Gas Mileage, Dependability, and Full Timing

[Strider]

Hello everyone...
Considering trading my 2024 Casita Spirit Deluxe Travel Trailer for either a Class A or a Class C.

The Casita is great and very well built, but just way too small for me. I plan on full-timing for a bit, and I want to do some things that require space:

• Reloading for my Cowboy Action Shooting passtime.
• Doing leatherwork (gunbelts etc).
• Creating Props for stage/TV/Film
• Carrying my mural painting supplies.

So I want something with some space.
I may convert the bedroom to my studio and sleep on a murphy bed, or put the studio in the living room . Not sure yet.

Wondering what gets better gas mileage, is reliable. I am thinking diesel, but they get pricey.
I think I would prefer an older model anyway:: kinks hopefully worked out, not ridiculous emissions fluid nonsense (if diesel) etc., and avoiding the problems that seem to be prevalent in the post 2019 models.

I am fine with either a Class C or A at about 32 feet. The more storage the better.

Any advice would be helpful.

Thank you!

 

[RVDreamz]

I bought a Thor Hurricane for the size to capacity ratio. Loads of storage for a short length of 31' front to back. 29' inside, give or take. Loads of storage inside and tons of storage outside. I have a quick view of the outside on my YouTube channel if you'd like a look. YouTube @RVDreamz1224. let me know if you have any specific questions though.

 

[Strider]

I bought a Thor Hurricane for the size to capacity ratio. Loads of storage for a short length of 31' front to back. 29' inside, give or take. Loads of storage inside and tons of storage outside. I have a quick view of the outside on my YouTube channel if you'd like a look. YouTube @RVDreamz1224. let me know if you have any specific questions though.

Thank you! Great info! Cool rig!!!

 

[topknines]

Strider, Class C models often offer better gas mileage compared to Class A, especially in the 32-foot range. Diesel is great for reliability and longevity, but maintenance costs can be higher. For storage and workspace, Class A rigs usually have more room. Older models are a smart choice if you're handy and can handle minor repairs. Best of luck finding the perfect RV for your creative ventures!

 

[Joe Hogan]

you may want to keep an eye on useful load. Sounds like you will be hauling a fair amount of weight.

 

[Strider]

Strider, Class C models often offer better gas mileage compared to Class A, especially in the 32-foot range. Diesel is great for reliability and longevity, but maintenance costs can be higher. For storage and workspace, Class A rigs usually have more room. Older models are a smart choice if you're handy and can handle minor repairs. Best of luck finding the perfect RV for your creative ventures!

Thanks. Went to see some today. I like the over-cockpit area in the C, as it is perfect for storage of some things.
I sat in some Cs and As. Interesting how big the differences in layout are. Also the differences in the feel from the driving position, even between the same classes.

 

[Strider]

you may want to keep an eye on useful load. Sounds like you will be hauling a fair amount of weight.

Yeah true. I would like to be able to tow my Land Cruiser on a trailer, but that may not be an option now, as that would require a diesel, and they are pricey.

 

[Wemustrv]

I would go with the a Class A diesel pusher. More room and you have to remember that the class A also has the basement compartments for storage which is much larger than any class c. As for diesel expense I have had mine for 8 years and I have put no more in it for repairs than I would have a gas rig. In this time I have put in a new clutch fan and a turbo exhaust pipe. I purchased mine used it is a 40' 2007 Coachman Encore 40TS. WE tow a F150 SuperCrew behind it. We average 7.5-8 mpg.

 

[DennisT]

Definitely want to keep an eye on the cargo carrying capacity.

I know when we sold the house and went fulltime there was a lot of lead weight in the basement associated with reloading. Not sure what type of reloading machine you have but some need quite a bit of room. We would have needed to pull a trailer, even behind our Super C, to carry the machine and supplies.

We had a 32 foot Forester before upgrading to our Newmar Superstar for more room. The Forester had quite a bit of storage but, when you put a 32 foot coach on the Ford chassis we were left with about 900 lbs of cargo we could carry before we would have been overloaded. Something to consider.

For mileage, we get about 8 1/2 mpg out of our Diesel Super C and we averaged about 8 1/2 out of the gas Forester. I think some of the newer Mercedes chassis coaches get better mileage.

 

[Strider]

I would go with the a Class A diesel pusher. More room and you have to remember that the class A also has the basement compartments for storage which is much larger than any class c. As for diesel expense I have had mine for 8 years and I have put no more in it for repairs than I would have a gas rig. In this time I have put in a new clutch fan and a turbo exhaust pipe. I purchased mine used it is a 40' 2007 Coachman Encore 40TS. WE tow a F150 SuperCrew behind it. We average 7.5-8 mpg.

Definitely want to keep an eye on the cargo carrying capacity.

I know when we sold the house and went fulltime there was a lot of lead weight in the basement associated with reloading. Not sure what type of reloading machine you have but some need quite a bit of room. We would have needed to pull a trailer, even behind our Super C, to carry the machine and supplies.

We had a 32 foot Forester before upgrading to our Newmar Superstar for more room. The Forester had quite a bit of storage but, when you put a 32 foot coach on the Ford chassis we were left with about 900 lbs of cargo we could carry before we would have been overloaded. Something to consider.

For mileage, we get about 8 1/2 mpg out of our Diesel Super C and we averaged about 8 1/2 out of the gas Forester. I think some of the newer Mercedes chassis coaches get better mileage.

The diesel would be great, but I don't think I can find one that I can afford to purchase. They seem to be pretty expensive even used. But I will look.

As far as reloading, I have a Dillon 550C and a Lee reloader-a simple one. I may keep the Dillon in storage and go with the simplicity of the Lee for now. I also have a manual primer tool.
My reloading is for cowboy action shooting using black powder. Also use of BP for muzzleloading. So my gear can be relatively simple.
I will have to have a small storage unit, so I could set up the Dillon in there for when I want to do more intensive reloading, maybe... but generally I am just doing this for doing matches, so really running a couple of hundred rounds for a match and that's about it.

I have seen some gas C RVs for 20k and under, older of course, and may need to go that route at first.

 

[Strider]

Other concerns I have, and maybe you all have experienced this, or seen it as a non issue...

A Class A at, lets say 34 feet, plus a trailer to tow my Land Cruiser, would be around 50 feet now. Driving that behemoth around, and finding parking, seems like hell.

Seems like I would need to pay at an RV park for that, which drives up expenses a good deal. And I can't just leave my RV on BLM and drive away for the day. Seems like a recipe for theft and break-ins.

I also have seen some Class C RVs at $18-20,000+ that seem nice. However, these are private sales, so the money would have to be gotten up front.
I am trying to sell my 2024 Casita, but it being only about six months old, it seems difficult to find someone to take over the payments. I may have to trade it, take the hit on depreciation, and move on.

Frustrating.

 

[Strider]

So I was sitting and remembering being in Boone, NC some years ago. I was driving an old Jeep.
A 34+ foot Class A, especially with a 20 foot trailer, is not going to be very practical for places like that.
It would require the expense of an RV park and then driving to town.

I want to buy a home, something like a 1/1 little A frame somewhere nice, wooded.
Seems like an expensive A would hamper that a bit.

Just keep thinking of something like a 32' C or similar.

Am I looking at this the wrong way?

 

[Rollin Ollen]

The diesel would be great, but I don't think I can find one that I can afford to purchase. They seem to be pretty expensive even used. But I will look.

As far as reloading, I have a Dillon 550C and a Lee reloader-a simple one. I may keep the Dillon in storage and go with the simplicity of the Lee for now. I also have a manual primer tool.
My reloading is for cowboy action shooting using black powder. Also use of BP for muzzleloading. So my gear can be relatively simple.
I will have to have a small storage unit, so I could set up the Dillon in there for when I want to do more intensive reloading, maybe... but generally I am just doing this for doing matches, so really running a couple of hundred rounds for a match and that's about it.

I have seen some gas C RVs for 20k and under, older of course, and may need to go that route at first.

Just a H U on older RVs. My first C was older and had only logged less than 20,000 miles. I thought it was a great "barn find". The owner's husband had died and it literally sat in their back yard for eight years. By the time I spent replacing just about every seal and gasket that had dried out, I could have bought a newer motorhome. The vinyl on the seats and trim looked great until they were sat on or used then they cracked and disintegrated real quick.

Darrell

 

[Kevin D Pem]

So the WRTR is in full swing! I'm outside Quartzsite by 5 miles plus or minus.

I went to Phoenix today, leaving before the sun was up. I was back about 4PM.

Did I say I am on BLM land? Well I am! My rig, the cargo that is a project ongoing, the harbor freight trailer that was my greenhouse, now a project trailer (becoming a teardrop), were open to the elements.

The point is, if you can't walk away from your possessions, they aren't your possessions, but rather, you are their's.

I described an event that is not isolated to one time, but rather locking up and worrying, would be the rare occurrence!

We haven't heard from you in a while! Are you really looking for a home base? If so a bungalow may be your ticket. As recent threads advice would bring up a gasser C class would likely miss the mark for hauling a car hauler and car. That puts you into a pusher, with it's related expenses.

An off season work shop/storage/ Comex container on a plot of land may be your ticket! Then travel for the shows.

I don't know your thoughts, just putting ideas out there.

 

[Strider]

So the WRTR is in full swing! I'm outside Quartzsite by 5 miles plus or minus.

I went to Phoenix today, leaving before the sun was up. I was back about 4PM.

Did I say I am on BLM land? Well I am! My rig, the cargo that is a project ongoing, the harbor freight trailer that was my greenhouse, now a project trailer (becoming a teardrop), were open to the elements.

The point is, if you can't walk away from your possessions, they aren't your possessions, but rather, you are their's.

I described an event that is not isolated to one time, but rather locking up and worrying, would be the rare occurrence!

We haven't heard from you in a while! Are you really looking for a home base? If so a bungalow may be your ticket. As recent threads advice would bring up a gasser C class would likely miss the mark for hauling a car hauler and car. That puts you into a pusher, with it's related expenses.

An off season work shop/storage/ Comex container on a plot of land may be your ticket! Then travel for the shows.

I don't know your thoughts, just putting ideas out there.

Hello!
Here's my dilemma...
I was divorced in September from a vampire. She ignored every single plea I made over the years: to fix the marriage, to end it amicably... I filed for divorce and served her, then messaged her and her family to back it up, then messaged her one more time.
She ignored it.
I was awarded the house and her the Vacation Club that she got behind my back.
Then she denied being served or even signing for papers-under oath.
USPS records and examples of her signatures resulted in the court saying she was indeed served.
Because of a discrepancy in the value of the vacation club (estimated wrongly as same as the home) they opened the decree for property division. So basically now the house is going to be lost.

Lesson here is that the "Justice" System is not about justice. Laws don't count. Rules don't count. Evidence doesn't count. The judge can do what ever she/he wants. Men are highly discriminated against. It's a sham.

Unfortunately, I can't afford a lawyer. They all want a $5,000 retainer fee and will drop you the second that runs out if you can;t refill it. The state doesn't care.
My Ex wife makes almost three times what I do and does have a lawyer. She also has a buig family. One of her sisters is a judge. The husband is an attorney.
I have been handling this on my own and using online consultation to help me make sense of things.

I have been trying to start my businesses for two years and unable to because of this hell.
I illustrate, write, and am moving into some online teaching. Those endeavors do not require much space.
However, I also make leather items like old west gunbelts. I occasionally make props for theater/tv/film. I am also trying to restart my mural business: murals for kids' rooms and businesses that deal with kids.

I am also a certified Off Road Instructor. My Land Cruiser is a project vehicle which will be my teaching and adventure vehicle.
I have two dogs.
There's then the Cowboy Action Shooting stuff.
So I need some space.

My idea is to convert the bedroom into my small workshop.

I don't really want to stay in an RV as my permanent living. I want to get a little plot and put up a little house. Maybe I can live in the RV while I build the little house or wait for a kit, or whatever.

In the end, I would likely travel in my old Land Cruiser with a little camper conversion.

But for now I am in need of a place to live and work from, that I can move around in.

I have my Casita camper and need to sell or trade it in. Problem is that it's a 2024 and I owe about 32,000 on it still. Trading it in will be a loss. I don't know that anyone wants to take over the payments.

The for sure thing is: I will not marry again. One time was horrible enough.

 

[breal14]

1) get a lawyer. $5000 now is $200000 lost later.
2) consider a shorter RV with big slides. Slides give you a LOT of space and still come in for driving and parking.
3) most class C's can only tow 5000 lbs. that's max rating, so it's probably 4k to be safe. I don't think towing your rig on a 1000 lb trailer is an option. Downgrade to a jeep? they are good toads and can be flat-pulled. not sure about the land cruiser.
4) don't buy a damn thing until the divorce is finalized, or you may lose it to her too.

 

[Strider]

1) get a lawyer. $5000 now is $200000 lost later.
2) consider a shorter RV with big slides. Slides give you a LOT of space and still come in for driving and parking.
3) most class C's can only tow 5000 lbs. that's max rating, so it's probably 4k to be safe. I don't think towing your rig on a 1000 lb trailer is an option. Downgrade to a jeep? they are good toads and can be flat-pulled. not sure about the land cruiser.
4) don't buy a damn thing until the divorce is finalized, or you may lose it to her too.

I don't have the $5,000 at the moment. I used a good deal of money to pay off debts and then this happened.
If I have to go class C, then I will put my Land Cruiser and HJ in a lot for storage.
Have thought of an old CJ5 or flat fender Jeep as a TOAD. Or, a Royal Enfield Himalayan motorbike.

The other option I was literally just thinking about is just stay with the Casita, find a little plot of land, and then go from there. Problem with the Casita, as with any other camper, is the cold weather. Where I live and work it drops below freezing during winter.
I can visit friends in Florida for a bit, but until the end of May, I am stuck with my job and location.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

It's said the heavier you are the harder you fall.

Guess that's why such a large number of people are praying for a total collapse of the current system.
In that system you are just a peon. . So you are correct in your observations.

when you start rebuilding, keep your focus small, don't try keeping all the baggage or your just keeping the fight going much longer than it has to.

take the assets you have, paid for or not, and assess how they can work for you. Look at what you have lost as water under the bridge, because it will only bring you under the current.

this may not help, but you are not the only one who has lost all and had to start over. Look at it as a clean slate!

 

[Strider]

It's said the heavier you are the harder you fall.

Guess that's why such a large number of people are praying for a total collapse of the current system.
In that system you are just a peon. . So you are correct in your observations.

when you start rebuilding, keep your focus small, don't try keeping all the baggage or your just keeping the fight going much longer than it has to.

take the assets you have, paid for or not, and assess how they can work for you. Look at what you have lost as water under the bridge, because it will only bring you under the current.

this may not help, but you are not the only one who has lost all and had to start over. Look at it as a clean slate!

I agree. My focus is to go small. I will be happy with a 1/1 and a garage if possible. Just want to be able to write, work on my art and my Land Cruiser, and hang out with my dogs at home and hiking etc. Everything else can go in the pisser.