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| Author |
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Al
Newbie
Posts:5
Registered Users
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| 01/28/2008 5:28 PM |
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Hello, I'm looking to find about about a better way to travel. My family likes to take road trips. We currently have a 2002 Chevy Suburban that gets around 19-20 mpg on the highway, which is fine. It fits a lot of luggage and is very comfortable, but I would like a RV that seats 4, has a porty potty (for the kids), a bed (so my with can lie down) and gets decent gas mileage. Once we get whwere were going, we usually stay in a hotel so we can spread out.
I've looked into the Sprinter based RV's (because of the diesel engine) but they are very pricey. I really like the Vixen 21TD diesel with the pop up roof.
Are there any other designs you can think of that fit this category. Thanks, Al |
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Airstream345
Site Host
Classic Master
Posts:1266
Administrators
Louisville, KY
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| 01/29/2008 6:38 AM |
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Al, wlecome to the site. There are a lot of options for mini motorhomes out there. You are definately looking at a diesel (Sprinter) to get even close to the mileage of the burb when underway. There are really only a couple of options here, but since these are newer models (2000 and newer) you're in the $50K used, $65K new territory.
One thing to consider is to use a motorhome that can accomodate you when you arrive. In other words, ditch the hotels and stay in the motorhome. Our older motorhome (1986) doesn't get half the mileage of your burb, but because we stay in it when we arrive we more than make up for the increased fuel costs. We also travel in complete comfort and have plenty of room for five (my wife and I and our three children). the GoRVing.com website has some information on traveling in RVs and how inexpensive it can be, but it assumes you are staying on board and saving even more by preparing meals onboard.
There are a lot of nice, small used class C motorhomes out there which would give you what you need. If you're still planning on staying in hotels then maybe a conversion van or small class b would work. Unforetunately most of the high mileage diesels are newer and therefore cost quite a bit more. |
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Steven Webster
1986 Airstream Classic 345
Host, ThisOldRV.com |
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Al
Newbie
Posts:5
Registered Users
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| 01/29/2008 10:39 AM |
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Steve, Thanks for the advice.
Speaking of staying in a hotel vs. RV park.... I have a friend who has a 1995 Alegro Bus (gas) that I could possibly borrow. I live in Louisiana and thought about a trip to Disney World in Orlando (about 650 miles one way) To stay at the Disney Campground was about $70 per night ( And I realize all the ammenities of the Shuttle to the parks, the food court, pools, etc...) For about $100 per night, we can stay in one of the All Star Resorts (basic room with 2 double beds). And as my wife puts it, the maid comes in and makes the beds and cleans the laundry. The RV parks around Disney were not that much cheaper. $50 or $60 per night.
Again, with the RV getting about 8-9 mpg, the cost of ownership or rent, paying $40-70 per night to park somewhere with hookups, it seems to be a rather expensive way to travel.
Is there something I'm missing? As a kid, my Dad "borrowed" an RV for a family vacation and everything when wrong, but we had loads of fun and still laugh about that trip today. (This RV had the bed that lowered down eletrically over the Driver's area. One morning we could not get it back up and my Dad had to drive to the station, crouched down under the bed, barely peeking through the steering wheel.) We laughed and laughed about it. I'd like to take my kids on an RV adventure, but I though it would be less expensive. ?????
Thanks, Al |
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COOPERHAWK
Moderator
Expert
Posts:838
Administrators
East Central Minnesota
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| 01/29/2008 11:38 AM |
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There are many more situations to think of when comparing RVing and Hoteling.
For one thing we like not having to lug our suitcases in and out of hotels, and not having to unpack and repack. We can also take our "Own Stuff". We usually travel with our cat and dog as well. While in campgrounds we usually meet new friends and are able to take long walks with our dog.
On the road we often just pull off and make and eat lunch. We don't have to make a run for it if its raining to get into a resurant. We tow a car and have our own transportation that is smaller and easier to park.
It's true that if you factor in the cost of an RV as well as parking and fuel, ect., It probably costs more to RV. In fact I am sure it does. Our unit has been paid for for a long time so we don't feel the pinch. It just feels better to us to live in our own unit on trips. |
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1985 Airstream 345 Turbo-Diesel
VFW,Legion, NRA
FAA Air Traffic Control Supervisor (Retired)
http://www.cooperhawk.net
mailto:jimcooper@cooperhawk.net
"People are okay in ones and twos. After that number they tend to choose up sides and wear arm bands and berets." |
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capt.dan
Classic Camper
Posts:126
Registered Users
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| 01/30/2008 12:01 AM |
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Hi, I for one will use my RV in the future unless it is to go up North in the wintertime!! I could have saved almost 5-600 bucks on the costs of food and hotels or motels when we went up to maine last winter!! The Truck got 25 and that wasn't bad for a loaded up truck but the meals and lodging are downright highway robbery at 70 to over 110 a night!!! I complain abut the cost of gas but gee's that room is very pricy!!anyway back to the issue at hand. i would go with a somewhat newer unit that has a basement or semi basement around 32 feet long that can handle all of you and that way you can skip teh hotels and restaurants and cook in the rv and camp overnight at some of the safer "free spots" you can find all over the country.If I had to do it all over again I would have done the basement model but I wasn't thinking about emergency trips in winter and furnerals and such. That truck you have would make a good tow rig for a 20 + footer trailer!! another option maybe to look at! Good luck!! Dan
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Airstream345
Site Host
Classic Master
Posts:1266
Administrators
Louisville, KY
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| 01/31/2008 7:44 AM |
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Al,
I completely understand. Resort style campgrounds like Fort Wilderness are only slightly less expensive than a hotel room. We typically don't stay in resort style parks, mostly army corp or state parks which around here tend to more in the $15 - $20 a night range. We also boondock when traveling (WalMart, FlyingJ, Rest Stops, etc.) which eliminates the "roadside motel robbery".
I found that article on GoRVing outlining the costs of traveling in an RV vs. other travel options here: http://www.gorving.com/pubs/vacation_cost_anal.cfm
I'm with Coop and Dan. It's great having all of MY stuff with me. I know the sheets were washed and my clothes are always in the same place.
We bought ours primarily for two trips we take each year. One to seacost NH and on to FL. In each case, we park at a family residence and use the Airstream as our "cabin". So there is no cost at all for camping. We used to spend about $4000- $5000 for a two week summer trip to NH (Airfare for five, dog kennel for 2 weeks, a rental car and a rental cottage). Now, even with fuel prices we spend closer to $1000 for the same trip. Of course, we own the motorhome outright but even if it had payments it would be less than a mortgage on beachfront property :)
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Steven Webster
1986 Airstream Classic 345
Host, ThisOldRV.com |
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pjude
Not a Newbie
Posts:23
Registered Users
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| 01/31/2008 3:34 PM |
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In the past my wife equated camping with the local LaQuinta. Since I bought the Airstream she has learned that it is far more comfortable way to travel and not have to be somewhere by a certain time, pack up and move by a certain time eat out and in general not spend time relaxing. Our trips are normally a 200 mile radius of Tyler Tx. and normally have one of our son's and grandkids with us so all expenses would be doubled from the cost of a motel ($110.00 per each per night) to the cost of meals and snacks....priced a coke and chips lately? All in all I would not want to go the motel route again but each to their own!
Pete |
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