Friday, October 26, 2018

RV vacation?



My relatives recently brought up travelling by RV across America since it is a recreational vehicle used for travelling on the roads and it is what Americans most often use. It is so huge now that there are RV parks in all the National Parks and even mid-sized towns across America offering mini-golf, water-parks, playgrounds as part of the overall experience.


I am not sure about ...
  1. The Price, its a little high. But a quick look at 2018/2019 brand new models say I can get an RV for the same price as a car.
  2. The Tight Fit Inside, it's a tiny home on wheels. I'll be outdoors most of the time anyway and slide-outs are pretty common these days. I just need to choose a floor-plan that suits my travelling needs. 
  3. Drivers Licence Requirements, I thought I needed a trucking licence. As it turns out a regular drivers licence is OK for Class B, Class C RVs and Class A RVs with fully loaded weight below 26,000 lbs. Tow-Alongs (Trailers) are also OK, just make sure your vehicle can take on that tow capacity, I'm thinking more along the lines of commercial trucks/vans that can take on double the weightage of regular trucks/vans.
  4. Convenience of not having to book a hotel ahead of time and specifying how long you need to stay there. I can decide when I want to stay or leave and have all my things with me. But whenever you park the RV, you have to do some housekeeping like connecting to water and electricity.
  5. Travelling Costs are about the same with or without RV. Hotels charge more per night, RV Parks do charge something nominal but nowhere near what it'll cost to fuel up and run.
  6. Sanitation. Everyone says not to use the RV bathroom/toilet as it is only for emergencies. Truck stops and highway rest stations offer shower and toilet facilities, sometimes for a fee. Same thing with laundromats.


When making a choice between trailer or motor home, I think it depends on whether you already have a car capable of towing a decent sized trailer. You can still use your car on vacation by unhitching the trailer, that makes it really convenient to sight-see or pick up groceries. You can also buy land space and leave your trailer there like a house.


Motor-homes that can be had with a regular drivers licence are ...

  1. Class A RVs under 26,000 lbs that look like buses. I like these vehicles for that sleek exterior look, privacy from being above ground level and you can opt for enlarged windows in front for a great view of the open road when you are driving. Tiffin Allegro Breeze Motorhome or Winnebago Sightseer both around $260,000 USD.
  2. Class B RVs that look like remodeled vans, I would much rather get a station wagon or regular van instead, pricing is same or cheaper. I recommend Airstream Mercedes Benz Atlas for around $216,000 USD, it's got lots of custom fittings.
  3. Class C RVs that resemble trucks with overhead bunk that is what I want. It would be really cool to have a sunroof where the overhead bunk bed is so you can see the stars at night. If you want 2 full size beds in one vehicle, this is your best option. I recommend any brand, any model size as it comes under the weight requirements. Prices are from USD $55,000.


The outside feature I like the most is the outdoor kitchen, swing-out BBQ and cook-top with lighting.


Outdoor entertainment center, TV and speakers to listen to music outside.


Most importantly, it needs a large enough awning to provide shade and storage accessible from the outside to hold tables and chairs, maybe even a pull-out table.



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