Tired of Trains, Buses and Sticks & Bricks, read on, my friend, and join the RV discussion. Tim Eagle here, author of my best selling thriller, Stolen Seed. Do you want to live life full time in an RV? I have some RV information for you! I was enlightened the other day when someone who doesn’t RV full time, asked the difference between the varieties available. I’m going to break down the type of RV’s there are, so you can possibly make a choice in what you want to full time in. I recommend if you do choose to experience the RV life research and familiarize prior to the decision. (I have excluded pop-ups and tents in this post, although convenient ways to explore and travel, I have no first hand experience full timing in either, so can't speak on them).
RV’ing is a personal choice, to minimize where you live, and what you possess (some are used for weekend getaways and family time on a part time basis). I personally have spent about 20 years towing travel trailers. Three Airstreams and our first baby, a 1972 Corsair (picture a big square box lugged behind and equally square box, a 1985 Suburban). By the time Maria and I upgraded to the Airstream Motorhome, pictured in last weeks blog, I was fully aware of the inner workings.
Fair warning, when RV’s are lived in full time, there will be issues to repair, replace, and hire work done, so budget wisely. I'm going to start with Travel trailers, or what some call TT’s. These are single, double and sometimes triple axel creatures. They attach to a hitch and ball on the back of a pick-up. If anyone choses a TT, they need to research the weight of the trailer and the capacity the tow vehicle used to tow it with. I can’t emphasize enough to get the horsepower, big enough transmission, and all the trimmings to pull the TT of choice. (I recommend slides on any of the units I talk about, because they add much needed extra living space)
The next is a Fifth Wheel. You’ll recognize these because they attach to a hitch in the bed of a pick-up truck, like the “fifth wheel” added to the truck’s typical four wheels. They require some skill and like everything else require some learning. My dad has travelled with all the types, Motorhomes, TT’s and Fifth Wheels, he’s fond of the ease and way the Fifth Wheel pulls and in his opinion they are easy to back into a campsite because they have better turning capabilities. (this is a popular choice for full time RV life because Fifth Wheels have a lot of living space).
The next is a Class B, aka, travel van or camper van, is the smallest drivable RV with many of the amenities of home. I know some are equipped with bathrooms/showers, albeit small, and the benefit to these are that you can get up and go, and park in a normal parking spot. (full time life in these units can be done, but you must be comfortable with small spaces).
The Class C Motorhome is a slightly bigger motorhome, these are built on a truck chassis or van frame attached to the cab. They are bigger than Class B’s and offer even more comforts for your glamping needs. They are smaller than a Class A, and bigger than a Class B, so if you like the in between, this is for you.
Class A, these are usually gas engines and after about 2010 the only gas chassis one can buy is the Ford Triton V10 or smaller engine (these are usually the second most popular choice for full time life). Prior to 2010 there were Chevy Chassis, or “Work Horse” chassis as an option, which we have in the Newmar (Mothership) we purchased. I prefer a Class A because I love the large chassis and I love the control the RV gives me on the road. The learning curve is if you want to grocery shop, or explore once you're set up on shore power, you’ll need to get a car to tow behind, either on all four tires (known as flat towing) or load a car on a tow dolly. Most refer to the car behind the motorhome, as a TOAD. Towing a grocery getter behind the Motorhome is the learning curve.
Finally, and the most expensive option is a Diesel Pusher motorhome. These units are big and the diesel engines are in the back of the motorhome, making driving noiseless in the front of the unit. Again, if you want to go get groceries, you will need a TOAD behind you. The Class C, Class A and the Diesel Pushers are the most expensive options.
Feel free to correct me or add comments, information or the like below. The reason I prefer Motorhome is because in my opinion they are sturdy, and better quality. The fifth wheel would be my second choice because they are roomy. On that note, budget wisely, get to know what you choose, and enjoy the experience whatever your choice may be. Remember when choosing a Class A, Class C, DP, you may have a hard time finding mechanics to work on them. We’ve been lucky finding mechanics for our Mothership, and we’ve been on the road for two and a half years. Good luck!
Thanks for reading.
Tim Eagle
Tim Eagle is an author of the novellas Stolen Seed, Life Ship, and the Vasectomus Collection. He lives full time, on the road, with his wife, Maria and their dog, Cocoa. He grew up in Michigan and is inspired by the dysfunction of America. His books are available on Amazon, godless and this site timeaglefiction.com Thanks for reading!
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