Community Forums

LissaDeon · 08-16-2017, 03:37 PM

Long time reader, first time poster. I’ve always appreciated the sage advice of the forum members. My husband and I will be going full time in about 2 years, and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, my 87 year old mother will be coming along with us.
We enjoy our current class A because of the 2 bathrooms, but since it has only 1 bedroom and Mom cannot climb the ladder to sleep in the drop down bed in the cab area, she usually sleeps on a futon (not original equipment ). For weekend trips this is fine, however I’d like to find a better solution for all of us when we go full time.

Note: we want a tow car ( toad, dingy, etc) and wanted it to be a 4 door Wrangler ( we currently have a 1999 2 door Wrangler) and my husband wants to get a motorcycle lift for his Harley (he’s already got the manufacturer and model picked out) and the only other large item is his fishing Kayak ( 13 ft long). I have looked for a two bedroom Class A but I might as well be searching for a Unicorn to have as a pet.

So originally, when I was searching for the elusive 2 bedroom class A, the idea was Class A with motorcycle lift then tow the Wrangler with the Kayak on top. But Mom not having her own bedroom is inconvenient when she wants to go to sleep at 9 and her sleeping area is in the middle of our living area.

Then we thought maybe we could find a toy hauler to tow behind the class A and put the Harley, Jeep and Kayak in there so Mom could have her own little “cottage” but that won’t work because of weight distribution issues.

So, here is my latest idea and if any of you have done this then please let me know your experiences: A class B as a toad. We could leave the bed made up so at night Mom has a place of her own but we’ll still have the Class A for large shower, bigger fridge, more living space, etc. We could also use the class B as our “get around town” vehicle and, if we park the class A in a central hub area we could drive the class B through parks and tourist-y things much easier than maneuvering the class A.

Comments, suggestions, ideas and experiences, please?

Mr_D · 08-16-2017, 03:42 PM

from WA State!

A lot of Type A MH's, especially gas rigs don't have the towing capacity to do what you want. Even my 47,000# (empty) rig only has a 15,000# tow rating. You might be able to find a light enough Type B (the one we had weighed 8,800#'s) but then you need to make it towable. Could be done with a driveshaft disconnect but it would be a custom job as would the brackets.

LissaDeon · 08-16-2017, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

from WA State!

A lot of Type A MH's, especially gas rigs don't have the towing capacity to do what you want. Even my 47,000# (empty) rig only has a 15,000# tow rating. You might be able to find a light enough Type B (the one we had weighed 8,800#'s) but then you need to make it towable. Could be done with a driveshaft disconnect but it would be a custom job as would the brackets.

Thank you! Our next class A will be a
diesel pusher with a higher tow ability.

Loggenrock · 08-16-2017, 11:05 PM

I have seen one DP using a short Roadtrek on the MB chassis as a toad. Gotta say, that will be a pricey toad! i could see an issue if that is her bedroom - you go out for the evening -she has no bedroom... ST

biggcrisp · 08-17-2017, 06:19 AM

I have seen several DP's pulling nice class B toads. I personally think it is a great idea.

As long as mom is there, everyone is going to have to make sacrifices. No biggie.

MikeO58 · 08-17-2017, 06:30 AM

Have you looked at any of the bunk house floor plans? You could use the upper bunk for storage and your mom would have her own space to sleep.

LissaDeon · 08-17-2017, 06:50 AM

I have looked at bunkhouse floor plans, but they lack the second bathroom. With the popularity of people going full time I hope the industry will come up with better options in the next two years. I know there are a hundred different floor out there, I just need to find the right one. The class B toad option is currently the best idea I can come up with. And a used class B wouldn't be much more than a new Jeep Wrangler 4 door.

affreeman · 08-17-2017, 07:01 AM

Would you consider going with a 2-bedroom 5th wheel and tow vehicle? I don't know for sure but I'm thinking you could likely find a 2-bedroom 2-bath floor plan.

slowmachine · 08-17-2017, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LissaDeon

I have looked at bunkhouse floor plans, but they lack the second bathroom. With the popularity of people going full time I hope the industry will come up with better options in the next two years. I know there are a hundred different floor out there, I just need to find the right one. The class B toad option is currently the best idea I can come up with. And a used class B wouldn't be much more than a new Jeep Wrangler 4 door.

If you are serious about putting your mother in a bunk bed, there are some floorpans available with bunks and two bathrooms with showers. Newmar has them in the Ventana LE and Ventana. In gas models, the Jayco Precept 36T is one example.

LissaDeon · 08-17-2017, 08:19 AM

I will check those out, thanks!

LissaDeon · 08-17-2017, 08:59 AM

Afreeman, no, Class A only. Although there are some beautiful 5th wheels out there I enjoy the freedom of a motorcoach. I cannot sit still for long periods & like being able to walk (stagger?) Around the unit.

MSHappyCampers · 08-17-2017, 10:29 AM

Hi !

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

Don't think I've ever seen that done, but don't see why it won't work as long as you don't exceed the tow rating of the Class A. Also be sure the towbars are rated to pull that load!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!