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Just don't get a Suite at the Days Inn in Alexander City, Alabama.....
Sounds familiar. When I retired in 2011 we were looking at a 5th wheel. Great deals. After a couple weeks of debate we passed. We realized we loved our road trips, not camping. We've combed through the US, Canada and couple years ago did a road trip through Europe. Mostly used Hotwire to find a motel along our next destination. Sometimes would just drive till we didn't want to anymore and find a place. We talk of doing again asap once the borders open. I highly recommend Pacific Coast Highway, but start in Seattle and end in San Diego.I wonder if I'm in love with the idea and romance of motorhoming, rather than what it really will be like.
I have also thought of just taking a couple 2-3 week road trips per year in the car & just staying at hotels.
Nice bike. So many of my friends have and enjoy their bikes. Don't get me wrong. They love my Mopars. And I jokingly say that I'm not mature enough for 2 wheels. But the truth? Just don't have the riding experience for a heavy 2 wheel.My preference would be a small toy hauler so I could take this along View attachment 1099045
I must say some great comments on here
are great, some helpful & I agree to the most extent too
especially @Triplegreen500 comments
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Personally;
I liked my Motorhome better than the truck & travel trailer
I had a 97 Safari Serengeti 36' Class A, on a Magnum chassis
diesel pusher Cummins & Allison combo
for just pure traveling, not really camping
I tend to go from place to place on trips
the 'getting there is 1/2 the fun', the wife will appreciate it...
unless she likes to rough it, your a fortuneate man, if she does
I took my dog with me too
easier on them also
staying for long times
it may be better with an RV/Travel trailer
unless you flat tow a car/truck/Jeep etc. with you behind the MH
that's really hard on the car being towed too
just another thing to reg. & ins.
I had a Bike, a scooter or a Motorcycle
I could go most places
Motrohome it was fine towing a tag trailer, almost anywhere
I had a Featherlight Alum. 40' tongue to tail, tag
I hauled for a time
35' racecar trailer, small lounge area, sink/restroom
no problem hauling it all over the USA
I bought the MH used in 1999, it was a $225k+ listed new
not a huge pricetag, but too much for me
it had low miles I don't remember what, IIRC less than like 10k
I only paid $108k out the door after taxes/reg. etc.
sold it when my dad moved in
I use to drag it (above 40' trailer) with a
1995 Dodge & later a 98 Dodge Power Ram
Cummins 12 valve Cummins turbo'd, 5 speed
wish I would have kept the 98 Power Ram 4x4
before I bought the Motorhome
I had a gooseneck trailer & early 90's to 99-ish
Kodiac diesel midsize/intermediate
Turbo'd International
I pulled a double-decker 2 car 43' Featherlight cars trailer/hauler
with apr. 8'x12' lounge living area,
with a kingsize bed sleeping area, above in the gooseneck overhang
carpeted, kitchen'et, fridge, couch, lots of storage, 4'x6' bathroom/shower
& truck had a huge appr. 8'x6' sleeper on the back of the cab
lil' kitchen, fridge couch, fold out to a bed & captain chairs
after my dad moved in
I now have a 02 36' Jayco Designer 5th wheel with 2 slideouts now
& pull it with a 02 F350 4x4 Powerstroke 7.3 turbo'd
has 150k on it now, the trailer has about 1/2 that mileage
all over the western US, as far back east as Mt. Rushmore
It's OK, does the job, easy to maintain...
I liked the MH for convenience, all self-contained,
expensive if anything breaks in the chassis/engine or trans
(so is the 7.3 Powerstroke Ford F350 too)
the living part really isn't much if any different than a travel trailer
BUT;
MH it's more like driving your living room, down the interstate
great views out the front, better than any Pick-up truck
& not dealing with hooking & unhooking the trailer or tag/tow'd car
I like the Trailer for when you got somewhere
& wanted to go somewhere else, just unhook & drive the tow rig/Truck
But;
I usually had a side-by-side, a quad or Skooters in the trailer
I could buzz around on, rarely ever unhooked
The travel trailer is a different beast
you can't haul stuff in it like the Racecar trailers were
but it serves the purpose, it's a mobile home, with a tow rig
not really much if any cheaper,
like the difference between a nice house
& a moderate home in quality will depend on the price
except for the initial purchase price, taking a big hit
after 3 years it doesn't matter with either, both lose a shitload of value
truck capable is $60k new in today's market
trailer for any decent nicely amended trailer,
for a nice truly comfortable setting, not some thin aluminum sided
cheaper versions
(I wouldn't suggest/recommend the lesser $20k easily found stuff)
buy a nicer trailer, better insulated, better FRP sides,
better amenities/options inside too
5th wheel with all the amenities slide out etc.
probably starting at $40k+
that's $100k in my book,
$80k if your lucky & buy right/new
with a Truck & trailer,
you also have 2 reg., 2 insurance policies, double the tires
2 things to maintain
if you just use the Motorhome for travel it's
1 reg. & 1 insurance policy
(unless you tow something behind it)
a wash really slightly more,
about the same as the truck & trailer combined here
But;
I had a motorcycle on the back of the MH
I could ride where ever I wanted to, too
get a capable generator, have its own fuel storage
unless propane or diesel
so you can dry camp (with no hookups) & still have electricity
it'll make the lil' woman happier
remember to winterize every year
& clean it out before going on a trip
& do it all over again, unless you plan to use it regularly
monthly at a min.
tires rot
just sitting especially outside in sun or weather
trailers age in dog years,
usually depreciate like it too
30% driving off the lot, & probably a 5%-10% hit yearly
up to about the 7th year
some class A's esp. Motorhomes will retain value more
some won't, you can get storming deals on them
just need to look
insure it based on value/total replacement value
purchase price & it's contents
just in case it's burned to the ground
or totaled, you don't get screwed
do your due diligence in that realm all insurance isn't alike/same
most people that own RV's or MH or Travel trailers in general
are on the 3-5 year plans
if you buy new you will take a huge hit, initially
but not anyone else's problems either
just check the out well or have an expert that knows their stuff
pay someone to do it for you, mostly all common sense stuff
some opinions will vary,
that's pretty much mine, take it or leave it
I'm not going to argue about any of it
it's just my experience & my thoughts
when I just went parking, "camping"
in some RV park, plug it into a 40 amp service on city water
or some campground...
(by the way, I highly suggest, that you plan your trips ahead,
get reservations for RV park or campsites, well in advance,
it's really hit or miss out on the road, finding places the will be available)
it's not camping IMO
camping is a tent on the ground in sleeping bags etc.
a fire pit, not a fridge & stove, couch, bar, slide-outs & dining set
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Anymore my dad uses it more than me, it has 75-80k milesThanks for all the info. If you don't mind me asking, how often does the trailer get used?
Look and see if "Hotels At Half Price" is still around can save a ton. Used it on vacations, in Hawaii. Don't know if you need reservations in advance.