tent until the early 70's.

[sbleiweiss]

Originally Posted by rvdreamer18

6) Will we feel too cramped traveling with that many people in a class C? Though they sleep more, they seem a bit cramped compared to the openness of a class A.

No offense, but you will feel too cramped in a Class A too with that many people. Also consider, there is no way to seat belt that many people. You are limited to one or one and a half baths. And you will be filling your tanks every day.

[Mudfrog]

Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

In 1967, my mom and grandparents took 7 of us kids to Alaska in a Dodge camper van. The trip took 6 weeks and Grandma and Grandpa slept in the van and we kids slept in a big tent with Mom. Cooked on a coleman stove and perishables were kept in a little icebox. We all thought it was wonderful, maybe because no one had told us different.

Perhaps expectations are different these days.

Not exactly the same but, we went to Disneyworld a few years back and I remember thinking to myself at the time, that it was pretty much just another theme park. Being so expensive, i was kind of disappointed and was expecting more. Don't ask me why but, it's now about 5 years later and I'm ready to go back.

What i'm getting at is, we sometimes tend to forget about some of the bad and remember more of the good. This is great,,, until we make the same mistake and it all comes back to us.

[OregonJim]

Originally Posted by rvdreamer18

Any helpful thoughts, tips and advice are sincerely appreciated.

A few thoughts that come to mind:

1.) With ten people, their weight alone has already used up a large portion of the carrying capacity of any gas rig. Add all their clothing, bedding, personal belongings, chairs for outside, food and water, and a 40 ft DP or bus conversion becomes necessary.

2.) Where will you store clothing and "stuff" for ten people? Even couples often have a hard time finding enough storage space inside a Class A.

3.) Full hookup sites will be a must as the holding tanks will not handle that kind of capacity. While traveling, you'll be dumping daily, if not twice a day. You can't pull over a 40 ft motorhome just anywhere to make a pit stop.

4.) Unless everyone sits still while traveling, you will end up with a constantly shifting load, which can greatly compromise safety.

5.) There aren't enough seatbelts for that many people. It may even be illegal to travel that way in many states.

6.) You really, really need to have an emergency fund for breakdowns. I would consider $10,000 to be a minimum, especially for an older rig out of warranty. A single tire blowout could use up half of that fund. It can tear out plumbing and body panels. A constantly shifting load (see above) could easily make that happen.

7.) You will not be able to park a big rig in many places, like some National Parks. You would have to be towing a 10-passenger van behind the motorhome in order to do any sightseeing (or rent one at your destination).

8.) Ten people. One bathroom. Enough said.


If it were me, I would consider a pair of smaller Class C's, 5 people in each, one of which is pressed into service for sightseeing. Problem is, you still need the emergency fund, and now you have twice as many things to potentially break down - plus you'll be hard pressed to meet your budget. Gas and campground fees will double as well.

On the other hand, you may be one of those people who sees this all as a challenge - and I really hope you are. There's always a way to do something if you want it hard enough. Good luck!

[rvdreamer18]

Thanks everyone! We aren’t giving up, just saving up for the surprises that are sure to come. We appreciate all of your knowledge and advice.