againstthegrain Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 We have two vehicles, a 1999 minivan (200k+ miles but still going) and a 2010 Kia Optima (heavy commuter vehicle before we moved so 110k+ miles, showing wear). We have about a year left paying on the Optima. We want to buy an RV. It's been a long term goal and one that was reinforced when we decided to homeschool. We are totally unsure of a few things: 1) We could sell one of the vehicles and get a truck and a pull behind camper? The minivan or car isn't capable of pulling anything, this would keep us at 2 working vehicles. 2) We could purchase a used school bus and slowly convert it to an RV over a few years. It would be a longer process and probably cost similar to buying a used RV but would give us more space. 3) We can buy an older motorhome. Both of us wonder about upkeep costs on the mechanical parts of an older motorhome. What would you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 #2 sounds like it will be a money pit. #3 probably close to the same. Everything I've ever read about RVs is that they're not made for longevity. Though I suppose an older one might have better bones. Are you guys super handy? #1 sounds the most viable, but I wonder if it's really what you're looking for with the RV experience. My mom has a 5th wheel and they LOVE it (it's gorgeous), but they're not making huge trips. Mostly up and down California. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 #2 is also shadowed by my experience with my son's school buses. They all seem like lemons to me. They are constantly breaking down. Especially the newer models. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
againstthegrain Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share Posted February 2, 2016 #2 sounds like it will be a money pit. #3 probably close to the same. Everything I've ever read about RVs is that they're not made for longevity. Though I suppose an older one might have better bones. Are you guys super handy? #1 sounds the most viable, but I wonder if it's really what you're looking for with the RV experience. My mom has a 5th wheel and they LOVE it (it's gorgeous), but they're not making huge trips. Mostly up and down California. We want to be able to travel for a week or two with the RV... longer trips - Iowa to Arizona or DC for example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
againstthegrain Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share Posted February 2, 2016 Oh, and DH is fairly handy mechanically, he could do most of the work with an older RV depending on the accessibility. Some of the work with a school bus conversion as well. Probably 50-70% of work/labor he can do mechanically. I can gut and rebuild any of the options without any issues for little cost. I'm good with tools, designing, building, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 I have researched this quite a bit, and I would go with option #1. If you are handy, you can upkeep/remodel/repair a trailer indefinitely, and when the tow vehicle does need repairs you can't handle yourself, you don't have to find yourself in a situation such as having to rent a motel room because your RV is in the shop in the middle of a vacation. Expense wise it is the way I would go. I plan on getting a small travel trailer eventually, sooner rather than later depending on whether we are going to be able to repair our Durango (which needs transmission work). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 (edited) We want to be able to travel for a week or two with the RV... longer trips - Iowa to Arizona or DC for example. As in road trips -- driving for several hours daily and stopping at a different place each night? If so, a motor home or bus conversion will be a lot easier for that than a trailer (easier/quicker set up/break down). IMO campers are okay if you tend to stay in one place fo a few days. I wouldn't want one if I were planning on doing a lot of continuous daily travel. In your shoes I'd spend a LOT of time looking for a solid, older diesel pusher for sale at a good deal by a private seller. The chassis and engine on a diesel pusher will last approximately forever, and sounds like you could do any interior updating needed. Edited February 2, 2016 by Pawz4me 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 We want to be able to travel for a week or two with the RV... longer trips - Iowa to Arizona or DC for example. If this is your goal and most of your travels will be spring/summer/fall so heating is not a big issue, I recommend a small pull along camper and a mini-van with a towing package because this is versatile. You have the mini-van for sight seeing and day trips without pulling up camp, plus you have it at home in the winter. My grandparents Rv'ed in the summers but what they ended up doing was having to pull a car along because it was just such a huge pain to drive their RV a lot of places, park a long way from entrances, etc. It was a huge issue as they aged because there really isn't any such thing as "handicap RV parking", and grandpa reached a place that he couldn't walk such long distances. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoorsy Type Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 I vote #1 - we did this to live out of one year from May-October and it was great. Now we use it on vacations. We bought a seven seater SUV to pull it, and it's not bad to travel long distances. Set up is no big deal even if we stay in a new place every night. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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