Do I need a car.

[TALLMAN]

Am planning on RVing for a indefinite amount of time after first of year. In an Class C Holiday Rambler 36 ft. my question is do I really need a car also.

 

[blars]

The answer is "it depends". I did not have one for the first year and a half of full-timing in my 28' Rexhall, but bought one a few months ago. Not having one limits where you can shop, but does make pulling into a camping spot easier.

 

[TALLMAN]

The answer is "it depends". I did not have one for the first year and a half of full-timing in my 28' Rexhall, but bought one a few months ago. Not having one limits where you can shop, but does make pulling into a camping spot easier.

Thanks, did you travel a lot of stay parked a lot.

 

[Stargazer]

I part-timed in a 35' class A with no other means of transportation except my feet. If you plan well, it's very doable. Do shopping during off hours when parking lots aren't full. Find a laundromat with a large parking area. Run all your errands at the same time.

Another option is a bicycle or small scooter, with a hitch mounted carrier, if you are parked close enough to shopping, etc. Maybe a golf cart? I found and mounted a large basket on my bicycle for laundry and groceries. It's great unless I'm parked (in my van now) in a remote mountain area, miles from town, uphill both directions ;-)

Edited to add: Oh, yeah, if it's cold and/or raining...well, you get it.

Best wishes!

 

[WheelEstate USA]

A car is a nice thing to have, but we don't tow one with us. We have bikes for local errands and sightseeing. We drive our rig to places too far to bike. Sometimes we do supply runs with someone who has a vehicle and pay for gas and maybe a burger.
If you plan to park somewhere (like RV park) for extended periods you may want to consider motor vehicle. Needs are different for everyone and you'll have to see what works for you.
Sometimes I wish we could have kept our van to tow along. Having a rolling motel room would be kinda nice for side trips and we could get into more places than in the moho.

I'm getting up in years and have COPD, so we've talked of getting an enduro to rack up on the back to make running around a bit easier on my breathing.

 

[TALLMAN]

We are thinking of taking our bicycles. Am planning on travel short distances couple hours day and boon docking a lot. Heading SW during early spring then north along west coast during the summer has any one here been to Alaska in there RV Last summer made it from Florida to Winnipeg then came back home.

 

[rvwandering]

We've never had one in our 20 years of fulltiming but our class C is only 25' long. I think that with a 36' motorhome it will be difficult to stop at many of the interesting sights along the way so if you want to explore an area it'll be much easier to find a landing spot for your motorhome and explore in a car.

We been to Alaska three times. (go- it's beautiful!) You won't need a car to visit there because it just one big loop with a few side trips. There are lots of places to pull over and stay for the night.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

We were on the road 8 months this year and much of it was rolling, but we did stay awhile in places like Astoria, Or (son there), Bend, Or (friend there and GOOD BEER), and Las Vegas for 2 weeks (does what happens in Vegas really stay there? ).
We do mostly short runs from one small town to another with some BLM, casino, or Camp WallyWorld boondocking.
We sure saw lots of podunk places, LOL.
We carry lots of supplies and water all the time, so its no problem to stop for several days far from shopping.

 

[TALLMAN]

Mine is a Class A, have trouble with the definitions. Expect I will start out in it and if I need a car find one some where. I seen a tracker on line for 3000. I have stay at truck stops a lot, never been asked to leave. One morning woke up to a truck load of hogs some one had park 3 feet a way.

 

[caseyc]

Personally, I need and use a car. But my situation is different than yours. Only you can really determine for yourself if a car is necessary. I can't see myself running errands like laundry or grocery shopping or getting around town with my larger vehicle. Plus my van is a gas guzzler.

 

[TALLMAN]

How much time did most of you spend learning to drive a like 36 ft RV before heading out on long trip..

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Tallman, ours is a 28' class A with a 454 that will pull if needed, just would rather not tow anything...well, for now, anyway.
Trackers seem to be really popular around Q. A few owners I've asked really like theirs, one guy is a hobby miner who beats his in the desert hills and swears by it (and maybe at it too, LOL).
One for sale up the street...don't know the year/price.

Yup, in stead of hogs, we woke to a load of cattle with piss draining onto the dirt. We had pushed a long day caravaning with 2 other rigs 160 miles up 140 of the passes with long steep grades and views that are breathtaking in good ways and bad. All of us pulled into a crossroad wide spot to eat and sleep among a couple trucks. Boy, were we surprised upon opening the door....a huge puddle that caused me to have to move so we could take Bindi out (poor girl was dancing to go pee, LOL).
Yeah, we've awakened to some interesting changes around us at times

Oh, and then there's Beatty, Nv where burros will come begging for treats right at your door...

---

In my case, having grown up on a ranch, I've been driving since I was a kid...hay trucks, horse trailers, and all manner of rolling stock, including the use of horse/mule for work.
I guess jumping behind the wheel of something like this sorta felt natural
(first one was a 36' Bounder several years ago while living alone)
Besides, I got a cool cockpit with lots of neat switches and gauges...and a handy button for my airhorns

I think its best for the avg beginner to drive some on open road to get the feel of things. Won't be long before they will be ruling the drive to the WalMart lot.
Margie doesn't want to drive, and boy, things might be safer out there if she stays in her own seat and takes pics. Thus, our short runs while traveling...I can't stay in the saddle as long any more.
We're in no hurry to get anywhere. I doubt we'll caravan much again, as we like our own pace.

So, practice and knowing to allow for safe braking (keep a safety zone out front) are some keys to becoming a skilled RV jockey.

 

[TALLMAN]

Long ago I did drive a coal trucking and logging truck. Figure it will come back.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I'm sure it will and you'll be just fine. Cruise closer to the centerline to make your wife more comfortable, but move to the right a little for oncoming trucks and you won't get "blown" so bad

 

[Lifemagician]

Oh, and then there's Beatty, Nv where burros will come begging for treats right at your door...

As they do in historic Oatman, AZ.

Lifey

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Yup, Oatman too. Margie was thrilled when they came right up to eat out of her hand.

 

[westriver]

I have a limited amount of experience with things like 24' straight trucks, and bucket trucks, but that's about it. We flew from Pa. to Fl. picked up a used 32' diesel pusher and drove it home. The first few hours were a bit nerve racking, but it was more of a case of me needing to relax, that the thing being unmanageable. Once I got a handle on things, I just learned to pay attention to things like tail swing, and taking turns wide. So far no issues.
As for NOT having a toad, no thanks. We spent nearly 15 years driving small pickups and Tahoes, typically pulling a 25' travel trailer. Switching to a big motorhome has been a real eye opener. Personally, I don't care for it at all. Our choice of campgrounds on the road is now limited to pull through spots, unless we are staying a while and want to go through the hassle of unhooking the toad. The old setup was far more maneuverable, less over the top in a lot of ways, and just a lot less stress. As for hitting the road for a few weeks/months with just the motorhome and leaving the CRV at home, I just can't imagine it. Supposedly a typical full-timer Class A owner puts less that 5K miles per year on the thing. That means that the typical usage is heading to a destination for weeks and months with exploring the area, and doing all the usual activities while the motorhome is parked. Bottom line for most folks is that a toad is a necessary part of the whole deal. doesn't matter if you are sightseeing or running to the grocery store. Doing it in a big, fuel hogging beast is a real PITA. Good luck

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Nothing about our plan is written in stone. Who knows...we just might see fit to make changes sometime down the road.
We do know we don't want to go larger, nor do we want slides. We both think we could get along fine with less room than we have now and a little better mileage sure wouldn't hurt our feelings either.

 

[Patrick46]

Long ago I did drive a coal trucking and logging truck. Figure it will come back.

If you drove a log truck, then a motorhome will be a piece of cake! I don't think I'd head into the center of a big city during rush hour for awhile, but it'll come.
Relax...being comfortable behind the wheel is very important to avoid disasters.

Yup, Oatman too. Margie was thrilled when they came right up to eat out of her hand.

Margie is a nut in my mind!!! Those guys have TEETH, and aren't afraid to use 'em!

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Yup, Oatman too. Margie was thrilled when they came right up to eat out of her hand.

Margie is a nut in my mind!!! Those guys have TEETH, and aren't afraid to use 'em!
[/quote]

No doubt in my mind