Have been thinking about buying an RV for the wife and I. Thought the only way I would be in for that is to find one that has an "Arctic" package so I could use it in the winter for shelter and a tow vehicle for a couple sleds. It sounds crazy in my mind but researching it sounds plausible. Anyone done it?
Motorhome as a tow vehicle?
- Thread starter slimcake
- Start date
bearrassler
Well-known member
I have never done it but when I sold trailers I sold quite a few to tow cars behind and they all said it worked out fine. I sold both enclosed and open trailers for it. When I was a kid we had a motor home and hauled a four place open trailer with 4 sleds and also towed our Amphicar behind it to the world's fair in Montreal
Had motorhomes (class C and A) for 20 years and towed lots of stuff behind them, towing is no problem.
RVs are big wind catchers, they are not fun on snow/icy roads especially with a trailer.
Snow and ice build-up underneath would be a concern as would salt.
We've had issues with propane freezing up (obviously moisture in the tank) on freezing nights and that was just fall weather, not true winter.
Lots of lines exposed and poor insulation on tanks for water as well as grey/black.
The "arctic" packages sold in this region are mainly just heat tapes in the tanks. Not much else done to keep the lines from freezing. I've read the units produced for the western US market have more protection built in. I think you'd be better off customizing one or just running it with no water and not using the facilities in it.
I've thought about this so I didn't have to coordinate motels with the area I want to ride. I've leaned towards a pickup camper or customized trailer with living quarters because having 4x4 is handy in the winter. I still use motels.
600_RMK_144
Active member
I have considered parking an RV at the start of the season at our favorite riding destination then using it almost like a cabin. Would be "dry camping" to avoid things from freezing. As others mentioned, I don't think you want to be on the roads with one in those nasty storms we have to drive thru to ride.
We "camp" in my buddies 5th wheel toy hauler. Sleeping quarters in the front 1/3, garage in the back 2/3rds. We don't have running water in there, so I make a point to do an over night saddlebag ride by the 3rd night. 2 nights is my monkey butt limit. For water and food, he has one of those big Yeti coolers that sits in the living quarters. We turn off the heat when we go for an over night trip, and even on the coldest nights (-20 or colder) the water jugs don't freeze in there. Back in the 70's my Dad drove us all over with the Winnebago, and he mounted a water tank inside so we had running water when we needed it, but that was quite the modification to the existing plumbing.
If you plan to use it for towing sleds and staying in it, I would avoid water just to save that head ache. Me personally, I like the hotel/motel rooms. Staying in my buddies trailer is fun, for a couple nights.
If you plan to use it for towing sleds and staying in it, I would avoid water just to save that head ache. Me personally, I like the hotel/motel rooms. Staying in my buddies trailer is fun, for a couple nights.
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G
Guest
For what you spend you could stay in lots of hotels. With water. And heat. And pools. And bars. And you won't have gas and insurance and tires and transmissions and sidewinds to worry about. And when you are not using it for 354 days of the year you have to mow around it or have it take up room in your shed.
Sup Slim,
Good to hear from you.
My take on RV's are they are pieces of **** on wheels meant to basically fall apart as they are used. Equate the depreciation to buying a new Arctic-Cat at MSRP.
As much as I want one too, every camping show I go to and lay on the bed tells me 200 pounds is the max.
Add rust from winter into the equation and you have a big mess.
Bear
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G
Guest
I have a body man friend that works on these things from time to time. He says they are all junk. Even the $400,000 ones. Very expensive to fix. Parts very hard to come by. Cheap decals that fade and are impossible to duplicate. Faucets that are some weird brand that is impossible to find. Transmissions that fail in 15000 miles. Awnings that fall off driving down the road. Also they suck to drive.
Ya....but exactly opposite of what grub says....but its all in the manu....NEWMAR....with comfort drive which helps with cross winds....no fatigue...no weird faucets....all top line stuff...one piece roof....insulation and heating pads for tanks in winter....much HP for towing....no noises from cabinets and such...can walk thru with slides in....open bathroom door while driving easily....there is so much good to them I don't have time to tell you it all....watch video from Chris Anderson youtube at mount comfort RV....they are the shazznatz.....many Amish work there so woodwork is amazing.....bed is tops....hookups the bomb and well planned out for ease....internet where ever you are....solar roofs to power air for 2 days....ion batteries for more usage and no discharge worries ....on and on and on....good luck....grub....tell your buddy not to cheap out ....lol
Ya the more I think about it the more I am giving up on the idea. Just had the blessing from the wife to get one. When I was in my twenties I bought an old dodge motorhome. Something to crash in at parties out in the middle of no where. I remember what my Dad said when I told him I bought it. He asked me if I enjoyed taking care of my house. I said **** no it sucks and it costs alot of money. He said "well now you have two houses" LOL That camper was a POS and I only used it three times.
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Hey bear you owe me a keyboard... Just spit out my coffee... LOL. I think I am giving up on the idea. I will look at trackers Newmar line just for fun though
G
G
Guest
Oh I believe you Tracker. How much money are we talking for the CHEAPEST Newmar? Lots and lots of hotel rooms I bet. And it doesn't come with room service and a bartender.
I gots to agree with Tracker, NEWMAR (or perhaps PREVOST?) If ya want the top-of-the-line in luxury.
On da udder hand if you want a self-sufficent, all terrain, all weather, go anywhere expedition vehicle, get yerself a …
(click →) Earthroamer HD.
Check all highlights, specs, capacities, lick the pictures, git out yer wallet.
No....you could get a really nice newmar ....say maybe 2012....depending on model for 50,000....or cheaper.....or one that was a million dollars for 100,000 grand....a 2007 for 30,000.....but any of those would b fantastic above quality....go look.....ask Chris Anderson and tell him your budget and what you want.....buddy just got an 80,000 one for 20,000.....buts its smaller.....dont knock it till you look....many old people die and there family don't want it
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No one said you had to buy a newmar king aire....but a used one....he!! Ya.....it would far outshine grubs covered wagon
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No one said you had to buy a newmar king aire....but a used one....he!! Ya.....it would far outshine grubs covered wagon
Just ribbin ya too dare grubster.....lol
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haha....good one dare Fujitsu
oldguy
Member
I have around a decade of experience using an RV to winter camp snowmobiling. I quit about 12 years ago because it was just to much work. I started with a pickup camper and that was basically dry camping, no water or bathroom. Then I owned a cheap class C gasser, that was a little better but all we could use was the toilet and then only using RV antifreeze after every flush. The gasser wasn't very good in the wind. In 2003 I purchased a new 38 foot Newmar diesel pusher. I have camped in actual air temps of 35 below and was able to use everything, the shower, toilet and sink with absolutely no issues.
That all sounds wonderful except for few big issues. You will have to find a place dump your sewer. Locate a heated garage so you you didn't have to winterize it after every use. Getting the generator started when it was really cold. Washing the salt off the underside and walls before you put it away. Locating a place to park it for your stay, hopefully with an electric hook ups.
There are some good things. Because of the weight and the motor behind the wheels it was good in snow and ice pulling an enclosed trailer. The handling with a trailer in the wind seemed better then when I pulled the same trailer with my pickup. You do sit really high and the visibility in snow conditions was great. No motel room shortage issues and in your staying in own space. That motor home was actually very dependable with few issues.
That all sounds wonderful except for few big issues. You will have to find a place dump your sewer. Locate a heated garage so you you didn't have to winterize it after every use. Getting the generator started when it was really cold. Washing the salt off the underside and walls before you put it away. Locating a place to park it for your stay, hopefully with an electric hook ups.
There are some good things. Because of the weight and the motor behind the wheels it was good in snow and ice pulling an enclosed trailer. The handling with a trailer in the wind seemed better then when I pulled the same trailer with my pickup. You do sit really high and the visibility in snow conditions was great. No motel room shortage issues and in your staying in own space. That motor home was actually very dependable with few issues.
Forgot to mention, father inlaw has an enclosed trailer set up for winter camping. 8.5x25, all steel. Fully insulated. Custom flip-down bunks all around the inside (custom as in plywood). Propane forced air furnace. Porta-pot with a shower curtain for privacy. Did a few trips with it 20 years ago, but that was enough experience for me with that trailer. Functional, but minimally, like tent camping without the tent. In winter.
The idea is wonderful. I'm getting to hate hotels more every year, mainly due to the beds. I usually bring my own pillows so that kind of helps. I also realize bringing bed bugs home from most of the places I stay snowmobiling are slim, but it still crosses my mind. The only thing that keeps me from setting something up is the fact that i can not go more than a day without shower.