Hi all. I've tried searching for existing discussions but haven't had much luck, and we're trying to get as much "real world" advice as we can before we hit the road.
Our family: Me, wife, 3 girls (5, 3, 2 years old). No pets
Our current setup: 20' 1990 Cataline Coachmen, which we got a year and a half ago to make sure we actually liked it before we dropped significant cash. It was a single-owner, stored indoors, but we still had some work to do and redid the interior (upholstery, carpet, vinyl flooring, painting, new memory foam mattress, etc.).
We took that out last year for 2 months (and have done a ton of other shorter trips), and we're now wanting to take off and spend ~2 years on the road. Our current thoughts after our limited experience on the road:
We were originally considering getting a bigger Class C with bunks, and making a larger desk area for me in the rear bedroom. But after a few months we're now strongly leaning towards a Class A because they tend to have way more outdoor storage, we can go a little bigger, and when I travel to business events (my company sponsors events a few times a year) it'd make way more sense (imo) to throw a logo on a nice big Class A than a Class C. We're also leaning towards a diesel, after having spoken to people who've owned both and swear by the better ride of a diesel. We'd prefer to buy used, but would rather get what we need (even if it's new) than settle on something we're going to be too cramped in.
Right now though? I'm kind of lost and would love some advice. My questions:
Sorry if these questions have been asked already. We're extremely grateful for any advice!
Also, we haven't set a date yet, and aren't in any huge rush, but figure we'll leave probably sometime in the next 3-6mo depending on weather and plans and finding the right RV. Thanks again!
Our family: Me, wife, 3 girls (5, 3, 2 years old). No pets
Our current setup: 20' 1990 Cataline Coachmen, which we got a year and a half ago to make sure we actually liked it before we dropped significant cash. It was a single-owner, stored indoors, but we still had some work to do and redid the interior (upholstery, carpet, vinyl flooring, painting, new memory foam mattress, etc.).
We took that out last year for 2 months (and have done a ton of other shorter trips), and we're now wanting to take off and spend ~2 years on the road. Our current thoughts after our limited experience on the road:
- I need a dedicated space to work, very preferably in a separate room from my girls.
- We need more outdoor storage. Our current MH has basically nothing beyond space for tools and hoses.
- We want our girls to have their own space.
- We don't want to be making and unmaking sleeping areas every night/morning.
- We think we'd like a washer/dryer, but we know they're tiny.
We were originally considering getting a bigger Class C with bunks, and making a larger desk area for me in the rear bedroom. But after a few months we're now strongly leaning towards a Class A because they tend to have way more outdoor storage, we can go a little bigger, and when I travel to business events (my company sponsors events a few times a year) it'd make way more sense (imo) to throw a logo on a nice big Class A than a Class C. We're also leaning towards a diesel, after having spoken to people who've owned both and swear by the better ride of a diesel. We'd prefer to buy used, but would rather get what we need (even if it's new) than settle on something we're going to be too cramped in.
Right now though? I'm kind of lost and would love some advice. My questions:
- Any recommendations on a Class A that has more than the standard 2 bunks? Obviously there are tour busses, but those are usually crazy expensive and longer than I want. (I want to keep it under 40'.) I'm thinking it might make sense to get one with 2 bunks (non-convertible) and add a 3rd bunk, like on a tour bus. That seem sane?
- Thoughts on whether the newish "Class C style" slide-down bunks would work? Like on the Palazzo 33.3 or others. These don't seem that common, especially on RVs that also have bunks, but wondering if anybody has experience with them.
- Thoughts on a washer/dryer? My wife would love one, even though she knows they're small. We figure we'd just use it as the dirty clothes hamper too, but not sure how realistic that is.
- Thoughts on how big we might want to go? In some ways I'd like to keep it smaller, but maybe that's because we've never had a tow vehicle, so I'm used to getting around town in our 20' (or before that a truck pulling a trailer).
- Not sure if the workamping board would be better to ask about mobile office setups, but any advice there would be great too (So long as I have a decent chair and a stable desk at the right height, I figure I can mount a 2nd monitor and make space for my notebook without many problems. I already have tons of experience with the challenges of reliable internet while on the road, but I figure we'll probably be staying for longer periods at nicer RV parks than we have in the past, so I won't be getting satellite unless it becomes really, really necessary.)
Sorry if these questions have been asked already. We're extremely grateful for any advice!
Also, we haven't set a date yet, and aren't in any huge rush, but figure we'll leave probably sometime in the next 3-6mo depending on weather and plans and finding the right RV. Thanks again!