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01-07-2019, 08:55 PM
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#1
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Site Sponsor
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Santa Cruz County, CA
Posts: 2,405
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Thinking about a Class B for retirement...
We're still in the dreaming phase of moving into retirement, but it will be in the next few years if we can manage it.
We both love our TM dearly and would like to keep it, if we can have somewhere to store it. We've always dreamed of traveling around the country and having an RV that is easier to fit into campsites and camping incognito when needed.
I just started looking at the MBZ vans, but the straight conversions are just too small for full-timing. And they really don't seem to get very good gas mileage (and they are really expensive). Some of the bigger conversions by Thor, etc. look really nice, but there are too many electronics built in for my taste. Then I started looking at different conversions for earlier years and they were a whole heck of a lot cheaper.
And then I think about having to pack up the RV every time we needed to go to the store, and maybe the TM with our 2001 Chevy with 90K miles on it would be OK...It has everything that we need and it's already paid for..
Just daydreaming here..
__________________
'97 2720 & '01 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4
2011 & 2017 Prii, 10'x18' & 10'x9' Tents
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01-08-2019, 06:41 AM
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#2
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,063
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Someone on the boards once posted using a converted Sprinter as a TV, for a "best of both worlds" scenario. Overnights or "pit stops" they just stayed in the Sprinter, but still had the TM to set up at a destination.
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2009.5 2720SL
2006 Toyota Sienna
2018 Audi Q7
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01-08-2019, 01:13 PM
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#3
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 1,889
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Craigrrr does that with his Suburban...
__________________
2007/21 TM 3326 (Pride of the Fleet)
2000 2720SL (Rebuild Project)
2002 2619 (Parts TM)
SMARTER THAN GOOGLE!
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01-08-2019, 02:34 PM
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#4
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 893
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Don't buy new. Initial depreciation is awful, and new motor homes require a lot of warranty service while they shake down. Dealers have an awful history of ignoring warranty repairs in favor of more profitable business, and holding RVs put in for warranty service for months, often until the warranty expires.
Consider the service scenario. A problem in your motor home will often require repair by specialists rather than the ubiquitous car mechanic. Where will you live while your RV is in the shop? The lack of competition means that they have less incentive to provide good service. Thus we hear a number of motor home owners swearing that they will only get service directly from the manufacturer. And TM owners know the manufacturer hasn't always been that good, either.
The Mercedes Sprinter conversion owners tell stories about Mercedes dealers refusing to service them. Roadtrek will call the dealer for you, and explain their contract with Mercedes. Other brands may not, and such contracts may not last forever.
IMO trailers are much better from a service perspective. The negatives are that they are harder to back in, they take a little time to unhitch and hitch, and in California and some other states they have their own, lower, speed limit. But servicing your tow vehicle is a lot easier, and you don't need a toad.
Watch out for large slides with multiple motors or hydraulic actuators that must be synchronized in speed for the slide to deploy and withdraw properly. They tend to get out of alignment when you are far from service, and I hear some people have had to drive to service with the slide withdrawn "as far as they can get it".
Heavy appliances on a slide is asking for trouble.
Look carefully at comments from Thor owners. Some folks think that is the worst brand.
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01-09-2019, 08:48 AM
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#5
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Sunny Arizona
Posts: 751
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shane826
Craigrrr does that with his Suburban...
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It was great, I just wanted better mileage , I bought a Toyota Sienna minivan, I am going to do the same with.. Sold the campurban so now another project is underway.
__________________
Craig
One of the unknown ex-presidents
2008 2720SD
2008 Toyota Sienna XLE
2015 Prius v the money saver
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01-09-2019, 09:41 PM
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#6
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Site Sponsor
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Santa Cruz County, CA
Posts: 2,405
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Yes, I think now that the TM will be the best TT for us..it has everything that those other campers have but it is way less complicated. The electronics in the newer ones were a real turn-off for me. I think our Chevy will last another 10 years or so, until it's outlawed for being a gas powered vehicle. We have two Prii for our commuting needs.
__________________
'97 2720 & '01 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4
2011 & 2017 Prii, 10'x18' & 10'x9' Tents
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01-09-2019, 10:43 PM
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#7
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 893
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Quote:
Originally Posted by B_and_D
until it's outlawed for being a gas powered vehicle.
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IC and Diesel engines run just fine when converted to compressed natural gas.
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