When the wife and I were on our recent 3300 mile trek on what they call The Grand Circle, we didn’t mind the miles. The marriage survived, and we are now talking about doing another long trip. While on the trek, we saw many Class A van type RV’s, and most were on Mercedes diesel chassis. The mountains didn’t seem to bother them. We are now talking about getting one, used if possible, and hitting the road again. Sounds like a good plan to us, but we don’t know the reality of travel in a small RV. We really like our TT, but I don’t want to drag it all over the US, and if I did, I’d go ahead and get an F250 next year.

So, anybody among you that has a Class A RV and has some history with it, I would appreciate any insight you can share.

Got my eye on a used Winnebago ERA 70A.

It’s a lot of money, but if we don’t enjoy it, the kids will.

I have a friend on here called Glens. PM him.

I meant Class B. Sorry...

C is as small as I’d go with a b ya might as well sleep in you car

If I were you I would rent one for your first trip to see if you really want to buy.The reason I say that is how much are you going to use it vs how much is it going to cost plus insurance for it just sitting there the time it wont be used.If your planning on one,two trips a year I think it would be cheaper to rent each time rather than buy.About the same thing as buying a boat unless your planning on using it a lot year round.

Good advice here.

Ex-inLaws bought used in offseason for a good price, made the Alaska trip at about 45 days travel, then sold when they got back in peak season. Made a profit. I know that’s not related to your question but it is relevant to buying used.

Make sure it has room for a cat. Just sayin'.

John2 has a good point, but the wife and I realized that we did like being on the road. That was a bit of a surprise to us both. We wanted to see all those places, but I think we both expected the driving to be an awful experience. But, it wasn’t. And, we aren’t expecting to be flying anywhere in the foreseeable future due to the mask rules. Same for ship cruising. We’ll buy the RV and use it and then decide to keep it or the TT.

Probably will buy a Leisure Unity with the Mercedes diesel and chassis. Not cheap, but like I’ve said before, we can use it or leave it to the kids, or let Biden tax me out of it.

Got friends in Florida to visit and in Michigan, and want to see some other western US areas we haven’t seen.

We aren’t getting any younger, so now’s the time to travel. Might be too late in 5 or 6 years.

I thought about taking the cat, but he might run off.

Rock on!! I wish my parents would take this view. Dad just fought and beat cancer but he’s beat down. Granted he’s a bit older than you. Live now, as someone who stands to inherit I hope they spend it all.

Friend of mine in New Orleans wanted to buy an RV --------- so he rented one to see how it was going to be ------- rented it for 7 days ------- drove from New Orleans to Pensacola , Fla. the first day ( about 4 hrs in a car) ---------- he, his wife and 4 teenage daughters. The next day he drove back to New Orleans, brought the RV back, the guy said I cant give you a refund, my friend said,,,, I dont want a refund, just take it .

wp, I have noticed that it’s a little tougher than it once was to set up the TT at a location. Not a big thing, but it is noticeable. This small RV would make it a lot easier to go somewhere and set up. The point I’m getting to is that your Dad might not have to work too hard to drive to a place and set up and relax. Truth be told, I think my wife could do it all with the RV, but I know she can’t with the TT. She’s actually raring to go. She drove school buses for 33 years, so a small RV doesn’t scare her at all. What got us to thinking was that there were a huge number of RV’s just like this on our trek. There must be a reason for that. And we don’t have any interest in one of those big Greyhound size RV’s.

Booskay, was it the RV, or was it traveling with 4 teen girls. I wouldn’t go for ice cream with 4 teen girls, much less take them and a wife somewhere in an RV.

Dad, I have to pee
Dad, now I have to pee
Dad, we’re hungry
Dad, the toilet backed up
Dad, Suzy stole my hair clip
Dad, Mary is on my part of the couch
Dad, I’m hot
Dad, I’m cold
Dad, my iPad battery died
Dad, Suzy texted my boyfriend
Are we there yet?
I think I’m gonna throw up
And on
And on
And on....

Look at the Ford Transit camper conversions. About the same size as the Mercedes versions. A friend had one, when he retired he traveled the country in converted vans, his later version was luxury camping. His Transit was perfect for 2 people and his pets.

The Ford Transit version looked good but the Unity (Mercedes) version had more and plusher options. The diff is about $20k to $25 k more for the Mercedes diesel version. The gasser gets 12 mpg. The diesel gets 17 mpg.

I haven’t decided between the 3200 watt Onan diesel or the 3600 watt Onan propane generators. The RV carries 15 gallons max propane. I think the diesel feeds from the fuel tank.

LTVs Leisure Travel Vans is. to me, a tempting alternative to the big CLASS A's and TT's. They are pricy though. On the plus side it would not be too unwieldy to use on short local day trips.

LP generators are pretty inefficient and harder to refill. Go with the diesel.

Fishfree, you can see why I like this size RV. The wife can and will drive it. I think we are gonna do this.

And I am leaning toward the diesel Onan.

Diesel Onan and you wont regret it,Mercedes diesel also ?.

If you pull the trigger on this let know about the dealership you used (if not a private sale). I really should do this too while still able.

Looks like we have two choices on where to buy. A place in Willis and a place in Fort Worth. From here the distances are about the same, but Willis is an easier drive. I doubt they’ll have anything on the lot. I’m expecting to have to order one, and that totally erases any negotiational leverage I had hoped to have.

The wife is hot to go to Willis ASAP with the checkbook, but it isn’t ever good to rush into something. Got to slow the woman down.

Here ya go.

https://www.leisurervcenter.com/--inventory?condition=pre-owned

Does the chip shortage have RV's in short supply?

No idea.