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Topic: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family! (Read 479 times) previous topic - next topic
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Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Greetings!
New member here and a beginner RVer who has owned 2 small TTs before--a 25ish Trailmanor and a 21ish Fun Finder.

My family consists of 2 adults and 3 boys ages 8, 10, and 12. We also have 2 Belgian Malinois dogs (think a more energetic and slightly smaller German Shepherd).

We live in San Antonio, TX and I would like to use it for trips inside of and outside of the state. As far as CO and FL to start then possibly DC and CA.

I really like the 22 or 24 Twin King followed closely by the 26.5 mid bath.  I envision us going to all different types of sites from truck stops, the beach, national parks, cities, etc.  I have also thought about a 4x4 conversion in the future...

A 22/24 would eventually require me making an additional sleeping area over the driver and passenger chairs or a bunk over the rear bed. The 26.5 has more space but I dont know if it is really necessary or more of a luxury.  That said I'd like to figure out creative solutions to bring along kayaks and bicycles for the family whether via a hitch mount or strapped to the sides of the RV in some manner.

I would appreciate any feedback or input from you all. Thanks in advance!

Semper fi,
Eric
Re: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Reply #1 –
"New member here and a beginner RVer..."

Only a Jarhead would have such ambitious ideas! Welcome to the group, you're in good company here. One third of my military life was spent in the Corps.

A 4x4 LD, now that would be a first...

Hope your wishes turn into reality but with all those yung'uns I'm wondering where they will sleep, if sleep they ever do!   ::)  ;D
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Reply #2 –
Are the kids sleeping in tents? 
MB with two twin beds.  Twins make into a king for the 2adults and 2 dogs.  2 kids to the overhead and 1 kid in the dinette.

 Else 3 boys in the king.  Parents in the overhead, but front one crawls over other to go to that room.  Dogs get the floor or dinette?

Based on my MB experience with 2 grand parents, 2 adult children, 1 Grand child and 1 granddog.  2 GP, 1D and 1 86# dog in king.  1 S and 1GS in overhead bunk.
The 5yo GS wants to sleep in the tent next time?
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Reply #3 –
As others have said; you need the sleeping accommodations for that many people, so either a 27 MB or the 27 RB (party plan) because you are going to have a busy inside...........................

Gary

PS Your kids will grow up and go their separate ways, so you best get started!
2007 30' TB
Re: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Reply #4 –
[quote author=GunshipDriver date=1553817099 link=msg=200802
I really like the 22 or 24 Twin King followed closely by the 26.5 mid bath.  I envision us going to all different types of sites from truck stops, the beach, national parks, cities, etc.  I have also thought about a 4x4 conversion in the future...
 That said I'd like to figure out creative solutions to bring along kayaks and bicycles for the family whether via a hitch mount or strapped to the sides of the RV in some manner.
[/quote]

With a family your size, a 27' model is your best choice, none of the 24' models will work well and your boys will continue to grow.
Kayak and canoes can be carried on the roof, bikes on the rear bumper.
2003 Kayak rack | Flickr
Bike Rack | Flickr

The E450 front end does not have the excess weight capacity for a FWD axle and modifications needed .
No matter what you do, bigger tires cannot be installed and the ride is and will be terrible on rough roads, the front end has very limited suspension travel, to prevent excessive sway.
You would be surprised where the stock RWD and dual rear tires tire will take you.
A search of the archives will provide more info on the subject.

Happy searching.
Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Reply #5 –
You could look into a Multi-plan with a Roof Sleeper.   I have one for sale  ;D   It sleeps eight and has seat belts for that many. 
Even the dogs could have a bed.  They are rare to find.  I have one of the last ones made with the roof sleeper and it is 1987MP.   22.5 feet long with the Chevy 350 engine.  Small enough to get into a lot of places.  MPG _ucks but it can get 8MPG going 55MPH in the flats.

JohnF
2003 T/K  and 1987 MP w/Roof Sleeper (for sale)
2003 TK
Re: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Reply #6 –
Love our 26.5 rear bath.

Yes pulling the couch out every night is a chore...but I think improving it’s sliding mechanism in the future will make it easier.

If you snagged a rear bath with the double couch instead of the barrel chairs you have found what I consider the perfect layout.

With the wardrobe closed the rear bath is pretty darn roomy for an RV bathroom. Furthermore the rear shower always being accessible means the dog bowls always have a safe space to travel/hangout.

2000 RB
Re: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Reply #7 –
We have a 27' MB in Fredericksburg, TX.  If you would like to see it, email me and we can agree on a time.

Semper fi,

Ross
Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Reply #8 –
Eric, welcome to the neighborhood!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Reply #9 –
20 summers of RV road trip travels across the USA and Canada | Lolo's...

2 kids in a mid-bath, starting at ages 8 and 10.  Fast forward to when they are 18 or so and there are people sleeping in tents, or on the floor, or even the roof.

We started with 3 kids in a mid- bath and ages 4-7.  We could put 2 or 3 at a time on the cab over bed.   Now they are 12-15 and they are much bigger, bring more stuff, and sleep odd hours.   Having a few separate areas for different activities is key.

 Add 2 large dogs, and I think you will be wishing for more space.

As my kids age, we find ourselves taking fewer trips with all 5 of us and more with 2-4.  Someone always has something else they are involved in, school, work, friends, sports, that drops the number of people and makes the camper feel huge again. 

Rich
‘03 MB in NC
2003 MB
Re: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Reply #10 –
While I understand that some seem to enjoy the 'pups in a basket' kind of travel, but, for me, the thought of traveling with two adults, two large dogs, and three kids in a 22'-24' rig would be virtually guaranteed to incite either a diligent search for a motel (a single!) or homicidal considerations, with the latter being the more likely. 

You might want to take up Ross and Beverly's kind offer to view their MB; even with that model, you will be 'space-challenged' (IMO), but it may work, depending on the weather, where you travel and camp, and how flexible and adaptable you and your family are. Good luck.  ;)
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Reply #11 –
Eric

4X4

Have LD make a slight detour to Quigly's in Elkhart when they order the chassis.  They do several a month, backed and warranty by Ford. The good news is it takes less then a week to do.  The bad news $18-20K :-\

4×4 Option – Phoenix 

_________________________________________ "We are surrounded. That simplifies the problem." Lewis "Chesty" Puller - USMC SEMPER FIDELIS _________________________________________
2003 MB
Re: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Joan  - 
While I understand that some seem to enjoy the 'pups in a basket' kind of travel, but, for me, the thought of traveling with two adults, two large dogs, and three kids in a 22'-24' rig would be virtually guaranteed to incite either a diligent search for a motel (a single!) or homicidal considerations, with the latter being the more likely. 

You might want to take up Ross and Beverly's kind offer to view their MB; even with that model, you will be 'space-challenged' (IMO), but it may work, depending on the weather, where you travel and camp, and how flexible and adaptable you and your family are. Good luck.  ;)

Exactly what I was thinking ....read the original post and I was immediately exhausted trying to picture it all......good luck with your search and decision!!
2013 31' Silver Twin Bed
Semi-retired 6/21....
Re: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Reply #14 –
Thanks all for the additional inputs! The part about having seperate living spaces is probably the best justification for a larger sized RV. My 3 boys currently all share a modest sized bedroom and when at a hotel often double up on a bed with one on the sofa. In an RV the boys would enjoy taking turns sleeping in a hammock mounted to the front seat seatbelt posts.

One thing I'll need to be on top of is ensuring I clean/dry the dogs thoroughly before they enter the RV and minimize the dog smell as it is a concern of my better half.  I'll replace the flooring with something not carpet if not already done so.
Re: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Reply #15 –
"...ensuring I clean/dry the dogs thoroughly before they enter the RV..."

You can get an outside shower on many of the LD models!  :D
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Help me decide on the right LD RV for my family!
Reply #16 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"...ensuring I clean/dry the dogs thoroughly before they enter the RV..."

You can get an outside shower on many of the LD models!  :D
I thought that was its primary function.  ;)
Joel & Terry Wiley
2013  31 IB   ORWAN   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE