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Comments
I'm not sure of the discount but hopefully they did OK. Some people, like my friends, just want a certain item... NOW.. and don't concentrate on price as much. I can't wait to see the new unit as it has bath and a half, 45 ft. etc.
I have found a new motorhome site, so I'm staying quite busy reading over there. I wish more motorhomers were here but I guess this is just not the venue for them.
I'll keep posting just to keep it alive !!! LOL!
Mark156 :P
My 9 YO son is a camping fanatic but he's a tent snob. He just doesn't understand why anyone would want to sleep in an aluminum box in the middle of nature.
I don't understand it either...my idea of wilderness is a parking lot without lines...but if I had to choose I think the tent thing would be the way to go, so your son might be onto something. Is sleeping in a $700K motorhome really camping?
Sometimes I wish I had enough money to be like that. Other times though, I wonder if it really would enhance my life by much. There's a lot to be said for researching, planning, saving, and looking forward to something.........rather like the feeling I used to have as a young child waiting for Christmas.
When I rented, I always made reservations at nice parks. Sedona, AZ is gorgeous as is Lake Tahoe!
I like the wilderness and the view and the beautiful blue sky but I can't imagine sleeping in a tent. I'm sure that has to do with my age (I'm 48). I like air conditioning when it's hot and heat when it's cold. I like my vodka in the freezer and a nice cocktail at 5:00 o'clock! LOL!
The whole purpose to "motorhome" is that I want to travel the whole USA and Canada. I don't want to have to pack and unpack at hotels and worry about all the different beds (are they really clean?).
I have been to many places abroad but really haven't seen much of the U.S.
My friends who ordered a new Motorcoach are not really camping.... it's just a toy. They wanted to take their large dog with them and now they can in a motorhome. Seems like most motorhome people have pets, I don't myself.
Let's get out and roast some marshmallows!!!!
Mark156
VOLKSWAGEN Vanagon Westfalia Full Camper
* Year: 1984
* Made in: Germany
* Engine: 1.9 liter injection (water cooled)
* Fuel type: Gasoline
* Transmission: Manual
* Mileage: 219.000, heads rebuilt at 188.000
* Registrated in: California
* Smog Certificate: Yes
Before we left the USA last April our van got:
* New tires
* New brakes all around
* New Uniroyal laredos
* New hookups
* New wind shield
* New battery
* New coolant expansion tank
* New ball joints
* New hookups
* New alternator belt
* New air cleaner hose
We have no problem whatsoever if you like to take this van to a garage to have it checked before you buy it. We did the same when we bought it. Never mind the mileage, the engine is really strong. It's compression is 122/155/145/151. No matter what the weather is, it starts on the first crank and it will drive up ANY mountain without overheating. Believe us, we know! Another great thing: the van is totally repainted only four years ago, in the original light yellow fabric color. So there's virtually no rust. And all camping equipment (fridge, stove, sink) works.
The price of our Westfalia is: 5900 dollar (4600 euro). This includes our maintainance investment of 1000 dollar and all equipment, tools and spare parts worth over 1000 dollar. So it really is a bargain!
(For the record I AM NOT the seller.)
Don't get me wrong, love the car, but NO. "repainted so it has virtually no rust" that'll come through again, and soon.
-Mathias
My response was that it was worth maybe $2k on a great day ... and no more.
You should have seen some of the e-mails that I have received on THAT one.
Yeah, right! I didn't know they could go that far!
Now, now! Let's not cast aspersions on whole nations for political differences.
tidester, host
http://www.airstream.com/product_line/motorhomes/westfalia_home.html
I know this isn't the typical American land yacht, but I have fond memories of traveling with my parents and two brothers in a Toyota Chinook camper.
Realistic budget for me is something like the Chalet.
http://www.chaletrv.com/
Of course, the smaller the motorhome, the more maneuverable it will be for smaller campgrounds. Most state parks (in California) do not allow motorhome lengths over 34 ft.
The Airstream motorhome is built on the Sprinter chassis and Winnebago View and Itasca Navion make a version of it with a bigger "box" on the back. I like the plan that has the bed over the cab which allows a dining table and sofa for the living room and a nice rear bath beyond the kitchen. I think these units are 23 ft. which would be easy to get around.
mark156
The other unit I rented ran about $400 a day which was a 38 ft. diesel pusher with four slides.
When I was planning the trips in the past, it does take me a couple of months to figure everything out and make the reservations for the locations that I want to camp in(that's half the fun!).
I know Las Vegas will be a part of it as I have friends that will be camping there in the Spring.
Anyone else planning a camping trip?
Mark156
"Anyone else planning a camping trip?"
Yep, but I am planning on packing my $50 tent inside my $21,000 SUV, and heading to the $10/night campsite (the $10 covers firewood) at the local lake - LOL
P.S. - I may "splurge" and buy a couple of $400 kayaks by then.
LOL
Just kidding.. Everyone has their level of camping and mine is not sitting/sleeping on the ground or using someone elses bathroom/shower (or the woods).
One of the tours that I think would be great is taking a train trip across Canada in the Motorhome on a rail car. From the little bit that I have read on it, is that the train stops periodically for tours and stops at night for sleeping (in your unit). This trip is also offered in Mexico.
Happy Camping to all! Mark156
I do agree with you - I am not keen on using your typical campground type shower/toilet facilities - or at least the ones I have seen when driving past campgrounds.
He and I went tenting at a Boy Scout event Columbus Day weekend in NH. We woke up to 28 degrees the first morning and he was excited to be earning his first frost points.
But someday we will do the great American camping trip in an RV.
The fancy hotels I could stay in for that amount of money!
The advantage is, is that you don't have to pack and unpack, tip out the wahzooo for the bellman, housekeepers, conscierge, etc., that a suite in that caliber will require.
The ease of coming and going when you want is a plus... no car valet to worry about.... you just can't beat the Motorhome type of traveling!
Mark156
So, I drove one yesterday... a 42'6" unit, 4 slides, 400 hp Cummins, tandem axle, king bed, full size stacked W/D, solar panels, full tile floor, leather seating, outdoor RV/stereo, etc, etc.
I still want to look at another brand and will probably purchase a unit in the next 3-4 weeks.
Yellowstone is definitely on the agenda for this summer... would like to go back to Lake Tahoe, CA and Sedona, AZ. this year.
I'll post pics once the purchase if finalized.
Happy Trails.. Mark156
The purchase is finalized... buying a new 2008 Monaco Dynasty, 42.9 ft... four slides, leather seating (sofa, two euro recliners with ottomans), stacked W/D, king bed with comfort control, full tile kit/living area, full size stainless steel residential fridge, tandem axle, two electric awnings with manual exterior window awnings, air leveling, see-vision system, in motion satellite, ceiling fan in bedroom, solar charging system, Aqua hot water system, CB radio, legless dinette, Cummins 425 hp, etc, etc.
I had the propane tank removed and an electric stove-top put in. So, there will be no risk of fire from the highly flammable source of propane. Hot water is heated by a diesel fueled burner.
I'll post pics when I can.
Mark
Here is my new 2008 Monaco Dynasty that I ordered in January and picked up at the factory in April.
Looking forward to many years of cross-country travel!
Mark156
I would love to do that when I retire but my wife is not a fan........Yet
Thanks for the compliments on the new coach. I haven't taken inside pictures just yet because I've been loading it up, organizing things, and it was a little junky.
Once I get things straighten out in the next couple of days, I'll get inside pics.
Mark156
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The "toy-let" is just across from the small sink cabinet. It has a two stage flushing system... one button for #1 (small flush) and another button for #2 (large flush). :P
You can see the flush button on the small sink cabinet on the left (white panel).
Mark
Mark
See more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com
See more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com
See more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com
I'm curious... do have any type of bathroom facilities? I think I've seen this type trailer where the back end opens and there is a small cooking kitchen?
Nice trailer. Mark156
There are nicer tears, but they cost more. A lot of home built ones. Some have fancy kitchens. I like it. I can store it in the garage, push or pull it around and it barely effects my mileage. I wouldn't mind upgrading to this Yoder Toter eventually. Has a battery and more of a kitchen but similar in weight.
The motorhome life has been really fun so far. A few 'adjustments' have been needed on the new coach. I'm learning really quick that the "word-on-the-street" is that it takes about year to work things out. We'll see.
Nothing has been major, we have never had a break-down, etc. Just a few adjustments. Getting ready for a fun trip in October doing a southern route from California to Georgia.
Happy Travels!!!
Mark156
Have just over 9,300 miles on the coach and having a blast. It's interesting to see the fuel pumps going past $300 and the tank is not even close to empty. But, what can you do? :confuse: Motorhomes get excellent gas mileage when parked! LOL!
I'm averaging about 7.5 mpg. Diesel in California seems to be the highest compared to other states. Bought just under 50 gallons today in California before putting the unit in storage for a month and a half.
Happy motorhoming!
Mark156
1) Additional car for towing (my Land Rover was bigger than what I wanted to pull)... bought a Honda CR-V ($30,000) plus the towing equipment ($2,700).
2) Direct TV needed if you don't want to use the antenna ($50 a month)
3) Storage garage $400 a month (whether you use it or not)
4) All the additional equipment... ladder, patio furniture, grill, sheets, pillows, cooking utensils, compressor, hoses, tools, interior area rugs, outdoor carpet, snap-on front mesh window screen ($350), etc.
5) Coach maintenance... service about every 5,000 miles (lube), oil changes every 10,000 miles ($700-$800 for fluid/filter changes for the engine, trans and generator).
6) Coach Insurance ($3,400 a year)
Keep in mind most of these are costs before the coach even starts to move.
But, I'm living a dream (a good one) LOL!
Mark
Actually, I got a pretty education from my wife's parents who did the Airstream thing for about 15 years (first a trailer and then a couple of motor coaches). Wouldn't you know it - as soon as they retired from the life due to advanced age, my brother-in-law got a deal on one. Not sure of the make but it was inexpensive when new (he said about $75,000 in 2000). He bought it from a Florida owner on ebay in August for $28,000 with only about 25K miles on it. Flew in from Texas and drove it home. He brought it up here in October and I have to say that it was alot of coach for the money.
And, yes, he went out and bought a new car to tow behind it too, an HHR.
It's hard to live any dream without money!
One thing is for sure, it doesn't matter which set-up a person has, camping is fun!
Recently at the Outdoor Resorts in Las Vegas, it was amazing to see the million dollar coaches lined up side by side. I felt like I had the bargain entry level unit! The rental space was $80 a night! :sick:
Mark
LOL, that's how we feel when we end up next to a nice coach at an RV park. Our little TT is only 24' long, no slide, nothing fancy, but it does the job. We've had it for almost 3 years, yeah we'd love to move up to a 5th wheel with slides, but really can't justify spending the money.
Springtime is going to be fun with our TT, have to repair the damage I caused when I forgot to drain the showerheads, broke both of them. Burners on the stove quit working, then there's the kitchen faucet that gave up sometime last summer. LOL, ah the joys of a TT out of warranty!
Sad thing is we only used it twice last summer. :sick:
Next year is the year for REAL traveling! I plan on going to Niagara Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Lake Tahoe, etc, etc..... I'm thinking at least 10,000-15,000 miles of traveling!
Mark