Posted on 08/17/2015 4:00:09 PM PDT by Randy Larsen
I'm trying to find a used Class C RV that I can use for traveling during my retirement years.
I don’t know what a Rialta is but will look into it.
They are smaller than a Class A (usually a bus-type or a fifth-wheel motorhome) and bigger than a Class B (usually the size of a large conversion van). It is built on its own chassis and driveable, but it's the perfect size.
Me? I prefer the travel-trailer. You can haul them around on a van or pickup and use the van or pickup to go into town. The travel-trailer is big enough to sleep 5 or 6 but doesn't have the bulkiness or drag on the highway as a fifth-wheel. But a Class C fits the bill too.
If you’re going to travel the Western USA, I’d make sure this Class C RV you want has got a diesel drivetrain. I just keep meeting people at RV parks that bought into a gas engine and call it a complete pig on uphill climbs. Even if they have a GM big block 496/502 with Banks Power, they just bog down at high altitude. A lot of the formidable-looking badges touting amazing power on gas vehicles don’t amount to anything more than a sticker with fancy graphics.
Diesel is admittedly about twice the cost to service over a gas engine, but I don’t think I’d want to try to chuffle around on a gasoline motor anywhere West of the Oklahoma panhandle — especially when you’re toting your entire household around.
You might want to see if you can afford to buy into a rig where you have a brand new lower-end diesel truck towing a trailer — fifth wheel, or not. That way you can unhitch and have a driving vehicle for your needs.
With the advent of ultra-light trailers that only came into being in the last few recent years, dealers and private individuals are eager to cut loose new and used ‘Not-so-light’ travel trailers for a good price.
Get a vehicle with a Cummins/Duramax/PowerStroke/Eco-Diesel and you probably won’t regret it. You don’t need to lay down anywhere close to $70k for a loaded maxxed-out honcho truck 3500 to get a good diesel motor. You can keep it way under $30k. A used trailer only a few years old can sell for under $20k if you’re saavy and do your research.
Also Randy, Airstream makes great motorhomes. They are an American classic like Harley-Davidson.
I looked at the rialta and they seem to be perfect.
Also, check out youtube. Lots of videos on the subject from RVers.
Have you ever traveled/owned an RV (travel trailer, 5th wheel, motor home) before? Have you ever taken extended trips (minimum 3 weeks) in one previously? It is a great lifestyle for some; no so much for others. The latter folks are often stuck with no small amount of disappointment and a big debt if they finance their rig. Most RV dealers——while not totally dishonest—would never ask these questions. Its not all adventure and freedom. Sometimes its broken AC, power converters, noisy neighbors, irresponsbile dog owners etc although I would have to say that the RV travel community is made up of some of the nicest folks in the world.
Please update on what you decide! Sorta similar here.
WHATISTHATIWANTONEWHATISTHAT????
Unless you have done a lot of RV camping before, I would suggest you rent an RV several times for week long trips first!
I have had several friends that bought the biggest and the best and set out to see America. Only to come home early and sell the RV before the year was over.
Great fun at first, but when the fun turns to labor and huge expenses, or you are stuck for days with the spouse in bad weather waiting for a starter solenoid, fun changes to something else.
Rent first.
My problem is I own a 2004 Toyota Tacoma Quad Cab. No possibility of towing a trailer other than a pop-up.
No wife is going to want to travel and camp in a pop-up.
I refuse to give the Tacoma up so I need something we can move around in without tying our kids down to Kalifornia.
Eventually we will sell and move to a better state with no liberals.
At least that’s our dream.
Look at PPL Motorhomes based in Houston, TX. PPL is the largest consignment motorhome company in the world. All sales people are salaried. Two years ago we got a 10 year old 30 foot class A with 36K miles for $17K dollars.
I’m looking into that but don’t want to spend what little money I have on experiments right now.
I drive a CRV. Be careful they are chick magnets. /s
I’ll check them out, Thank You!
camplite has big 100% aluminum trailers that sleep up to 6. I want one. Even some with pullouts.
Rather pull it. As opposed to every time I want to drive, have to unhook the plumbing and electricity every time I have to drive to the store.
Same here and I don’t care to push big vehicles any more.
My last experience with an electronics recycling crowd as a truck driver left a permanent sour taste in my mouth.
One thing that stands out is this event even though there are plenty of others...
They had (probably still do) a straight drive import 26 or so whatever box truck. It had a very unreliable and hard shifting transmission. There was an art to it.
I was a new driver out of the pool of employees locally. I asked when I was going to get some training time and the local liar boss and his liar above him said soon. You would think drive around the lot, practice backing up, road, city, and interstate to get used to it. That is what I would do.
No, nothing even remotely close.
The idea was to ride with the driver and when we got to the outskirts of a decent sized city in AL, we traded places. It went downhill from there. This was typical of management mentality company wide.
ping
Check the obits in Sun City, Retirement Village, etc.
LMFAO! I know I won’t have THAT problem.
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