RV's What is the Attraction?
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Gatorboy
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Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?
You might want to check out Go RVing.com. That site may answer some of the questions you have about the attraction.
You might want to check out Go RVing.com. That site may answer some of the questions you have about the attraction.
mwechtal
Silver Member
Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?
JEH,
We looked at a LeSharo, but passed on it. One problem was that I'm 5'11", and my head almost brushed the ceiling. The vent handles would have been gouging me constantly. Later we saw one stuck in a parking lot (well, OK it was a field at an airshow). The hole they were stuck in was amazingly shallow. On the other hand, 4 guys pushed them out of it.
Mike
JEH,
We looked at a LeSharo, but passed on it. One problem was that I'm 5'11", and my head almost brushed the ceiling. The vent handles would have been gouging me constantly. Later we saw one stuck in a parking lot (well, OK it was a field at an airshow). The hole they were stuck in was amazingly shallow. On the other hand, 4 guys pushed them out of it.
Mike
Bird
Rest in Peace
Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( looking at the older LeSharo )</font>
Not old enough to have the Renault engine, I hope. No personal experience, but I've never heard anything good about them, but lots of bad stories. Some of them were later converted to the little Buick V-6 engine.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( looking at the older LeSharo )</font>
Not old enough to have the Renault engine, I hope. No personal experience, but I've never heard anything good about them, but lots of bad stories. Some of them were later converted to the little Buick V-6 engine.
EastTexFrank
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Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?
This has been an interesting thread because my wife and I have talking on this very subject for about 2 years without ever making a decision. We've many friends who RV, some of them full time, but we just couldn't decide which way to go for all the reasons stated by the other posters. We've talked ourselves out of motorhomes, 5th wheels and travel trailers and we are looking at Class "B" van conversions with Roadtrek looking as if it's going to be the frontrunner. To us, this choice seems to be the best of both worlds. They are easy to drive and park with enough room for 2 people. You can still use hotels in urban areas where you want to stop over and visit the sights but if you find a pleasant piece of country where you want to hang around for a couple of days, you can do that too. I'm still researching but don't have any friends who have RV'd in anything this small so any input you guys can give would be appreciated.
Sorry NY_Yankees_Fan, I don't mean to highjack your thread but I'm in the exact same position that you are. I don't want to invest a whole lot of money and a couple of months down the road decide that this isn't really what I want to do.
This has been an interesting thread because my wife and I have talking on this very subject for about 2 years without ever making a decision. We've many friends who RV, some of them full time, but we just couldn't decide which way to go for all the reasons stated by the other posters. We've talked ourselves out of motorhomes, 5th wheels and travel trailers and we are looking at Class "B" van conversions with Roadtrek looking as if it's going to be the frontrunner. To us, this choice seems to be the best of both worlds. They are easy to drive and park with enough room for 2 people. You can still use hotels in urban areas where you want to stop over and visit the sights but if you find a pleasant piece of country where you want to hang around for a couple of days, you can do that too. I'm still researching but don't have any friends who have RV'd in anything this small so any input you guys can give would be appreciated.
Sorry NY_Yankees_Fan, I don't mean to highjack your thread but I'm in the exact same position that you are. I don't want to invest a whole lot of money and a couple of months down the road decide that this isn't really what I want to do.
bgott
Veteran Member
Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?
Anything with an engine could end up being a poor choice if you don't use it on a regular basis. Fuel goes stale and will turn to varnish in carburators and injectors. Think about the interesting things that happen to lawn mowers and such that set up, now apply that to something that costs a lot more to fix.
Anything with an engine could end up being a poor choice if you don't use it on a regular basis. Fuel goes stale and will turn to varnish in carburators and injectors. Think about the interesting things that happen to lawn mowers and such that set up, now apply that to something that costs a lot more to fix.
MadReferee
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Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( We've talked ourselves out of motorhomes, 5th wheels and travel trailers and we are looking at Class "B" van conversions with Roadtrek looking as if it's going to be the frontrunner. )</font>
Have you looked at Born Free motorhomes? They have models that are sized between a Class B van and a Class C motorhome. They are sold direct from the manufacturer and are located in Humboldt, Iowa which is reasonably close to you I think. They do make a small model called "Built for Two". Their web site is HERE .
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( We've talked ourselves out of motorhomes, 5th wheels and travel trailers and we are looking at Class "B" van conversions with Roadtrek looking as if it's going to be the frontrunner. )</font>
Have you looked at Born Free motorhomes? They have models that are sized between a Class B van and a Class C motorhome. They are sold direct from the manufacturer and are located in Humboldt, Iowa which is reasonably close to you I think. They do make a small model called "Built for Two". Their web site is HERE .
Bird
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Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?
Frank, I haven't used a Class B myself, but we've sure thought about it at times. I think the Roadtrek is a very good choice. Another step up, but one you can still put in most parking places is the smallest Chinook. Unfortunately, they're pretty expensive for their size if you buy a new one.
Frank, I haven't used a Class B myself, but we've sure thought about it at times. I think the Roadtrek is a very good choice. Another step up, but one you can still put in most parking places is the smallest Chinook. Unfortunately, they're pretty expensive for their size if you buy a new one.
KubotaBling
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Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?
we recently bought a 187K dollar (original price in 92) for 32K dollars from a consignment sale in FL from retired couple.. it's basicaly the luxury of having 110v from a onan generator which is not noticeable 7.5Kw and uses less than a gal. of fuel running full bore.. and the 400 hp cummins engines which is a breeze to drive.. plus ur not as fatigued u can get up walk around etc.. pee whatever and not have to stop every 2-3hrs..
we recently bought a 187K dollar (original price in 92) for 32K dollars from a consignment sale in FL from retired couple.. it's basicaly the luxury of having 110v from a onan generator which is not noticeable 7.5Kw and uses less than a gal. of fuel running full bore.. and the 400 hp cummins engines which is a breeze to drive.. plus ur not as fatigued u can get up walk around etc.. pee whatever and not have to stop every 2-3hrs..
Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I don't want to invest a whole lot of money and a couple of months down the road decide that this isn't really what I want to do. )</font>
Rent one first. That way you'll know. G
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I don't want to invest a whole lot of money and a couple of months down the road decide that this isn't really what I want to do. )</font>
Rent one first. That way you'll know. G
EastTexFrank
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Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?
Thanks guys. I think that's what I'll do. I'll rent one for a couple of weeks this fall, pack up and take off.
All I have to do is think of someplace I really want to go ... but the weather is cooler at home, I can get more work done with the tractor and there is no shortage of jobs that need doing ........
Thanks guys. I think that's what I'll do. I'll rent one for a couple of weeks this fall, pack up and take off.
All I have to do is think of someplace I really want to go ... but the weather is cooler at home, I can get more work done with the tractor and there is no shortage of jobs that need doing ........
chucko
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Libertine
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Re: RV\'s What is the Attraction?
Bird:
Yes, the renault engine is a bit "weak" to put it mildly. Yes, they can be converted to small GM (and other engines). What impressed me about the LeSharo is the very intelligent design. There was a lot of brain power put into them. The two you mentioned in your post are, in essence, copies of the euro van conversions (like the LeSharo/Rialta). All, of course, are decended from the VW hippy bus of the 60s.
LeSharos can be had for $5k with 20k miles on them. With care, these engines should go 70k-80k miles though before rebuild. The shop manuals are very good. Problem is parts. You have to drive lesuirely.
JEH
I am reminded of a comment I recall from Jim Brown (a multihull sailboat designer - I built a multihull in the 70s, sailed up & down river, etc.) responding to people who objected that his designs didn't have as much room as some others. He said a boat is not a house. It is designed to move over water. Same thing holds true about an RV. Is it a house? If so, the Lesharo (and others) are poor houses. Is it mainly a vehicle with the ability to stay in over nite?
Bird:
Yes, the renault engine is a bit "weak" to put it mildly. Yes, they can be converted to small GM (and other engines). What impressed me about the LeSharo is the very intelligent design. There was a lot of brain power put into them. The two you mentioned in your post are, in essence, copies of the euro van conversions (like the LeSharo/Rialta). All, of course, are decended from the VW hippy bus of the 60s.
LeSharos can be had for $5k with 20k miles on them. With care, these engines should go 70k-80k miles though before rebuild. The shop manuals are very good. Problem is parts. You have to drive lesuirely.
JEH
I am reminded of a comment I recall from Jim Brown (a multihull sailboat designer - I built a multihull in the 70s, sailed up & down river, etc.) responding to people who objected that his designs didn't have as much room as some others. He said a boat is not a house. It is designed to move over water. Same thing holds true about an RV. Is it a house? If so, the Lesharo (and others) are poor houses. Is it mainly a vehicle with the ability to stay in over nite?
