F
flyhop
Guest
We are 42 years old, homeschool our 2 daughters (12 & 6) and live in the Southeast.? In six months, we should embark on a 100-day tour of the U.S., mostly west of the Mississippi and primarily to see the National Parks and various points of interest.? Having car- and sailboat-camped rather extensively in our previous journeys, we are rather used to living reasonably peacefully in small quarters since it allows us to travel and explore.? Toward that end and with ambitious plans, an RV-based excursion is a natural extension of our previous adventures.
We have read many of the Library postings here, and have some questions for which we hope to find answers here.? So, come one, come all.? Opinions and ideas are welcomed and appreciated.? If you feel that our musings and puzzlins would be better suited to another site/forum, make that suggestion as well.
1.? Class A vs. Class C.? It would seem that our prime consideration is "landing the beast".? That is, being that we're dragging our home wherever we go, we want to be sure that we can get where we want to go.? Aside from wide turning allowances and backing an RV up, do Class A and/or Class C RVs have difficulty getting into some areas of National Parks while SUVs and cars do not (i.e. Road to the Sun, etc.)?
2.? MPG.? Our finances dictate that we consider a used RV (very used).? Given the wild fluctuations of oil prices and the regional range of gas prices now, let alone in 6 months, our immediate budgetary concern is a reasonable expectation for MPG.? In a well-tuned and lubricated RV, what is a reasonable MPG assumption of comparably loaded 28' Class A vs 28' Class C?
3.? Dogs.? We know that some parks do not allow animals.? While my wife thinks we are comfortable with the destinational disappointments and inconveniences this may bring, we are looking to hear from others on what other problems or issues they have encountered.? Maybe something we aren't expecting?? Frankly, I think I should have my head examined at the very thought of taking a couple of 50 pound dogs on a 10,000 mile, 100 day trek, only to spend hours-on-end couped up on 300 square feet of carpet.? Hearing an appropriate solution to the problem would be most beneficial.?
4.? Destination information.? While we are not adverse to taking the kids to a water park now and again, they are practically dime-a-dozen and readily found in most all books/brochures we have.? We have perused most all of the books at the local big-box book store only to find that the points of interest we are seeking are mixed in with the thousands of other things, thus creating a veritable needle in a haystack.? Is there a single source/site/forum of information on museums and historical sights?? (Big question, but she made me...)
5.? Right price and what to look for.? I have had one too many incidents of taking a potential car/boat purchase to a local mechanic and have them tell me that it's in pretty good shape and needs a couple of things, only to bring it back to them to repair those couple of things and find out it's barely salvageable and is now a couple hundred things.? Please direct us to the post or site that spells out the specific things to look at in an RV so we can be reasonably sure that it's sound (i.e. when to know if there's been water damage that is repairable vs when to walk/run away; what should I look for on the roof; rust in the undercarriage; what's a ding and what's major damage, etc.).
6.? Satisfy my curiosity.? Why does the picture on eBay (great source to see the different layouts) of a 29' Class A look so much bigger than a 29' Class C?? Aren't they roughly the same length and width??
To all dispensers of wit and wisdom who choose to respond to any and all of these questions, thank you in advance.
We have read many of the Library postings here, and have some questions for which we hope to find answers here.? So, come one, come all.? Opinions and ideas are welcomed and appreciated.? If you feel that our musings and puzzlins would be better suited to another site/forum, make that suggestion as well.
1.? Class A vs. Class C.? It would seem that our prime consideration is "landing the beast".? That is, being that we're dragging our home wherever we go, we want to be sure that we can get where we want to go.? Aside from wide turning allowances and backing an RV up, do Class A and/or Class C RVs have difficulty getting into some areas of National Parks while SUVs and cars do not (i.e. Road to the Sun, etc.)?
2.? MPG.? Our finances dictate that we consider a used RV (very used).? Given the wild fluctuations of oil prices and the regional range of gas prices now, let alone in 6 months, our immediate budgetary concern is a reasonable expectation for MPG.? In a well-tuned and lubricated RV, what is a reasonable MPG assumption of comparably loaded 28' Class A vs 28' Class C?
3.? Dogs.? We know that some parks do not allow animals.? While my wife thinks we are comfortable with the destinational disappointments and inconveniences this may bring, we are looking to hear from others on what other problems or issues they have encountered.? Maybe something we aren't expecting?? Frankly, I think I should have my head examined at the very thought of taking a couple of 50 pound dogs on a 10,000 mile, 100 day trek, only to spend hours-on-end couped up on 300 square feet of carpet.? Hearing an appropriate solution to the problem would be most beneficial.?
4.? Destination information.? While we are not adverse to taking the kids to a water park now and again, they are practically dime-a-dozen and readily found in most all books/brochures we have.? We have perused most all of the books at the local big-box book store only to find that the points of interest we are seeking are mixed in with the thousands of other things, thus creating a veritable needle in a haystack.? Is there a single source/site/forum of information on museums and historical sights?? (Big question, but she made me...)
5.? Right price and what to look for.? I have had one too many incidents of taking a potential car/boat purchase to a local mechanic and have them tell me that it's in pretty good shape and needs a couple of things, only to bring it back to them to repair those couple of things and find out it's barely salvageable and is now a couple hundred things.? Please direct us to the post or site that spells out the specific things to look at in an RV so we can be reasonably sure that it's sound (i.e. when to know if there's been water damage that is repairable vs when to walk/run away; what should I look for on the roof; rust in the undercarriage; what's a ding and what's major damage, etc.).
6.? Satisfy my curiosity.? Why does the picture on eBay (great source to see the different layouts) of a 29' Class A look so much bigger than a 29' Class C?? Aren't they roughly the same length and width??
To all dispensers of wit and wisdom who choose to respond to any and all of these questions, thank you in advance.