GaryB
Well-known member
Hi All - My name is Gary, I'm from SW Indiana. I've never RV'd before, much less having owned one. I am thinking about buying an RV (of course, I'll rent first to make sure RVing is for me). But I have a few very basic (OK, dumb questions. I apologize in advance if these topics have been beat to death in this forum before (I've done some searching):
With the price of fuel so high and expected to rise even more, I want a "comfortable" RV with good fuel economy (relatively speaking). By "comfortable", I mean a slideout, rear bed, full kitchen and bath, A/C, generator and good handling. There would only be 3 of us (ok, 4 with poodle) and so I don't I don't need a huge RV, although I don't want to feel claustrophobic in a tiny Class B (I want to be able to walk around without hunching down). I currently don't have a tow vehicle (only Honda Accords). So, it appears my options are a lightweight Class C or a featherweight 5th wheel/travel trailer (although I hear travel trailers don't handle very well compared to 5th wheels). Of course, I'd need to buy a tow vehicle with a 5th wheel/travel trailer. So my questions are:
1) With regards to fuel economy, what is the best approach - a featherweight trailer/5th wheel along with a truck/SUV, or a small-to-medium Class C? I'm afraid a Class B would not feel large enough to me. I don't want to buy an RV but then be reluctant to use it due to the price of gas (I have aspirations of long distance touring, such as out West, Alaska, etc.)
2) Another dumb question - I hear passengers cannot routinely ride in a trailer/5th wheel while the vehicle is moving, but the can ride in the rear of a Class C. Do Class C's have seat belts in the living area for passenger safety? I have a 3-yr old boy and would want him to be safely restrained while riding in the living area of a Class C.
Thanks for all your help
Gary
With the price of fuel so high and expected to rise even more, I want a "comfortable" RV with good fuel economy (relatively speaking). By "comfortable", I mean a slideout, rear bed, full kitchen and bath, A/C, generator and good handling. There would only be 3 of us (ok, 4 with poodle) and so I don't I don't need a huge RV, although I don't want to feel claustrophobic in a tiny Class B (I want to be able to walk around without hunching down). I currently don't have a tow vehicle (only Honda Accords). So, it appears my options are a lightweight Class C or a featherweight 5th wheel/travel trailer (although I hear travel trailers don't handle very well compared to 5th wheels). Of course, I'd need to buy a tow vehicle with a 5th wheel/travel trailer. So my questions are:
1) With regards to fuel economy, what is the best approach - a featherweight trailer/5th wheel along with a truck/SUV, or a small-to-medium Class C? I'm afraid a Class B would not feel large enough to me. I don't want to buy an RV but then be reluctant to use it due to the price of gas (I have aspirations of long distance touring, such as out West, Alaska, etc.)
2) Another dumb question - I hear passengers cannot routinely ride in a trailer/5th wheel while the vehicle is moving, but the can ride in the rear of a Class C. Do Class C's have seat belts in the living area for passenger safety? I have a 3-yr old boy and would want him to be safely restrained while riding in the living area of a Class C.
Thanks for all your help
Gary