Today's RV time?

[meijunspee]

Now the world is in crisis, and fuel prices continue to rise rapidly, but I think traveling by RV will still be the best value, despite the price per gallon of fuel. This summer, I'm planning a trip to Florida with some friends in my RV. Here https://jasminebreezerv.com/reviews/ I read reviews on one of the Florida RV parks. I think that's where we will go since so many people recommend it. The RV parks are very cool, and it's easy enough to meet new people who also travel.

 

[jjeff]

My wife and I were wanting another adventure with the kids so we bought a leftover 2019 sunseeker class c in 2020 (just before the RV market went crazy) after researching and shopping extensively. I like it cause it has a fiberglass roof and one piece front cap, on a Chevy 4500 chassis. Gets 10 mpg going 60-65, has no slides. We're closing in on 15k miles in 2 years of owning. First thing I got rid of where the obnoxious chrome wheel covers and replaced them with used Chevy center caps main reason was I couldn't check the tire pressure without taking them off. Did a few other upgrades like adding USB ports, where the kids sit a dc fan in the cab, and a homemade spice rack behind the stove/oven.
It has been a great family adventure for us and safer for a family than sailing on the great lakes imo. A month ago we got back from a 2week spring break in Florida with it.
Question about solar it's pre wired for it but I assume it doesn't have a regulator/charge controller? Are you guys mounting the panels permanently on your roof? Last pic is what I have for solar hookup manual doesn't say much about it.
Any questions I'm happy to answer with what I know and learned.

 

[Pixguy]

We went to the Tampa RV show and decided to jump from our gasser to a DP. Working a few bugs out but love it otherwise.

 

[jjeff]

Lol took me a month to work out/fix the bugs in mine. Trying to get warranty work done was a complete joke in my experience, did everything myself saved a lot of frustration instead of waiting months, and working with shops.

 

[dragoneggs]

Hey... happy to see this thread revived. We have been on quite a few trips with our Winnebago Class C. Loving the solar panels and lithium batteries for some off the grid stays. Harvest hosts and BLMs.

Recently purchased a 2dr Jeep Rubicon and setting it up as a toad. Tow bar should be here in a few days. Also ordered a Demco Stay n Play Duo electric braking system. That should get installed middle of next month.

Was going to do it myself but after researching and talking so some 'in the know', I decided to get it done professionally. Hard to farm it out being a DIY guy but didn't want to mess with the electronics of my new Jeep.

Once done we already have a few trips planned to Oregon coast, Moab to do some off-roading!

 

[Pixguy]

Lol took me a month to work out/fix the bugs in mine. Trying to get warranty work done was a complete joke in my experience, did everything myself saved a lot of frustration instead of waiting months, and working with shops.

I was on the phone with corporate customer service today and they were very helpful in trying to right and correct the issues. Time will tell.

 

[dragoneggs]

Problem now is the RV market is so hot and has been, that most reputable shops are booked out weeks or even months. I went to a local RV shop who I really wanted to have install my toad braking system and they told me they are scheduled out to September!

I said, maybe you can put me on your waiting list in case of a cancellation. He smiled and said sure. You are number 45.

Finally found a place that can get me in 4 weeks. I jumped on it. They are 45min away.

 

[Hughman]

On my 5th RV. Started out with a 21' class C, work up to. 33' class A with a basement, and now back down to a 25' class C Winnebago. Got a couple of wrangler toads. Moab is awesome. Furthest trip has been New Orleans a few times over the years to visit family.

 

[dragoneggs]

On my 5th RV. Started out with a 21' class C, work up to. 33' class A with a basement, and now back down to a 25' class C Winnebago. Got a couple of wrangler toads. Moab is awesome. Furthest trip has been New Orleans a few times over the years to visit family.

Yeah loving my 3L diesel Winnebago on a Sprinter chassis. Now just need fuel prices to come back to earth so I can see more of it!

 

[Root Cause]

I bought a 32' class A back in '14. Ford V10 like all the other gasers.
I have spent a fair amount of vacation time seeing the wild horses at the Outer banks to Savanna, Ga, and places in between. Lots of good memories with family.

After 5 or 6 years, I started having some minor issues and felt that I wasn't up to keeping it 'like new'. So when covid ended my work gig, I headed to Texas and took 2 weeks of classes that covered the 3 electrical systems, plumbing, frig, a/c, and propane. It was a great class. I learned more about how electricity works and it really helped with how/why it is wired so it is now easier to find an issue if I have one. It was perfect timing for me as LP and smoke sensors were due to be replaced. I went through it all from roof to carriage when I got home.
We have a favorite spot not far from Asheville, it is 15 -18 month wait to get a spot. You just have to get in that mindset while you are on vacation to go ahead and book the next one.

 

[jjeff]

I bought a 32' class A back in '14. Ford V10 like all the other gasers.
I have spent a fair amount of vacation time seeing the wild horses at the Outer banks to Savanna, Ga, and places in between. Lots of good memories with family.

After 5 or 6 years, I started having some minor issues and felt that I wasn't up to keeping it 'like new'. So when covid ended my work gig, I headed to Texas and took 2 weeks of classes that covered the 3 electrical systems, plumbing, frig, a/c, and propane. It was a great class. I learned more about how electricity works and it really helped with how/why it is wired so it is now easier to find an issue if I have one. It was perfect timing for me as LP and smoke sensors were due to be replaced. I went through it all from roof to carriage when I got home.
We have a favorite spot not far from Asheville, it is 15 -18 month wait to get a spot. You just have to get in that mindset while you are on vacation to go ahead and book the next one.

Camped on Tybee island Georgia for a few nights this spring, very nice area. Interesting class you took also. I've realized compared to a recreational boat the systems are pretty different on a RV imo.

 

[jjeff]

Yeah loving my 3L diesel Winnebago on a Sprinter chassis. Now just need fuel prices to come back to earth so I can see more of it!

I'd like to see GM put the 2.8 or 3.0 Duramax in there 4500 cutaways for class c motorhomes.

 

[Pixguy]

I'd like to see GM put the 2.8 or 3.0 Duramax in there 4500 cutaways for class c motorhomes.

That'd be a nice change but they had the gasser workhorse and cut their losses a while back. I've had two Ford gas chassis's both the V10 and V8 engines, although noisy right under your feet in the doghouse were fine, the rest of the chassis proved problematic for me.

 

[jjeff]

That'd be a nice change but they had the gasser workhorse and cut their losses a while back. I've had two Ford gas chassis's both the V10 and V8 engines, although noisy right under your feet in the doghouse were fine, the rest of the chassis proved problematic for me.

Yep the gm 6.0 is what I have with the 6 speed auto more than enough power for me even if I'm towing a pontoon boat. the Ford V10s are screamers imo, unfortunately for me anyway, seems like most aftermarket suspension and chassis upgrades are for the e350 and e450 Ford chassis.

 

[Root Cause]

Yep, the V10's are noisy. But they are bulletproof. When I was researching them, I found a report from a company looking to buy dozens of used Uhauls. They combed the maintenance records looking for the weakest links. And obviously, these were abused by the drivers but maintained by the company. Those for sale averaged 200,000 miles and there just wasn't any consistent failures to flag.

There is a lot to love with diesel but I would have to have bought a used one. The older Class A have access doors in the back bedroom and I didn't want the mechanic tracking grease throughout the interior. With the V10, I also have a better chance of getting a mechanic who knows V8s and figure they share some parts as well. I felt better knowing there were Ford dealerships in every small town. That was my thinking back then, times have changed and so have RVs. I know mine in and out now. It's the devil you know so I will keep it.

 

[Hughman]

I have the 6.8 V10 in my current RV (E450). It's a 2019 RV on a 2018 chassis. It tows so much nicer than my previous class C which was built on a Chevy 7.4l.

I see the current rvs built on the E450 are coming with the 7.3l engines. Too soon for me to upgrade.

 

[jjeff]

Both the triton 6.8 and the vortec 6.0 seem pretty bulletproof imo. And there are definitely more Ford chassis on class C's, plus I don't think I've seen a newer class A gasser not powered by Ford. We test drove both Ford and Chevy on our class C model and the Chevy seemed a little quieter and smoother but was rated to tow less both were priced similar for leftover model years. It also came down to stubborn principal to buy a Chevy 4500 class c had a bad experience with a Ford product almost 30yrs ago. I used to say Ford stands for
f only runs downhill. So when I buy domestic vehicles it's usually GM/ Chevy.
In any case both modern chassis seem to handle pretty good and are reliable imo.

 

[Hughman]

I've owned RVs based on all three flavors of Detroit iron. They're all good. They all have their warts.

I'm more particular about the coach. Having owned a couple of Fleetwoods, a Tiffin and a couple of Winnie's, my requirements come down to a few things... No more Fleetwoods, no rubber roof and no slides. Kind of narrows down the choices.

 

[Pixguy]

I put in 72 gal. of diesel in yesterday and had to reset the pump four times and 3 at $125ea. Fun fun

 

[caver]

Since last year I took two folding solar panels I had and mounted them on the roof. I think they were two 65watt panels but with the smaller camper when I downsized I had really no place to store them. I always travel out west and usually prefer to boondock on public land. I also got a Veterans pass for National parks. I hope to head to South Dakota and beyond after Memorial Day for a few weeks or the visit to the pump just gets too painful.

I have a small 16' trailer made by a small company in Indiana (SunsetRV). I bought it around the time of Coof lockdowns since I had sold my old Jayco the previous fall. The price on them have doubled since then-no exaggeration.