Making a living Haulings Cars Part 2

Where to find loads, And Staying Busy.

While on the road in 2014, hauling cars across the country I used a company called Uship; to assist me in finding my loads. You may have heard of them; they are featured on a television show called Shipping Wars. EBay with whom we are all familiar with, owns Uship. Even though I am not a big fan of EBay, I found Uship to be a very helpful resource. Uship does have excellent customer service and are willing to help their transporters. Like EBay, it is an auction site. Here is how it works. Mister Carter in Seattle has a 1955 Chevy truck that he purchased from Mister Johnson in Dallas Texas. Therefore, Mister Carter needs someone to bring this truck to Seattle. He lists the transport job on Uship. You as a transporter bids on the job. I will tell you that the lowest bidder does not always get the job. However, in most cases he does. Sometimes the shipper will look at what your satisfaction rating is, or what kind of equipment you are using.

That being said you want to use a picture of your truck and trailer for your profile picture. A lot of people use an image of themselves as a profile picture. You can be the best-looking guy in town but if you have equipment that appears run-down, your smile and your pearly white teeth are not going to convince me that you are the man for the job. I have even seen people put a photo of the Dog or Cat on their profile, bad idea. Make sure that your profile is complete and update it frequently. By having a full profile, you will have fewer questions about charges and fees. Uship is fee-based, once the person accepts your bid he has to pay UShip. If this is your only shipment on the board, you cannot even take a cash draw. You have to have two or more loads.

 Then you can draw up to twenty-five percent of your total amount due to you. They also charge you a booking fee. If you are willing to wait up to four days for your money there is no charge if you want it sooner they suggest that you sign up for their Payoneer card. Once you pick up the vehicle in Dallas, you visit the website to let them know you have the vehicle. Then when you deliver the car to Seattle and the customer takes possession of the vehicle he gives you a payment code. They do have an APP for this, which streamlines the whole process. Enter the payment code and the money becomes available to you. If you put it on their Payoneer card (Mastercard), you have it within two hours, and it cost you two dollars. It does not cost anything to use the card for purchases. However, if you make a withdraw, there is a two dollar charge in addition to the ATM charge.

The trick is that it is hard to watch the auction and drive. You place a bid on a vehicle in Seattle going to Los Angeles, and the auction ends in two hours, you are still eight hours away. Now you can set a minimum bid. And when another transporter gets close to it your lowest bid will pop up. Another carrier comes in and underbids you by five dollars and gets the bid. A couple ways to short circuit the other transporters is by contacting the person and letting him know that you are close to the area. The shipper that has been trying to underbid you is still over a thousand miles away. Even though he might be lower, you will more than likely get the job. It works a lot better if you have a person at home that can watch the board for you while you focus on driving. Or if you have a spouse and work as a team, using their smartphone to make deals. 

As I had mentioned in the previous article if you are using a flat over-deck gooseneck or fifth wheel you can haul almost anything. Uship has people shipping cars, airplane parts, Boats, Campers, You name it you can find it on Uship. However, Uship is not the only source for loads. There are what is known as load boards. Most of them have a monthly fee, and you can contact the shipper directly by phone to make the deal. Keep in mind these are the same load boards that a lot of your trucking companies and independent truckers use.  

A couple of load boards that I found to be helpful are Direct Freight, and GetLoaded,  Whether you are using Uship or load boards once you have hauled a few loads for a particular company and they are satisfied with your services. It is likely that they call you the next time they have a load to be hauled. This allows you to build a book of clients thus avoiding Uship and the fees associated with booking the load. The downside is that you don't have the payment guarantee that you have with Uship. At one point, I had ten loads scheduled only being able to transport one vehicle at a time it was enough work to keep me busy for three weeks.At least three of those were customers I had hauled for in the past. 
This is an awesome business with some real income potential. At the same time, you can help others, Visit your family and friends, see the country, and have fun. It is especially nice if you are doing it as a husband and wife team and both of you drive,  this will allow you to cover a lot of ground and still have time to enjoy the scenery. Visit us often as we are creating new articles weekly. In our next article, we are going to talk about ways to decrease expenses and increase profits,

 

Making a Living Hauling Cars.

Equipment, Permits, and Insurance

Can you make money hauling cars, and other things on wheels? The answer is yes. however, it is a business and you have to treat it like a business. In this article, we are going to talk about what you need to make it work. Like any business and job, you need the correct tools. Having the correct tools will save you time, money, and make the job more enjoyable. I did this for a year and really enjoyed it. Not having the right truck will limit your income potential and cause you a lot of headaches and costly repairs. Some trucks just will not withstand the workload. So I am telling you this from personal experiences in hopes of helping anyone who is considering this business.

The first thing that you need is the right truck. Anything less will sabotage your efforts. The Dodge 5500 with a diesel engine dual alternators and the heavy-duty front suspension is a great vehicle. The Dodge 3500 one ton is another good choice. You have to be able to haul more than one car at a time to make a profit in this business. Either truck can tow between27, 000 to 30,000 pounds it has the torque and the power that you need when you need it. If you purchase the truck new, you will spend between $42,000.00 and $48,000.00 you can find these trucks in auctions around the country for $23,000.00 or less you just have to shop around, there are some good deals out there. Adding a brush guard to the front of the truck is a smart idea. As much driving as you will be doing, the chances of you hitting a deer or an elk is severely increased. Hitting a large animal can cause you a lot of down time having a brush guard can help minimize the damage. You will also need safety triangles, fire extinguisher, and a first Aid kit.

The next thing you need is a good trailer. You will definitely want a Fifth Wheel or a gooseneck. Personally, I like the fifth wheel I find that it is easier to hook up. There is a wide selection of designs and layouts if you purchase a car hauler that is all you are going to haul so you limit your income potential drastically. However, if you purchase a deck over then you can haul between two or three cars on the deck. A few of the trailer manufacturers will build a platform over the king pin. This allows you to haul three Motorcycles, or two ATV’s, or a couple of Golf Carts increasing income potential.

 Most deck over trailers have what they call a dovetail. This is about a three-foot section at the rear of the trailer bed that is tapered so that you have a lower ground clearance at the rear. This is great for hauling cars. However, it can cause some problems in hauling pallets of product. A few manufacturers offer what is called a pop-up dovetail, which rises once you are loaded so that the deck is flat. This option is well worth the investment

There are many small moms and pop businesses that cannot afford to purchase an entire truckload of product for their inventory, so they purchase a smaller quantity. Most trucking companies like to deal in full truckloads so they charge exorbitant rates for smaller loads. This has made it easier for the small transporter to make money on these deals.

A few pieces of equipment that you are going to want on your trailer, includes a generator, Air Compressor, Marine battery, and a power winch. Other equipment includes air hose an impact wrench, air nozzle for inflating tires. I have picked up cars from insurance salvage yards and they will usually load them for you. Nevertheless, when you get to the receiver and one of the vehicles has a flat tire it is a challenge to unload. Other equipment includes several short pieces of chain two feet long. I always used a threaded chain link to attach the chain to the rub rails of the trailer. I would then hook the end of the ratchet strap to the chain. Attach the other end of the to the ratchet strap to the frame of the car. If your trailer is equipped with floor mounted D rings, you can hook the ratchet strap to it, and avoid using the rub rail. A couple of long chains at least twenty-five feet with hooks on each end. You can never have too much chain or secure a vehicle too much. I always used ratchet straps to tie the vehicle down. Some drivers use chain binders either of these will get the job done. I have seen some drivers use a combination of both. There are many good trailer manufacturers out there that will custom build you a trailer when you tell them what you are using it for they will know what you need. Flat tires on your trailer or truck will happen. Depending on where you are, it could be hours for roadside assistance to reach you. With a generator and air compressor, you can have the tire changed and back on the road in thirty minutes or less. In this business, time is money.

Most of your auto shippers are going to be car enthusiasts who have purchased the car from other individuals and they are restoring them. Sometimes the car does not run. Alternatively, it will be in a place that is hard to get into. This is where the winch and the chain come in handy. Especially when you have to unload one vehicle, so you can load another car because of the delivery locations.

Along with the right equipment, you have to have the right insurance and permits, it is just good business and it is ethical. Insurance is going to be one of your biggest expenses. You want to have at least a million dollars in liability. Depending on the types of vehicles that you are, hauling it is suggested that you carry at least five hundred thousand dollars in cargo insurance. You can save some money here by choosing a higher deductible however you need to have the deductible amount in a separate bank account in the event of a loss.

For example, you have a five thousand dollar deductible for cargo insurance. Loaded on the trailer; you have a 1969 Mustang, a 1976 VW Beatle, and a 1980 Corvette. Somehow or another the Corvette comes loose the back end of the Corvette hits the pavement before you can get stopped. You can see that there is some serious damage done to the undercarriage. The total value of the Corvette is valued at eighteen thousand dollars. You find out that you have seven thousand dollars in damages and you only have three thousand in your bank account. Your insurance company is only going to pay your customer two thousand dollars, you give the customer the three thousand that you have, and this still leaves you two thousand dollars short. This could be very devastating; you have to either to take out another loan, deplete your operating account, or risk a lawsuit by the customer. In addition to the bad word of mouth that you are getting. 

You can also save money on your comprehensive and uninsured motorist insurance by having the higher deductibles again you will want to have the money in the bank to cover the deductible. Otherwise, it could easily put you out of service if you were to hit an elk, a deer, or if someone hit your truck that was uninsured, the repairs could be costly. Check with your insurance carrier, sometimes it makes more sense to pay a little more for the insurance for a lower deductible until so you save up the money to set aside.

To operate a truck and trailer of this size, you will be required to have a commercial driver's license. Many people cringe at the idea of obtaining this. However, it is not that hard to do, and it is well worth it. It is the only way that you can haul enough freight at one time to make a good living. Should you choose to risk it as some drivers do. Keep in mind that a single violation from the department of transportation could put you out of business quickly. Not to mention the possibility of jail time, it just is not worth the risk. You will also need a DOT number and an MC number. I contacted a company by the name of Foley Carrier Services they will be happy to help you set everything up and they stand behind their work. If you do it yourself and make a mistake, it can be costly. One driver I knew was stopped in Indiana he filed his own paperwork and had the wrong GVWR on his permit he received a ticket for over three thousand dollars. It just is not worth it. Foley Carrier Services also offers a wide variety of others services that you will be interested in. You will also be required to keep a logbook, this really is not as hard as it seems and often drivers make a bigger issue than they need to. As I mentioned I did this for a year, I did not have the correct truck, which cost me a lot of money in repairs. I also had a trailer that would only haul one vehicle; on occasion, I would have a motorcycle in the bed of the truck. I could not afford the cargo Insurance. That being said there were a lot of tense moments and the stress was just unbearable. Fortunately, I never lost anybody's vehicle. I was below the weight rating so I never had to enter the DOT scales nor did I keep a log book. Be sure to visit my blog often as I will be posting additional articles about the hotshot freight business. 

Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Cab-Over Camper

Cab-over campers, truck campers, or slide in campers as some folk's call them all started back in the early 1950's. The pioneer of this camping phenomena Was Merle D McNamee After world war two the pickup truck rapidly gained popularity amongst the general population. Prior to the war, pickup trucks were primarily used for businesses and farms. Merle was an avid camping enthusiast, who knew that there had to be a better way to go camping. So he designed the first slide in truck camper, which was not much more than just a box with a couple of cots thrown in to sleep on.  We can thank Merle for many of the features that cab-over camper manufacturer's use today. These features include the stand-up height, the bed over the cab, corner mounted jacks, indoor appliances, and more. From Merle's truck camper design, the Class C or mini motor home was born.  

There are just a few companies, that are still manufacturing cab-over campers in the United States today. These Cab-over Camper manufactures  are at the top of the RV marketplace. Part of this has to do with the roller-coaster economy over the last 20 years, which has  put some of the smaller manufacturers out of business; leaving the older and stronger companies to grow and prosper. Cab-over campers seem to be more popular in the Western, one-third, of the United States. This is also a contributor to the decline in the popularity in this segment of the RV industry across much of the nation. The popularity of these campers in the west has to do with ruggedness terrain which we enjoy. It is not uncommon to see a truck with a Cab-over camper pulling a  boat, horse trailer, or a utility trailer loaded with ATV’s. 

These campers come in various sizes, as small as six foot, and as large as thirteen foot, Since the popularity of Cab-over campers has grown, they are becoming more luxurious with slide+outs, side entrance doors. Which makes it easier to get in to the camper. Most of the campers contain the same amenities as full size travel trailers, such as refrigerator, stove, oven, water heater, bathroom, microwave and more. Obviously the bigger the camper the more it weighs. This could be a problem, for you the buyer. If you already have a truck it is crucial to pick the right camper that will not overload the truck. Just an example, the Palomino Backpack HS800 weighs in at 1675 pounds. This camper will be fine on your Ford F150, Dodge 1500, or the Chevrolet 1500 series. If you have an F150 or the 1500 series trucks you can push the envelope slightly by adding overload springs to your truck. You have to understand that when they made that truck; the engine and drive train were designed to move a specific amount of mass down the road. The brake system was also designed to stop a specific amount of mass. You should visit your owner's manual for more specific information. One of my favorite trucks for hauling a cab-over camper is the Ford F350 or the F450 with dual wheels. This truck will accommodate just about any cab-over you choose.  If you are looking for both the truck and the camper you should purchase a truck, slightly bigger than what you need. The advantage to this is that you have a truck that will handle the load. Also in the event that you decide, that you want a bigger camper at a later date, you have enough truck to handle it. This also goes well if you are towing a trailer or boat.

Cab-over campers appear to be very expensive. When you think about the size of it compared to the price of a travel trailer or fifths-wheel,  The reality of it is this, Cab-over campers have all the same amenities that a travel trailer or fifth-wheel will have; in a more condensed space. Because of this, a cab-over camper can seem quite costly you have to look beyond the price tag, and at what you are getting for the price

 Since these campers are somewhat condensed it can feel cramped with five people in it on a rainy day, or at night when you are getting ready for bed. For a family of three or four it is very comfortable. Most all of these campers have a place for a television DVD player with theater sound. Most of the luxuries that you have at home  

Back in the late 90's Manufacturers of cab-over campers solved the space issues by adding floor plans with slide-outs. This feature added eighteen square feet or more to the livability of the camper This also makes the cab-over camper weigh more Northwood's Arctic Fox model 1140 weighs in at 3465 pounds. If you are trying to keep the weight down the Bigfoot 25C10.6E weighs in at 2600 pounds dry weight and has no slide out.  Another option is the CLTC10 Camplite it comes in at 2190 pounds dry weight

Structural technology has come a long way. Back in the early 70's cab-over campers were all made of 2X2 wood construction and tin metal skin. Now, most of the high line cab-over campers are built using a 2X2 aluminum structure for the floor joist topped with one and one quarter inch plywood. Walls are made with 1X1 inch aluminum studs welded in a jig. The vacant areas are packed with foam insulation. Afterward, both sides are sprayed with a very strong adhesive; this is then overlaid with a fiberglass skin, on one side, and interior paneling on the other side. This structure is then run through a set of pinch rollers. When the structure is done it is three times stronger with half of the weight, of the old stick a Tin construction. This type of construction has allowed manufacturers to build larger campers that weigh less than those of days gone by.

Space has to be used wisely. In the smaller Campers gray and black holding tanks are significantly smaller. The bathroom is another area which space is condensed. Smaller cab-over campers have what they call a wet bath. When you step into the bathroom it is a one piece shower pan with a curtain that goes across the door, keeping it as dry as possible. The toilet is also located in this small cubicle. On the larger campers, the holding tanks are larger. And depending on the floorplan you could have a dry bath or a wet bath.

Storage can be an issue. Obviously you lose the use of the bed of your truck. Most cab-over do not have a lot of outside storage. Therefore, you have to use the floor space in the camper for larger items. This means that you have to be very frugal about the amount of camping gear that you pack; the way you pack it is just as important. With my experience in the RV industry, I can offer you a few tips. Lay a carpet runner down on the floor that has a rubber backing. Place cardboard on both sides of the floor area leaning it against the paneling to protect it from scratches. You can also wrap any sharp objects with a cloth and duct tape.

These campers are a unique unit within the Recreational Vehicle industry. If you use your truck for work as well as play, the cab-over camper is a good way to go. Simply remove the camper from your truck, for work. Then reload it for the weekend trip. This camper also allows you to pull a trailer hauling your other toys. You are not limited to the places that you can camp; the cab-over camper will go where ever your truck will go, so if you have a favorite fishing spot that is off road, then go. Cab-over campers can actually save you money. If you owned a motorhome and still had to have the truck for work now you have two vehicles that you have to perform preventive maintenance on Two vehicles to purchase gas, tires, and oil for, just to mention a few.

Cab-overs are great for dry camping, especially if you do live, or travel in the Great Northwest. In most places, here in the northwest you can get by without an Air-conditioner. Therefore, the only electric power you really need is to charge the batteries in the camper. With the modern technological advances that they have made in solar power, more camping enthusiast are turning to solar power each year. It is little pricey to get started with solar power. You will find that the investment is well worth it. You can purchase an 85-watt solar panel with everything you need to install it safely and correctly for less than a thousand dollars. Some solar panels are mounted on the roof of the camper. There are pros and cons to this. Pros include, that it is always working. One of the cons are that to secure it you have drill holes in your roof; this can lead to a potential leak   When dry camping you will only have 12-volt power. If you have the desire to have 110-volt power you can purchase a portable generator, there are several of them on the market. Keep in mind you want a 4000 watts or larger, this will carry most of your appliances plus your air-conditioner.  You will also want to make sure that it has a 30 amp outlet on the face panel. Depending on where you are going you will want to carry a good supply of water.

There are several ways to install your Cab-over camper onto your truck. The most common for smaller comb-over's; use mounting brackets which fit into the four corner stake pockets Turnbuckles are connected to the brackets the other end is attached to the cab-over then tightened. The Belly Bar is another method this is recommended for heavier and larger campers. If you are purchasing the camper, new ask the dealer for his recommendation. You can also ask him about the Happijac system or the Torklift tie downs both of these seem to be safe and very durable.  

Cab-over campers have a natural tendency to feel top heavy when going around corners or in windy conditions.  This is one of the reasons that I prefer the Ford F350 with dual rear wheels; the wider footprint in the rear gives it more stability at corners and in windy conditions. If you don't have the luxury of owning one of these one-ton trucks, there are other options. Camper struts; these are like shock absorbers which will help to absorb most of the side to side motion. The upper end connects to the bottom side of the cab-over. The other end connects to brackets mounted to the truck at the lower corners of the windshield.

I hope that I have provided you with some helpful information about truck-mounted campers. There is a great wealth of information out there concerning this segment of the Recreational Vehicle Industry. In my next article, we will talk about truck campers for the smaller trucks.  Below is a list of Cab-over Camper manufacturers that you should check out.

·       Lance

·       Real-lite

·       Maverick by Palomino

·       Bigfoot

·       Eagle Cap

·       Arctic Fox

10 Important Tips for Buying a Recreational Vehicle By Ron Downing

Tips to help you make the right choice for you, verses what the salesman wants you to buy. So the big year is finally hear, the year where you can retire and take life easy.  After all you have worked hard to arrive at this place in your life. With so many choices how do you know what is a good fit for your lifestyle. The best way to figure this out is to ask yourself some questions before you ever visit the RV Dealership.

1.     What is our budget for the RV?

The amount you invest will conclude the size, elegance and the amenities that will be on the recreational vehicle that you purchase. New class C motor homes can range from $65,000-165,000 for a good quality coach. Class A Motor Homes range from $95,000 - $160,000 for gas engines. Class A Motor homes with Diesel engines start out at $185,000 to a million or more.  Travel Trailer and fifth wheels range from $18,000.00 to $79,000.00 The good thing about purchasing a new vehicle is that you have the manufactures warranty. You know how it has been taken care of. Most dealers have some stock units. These units are typically ordered by the dealer in the interior color, that is the number one or two colors that the manufacture builds the most units of. Dealers also outfit stock units with options that their experience has suggested is the most preferred by the end user conversely if you desire a custom built unit with all the amenities that you want and the colors and floor plan that you like then you can order your RV. This could cost you a little extra, merely because dealers are motivated to sell you a unit that they currently have on hand. If you order a unit it could take up to 12 weeks to arrive, divergent to taking delivery in just a few days.

2.     Do we want to buy a pre-owned vehicle?

Buying a used vehicle unquestionably has its ups and downs. On the positive aspect you are benefiting from the first owner taking the depreciation. In these economic times it can be a buyer's market. However there are some things to consider when buying the pre owned vehicle. The first thing is make sure everything on the vehicle works. Most respectable dealers will guarantee the vehicle for thirty days. If you are buying it from an individual you in all probability will not have any recourse. A refrigerator that goes bad could set you back as much as $2000 or more. This one costly repair alone can make a delightful arrangement curdle quickly.  Depending on the age of the vehicle you can purchase extended service plans. These vary in price and coverage so make sure that you know what it covers.  Since the price varies you can usually negotiate for a better deal. If you are in doubt about something don't be afraid to ask. After all it is your money. 

3.     What is our travel style going to be?

This one question can stir up a lot of ideas, but I will be brief. If you want the freedoms of being able move-about during the trip such as using the bathroom, grabbing something to eat without stopping, taking a nap on the bed, Or if you plan on taking a pet on the road with you. Then you might want to consider a Class C or a class A motor Home.However, if none these things apply to you and you already own a vehicle that is designed for towing. Then a travel Trailer or fifth wheel is a good choice. Keep in mind that most likely you will be towing something either way. Purely for the reason that if you are using a motor home, once you have parked. Should you desire to go sightseeing, you are going to want to take something more fuel efficient and easier to get around in.

4.    We want to purchase a Motor home. Do we want to purchase gas or Diesel

When it comes to buying a motor Home, One of the significant factors in making this assessment of Gas or Diesel is knowing how far you are going, and how often you are going to be in the motor home. My suggestion is this if you are not going to put more than 25000 miles per year then save your money and buy the gas powered unit. Chassis with Diesel engines usually cost $15,000 - $30,000 more than gas. Mind you it's, not just the engine that cost more it requires a heavier chassis as well.  While Diesel engines may last longer and have fewer breakdowns. Just the preventive maintenance can be rather costly. If you do have a breakdown it is usually a $1500 Minimum. There are a lot of coaches on the market that are being labeled introductory diesel units. Ask questions and visit the various chassis manufacturer's websites. Make sure that the engine has enough power to move the coach up and over the hill. So if you are looking at a 35 foot coach and it has a 190 horse engine that is a little on the light side you want at least a 225 horse engine or higher in order to be efficient. In recent years the gas engines in these RV's have come a long way in the way of efficiency and durability.

5.    Where are you headed in your RV?
The North American Continent is wide open and there is a lot to see. For this you would want something big a comfortable because you will be on the road for quite a while. However if all you are doing is taking short weekend trips to the local state parks and such then you probably don't need anything to fancy for that. There are a lot of RV's on the market to choose from. Everything from tent trailers to campervans, Travel trailers, Fifth wheels, and Cab over Camper (truck campers) these units offer a lot of the same comforts of home. They can range in size and weight, as well as price. 

6.    How long will we be doing this
This will also determine the size and type of the RV you want to purchase. If you have never used an RV before, and you are not sure if you are going to like the RV lifestyle then you might want to rent one first. My suggestion here is that you seek out a dealership who is willing to take your rental off of the purchase price in the event that you decide to purchase one it could save you some money. Now keep in mind you cannot gauge or judge the RV lifestyle by a one week camping trip in a rental, you should try it for at least three weeks. Also keep in mind that rental units are not always maintained the way you would keep yours. Should the unit breakdown and cause you some inconvenience please don't throw in the towel.

7.    Will other family members or friends ever travel with us?

If you plan or think that you may be taking family or friends with you then a Class C, travel Trailer, or Fifth Wheel, are all good choices. These coaches are designed with multiple sleeping accommodations. Most of them are very roomy. Class A motor homes are usually designed for two people comfortably however they will sleep up to four adults.

8.    How much space do we need?

This again also depends on how much time you intend on spending on the road. In the event that you find yourself taking longer trips to further destinations. You will want some room to stretch out. On the average when you are parked you will only spend ten to twelve hours a day in the RV and eight of that is usually sleeping. But there are those days when it is raining or too cold to enjoy the outdoors. These are the days that you will wish that you had bought the other unit that you had looked at. When you purchase a unit that is too small it can make your RV experience a little less enjoyable.

9.    Do we want a Travel Trailer or Fifth Wheel?

This depends largely on the tow vehicle that you already own. If you have a pickup truck then you obviously have a choice of one or the other. You will also want to think about question number #7. A travel Trailer gives you the ability to have a vehicle that can accommodate more passengers. If you are pulling a travel trailer with a truck then you have the whole bed of the truck to haul additional things. A fifth wheel can obviously only be towed by a truck and you lose the bed space to haul anything of any size when towing. These units also use more of the interior space from the back to the front. A travel trailer that is 28 feet from the rear bumper to the coupler only has between 24 and 25 feet of livable space. In my personal opinion fifth wheels are easier to tow, easier to hook up and easier to park in to a campsite. (Look for future articles on this matter)

10.How long will our trips last?

This will also have some influence on what you will want to look for in an RV. The longer you plan to be gone the more stuff you tend to want to take with you. Therefore you need storage space. Usually fifth wheels, Class A's and some class C motor home tend to offer more in the way of storage space. Knowing how long you plan to be on the road at any given time will also influence how much interior space that you feel that you need. I suggest that you select a unit that is about four feet longer than you think you need in order to be comfortable. Six months down the road you will be glad that you did.

These are just a few important questions that you need to ask yourself before purchasing an RV I am sure that you will have many more. Buying a RV is a big purchase so take your time and get what you want. Also visit a campground sometime and just ask someone who has an RV what they like about their RV, and what they don't like. You will find that they are very happy to tell you. Until next time happy RV shopping.