trarnold
Chicago
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Joined: 05/02/2007
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Class A, C or B? Travel trailer or 5th wheel. Been mulling it over for years. I retired in August of last year and since then I've been wracking what's left of my brain. Of course the answer was quite simple really. Buy an RV that suits your style, preferences, purposes and needs. So I set aside the "I want" issue and focused on the "I need". What I came up with resolved the issue for me.
I began by being truthful with myself. I had thought I'd like to full time for a few years but I concluded I'm just not constituted that way. I had to admit that I was not the adventurer I thought I was. Routine and familiarity are my friends. Shocking! I'm ok with adventures as long as I have a home base to return to.
That settled I asked myself how much I actually like camping versus renting a condo or a motel room or cottage. With a little soul searching I came to the conclusion that I like both. Camping is fun and gives you access to some of the most scenic places that are usually owned by the government. Places that deserve more than a day visit. But motels and condos have their place as well. I remember, as a child, the mom and pop motels we used to stay at while traveling and the cottages we'd rent for three weeks on the coast of Maine so I have a fondness and a soft spot for those as well.
Finally I had to figure out how much travel I intended to do. I figured four to six weeks in New England from Labor Day till mid October would be an annual trip. Best time to be at the beach. Eight to ten weeks as a snow bird in Florida would also be an annual flight from the cold of Chicago. After that I wasn't sure. But I did know that I wanted a comfortable and versital vehicle to travel in. One that would have a potti for occasional battles with Mother Nature between rest stops and one where I could get some shut eye without spending a hundred bucks a night while in transit to my destination.
My conclusion? A camper van of course. It gets me where I want to go comfortably. Allows me to take advantage of campgrounds in beautiful state and federal parks. Saves me money while in transit and yet I still don't feel foolish renting a cottage for a few weeks as a base of operations. Something you wouldn't do with a $200K motor home.
Whew! Glad that's over.Soul searching and being honest with myself is unnerving. I just bought a 2002 Chevy Express 2500 that has been converted in to a B. Still have to change some things but The price didn't break the bank. Its in great shape and I'm excited looking forward to making it my own and hitting the road (for a while).
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dicktill
Allegany NY
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Joined: 01/28/2012
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Congratulations and welcome.
Dick, Marti, & Glen RT09/10C190P "no more deadlines"
Allegany NY (currently in Morro Bay CA)
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gbopp
The Keystone State
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Joined: 08/03/2008
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Congratulations! It sounds like you put a lot of thought into your decision.
Enjoy your travels.
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ricklord2001
Woodstock, Ga
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Joined: 03/23/2007
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I came to the same conclusions as you while I enjoy time on the road I don't want to give up my he base. I went with a class A bit probably should of gone smaller as it's difficult to just hop off the beaten path and go exploring. Enjoy your new rig!
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NCWriter
North Carolina
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Joined: 10/05/2011
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Enjoy! We pondered every sort of RV made for two years before making the leap to a class B. No regrets.
2006 Leisure Travel Van Free Spirit 210B Sprinter
AKA Hermie (as in hermit crabs that carry their portable homes.)
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danpreszler
North Dakota
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Joined: 09/15/2011
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I also agree with your thinking. Rest easy, you've made the right decision.
Dan & Karen Preszler
Bismarck, ND
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Terra-Sea
Pacific NW
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Joined: 02/15/2010
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Your train of thought follows mine, especially since much of the camping I do is by myself. When another is involved, then the motel/condos come to play. It's great to have the versatility my B offers...along with 18 mpg on the freeway.
1991 Dodge Ram 250 Turtle Top (aka Turdle)
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rvnetter
Stewartville, MN
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Joined: 02/27/2005
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We too have reached that conclusion. We also have converted our Chev Express hitop for camping. Please check your Private Messages, I'd like to see some pics of your conversion. Have Fun with your Van!
Happy Trails to You! 
The Tin Tent
2000 Chev Conversion Van HiTop
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trarnold
Chicago
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Thank you all for the words of welcome. Much apprecieated. I'll post photos of the van when she arrives.
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1775
NY
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Joined: 09/30/2009
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Enjoy! You have opened a new world of fun for you and your family!
Roadtrek 190 Popular 2011
Meryl and Me Hit the Road
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