Any RVers in the group?

[PARA45]

Wife and I have been thinking of possibly getting an RV, if we do it most likely a fifth wheel.

We'd like to get one so we could travel to the coasts/beach with our pets and not have to worry about boarding them, and what not.  Also, so we can be in the comfort of our own bed, and cook when we feel like it or eat out if we so desire.

If anyone here has one, had one, had experience with them, I'd like to hear about it.  The pros, cons, new vs. used, etc, etc.  Please don't be shy.  LOL!!!!!

[Grouchy]

 I know couples that have. One couple found it too close for too long and divorced. The other found the perfect place and planted roots 2000 miles from "home".

[224KING]

You can rent a lot of nice BNBs that are pet friendly for what a RV costs.

[txaggie]

RV's are like boats if you do not use them they are just a waste of money.

Long-term monthly payments, constant maint - i have a 5th wheel in storage i haven't seen since before my september 2020 covid and i'm ashamed to admit it and getting rid of it is almost impossible.

If you get one and enjoy travel, consider your tow vehicle as much as your RV especially 5th wheel. Don't make the mistake and get to big. The bonus for having all your stuff in your camper ready to roll with some minor tweaks per trip is a bonus.

Again it all goes back to will you use it - like tom said there's allot of opportunities for short-term rentals. I've done both now that the kids are gone it's almost easier to do that, although my wife wants us out of ours and into a smaller one? we will probably end up that route - wish i could sell this monster it's 42' lol

[PARA45]

Tom, I've been thinking about that, and you are correct.  I've been exploring the rental of RVs too, and will probably do something like that first and see how it goes, and if we like it. 

TX, I do have a 2500 Diesel, so I have the truck to pull it with.  Since this is only for the wife and I, plus the pooches, we are looking at something in the 27-29 ft range.

We are also thinking of taking this trailer to our hunting lease and park it there so we can have a weekend out of the house, vs. traveling every back and forth to the hunting lease. 

Obviously, money is another issue, and since I'm planning on retiring next year, I need to see the cash flow before committing to something like this or not. 

[Big Muddy rancher]

I'm not an RVer and hardly ever leave home so maybe I know sh!t.

But I was wondering if you could get  better deal on a good used one private sale rather than new.

Lots of people buy new as they can get financing from a dealer making monthly payments where it's cash upfront on a private sale.

[mikea]

I would go with a 5th wheel especially if you have a 3/4 or 1 ton. easy to hook up and pull, way less sway and sharper turns than a bumper hitch (imo). have had both and would go 5th wheel again. motor home you have to tow another vehicle with (kind of a pain, imo).  If you get one first thing I would do is replace the mattress with a good quality 1 even top of the line rv's usually aren't that comfortable.

[224KING]

Oscar,I was going to suggest you rent one and take a trip with it before buying one.

[kmoore]

Just general information.  I have owned 9 and own a RV. Used a 5er and a motorhome. My RVs have been bumper pulls and truck campers. 2 most common mistakes for 1st timers. Truck/TV (tow Vehicle) is too small. How does that happen? Payload. Pickups always list what their MAX amount the vehicle can tow not what it can carry. All pickups since about 1996 list the vehicles payload near the driver's door. Each style and trim in a given line will have a different payload. You need to look and read the vehicle's payload you're looking to buy not a general F350 payload to match up what you're towing.
Then the RV companies don't help much they list dry weights of their RVs not loaded. Those are always low and not real at all. My current ORV is 29ft. company lists tongue weight 695 lbs empty weight at 6600 lbs. Real weight over a scale show tongue weight at 1100 lbs and trailer weight at 7400 lbs. Few salesmen will fit your RV and TV to tow safe and legal.
The 2nd mistake most make, that 1st RV ends up not being the right match for you and what you expect of it. Could be too small, too big, too tall, not enough storage, not enough water or electric power etc, etc.
My advice get a 1 ton pickup truck, buy a used RV. In a year or few trips later you will want another RV.
Or what I read all the time in the RV forums, a couple went out and got a new Toyota pickup because they like Toyota and a mid size 5th wheel because the Toyota can pull it. They dump the TV at a loss after the 1st outing or dump thousands into it to take it carry more than it was ever intended. Bottom line buy enough truck period. Air bags and other add-ons won't make it work out. 

[224wby]

kmoore is 100% correct. My family has had every camping device made and I agree start with a 1 ton or bigger if you want a large 5th wheel get a dually. Payload is important but brakes are the most important, if your tow vehicle can't stop your vacation won't be much fun.

[.257]

We are looking in the same thing. Seem to be looking more at horse trailers with nice living quarters. Not as tall to pull in the wind. Back part for horses would be converted into dog area. Hunting trailer, the back would be for equipment for that. Just seems to fit our needs better than a RV.
The size and price range is what we are looking at.