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Camper, Motorhome or Hotel

6K views 36 replies 33 participants last post by  old tex 
#1 ·
I'm finally thinking about a camper/motorhome after 20 years of shooting.

I use to go to the shoots by my self, but now my wife is shooting and we are travelling with a Brittany Spaniel as well, plus shooting equipment for both of us.

We usually spend about 30 days a year at shoots, and now we have to find hotels that accept pets or board the dog.

Dose it make sense to get a class c motor home or a 26/28 ft trailer?

Used descent looking class c motorhomes and travel trailers are getting fairly inexpensive around here, I guess it's the economy. I have looked a a couple in good shape in the 5k to 7k range. The normal trip for us in the summer shooting season is about 200 miles and 3 or 4 days.

We have two small SUVs, both with V6 engines so if we get a trailer, I'll have to buy a larger SUV or truck to pull it.

We can't afford 80 grand for this adventure, nor do we want anything much bigger than 28ft or we would have to park it in a storage lot when it's not in use.

Any opinions?

Mike
 
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#4 ·
28 ft is more than enough for 2 people. I would say a travel trailer with a living/dining slide would be perfect. (I have one).

You do need a better tow vehicle. Preferably diesel 3/4 ton.

I know weaker stuff will work but it's harder.

YOu can get pretty good used TT's for 6 to 9 thou, and a diesel truck holds its value like nothing else in the automotive world.

I had a motorhome, and another power train to maintain and licensing/insurance eventually was a hassle.

Trailer insurance is less than 200 a year.

And when you get to the shoot you can unbuckle and go shopping or whatever.

HM
 
#5 ·
Had a class C for several years and finally sold it.

Did it make financial sense to use for shoots? We didn't think so. The shoot venue either has to have a campground or there needs to be one nearby. RV sites at shoots are often leased and there may not be any open. Campgrounds may have room but you will have to unhook the RV to drive to the shoot each day unless you tow (or drive) another car with you.

There will be the cost of insurance (RV and motor vehicle), registration, upkeep etc. to consider. Our 4 year old C cost us about 2000/yr whether we drove it or not between road insurance, RV insurance, registration, inspections etc. Tires should be replaced every 7-8 years regardless and the less you drive the rig the quicker the tires deteriorate. If you buy one that's 5-6 years old it will probably need 6-7 new tires right away.

These things are not gas sippers either figuring 8-10 mpg and a 50 gallon tank, and it's hard on the wallet to have that much vehicle sitting idle most of the year.

A trailer may be in our future simply because they cost less to buy and maintain and the matter of getting around at the shoot is simpler to deal with. The main hang-up is the cost of buying a suitable tow vehicle (don't skimp here!) and then having to use it as a daily driver whenever you're not towing. Some people make the mistake of buying a tow vehicle that is just barely adequate for the job simply to try to save money and then they find out that towing with it is a nightmare experience. To leave a dog in the trailer you need to have an AC unit and either adequate electric service available or an on-board generator.

We have gone the motel route this past year with our spaniel. There are pet friendly motels available and we have simply adjusted our level of competition to accommodate our capabilities.

MK
 
#7 ·
I suggest a class C motorhome or trailer.
A trailer would be good, but as you said, you would have to purchase a more powerful tow vehicle. You would be able to detach the tow vehicle to get you around to restaurants, shopping, casinos, etc. Smaller RV’s and trailers don’t have a lot of room for carrying all your stuff. Your tow vehicle can help in that regard.
A small class C would provide the same benefits of a trailer, but may provide less living area than a trailer. It would provide both transportation and accommodation.
Motels would be my last choice. Finding a reasonably priced motel near the shooting venue can be a hassle. You would have to move in and out every day, and travel to and from the shooting venue every day.
A motorhome or trailer parked at the shooting venue gives you a place to stay during a day of shooting. It is warm when it’s cold, cool when it’s hot, and dry when it rains. It’s great to be able to shower and change clothes between 100’s on a hot day. After a long day of shooting, you’re already home. The kitchen facilities will let you store and prepare the foods you want to eat. The dog will find it very comfy while you’re out shooting.
Once you identify a prospective RV, I suggest you load it, or at least see if you can load it, with all the clothing, guns, ammo, food, equipment, and personal items you plan on taking with you for the 3 or 4 days plus 1 day. The extra day comes in handy when you’ve finished shooting on the last day, are tired, and don’t feel like driving the 200 miles to get home. Leave refreshed the next morning if possible. A rental might be a good idea, but it may be hard to find to book a rental with your dog.
My wife and I with our two dogs find our Class A motorhome delightful.
 
#9 ·
The last time I checked you only go through this life once so go the way you want, in the style you want. There are pros and cons to each. But if you are taking your wife make sure she has room enough to do the things she wants to do while you are shooting.

I have had them all and if you are going to do 30+ days and long trips a motor home is the way to go. Between events you can rest, east watch a game in comfort. If you camp on the grounds you can have a whole different social life, make new friends and enjoy people that you have something in common with. You make these friends forever and run into them all over the country. After the shooting is over it is a different little community and it is a family affair. Your wife meets people that she can have a good time with while you are off shooting. It makes life much easier when your spouse enjoys herself also. Try doing all this at a Holiday Inn Express or otherwise and I've done that also.

With a motorhome any Walmart is an instant stopping spot, a rest area is a true resting spot without leaving your unit.

If you are only going to do a couple of weekends a year or a weeks vacation then do the travel trailer bit.

Don
 
#13 ·
I bought an old motor home ( 20 yrs. old ) for $15,000. Put another $2,500. in it. Low mileage, runs good, decent mileage, smaller than a standard MH but it works for me. I take it to all the MO big shoots, Ohio State and Sparta.

I love the convenience but it's a hole in the road......you know the rest. Glad I didn't buy a new one.
 
#15 ·
SS, I would strongly suggest a 5th wheel and a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup with an 8ft bed. Two people and a dog can comfortably survive in a 20 - 24 ft (or larger, depending on weight)5th wheel depending on the floor plan. Look around. There are a lot of them for sale, either privately or at a dealer. You can also carry a lot of stuff in a contractor type tool box in the truck. Good luck with whatever you decide on. Larry Evans
 
#17 ·
I'm not trying to be a stick in the mub but just pointing out some things.

Camper, insurance, storage, up keep, having a car or truck to tow it, finding a spot at shoots or camp sites, dealing with traffic when towing.

MotorHome, insurance, storage at home, up keep, driving it in traffic, finding a place at a shoot,

Hotel Room, just drive up and stay. Just close the door and leave.

All have their + and -. I found that when I had a camper that the big thing was finding a spot at the big shoots that I had hookups. If you didn't then that was that. Driving a camper in traffic was not fun at times because of AH drives on the road today.
 
#18 ·
Buy a motorhome if you have money you want to throw away. A travel trailers is the only way to go. Nothing beats the convenience of having a camper on the shooting grounds. A serviceable tow vehicle can be found on most used car lots. My current one is an 05 suburban bought 18 months ago for $17000. It's a 4x4 with everything and had 25000 miles on it. A half ton will handle the smaller campers (mine have been 28 footers) with no problems.When towing it gets 9-11 MPG. Highway mileage is over 20 without the camper. This is the fourth suburban along with several pickups that I've used for towing. I run them 200000 miles and get a new one. Never had any major problems with any of my Chevy's doing this since 1988. I did have three diesels in the past. You will never recover the added cost of a diesel.

 
#19 ·
I have been the Class "C" (28ft) and Class "A" (38 ft) route. They both sat 11 months out of the year. If I was going to do it again, it would be a trailer, about 24 ft. and a portable generator. In case there are no hook-ups. You will need the air conditioning. You can use the towing truck around town, all the time. A used trailer with a slide out is the way to go, for sure.
 
#20 ·
Class A's and C's are nice, but you still have to pull a car if you want to go a trap bank out on the south 40 or out to eat/downtown while at a shoot.

I love my 37ft Sunnybrook 5th wheel. One thing I might suggest it that you think STORAGE, and be able to get to it, that means pass-thru under the camper. Yes it money, but you can take the interest off the trailer just like a house. Get the biggest truck you can afford, my 3500 Chevy (6.6l @ 12mpg pulling, and 19mph just the truck) is a dream on the highway, when an 18 wheeler passes, not a bump or push, smooth ride...GRUBBY
 
#21 ·
If you decide to go the trailer route and can afford it; I would opt for the 5th wheel. It pulls nicer than a trailer and has a ton of storage underneath for all of your shooting supplies. However, the downside is they cost more than a regular trailer and of course you need a truck. Money wise, I would say a motel is the most economical. All Motel 6's take dogs with no charge. I have found that many other chains also are taking pets. (Many Comfort Inn's and Super 8's take them). But of course with a 5th wheel or trailer, (along with a generator) you have a lot of freedom as to where you can stay and you aren't living out of a suitcase. Just weigh all the plus's and minus's before you decide. I would surely consider at least 1 slideout. (Dining/living room). It sure makes things more comfortable. And as has been mentioned, do not "skimp" on a tow vehicle. Too small is surely not good. Good luck. Ed
 
#23 ·
We owned most of them over the years. When I had my business used a popup for hunting camp, pull trailer again hunting camp. To do shows for business a gas motorhome 35foot, then a class C 31ft motorhome. Then after a fifth wheel to cut cost with a pickup w/deisel and now finally a Class A diesel pusher 40ft.

Pro and cons,

If you plan on staying in a place for longer periods of time go with a trailer or fifth wheel. Hooking and unhooking is a pain in butt.

If you are planning on traveling a lot and only staying a few days at each location buy a Motorhome. We head south each winter and when we get tired we pull into a wayside a wally mart or cracker barrel and hit the levelers, move out a slide or two and hit the sack, it takes all less than 5 minutes. Plus its easy on our pets, don't have to take them in and out of the truck to the trailer.
Also we pull a Jeep Libety with a tow bar, takes about 5 minutes to hook or unhook it and easier to drive around traffic than a 3/4ton pickup. The current motorhome we have now is the best, really nice ride, 3 slides and quiet being a pusher.

Each have their place and trailers are cheaper to maintain than a motorhome, but you have to have a large tow truck.

Its nice to be on the grounds,lots more fun and alot more relaxing.

Motels no way, I use to stay in them 151 plus nights a year, no thanks. My bed in my motorhome is mine and everything in it is like my house at home, no in and out moving.

Good luck.
 
#24 ·
Mike.... Here is an article I wrote for 'On Target Magazine" that addresses just what your are looking at.... Hope it helps......

FROM A SHOOTERS VIEW

By: Dan Thome

This month’s topic: Motel, trailer, or motor home?

A group of us were talking at a shoot last weekend in Crescent City and the subject of where we stay while at a shoot came up. I was asked why I always choose to stay in a motel when I travel to a shoot, rather than buy a trailer, etc. and use it instead. While I have done it both ways, a motel, for me, is the only logical choice given today’s economy. I’ll explain why I feel this way below.

The use of a trailer or motor home definitely has its advantages. It is handy, comfortable, convenient, and is close to the club to use for a getaway if needed. It’s especially nice if your wife travels with you. You can relax with friends that also have them, and many shooters will travel together and “circle the wagons” when they get to a shoot so they can socialize. Most of the shooters that travel this way enjoy it, and, for the most part, have no trouble affording to do so. All this is fine, but, the disadvantages, to me, far outweigh the good points, for the average shooter. A motor home or trailer requires more work and cost than I’m willing to put into it. First, there is the cost of the rig to start with. Then, there is the extra fuel use required to get it to, and from, the shoot, the additional cost for the insurance, the additional cost for licensing, and the additional cost for upkeep on it. Prior to going to a shoot, you must get the trailer ready. Stock it with food, fill the water tank, get the gray water tank ready and filled with chemicals, check the propane tanks, etc. While at a shoot, you cook your own meals which also require you to wash the dishes, etc. This needs to be done every day. When you get home from the shoot, you have to find a dump site for the sewer and flush the tanks, strip the bedding and wash it, clean out the trailer and re-stock it for the next trip. Then, you park it, waiting for the next shoot. While parked, the expenses of owning it continue. If you have a motor home, unless you have a tow rig, you are stuck at the shoot, unable to go anywhere because your rig is set up already. The list goes on.

By using a motel at a shoot, I can drive to a shoot and I know I have a place to stay. I’m not using any extra fuel to get to the shoot by towing a trailer. After the shoot, I’ll socialize with some friends, and maybe eat dinner at the club (no cooking or dishes required). Later, I’ll go to my room and relax. I’ll watch a little TV, wipe down my gun, get things ready for the next day, and, finally curl up in a nice, clean bed with freshly laundered linen (no changing bedding, or making beds for me). In the morning, I will make some coffee with the provided coffee maker, and go take a shower. After the shower, I throw the dirty towels, etc. on the floor, get dressed, and head for the club. If the club offers breakfast, I will eat there (again, no cooking or dishes). After the shoot is over, I will return to the motel to find a totally clean and re-done room waiting for me,



and I can do the whole thing over again. When the shoot is over, I leave the motel, and head for home. I have no concerns over any of the problems that always seemed to plague me while using a trailer.

So how, you ask, does this save money while traveling to a shoot? I stay in a motel approximately 30-40 days a year while at different shoots. At a cost of $50.00 to $60.00 a night in a motel, that adds up to about $1800.00 to $2400.00 per year for lodging. I usually try for a Motel6 if I can find it since I’m just looking for a place to sleep and shower, not a place to live. Using these figures, add up what the cost would be for using a trailer or a motor home. Figure in the extra time and effort it requires to use that trailer or motor home for your shoots. I’m sure you, like me, will soon see the benefits of a motel look better and better.

There is something to say for both when it comes to being comfortable and convenient. Those that like the trailer and motor home life wouldn’t change for anything, and those of us that like the motel route will stick with that as well. All this being said, from a strictly financial viewpoint, in my opinion, the motel is the best value for the average shooter if he is trying to watch his expenses while traveling back and forth to shoots. The choice is yours to make based on your own preferences……..Dan
 
#25 ·
Well here's my $.02 worth-- having tried vans, tents, pop ups, motels, etc. (when family was young we raised 4 so sleeping space was a BIG factor, we then chose a pop up) after family was grown we (wife,dog,&,self) wound up with a class C, 1st one 23 ft. worked fine until father time caught up with us. after retirement, & all the usual age related things we traded,, 2nd one 28 ft. (no slides, MISTAKE) but with separate B.R. in rear (GOOD) very convenient, you are always home, + you know who (& when) washed the bedding ,table, counter top, bathroom floor, etc. But at this length you will probably wind up towing a get around vehicle (we do) & that does cost extra, but it's worth it for the way we use a camper. may be looking into same thing with slide as noted in other posts. good luck in your search,check out everything & figure out how YOU will be using a camper if you choose that route vs. motels. Ross Puls
 
#26 ·
My wife & I just completed this exercise. As mentioned there are many trade offs. We set the budget at $20K. We never did find a motorhome in that price range that we liked. As I looked back on our tent camping days I realized that my wife did not like to stay put once we got to the campsite. Trips to town to shop or side trips to see attractions. Better to have a seperate vehicle so the RV set up/tear down is only done once per trip. We wound up with a 27' 5th wheel with a slide out and a 2002 GMC 3/4 ton gas for $19K. We also plan on doing some triple towing to bring the boat along. It will be interesting to see how this works out for us. Don M
 
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