Owning a motorhome (or RV) -- tips?

[Calgary14]

There is an RV show going on right now at the BMO Center. Tons of trailers to choose from with prices ranging from $10k-100k. If I wasn't sure about owning one or just wanted to get ideas I'd definitely head down there

[Slava]

I don't think this is the right thread, but what do you guys do with the RV antifreeze? Some places online say to just flush it out and let it hit the ground. Seems wrong, although it would be easy! I need to figure this out either today or tomorrow...

[Nufy]

Flush it to your holding tank and dispose of it going into your next campground. or make a special trip to the road King.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Diemenz

This.

My camping "timeline"

"camping"

[Oil Stain]

They will cost a lot more then you think. I have a 24 foot C class and its not really a super budget friendly option in a lot of cases.

Driving and carrying your stuff into and out of hotels might be more economical once you factor in:

Insurance+Registration+Oil Changes+Tires+Parts+etc.
If you stay at actual camp grounds. Something with hook ups probably costs 30+ bucks per night.
Gas/Diesel. Not cheap at all. Over 200 every time you fill up.


I like it because I stay in a lot of unserviced (free) areas, so it is nice to have your own toilet and shower where there are no facilities. It's good in that regard but if you are planning on doing things near civilization there are probably cheaper ways to go.

Having a fridge and stove to make your own food is a budget saver but it can be done without a motorhome by using coolers and camp stoves, etc.

Fifth wheels, bumper pull trailers are more practical, but I find the feeling of going on a road trip with some people in a motor home is more enjoyable to me.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Slava

I don't think this is the right thread, but what do you guys do with the RV antifreeze? Some places online say to just flush it out and let it hit the ground. Seems wrong, although it would be easy! I need to figure this out either today or tomorrow...

I do a flush when I'm filling up my water tanks for the first time. Typically my first camping trip of the season is 3-5 nights so I want my holding tanks empty to start. So I run water through and dump the tanks into the campground's sewer hookups while I'm there. However this year my first trip will be a 2 night trip, so I will just be letting the antifreeze go into my holding tanks.

Please do not dump it onto the ground. Animals could be attracted to the smell, and get sick or even die by ingesting it.

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I do a flush when I'm filling up my water tanks for the first time. Typically my first camping trip of the season is 3-5 nights so I want my holding tanks empty to start. So I run water through and dump the tanks into the campground's sewer hookups while I'm there. However this year my first trip will be a 2 night trip, so I will just be letting the antifreeze go into my holding tanks.

Please do not dump it onto the ground. Animals could be attracted to the smell, and get sick or even die by ingesting it.

Agreed.

It's very easy to dump when you fill water no need to let it run out on the roads.

[hedge]

while your at it de-winterizing, it's a good idea to bleach the system.

put 1/3 cup per 15 gallons into the tank, pump it through to all the fixtures until you smell the bleach. Let it sit for 4-8 hours and then flush with fresh water a couple times.

PS: RV anti-freeze is non-toxic, you could drink it if you want. It won't harm anything but still better to dump it in the proper place. It'll end up in your black and grey tanks anyways and you certainly can't dump those on the street.

[Tailgator]

As others have said, it's non toxic and supposedly safe, but I would still be careful. I accidentally poured some out on my lawn a couple years ago and the dead spot on my grass lasted until the next spring.....

[calgarygeologist]

I would stick to camper vans (class B.) They are easier to drive and live with. They obviously don't provide as much room or convenience but maintenance and cost of ownership is lower.

[tvp2003]

Bumping this almost four years to the day of the original post. Maybe it's the crappy weather, maybe it's the 2020 deals, but I've got motorhome on the brain again (lol).


There are some newish (2014) and relatively affordable (~$25k) yet high mileage (175k) class C motorhomes for sale on Cruise Canada's website. Obviously former rentals. I don't think the math will end up working out for us but I'd be curious how these units might last over time (they claim they are upgraded models because they need to be "bulletproof" as rental stock but I'm some skeptical as to how they're maintained...)

[bossy22]

we have a small winnebago trend. It's a promaster chasis with a v6 engine. We've taken it down to Moab a couple of times, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Whitefish, Fernie, Squamish a couple of times, Mable Lake, Vernon, Jasper, Banff, etc. I used to own a trailer and hated towing. So for us, it was either keep the trailer and trade in the f150 for a 1-ton, or sell both and get a motorhome, which we did. I far prefer the motorhome.

I would say though, get a used one and do your research. If you can rent one as suggested, do that to make sure you like it.

We used ours a lot in the first few years but last year we only used it for the transrockies. We are going to post it for sale and buy a place in Fernie. For us, the long trips are getting old, and getting tougher to do. I will still do Moab and Squamish, but just do VRBO's now. The RV has been great, but we feel it's time for a change. A couple of weeks in a small motorhome, and you want to disown your family.