Posted by Sean_Q_ on March 17, 2010, 3:18 pm
With less than two weeks before this apartment (and the house
its in) is demolished we still haven't found a place to live.
(Demand for rentals around here is high). So we decided to get
some kind of RV and stay in an RV park for a few months (while
I work on projects etc) before we go traveling (and packing
a bike along, which explains the 'sorta').
But we don't know whether to choose a trailer or something
self-powered such as a motor home.
We've looked at a few fifth wheel trailers. Someone owes me
money and offered in lieu to give me his ramshackle '94 F450
diesel 8'x10' flatbed on which I could bolt a 5th-wheel hitch.
(Naturally it'll annoy S'mee if I get a Ford, which makes
the deal more attractive. ;-).
One catch is that in this province (BC) there's a trailer
weight upper limit of 4600 kg (10,141 lb) GVW on my class
of driver's license. One 5th wheel we viewed was 7000 lb GVW
(3175 kg); legal for me to tow, but at 27 feet I found it
a bit cramped for two people and 4 pet birds (small parrots).
Another one, 35' had enough room to feel more comfortable
but was too heavy (5300 kg). The sweet spot would seem to be
around 30' long and 4500 kg.
If I get this beat-up Ford I think there would be room on
the deck to store a bike forward of the trailer. However
with a motor home I could tow an enclosed toy-hauler.
We also went to two RV repair shops. They both said we should
get any prospect inspected, which means more negotiation,
time and expense. It feels like I've strayed into a thick
Forest of Wrong Choices.
Considerations... and I hate making decisions like this
under pressure, but the clock is ticking.
Any help appreciated.
TIA, SQ
Posted by Doug Payne on March 17, 2010, 3:24 pm
On 3/17/2010 3:18 PM, Sean_Q_ wrote:
> With less than two weeks before this apartment (and the house
> its in) is demolished we still haven't found a place to live.
> (Demand for rentals around here is high). So we decided to get
> some kind of RV and stay in an RV park for a few months (while
> I work on projects etc) before we go traveling (and packing
> a bike along, which explains the 'sorta').
Considered renting one? It seems to me that I'm constantly passing these
boats all summer long during my travels, and a lot of them have some
kind of rental advertising splashed all over them. You could always
drive slowly up to Whistler and back every couple of days to piss off
the squids.
Posted by Sean_Q_ on March 17, 2010, 4:53 pm
Doug Payne wrote:
> Considered renting one?
Yes, and they're as expensive as a motel or more.
We want to live full time in the thing.
ps. I haven't used the Sea-to-Sky Hwy since a billion
tons of rock came down onto the road with only a few
early boulders as warning.
SQ
Posted by Scott on March 17, 2010, 8:26 pm
On Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:53:35 -0800, in rec.motorcycles, Sean_Q_
>Doug Payne wrote:
>> Considered renting one?
>Yes, and they're as expensive as a motel or more.
>We want to live full time in the thing.
Full-time, like sell your house and live in the RV every day of the year?
You're going to want something big. Friends of mine full-time in a big 5th
wheel, to the tune of around 17,000 pounds, and it's still a bit cramped.
Do whatever you need to do to get a higher class of driver's license.
Personally, I would not choose a motor home of any type. It gives you an
entire motor chassis with all its attendant maintenance needs, but none of
the flexibility.
There are a few bumper-pull trailers that might be adaptable for
full-timing, but for the most part, bumper-pulls are made for weekend trips,
not living in. So, 5th wheel is my pick. Shop around a lot, some of them
are poorly laid out and are hard to live in. (The built-in fireplaces
always make me scratch my head.) Consider which parts of the trailer you'll
want to use while traveling. The slide-out rooms on some models make the
interior all but useless when tucked in, other designs permit access to the
kitchen and parts of the living space.
Tow vehicle, buy that *after* you know what trailer you'll be pulling.
Easier to pick one out if you already know how much weight it'll pull.
--
'73 CB450K
'82 CB900F (x2)
'04 FSC600 (SWMBO)
Posted by Doug Payne on March 18, 2010, 8:51 am
On 3/17/2010 4:53 PM, Sean_Q_ wrote:
> Doug Payne wrote:
>> Considered renting one?
> Yes, and they're as expensive as a motel or more.
> We want to live full time in the thing.
Oh. Never mind.
> ps. I haven't used the Sea-to-Sky Hwy since a billion
> tons of rock came down onto the road with only a few
> early boulders as warning.
Interestingly enough, even though I live in Ont, I came right through
there a couple of days before that happened. I was still in N.Van that
day. And I plan to be back this summer or next, and ride that highway
again. I was also in San Francisco a couple of days before the '89 Lomo
Prieta earthquake, visiting my cousin, and had crossed the Bay Bridge a
couple of times during that visit. Now some of my friends will no longer
travel with me. They're convinced the earth is going to swallow me up. I
tell 'em they're right, just not quite yet.
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> its in) is demolished we still haven't found a place to live.
> (Demand for rentals around here is high). So we decided to get
> some kind of RV and stay in an RV park for a few months (while
> I work on projects etc) before we go traveling (and packing
> a bike along, which explains the 'sorta').