rvlifer

[rvlifer]

manufacturer specs are 5000lb towing and 1600lb payload.

That is more than 3/4 ton lol

 

[Primerump]

That is more than 3/4 ton lol

that's not what was said.. please re read the post. it says

"The Ridgeline has the capacity of a 3/4 ton truck in a 1/2 ton footprint and provides a comfortable car-like ride."

"capacity of a 3/4 ton TRUCK".

the ridgeline is an average example of a 1/2 ton truck.. it can and never will have the
capabilities of a 3/4 ton truck..

 

[rvlifer]

that's not what was said.. please re read the post. it says

"The Ridgeline has the capacity of a 3/4 ton truck in a 1/2 ton footprint and provides a comfortable car-like ride."

"capacity of a 3/4 ton TRUCK".

the ridgeline is an average example of a 1/2 ton truck.. it can and never will have the
capabilities of a 3/4 ton truck..

It was a joke...

 

[rvlifer]

We are getting our 1st snowstorm of the year in so colorado. If you are planning to travel on I25 be careful. Still snowing but it looks like it will only be a few inches. Probably will all be gone in 24hrs

 

[Primerump]

We are getting our 1st snowstorm of the year in so colorado. If you are planning to travel on I25 be careful. Still snowing but it looks like it will only be a few inches. Probably will all be gone in 24hrs

View attachment 176258

ah.. I miss the snow, lived in Fort Collins by Horsetooth reservoir many moons ago..

 

[rvlifer]

It is really bad here now. A foot laying on the ground and the forecast says another couple days of snow. The high areas have to be even worse. If you are moving your RV avoid Colorado

 

[rvlifer]

Didnt have any updates to my rv issue till now. Lippert and morryde both inspected my rv. Still waiting on the results from morryde but lippert wants a few thousand for repairs in the kingpin area. No other details yet

looks like not towing it was the right thing to do.

 

[rvlifer]

Wanted to post an update for those interested. The estimate to repair was $45k. There was damage to the frame. I submitted around $15k in other costs. Insurance is totaling it. Next steps are to come to agreement on the value. They had a number of things they had wrong about the rv and i owe them more detail on the upgrades.

If they arent willing to give me a reasonable amount for the solar setup i might drive to elkhart to recover those and a few other items.

kinda sad that it is done. Was a super nice rv.

 

[ferfer]

Sorry about your Luxe 5th wheel. From your descriptions it did seem impressively equipped. Now you can decide if you want a smaller something or ??

 

[rvlifer]

Sorry about your Luxe 5th wheel. From your descriptions it did seem impressively equipped. Now you can decide if you want a smaller something or ??

Thanks. Still deciding whether we are gonna do another rv. Trying to simplify finances and get prepared. Things wont be settled for a very long time. Got a lawsuit pending

If i do another rv it will have as few features as possible

 

[Firstime RVer]

From what I've read about your idea of an acceptable size camper, I can only speak from my experience.
We had quite a bit of experience with a van conversion camper and had a pretty good idea of what to look for.

We came across an Aspen trail 1900RB (no slide outs) which had the floorplan that we wanted. We ended up replacing the dinette with a credenza w/drop leaf table and a couple of reclining office chairs. Other than that we have all the benefits of a walkaround bed. The reclining chairs are soooo comfortable, and the drop leaf table adds so much room, with the credenza serving as an end table for drinks/snacks etc. We could comfortably spend long trips in it.

Fully loaded it weighs in at 6,600 lbs and is easily towed by our Chevy Silverado 1500, 5.3 liter engine with 8 speed tranny and tow package.

Now that we've set a reference point, I would suggest you try to envision the floor plan that works for you and scan the internet for units that fit your expectations and the limitations of your tow vehicle. After that "hit the bricks" and check them out.

Do your homework and you will know the "camper of your dreams" when you see it..

Safe travels and all the best.

 

[rvlifer]

From what I've read about your idea of an acceptable size camper, I can only speak from my experience.
We had quite a bit of experience with a van conversion camper and had a pretty good idea of what to look for.

We came across an Aspen trail 1900RB (no slide outs) which had the floorplan that we wanted. We ended up replacing the dinette with a credenza w/drop leaf table and a couple of reclining office chairs. Other than that we have all the benefits of a walkaround bed. The reclining chairs are soooo comfortable, and the drop leaf table adds so much room, with the credenza serving as an end table for drinks/snacks etc. We could comfortably spend long trips in it.

Fully loaded it weighs in at 6,600 lbs and is easily towed by our Chevy Silverado 1500, 5.3 liter engine with 8 speed tranny and tow package.

Now that we've set a reference point, I would suggest you try to envision the floor plan that works for you and scan the internet for units that fit your expectations and the limitations of your tow vehicle. After that "hit the bricks" and check them out.

Do your homework and you will know the "camper of your dreams" when you see it..

Safe travels and all the best.

Thanks. Van conversions are one of my favorite rv types. They are super creative. My wife cant deal with them cause of the storage limits. She is a pack rat.

Who knows. Still a long way before i want to even think about another rv. Will keep an eye out and see what happens

 

[garyb1st]

Glad to see you back. Been wondering what happened to you. Regarding your RVing future, I think you might have a difficult time transitioning from a large luxury RV to a Van or even a small travel trailer.

IIRC, this is an expensive custom built trailer. Unless there is frame damage that can't be fixed, why not have it repaired and bring it back Colorado?

Insurance companies are not in the business of selling damaged vehicles. Why not negotiate with the insurance company to see what they're willing to do. One possible scenario would be to determine what the total loss amount is. Then deduct what they would likely recover for selling the RV as a salvage vehicle. If the difference is a number you're comfortable with, let them pay you that difference, keep the RV, have the frame repaired and bring it back to Colorado?

 

[rvlifer]

Thanks. I am negotiating with the insurance company. Sounds like they will pay me the full value of the rv plus some for upgrades, and will pay rv factory for whatever they will charge to pull it apart and provide the estimate. They will also cover the cost for lippert and morryde to send someone over and get their estimates done. I am happy about it.

It would cost me a lot to bring it back and i dont have a use for it anymore. It is too big and expensive to maintain. I posted what i paid in maintenance and repairs the last year we lived in it and people were shocked lol. Totaling it is one of the best outcomes since we were trying to sell it.

We bought that one to live in so went big. It was great when we werent fixing it but we dont need anything that big anymore. I would have to either pay thousands to repair the frame and kingpin or pay another $10 to have it trailered back. Just not worth it.

If we get another it will be small and simple. We would only need something to travel back east with the cats to visit the kids and long weekends out west. A small tow behind or class c would work well but i dont think i want another drivetrain to maintain.

The rv, medical stuff, and planning for the financial impact of what is going on in washington has kept me busy.

My wifes health might mean her rving days are over. The time it will take to resolve the rv and a couple of otger things will give me time to see how she does and decide on the rv.

 

[rvlifer]

The insurance company will cover salvaging it. It wont be resold.

I wouldnt say we got our moneys worth out of it but we had some great times in the rv. Here are some pics, mostly boondocking. I doubt i could get it in and out of most of those places anymore lol.

Ohio i think


Colorado natl forest somewhere around durango

Coconino natl forest near sedona


Saddle mountain phoenix area


Yellowstone




Los alamos


Quartzite

 

[Jackiemac]

I do hope things improve for your wife. That's the most important thing to focus on. I'm really sad you've had such an awful time of it. Hopefully things start getting better for you.

 

[DonTom]

I doubt i could get it in and out of most of those places anymore lol.

That is what I was wondering, looks like a very big hassle to tow something that large. Probably not bad on the flat, level and straight freeway but it looks like anywhere else will be a hassle.

To me, my 29' 11" motorhome is larger than I really wanted, but it is just me these days and I spend little time in the motorhome anyway (except for when raining!).

Perhaps I should have gone Class B!

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[rvlifer]

I do hope things improve for your wife. That's the most important thing to focus on. I'm really sad you've had such an awful time of it. Hopefully things start getting better for you.

Thanks. It is a part of life. Success is about how you deal with what happens in life, not what happens. We will get through it.

Things have gotten better. One more surgery and we should be in good shape for a while, at least i hope. Nothing serious. My wife has lost her sense of smell and they found she has a deviated septum. If they fix that there is a fair chance she will get some sense of smell back.

Now that the rv loan will be paid off we will have more money to enjoy retirement.

 

[rvlifer]

That is what I was wondering, looks like a very big hassle to tow something that large. Probably not bad on the flat, level and straight freeway but it looks like anywhere else will be a hassle.

To me, my 29' 11" motorhome is larger than I really wanted, but it is just me these days and I spend little time in the motorhome anyway (except for when raining!).

Perhaps I should have gone Class B!

-Don- Auburn, CA

Wasnt bad. I dont have much problem backing up and that helps.

You do get used to the size. But i wouldnt want to do it anymore. That is for people younger than me. I did get that rv into places where most couldnt get a car into.

That pic from coconino nf was that spot i recomnended to you that they closed

 

[DonTom]

That pic from coconino nf was that spot i recomnended to you that they closed

I will most likely go back to Cinder Hills in August or September in my junky Y2K Class C.

-Don- Auburn, CA