wantahertzdonut

The one we looked at was a fairly short trailer and my girlfriend declared the bathroom as waaaaay too big. She's somewhat opposed to toting around a bathroom with us, but I wouldn't mind something small for emergencies. We'll keep looking. In looking at trailers at the show, it seems like new prices are on par with used prices. Am I crazy or are sellers in Cleveland dreaming?

We went to the RV show last night and learned quite a bit by seeing what was there and talking to salesmen and such. Most importantly we ruled a lot of stuff out. We will certainly not be buying a motorhome of any sort, so Class B's which I thought would have been the way to go will not work out. Too cramped and too expensive for what you get. No Class C's either, I don't want a huge vehicle that only serves one purpose. We did find a couple small trailers we liked, one Coachman especially. 24' long and pretty light, with a double axle and good floor plan. I'm warming up more to the idea of a toy hauler now, however. But every floor plan seems to miss the mark in one area or another. Am I wrong to assume most of these are designed with the idea that 3 guys will be sleeping in there? Every one we saw had 3 single beds, or just a piss poor layout. I have an idea of what a good layout would be, but just need to find it.

Right now I'm leaning more toward a single use trailer suitable for 2 people. I've been watching 15-passenger vans and hunting for a good deal on one. But I won't buy until I see something I like for sure at the show. Bikes would go in the van to keep them out of the elements and I certainly wouldn't mind having a van.

Cool, thanks.

So I'll be at the RV show next week, and having never gone to anything, what are some good brands I should look at? I don't plan on buying new but would like to see all this stuff in one place.

Motoport Ultra II Cordura Pants, 1000wt material and they breathe REALLY nicely. 5mph and you can feel good all day. You can get a liner for them and they're good for -20 to 120. Plus you call in your sizes and they custom cut them to your measurements.

I'm surprised they're recalling a HALF helmet for not providing adequate protection. I'd think that by exposing the bulk of your head, you're already failing to protect yourself.

I just saw one of those as part of an exhibit at the Fields Museum in Chicago. Kinda funny.

I have a Tractor Supply 4x7 that fits 2 bikes and has a 2000lb capacity. Works pretty good but since my needs have changed I'll most likely be selling it toward Spring in order to get an enclosed trailer.

Oh so true. I enjoy driving in the snow provided I'm not stuck behind some terrifed hobag doing 10 on the interstate. But that happens all the time. Hell, it happens on 90E going to Cleveland if there's a few raindrops. It's pathetic! You'd think in a place where it snows every year, people would be prepared for it. Apparently I live in a town of braindead unprepared dipshits.

That would suck if you bought that car used and then got busted. Unlikely, but possible. Even worse if you never had a conviction, but the dog found the compartment because of residue.

Staggered is good enough. So long as you can get two in is all that matters.

Stupid off the wall question, but a motorcycle will fit on a wheel chock inside a full size van, correct? Can you get 2 side-by-side? I'm finding a few LWB 1T vans for pretty decent prices. With the idea that the bikes would go in the van, tow a camper behind, or just camp in the van with 1 bike for trackdays if I don't want to haul the whole trailer around. Or because of the long wheel base, just have the bike and a bed where the 2nd/3rd row seats would normally go.

I don't know how I feel about having separation or not. I would think that having another wall would make the thing feel smaller, but not having been in one I can't say for sure. I'm stuck doing pointless overtime at work right now so if I get a chance to look at it, it'll be next week when we shut down for Christmas. I'll definitely haggle, it's a way of life! I take it the manufacturer is reputable? I don't know who is good and who isn't.

Don't get a splinter in your hand. For some reason they hurt like a bitch from what I remember.

I didn't think much about floor strenght and that is a good point. What is the usual construction of these things? I remember being shocked that the floors of the busses I drove in college were plywood, so I can't say I'm surprised that a camper floor wouldn't hold up. Out of curiosity, I found this on local craigslist http://cleveland.craigslist.org/rvs/3413535262.html Anything worth looking into? I'm also hunting for a 3/4T Suburban. I've always wanted one and now I'd have an excuse to get it. The trailer camper is sounding like a better idea.

I figured his price was high, but that was in 30 seconds of searching CL, AND it's right around the corner from me. I'd at least like to check it out just to see one in person. The van you posted...ooolala! I tow a 5x7 HF trailer right now that I'm happy with but for longer term towing I think I'd like to get an enclosed trailer just to keep the bikes out of the elements if we're driving for a while. Plus it's more cargo room and we won't have to pile up the tow vehicle, whatever it is. I like the toy hauler idea, but as mentioned it's the smallest resale market. I need to look further into them because the ones I've turned up (again in a 2 minute CL search) have very inefficient floor plans. Not sure why. Anybody ever just stash their bikes into a camper? I'm not sure if that would be possible, but it just popped into my head. Again it's only 2 of us so we certainly don't need 3-4 beds like a lot of campers I see seem to have.

I just wear an old ski jacket that fits perfectly over my armor. Waterproof, windproof, and awesomely out of style.

I rode Monday but it was too easy. Still, the road was wet and cold and I felt my tires getting a little squirmy, especially on the tar strips.

A question about the tow vehicle, at what point do you find the dual axle necessary? I've wanted a dually since I was a kid but would never buy one unless I had a need. I associate them with 5th wheels and bed campers but I don't know at what point it becomes a must.

Something like this? I'd prefer a GM van since they have the longer wheelbase along with the longer body, but I think this would be the ideal with a covered trailer for the bikes. http://cleveland.craigslist.org/rvs/3383639103.html

My biggest worry with something large is what to do with it when I'm not using it. It'll just be 2 of us, no kids, no pets, just food, cameras, and 2 motorcycles. Not sure about the bathroom thing yet. On one hand it's handy, on the other it's space being taken up and money spent to empty the tanks. I think nearly all our stops would be tracks or national parks. We'll live if we have to skip a shower or two also. It's not a house, afterall. I like the idea of building a trailer into something with bunks, but I'll have to see if I have time to put it all together before summer. I've tossed the idea around of doing the same with a used box truck, but again the resale thing comes into play. I don't know how long I'll really hold on to it once I'm done. Initial cost comes in to play there. Oh, and definitely buying used. Madcat- I'd love to pick your brain about this stuff, I'm completely new to any of this so I am just trying to pick a starting point. I'll PM you my email.

I'm looking into getting a camper for staying at the track on weekends as well as longer term living as my job will be wrapping up in the Spring, and my girlfriend and I are going to travel for a while. I'm new to campers, I've only used tents or slept in cars in the past. What do you guys look for and what features are handy for trackdays? I haven't really set a budget yet, but I'm definitely wanting to stay as small as reasonable. I don't want $400 fill-ups. I am torn between a few options. 1) Getting a crew cab pickup and putting the bikes in the bed, and towing a trailer camper 2) Getting a van based camper and towing the bikes on the trailer 3) Other options? For what it's worth, I have a class B cdl so I could drive a bus based camper but I think it's out of the budget, plus fuel isn't cheap. My girlfriend won't be able to drive it either. But if there's a converted bus for the right price, I may reconsider. I'm also not sure if I'll want to bring a car to to behind or not. It wouldn't be necessary unless we had a bus, of course.

No luck with the NY guy?

Trust me when I say you have it better. If I have 8 extra minutes, I head to 480.