nwmr: does anybody have an rv?

Samiantha101

My husband and I are considering buying an rv. We don't have enough in our budget for anywhere near a new rv. We can basically afford mid 90s models. I've heard that it's kind of a risk to buy older motorhomes, and that they can get real costly real quick. We've been selective, and of course we're not finding anything within our budget. Neither of us want a fifthwheel/travel trailer, but it's crazy how much further our money will go with one. I'll be real honest and admit, one of the main reasons we want an rv is because our daughter hates the carseat so much. It would be nice for her to be able to be mobile on long trips. I would be interested in hearing about why you bought the rv you did. We are brand new to this type of camping.

Samiantha101

I was wondering about this. I did a quick Google search about it, and the info I got was very inconclusive. I guess I need to research deeper into it. Thank you.

Pips09

I'm pretty sure kids need to be in their carseat in any type of moving vehicle, including an RV. 

But I've always wanted to take a cross country trip in one! We talk about renting one someday.

Samiantha101

PrivacyWanted said:

My mom just bought a 2001ish small rv. It's the style that looks like a converted van.
One problem with some older models is that the seats aren't well designed for car seats. None of ours fit the RV well. And pp is right that , at least in our state , kids at least need to be restrained while in motion. And honestly I've dealt with the aftermath of enough rv accidents that I wouldn't want them unrestrained even if it wasn't required.

If you want her to be able to move about, what about a train trip ?

We've taken a three day Amtrak trip with her. It was real nice, but we are looking to travel more frequently.

I didn't really give it a good think over. Of course I want my daughter to be as safe as possible. We're still wanting to buy a motorhome over a travel trailer. I'll just make sure it is carseat compatible .

I think she will really enjoy it immensely.

justjinny

MH & I have a 1970 VW Camper Bus that we love to travel in.  This will be our first year taking along a LO, so we'll see how it goes.  We do prefer to travel with it because you have everything right there - you can just stop at a park wherever and have lunch or take a nap.  We are planning on keeping LO in his car seat anytime we're on the road.  

My IL have a HUGE RV that is a PITA to travel with.  They usually tow a car because once they get it set up somewhere they hate to drive it anywhere for a quick trip.  A 5th wheel definitely has the advantage that since once you set up you have a vehicle free to travel to short day trips or wherever. If you do get an RV, go for the smallest one you think you can make work!

We have had issues in the past with our little camper bus that when we leave our campsite for the day to do a short trip, someone else comes by and takes things from our site since it looks unoccupied.     

ASmallWonder

Unfortunately, you can't safely transport people in an RV unless everyone has a forward facing seat with a seatbelt that is bolted to the frame, and only the two front seats are.  The entire back is a projectile because even if you have things in cabinets, the cabinets THEMSELVES can become dislodged in an accident and you can only imagine how horrible that would be.  This is one of those cases where, even if the law says it's ok, physics still trumps

roo1oo

justjinny said:

My IL have a HUGE RV that is a PITA to travel with.  They usually tow a car because once they get it set up somewhere they hate to drive it anywhere for a quick trip.  A 5th wheel definitely has the advantage that since once you set up you have a vehicle free to travel to short day trips or wherever. 

This. 

I spent a lot of time in a camper trailer in the summer as a kid. We'd travel across country every summer to visit family, who also had RVs or trailers, and we'd all go camping somewhere as a family reunion kind of thing. Above is the reason why my parents always got a trailer rather than an RV. When you get to where you're going, get the RV leveled and wheels chocked and open the fridge and realize you need milk... guess what you've gotta do? Unchock the wheels, pull the rv off the levelers and drive your house to the store. 

If you're still on the fence, maybe rent an RV for a trip and see how you like it.