Which Class A to buy for full time use

[NJ0F]

I think you can widen your mileage parameters a bit. For instance our 2017 Dutch Star 4018 has 55k on it and probably runs better now than when it was new. I would have no problem purchasing a coach with 50k+ miles as long as the owner had good service records.

Thanks for the info. In your opinion what is the typical mileage one can expect before tire replacement?

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Thanks for this info amd photo. That is an awesome trailer. The enclosed area in the front would be great for us. I will get with ATC and see if they can come up with something for our application. We typically avoid city traffic but of course its not always possible. Did you find enough RV sites that would allow room for the trailer? I assume this is aluminum?
This is a huge step for us but we are excited.
Andre

It is aluminum
Finding sites is tough, especially on the east coast. East coast a toad/4-down would be much easier.
The further west you go, the easier it gets to find campgrounds with the extra long sites or extra parking for trailers.
Another consideration - A trailer also takes longer to load up than a toad.
Trailer is also more weight - both on the tongue of the rig and also pulling uphill.
Our rig has a 30,000# towing capacity and can handle 5,000# on the tongue. According to scales, trailer fully loaded, we are just under 10,000# for the trailer (including the tongue weight) and under 2,000 on the tongue.
when looking a A-Class rigs you will need to be careful to check your towing weight limits as many of them have limits around 10,000# total.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Thanks for the info. In your opinion what is the typical mileage one can expect before tire replacement?

Unless you do a lot of traveling, most tires on RVs age out before they wear out.

Personally, as we have tandem screw axles on our rig (8 tires on the rear), we MAY keep the rears a bit longer, but the steering tires will be replaced around year 6, long before the tread would say they need to be replaced. Don’t want to risk a blowout on a front tire. You can find lots of stories about accidents caused when a steering tire blows.

 

[BGMAC]

Here is a setup we’re going to use with our non flat tow vehicle. This is a light weight car trailer 5000lbs capacity. I’ve had it for 18 years just cleaned it up and put new wheels and tires, lubed the bearings.

Don’t look on the back. Washer and dryer were taking to my daughter. Heading out Friday.

 

[Headhunter]

Beware we camp a lot in the North East. We are now camping across the western part of the US. WE just camped in three different National Parks. there is NO ROOM for a car and a trailer at the campsites. None nada.

When you camp you pull in with your RV, via Travel Trailer, 5th wheel, C Class, or A Class. The space left over in front of your RV is for you tow vehicle. Many times if you have a pickup truck you have to park it at an angle. You may have to park the trailer at an over flow parking lot, IF they have one, IF they will let you.

I don't want to rain on your parade. You can go to campsites all over the USA. Count on your hand to see how many campers are towing vehicles with trailers. IMHO, and this is just me, you are better off to just flat tow a vehicle.

Do your research.

 

[BGMAC]

Beware we camp a lot in the North East. We are now camping across the western part of the US. WE just camped in three different National Parks. there is NO ROOM for a car and a trailer at the campsites. None nada.

When you camp you pull in with your RV, via Travel Trailer, 5th wheel, C Class, or A Class. The space left over in front of your RV is for you tow vehicle. Many times if you have a pickup truck you have to park it at an angle. You may have to park the trailer at an over flow parking lot, IF they have one, IF they will let you.

I don't want to rain on your parade. You can go to campsites all over the USA. Count on your hand to see how many campers are towing vehicles with trailers. IMHO, and this is just me, you are better off to just flat tow a vehicle.

Do your research.

I would agree, it’s just that I don’t have a flat tow capable vehicle yet.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Beware we camp a lot in the North East. We are now camping across the western part of the US. WE just camped in three different National Parks. there is NO ROOM for a car and a trailer at the campsites. None nada.

When you camp you pull in with your RV, via Travel Trailer, 5th wheel, C Class, or A Class. The space left over in front of your RV is for you tow vehicle. Many times if you have a pickup truck you have to park it at an angle. You may have to park the trailer at an over flow parking lot, IF they have one, IF they will let you.

I don't want to rain on your parade. You can go to campsites all over the USA. Count on your hand to see how many campers are towing vehicles with trailers. IMHO, and this is just me, you are better off to just flat tow a vehicle.

Do your research.

Agree that if you are wanting to stay in national parks, the trailer will make things VERY challenging. Since we like to stay for many weeks or months in a location, staying in a national park is not in the equation for us. But this is a very valid point about national parks.

Agree that each person needs to do their research and understand the pros and cons.

There is a reason most people go with a flat tow and not a trailer.

 

[NJ0F]

It is aluminum
Finding sites is tough, especially on the east coast. East coast a toad/4-down would be much easier.
The further west you go, the easier it gets to find campgrounds with the extra long sites or extra parking for trailers.
Another consideration - A trailer also takes longer to load up than a toad.
Trailer is also more weight - both on the tongue of the rig and also pulling uphill.
Our rig has a 30,000# towing capacity and can handle 5,000# on the tongue. According to scales, trailer fully loaded, we are just under 10,000# for the trailer (including the tongue weight) and under 2,000 on the tongue.
when looking a A-Class rigs you will need to be careful to check your towing weight limits as many of them have limits around 10,000# total.

Wow I did not know some RV’s has that kind of towing capacity. I guess we have a lot of research to do. Which make do you have with that kind of capacity?

 

[NJ0F]

Here is a setup we’re going to use with our non flat tow vehicle. This is a light weight car trailer 5000lbs capacity. I’ve had it for 18 years just cleaned it up and put new wheels and tires, lubed the bearings.

Don’t look on the back. Washer and dryer were taking to my daughter. Heading out Friday.

Thanks for sharing. Nice trailer. Our main goal is to be able to haul our 1500 truck and be able to find a spot to leave the trailer at sites . Safe travels.

 

[NJ0F]

Beware we camp a lot in the North East. We are now camping across the western part of the US. WE just camped in three different National Parks. there is NO ROOM for a car and a trailer at the campsites. None nada.

When you camp you pull in with your RV, via Travel Trailer, 5th wheel, C Class, or A Class. The space left over in front of your RV is for you tow vehicle. Many times if you have a pickup truck you have to park it at an angle. You may have to park the trailer at an over flow parking lot, IF they have one, IF they will let you.

I don't want to rain on your parade. You can go to campsites all over the USA. Count on your hand to see how many campers are towing vehicles with trailers. IMHO, and this is just me, you are better off to just flat tow a vehicle.

Do your research.

Thanks for the advice. This was kind off my main concern all along after looking at some photos of campsites.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Wow I did not know some RV’s has that kind of towing capacity. I guess we have a lot of research to do. Which make do you have with that kind of capacity?

We don’t have an A class but have a Super C made by Renegade. A bit of a fun beast.

 

["EZ"]

Don't worry about your Ram 1500 4x4. It is flat towable and will not accumulate miles as you flat tow it. We towed our Ram 1500 4x4 for 2 years with a 40' Class A with Cummins 8.3L @ close to 400 HP and you couldn't even tell the truck was back there without looking at the back up camera screen. WE sold that truck and now tow a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4. On the Rams and Jeeps you just need to push a button to put the electronic transfer case in neutral. The transmission stays in PARK. This is why you accumulate no miles while towing.

Good luck on your search!!

 

[NJ0F]

We don’t have an A class but have a Super C made by Renegade. A bit of a fun beast.

One word..... beautiful!

 

[NJ0F]

So after some more research it seems anything longer than 38ft would make visiting state parks a problem. I was looking at at Tiffin Allegro Bus at 45ft to maximize living space since we need to install an office desk for work onboard the RV. My next concern is total allowable length of an RV with a car hauler behind it. I decided against flat towing since we will need the trailer at times for work.Unless I misunderstand, we are down to either a 38ft Class A or a Super C if we are planning on towing a trailer and if we will be allowed in most state parks without the trailer. Any comments / pointers?

 

[BGMAC]

If you decide on trailering, get one that is light enough you can move around by had or a small trailer dolly. My trailer pictured above worked great, but if I decide to continue to use it I would make some changes. 1. A wind break to help keep the car cleaner. 2. Better wheel tie down straps. Mine worked fine but the could be simpler. 3. Car ramps I did not have to remove. A trailer that would tilt or lower would be nice.

Out of the 4 sites I stayed at, only one required I put my trailer in temp storage after taking my car off.

 

[NJ0F]

If you decide on trailering, get one that is light enough you can move around by had or a small trailer dolly. My trailer pictured above worked great, but if I decide to continue to use it I would make some changes. 1. A wind break to help keep the car cleaner. 2. Better wheel tie down straps. Mine worked fine but the could be simpler. 3. Car ramps I did not have to remove. A trailer that would tilt or lower would be nice.

Out of the 4 sites I stayed at, only one required I put my trailer in temp storage after taking my car off.

Thanks for your input and advice. I have no problem putting the trailer in temp storage. My trailer will probably have a nose cone or front storage compartment.

 

[DeathDiver]

My wife and I (and our two french poodles) are in the process of scaling down and going full time RV'ing in the next 12 months. Since we do not want to enter into a loan, we will be purchasing cash so decided on trying to find our dream RV from private buyers. We recently purchased a new truck cash from a dealership only to learn that we were penalized as cash buyers due to incentives paid to dealerships if they get buyers to finance.
Long story short, here are a few questions we have: (For starters LOL)
1). We are looking at a 2017-2019 40 plus feet Class A diesel with less than 25K miles. We will be towing a RAM 1500 truck. Single or double rear axles? Any pointers what to look for?
2). Is there a way to tow a car hauler instead of towing the truck and have it accumulate miles while in tow?
3). Will the trailer be a problem at camp sites?
4). What happens to the refrigerator while driving the RV? Is is still running and keeping stuff cold and frozen?
5). I work part time remotely in the engineering field so will need to find some space for a desk and PC. How hard is it to for example remove a couch and replace it with a desk.
Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Andre

first question i cant answer (each rv has its own pros and cons but as far as towing i had a cardolly before i got a flat tow system (most places that i went to just let me park the dolly next to or somewhat under the rig (as long as it wasnt on the grass) 1 place told me to keep it attached to the rig and just take the van off .. i havent had any issues with that so a inclosed trailer shouldn’t be an issue (i know of some places that have a parking area (5-20 eatra depending how long you will be staying)
as far as the fridge i turn the lo gas on and switch the fridge to gas that way it still is on keeping things cold (only illegal in some states going into tunnels.. i haven’t been in those areas but others say they have a turn off so u can turn off the gas just long enough to go through… couch is just bolted to the floor so unbolt that pull it out and replace with a desk and chair (without wheels so that it doesnt move while driving) good luck on your adventures

 

[NJ0F]

first question i cant answer (each rv has its own pros and cons but as far as towing i had a cardolly before i got a flat tow system (most places that i went to just let me park the dolly next to or somewhat under the rig (as long as it wasnt on the grass) 1 place told me to keep it attached to the rig and just take the van off .. i havent had any issues with that so a inclosed trailer shouldn’t be an issue (i know of some places that have a parking area (5-20 eatra depending how long you will be staying)
as far as the fridge i turn the lo gas on and switch the fridge to gas that way it still is on keeping things cold (only illegal in some states going into tunnels.. i haven’t been in those areas but others say they have a turn off so u can turn off the gas just long enough to go through… couch is just bolted to the floor so unbolt that pull it out and replace with a desk and chair (without wheels so that it doesnt move while driving) good luck on your adventures

Thanks for your response! Much appreciated

 

[AbdRahim]

With regard to the TV, one can often connect to the TV via hdmi from the computer or laptop and project the computer screen onto the TV. I do this in my coach in order to watch videos on my hard drive.

 

["EZ"]

With regard to the TV, one can often connect to the TV via hdmi from the computer or laptop and project the computer screen onto the TV. I do this in my coach in order to watch videos on my hard drive.

we do this with my wife's iPad. She has lots of TV shows and movies stored on there. It works great!