What's better, a CAMPER VAN or a 5TH WHEEL?

what's better, a camper van or a 5th wheel? Both in day to day use and or for a SHTF scenario? Like what would you invest in and why?

reply to post by r2d246


I vote for camper vans, or Class B vans (same thing). I have in fact been looking for a cheap, old, beat up camper van for over a year. They are hard to find.

This is what I figure, you get a crap one for 5k or less. New ones have bells and whistles, televisions and will wipe your butt for you, so go with old and used, right?

Then spend time and money fixing up its mechanics and making it run great. You'd have a well running camper van that looked like crap from the outside and didn't attract so much attention.

Slowly fix up the inside living space and customize for your specific needs.

You're ready to bug out.

I'd personally go for a full sized (20-30ft) camping trailer that has all of the amenities and could be somewhere you could (rather comfortably) live in for periods of time, and for $1000 for a good used one, you cant really beat that!

reply to post by Ameilia


A tree over the road or much less trivial will stop you with high percentage. Sitting duck at a road, I don´t care how #ty it looks from the outside, in such a situation, I´m interested in whats in there, if I were a mad person in shtf days.

Originally posted by StareDad
reply to post by Ameilia

 

A tree over the road or much less trivial will stop you with high percentage. Sitting duck at a road, I don´t care how #ty it looks from the outside, in such a situation, I´m interested in whats in there, if I were a mad person in shtf days.

That's true anywhere. No difference in walking, biking, motorcycling, truck driving, sitting in a cave, sitting a house....think about that.

May as well have two or three plans in place (as you can afford) that way you can dump one if need be and not be destitute and depressed "I lost everything!"

Also, at less than 120 lbs, I promise I can get a tree off the road. Bridges gone is another problem, but a tree is the least of the worries out there. Anyone planning so extensively as to be driving a camper van -or like vehicle- in SHTF scenario is also going to be smart enough to have the tools and ability to move a tree out of the way.

It's really sad that's all you see in this question posed by the OP, that a tree would be in your way. Chin up dude, you've got brains, use em wisely!

reply to post by StareDad


Well if you had the doors locked and shades over the windows then worst case scenario you might get a knock at the door. or someone trying to break in a window. In which case you just grab your pepper spray or your gun and scare them off. Then you just drive off like even 25 clicks and they likely wouldn't be able to walk that far to find you.

reply to post by Ameilia


I was sort of thinking the same thing. Just get some kind of old camper van and you could use it for both camping as well as in the event that if the shtf you could drive it away from the danger and also at least have a reasonably safe place to crash out. That's assuming there's still gas as they aren't exactly easy on gas. But either would be pulling a trailer I guess. It seems like kinda a good idea anyway.

Interesting and timely topic - we've just begun planning a retirement haven selection trip thoughout Central & South America before settling down permanently and have been considering the same scenario. I our case it's very easy to pick the "motor home RV" over the RV trailer considering the status of the roads, sea shipping across the Darien Gap and the extreme hassle of dealing with a trailer for a trip of 25,000 miles over 3-5 years. What's REALLY caught my eye is the "Class C Toy-hauler" which has a mini-RV motor home with attached garage (2 motorcycles) - only problem is those are 30-40 feet which is pretty big for roads down south.

I've been looking into small motor homes and most of what I'm finding is over 10 years old so it's not really an option for me with import restrictions throughout latin america - but there's quite a selection in the price spread from $6K to $30K in the older vehicles.

But I'd have to say it's going to be much less problematic to use a single vehicle rather than swing a trailer, even if it is a 5th wheel.

ganjoa

Originally posted by ganjoa
Interesting and timely topic - we've just begun planning a retirement haven selection trip thoughout Central & South America before settling down permanently and have been considering the same scenario. I our case it's very easy to pick the "motor home RV" over the RV trailer considering the status of the roads, sea shipping across the Darien Gap and the extreme hassle of dealing with a trailer for a trip of 25,000 miles over 3-5 years. What's REALLY caught my eye is the "Class C Toy-hauler" which has a mini-RV motor home with attached garage (2 motorcycles) - only problem is those are 30-40 feet which is pretty big for roads down south.

I've been looking into small motor homes and most of what I'm finding is over 10 years old so it's not really an option for me with import restrictions throughout latin america - but there's quite a selection in the price spread from $6K to $30K in the older vehicles.

But I'd have to say it's going to be much less problematic to use a single vehicle rather than swing a trailer, even if it is a 5th wheel.

ganjoa

Go down in a beat up VW bus and you'll fit right in. go down in a nice new modern camper van and it's like painting a sign on the door saying "i'm a rich american, please Rob me okay!"

I personally would go with a camper van. If you need to suddenly move in the middle of the night I would rather be in the camper van rather than have to exit the trailer and then get into my towing vehicle. I have previously owned a 1971 VW van and loved it. Typically bells and whistles break and I would recommend keeping everything simple and therefore easier to fix.

I have a 25' class "A",older than dirt.

Everything I own fits into it,I fly ultralight,I haven't been home (at my camper),for over a year.

Got layed off around 2002 and been on walkabout since then,got a reasonably good job for awhile,6 years,then layed off again.........

Mobility is the way to go,but you have more when you live out of a backpack,and ride a dual purpose big single.

I sold that,and am riding my bicycle.

I would suggest getting so small you are almost invisible.

That's what you call "Freedom".

My class "A" will probably be for sale if I ever find my way back to Florida.

But I would go with just a simple van,or class "B" if I had to make a choice,5th wheels are a pain.

If you have a travel trailer you can set it up and still use your vehicle, and many travel trailers have generators and back up battery systems and propane gas that lasts for a long time for heat and cooking. some links I have below. 5th wheel requires a pick up truck. Non 5th wheel just needs a tow hook.

www.jayco.com...

www.rvwholesalers.com...

Airstream a little expensive But Worth the Quality
www.airstream.com...

www.forestriverinc.com...

www.keystonerv.com...

I hope this helps you, Good Luck .

reply to post by Ameilia


I´m not a dude. I´m sad you only saw this side of my comment. Who said the tree does not serve a purpose (sitting duck).

why not pepper spray the interior? Pepper spraying out of a vehicle and attempt to use it for fleeing might go wrong. What if the pepper spray would be on mad man/woman side.

Pros and Cons either way. And not all survival situations are SHTF situations where you have to make it in a post-apocalyptic Mad Max world. That said let's look at some things.

With a Truck/Jeep trailer combo you have the freedom to park the home and drive the puller. With the Class B or Class C (which is what we are talking about even if it is a conversion van) you have to either drive that everywhere or have an escort vehicle driven by someone else. If you are downsizing from an apt or small 1 BR house that you rented or possibly owned, then the van looks suspicious when you drive it to work everyday. You may have to answer questions that you would rather now answer. Also consider that your puller vehicle will have better fuel efficiency than your van for everyday driving. So if your situation is economic in today's world, and you have a good and proper place to park the trailer, it is your better bet. If you don't have a good parking spot, the van is less conspicuous. Another thing to consider is that if you have a Class B or even Class A RV, you can pull a trailer that has a traditional car, motorcycle or scooter making some of my above points moot.

For a SHTF/Bug Out situation. The smaller van has several advantages. Less chance of a flat tire since less tires are on the road. Far more maneuverable for smaller roads or sudden detours. The trailer can be prestocked and prepped for immediate hook up and go. But so can the van if it is not your only vehicle and you are willing to abandon your main car.

In both cases, either one can hold a considerable amount of items and heavy items versus a BOB and bicycle/horse/foot traveling. However in a SHTF, fuel and mechanical difficulties will be your worst enemy. Hurricane Sandy has shown this with gas going for a reported $25/gal on Craigslist.

All and all, I am starting to lean towards a motorcycle with a trailer as my personal option for Bug Out or general camping. Which means a 500cc motor minimum (750cc and up recommended) in order to have a decent towing power. That option is an expense that I am unwilling to make right now. Personally I am pretty happy with the Mustang. 15 gallon tank, 28 MPG on the highway at 67 MPH last summer. Trunk was large enough for a huge tent, chair, cot, two rifles, ammo, backpack, box of goodies/gifts, bag of cordless tools and circular saw in a case (forgot to unpack them ahead of time and didn't want to walk back upstairs)...and I still had the back seat area and the passenger seat open for more items. The trunk on a 2004 Mustang isn't very big but I was a master at Tetris.

Ultimately, a vehicle of any sort in a SHTF situation is a luxury item. Anything you have is a luxury item when it comes down to it except a good knife. And that is carried in a sheath on your side. And when it comes down to a good knife, the old rule is that two is one and one is none. It really is that important. You can make serviceable shoes if you have a knife. Any and everything else that you carry or own is just something to make things easier.

reply to post by r2d246


I have a 30' class A motorhome at the moment...its great, has everything...full kitchen, bathroom with a bathtub, generator, 50 gal water tank, water heater, furnace, on board propane tank, dual gas tanks that hold 70 gal total... etc.
Problem is it is low clearance.
For SHTF scenario, a 4x4 pickup with a camper is a good choice. Ability to get back to a bug out spot in the bush is an advantage. Once at your bug out location, the camper could be slid off if so desired and you have the pick up free to haul wood, whatever.
I like that I dont need to expose myself by getting out of my motorhome to get into the driving compartment. But perhaps that could be made possible with a sliding rear window in the truck

just my .02

reply to post by r2d246


My folks when they retired bought a 5th wheeler and toured North and South America. They had a great time. One last adventure before settling down for their final lap.

One day however, they came across a accident scene that involved a 5th wheeler. The truck towing it had rear-ended another truck. The trailer they were towing then proceeded to go through the truck killing both occupents.

They bought a Motor RV shortly after that and towed a Explorer for when they were stopped.

I pointed out that the Explorer would do the same thing as the trailer...But my Mom in her wisdom siad, that is what the engine block is for. That alone would stop the vehicle being towed from plowing through the RV.

Then again, in a Motored RV, you are sitting at the point of impact.

So I guess it depends upon the speed and angle of the impact.

In a SHTF scenario, the VW microbus would be your best bet, but it will only get you so far. So a bike with a wheeled BOB should be attached as well.

I have a 40' 5th wheel and a 27' class C . I live in the 5th wheel year round and travel with the C. Gas wa down so I filled it before the election and got it ready to roll. But America lost the election so it's again quiet

I guess in some respect if you have a family then you need a trailer or a bigger rv. If you're by yourself or one other person you could make due with a camperized van or a truck/camper. Actually the truck camper is a pretty good idea too. As some of them have the roofs that lower so it makes it more economical on travel costs.

I am currently looking at a class c motor home, a 1978 dodge diplomat actually for $1200.00. It has good ground clearance to get up into the bush, as well as all the usual amenities motorhomes have. The one bad thing it doesn't have is duel fuel (gas and propane). I personally like the idea of haveing both gas and propane because if you run out of gas, you can switch to propane or if you want to save gas, you can run with just propane. For me, I don't want anything bigger than a 24 ft motorhome, plenty big enough for me and all my gear. I am also looking at putting solar on it as well (roughly $1,000.00),just enough to run my laptop, charge my video camera, as well as keeping the vehicle battery charged when vehicle is not running. I haven't made up my mind on portable wind power yet, and would welcome anyone's advice on whether it would be a good investment or not.