DinDavie

I've had everything but a 5er and a Class C.  I like the Class A I have now the best.  I tow a Chevy Equinox behind it.

So My answer to your survey is;

What you have;  32 ft Class A Gas MH on Ford F53 Chassis

I tow the Chevy Equinox behind it.  The MPG on the Chevy goes from 24-29 MPG

The gas milage on the MH is 8.5 MPG without towing and 7.5 MPG towing the Chevy.  They say Diesels get a little better gas milage but the fuel costs more so its a wash.

I bought the MH new so I have not had any chassis issues in the 7 years I've had it.  It is much more comfortable on long trips or extended stays.  I've lived in mine for 3 months at a time with no ill effects.  Its also easier to back into a space at the Fort than any TT or Pop-up. If I was to buy something else it would be another class a with a residential refrig, All tile floors and electric wind shield curtains.  I don't think the bump up to a diesel pusher is worth the $40,000.  The things I don't like about it are all handling issues.  But I had the same problems with trucks passing me when I towed a TT.

Those unseen things that chew on you feet and legs are no-seeums.  I think the're worse than mosquitos but are most often found at beaches.  Since I've been going to the Fort I've seen wild boar in the wooded area south of the entrance to the fort, Dear and turkey all over the fort, and the last time I was there I took a picture of a really big Owl sitting on the volley ball net post near the 300 loop.  But no ticks.

North Branford is very different from the Orlando area.  Gas is currently selling for $2.75 and you never have to buy heating oil.  Coal is only used to bake pizza but its not the same thing as apizza.  You don't need winter clothes and there is no state income tax.  You don't pay property tax on cars or RV's.  I just bought a yearly registration for my RV that was $50.  What you think you think you need to clear from your current property in CT may be more than enough in FL.  I was born in BPT and raised in Milford but moved south in 1971.  Good luck.  I hope your health problems get behind you quickly.    

Thanks for asking the question.  I learned something from this thread.  I'm glad it worked out for you.

Wow,  That really looks comfortable.  Safe Travels.  Will you be at the Fort the first week in December?  If so , I'll see you then.  I love talking about RV's.

I deal with my jacknife sofa buy leaving it up and inflating an air mattress to sleep on the floor.

Already made the reservations for Oct 26-Nov- 2.  

I think the letter writer asked the wrong person for advice.  She should have asked her older children.  If she is half the mother I hope she is, she wouldn't even get the question out.  She would realize that she is her childrens best ethics teacher and the kids learn by watching their parents.  

I've seen as many as 3 small tents and a trailer on one site in the 1600 lop  by the canal.  Its all good so long as it is not the rainy season.  The pad tends to be the high ground.

The other consideration is how will you use this vehicle when not at the fort.  Weekend trips to a state park?  Going to cities or destinations where you will need a vehicle to explore the area.  Class A's work best when you are on the road for a long time or you can tow a car (toad) behind it so you can park the MH and get to the attractions.  How much will you use the vehicle.  From what I've read on this forum it seems that the folks who are still working but using their units a lot seem to have the smaller tow behinds or class C,s.  A class A will give you the ability to camp without hook ups of any kind for at least a week but if you don't need that then why pay for it.  However, if you've got the money then go big or go home.  You can't beat the comfort of having your own bathroom, (no more midnight walks to the comfort station) and matress that is not just 4 inches of foam rubber on a sheet of plywood.  Did I mention the biggest reason why I bought a class A.  Automatic leveling jacks.  No more cranking things up in the darkness or rain for me. 

Pop ups are the easiest type of RV to tow.  I like all the suggestions to set up the camper and live in it for a night even if it is in your driveway.  That is the only way if you can learn if the unit has any objectionable smells or mold issues.  The tires must be inspected.  The side walls must be inspected for crack and the date of manufacture should be determined to see how old they are.  Change them if they are older than 6 years.  Walmart sells trailer tilres already mounted.  I don't think smaller pop ups have brakes so don't worry about them.  I would also practice setting it up in the dark.

I agree that you should break up the vacations as there is just to much to see in one trip.  We did the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon and Flagstaff and it took two weeks not counting travel time to get there.  Our best trip was to the Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone.  We went in early June and all the Bears had just come out of hibernation and looking for food.  The Tettons and Jackson Wyoming plus a side trip to Cody took us away from home for almost 3 months.  The thing about the Grand Canyon is that you can't just go and look at it.  You need to stop and experience the sunset from the east entrance.

The weather changed before it was completely set up.  Judging from the shadow changes it took most of the day

I was thinking the same thing Lou was.  Just another attraction for the free loaders.  Unless you could require the use of your majic band to activate it.  You could also do something like the old Horn and Hardart Automat in New York using the majic band to open little doors with food behind them.

Best:  I can be there in three hours and never want to leave.

Worst:  All the able bodied adults and children who are driving around epcot in those 3 wheel scooters.  Expecially the the 20 ish guy built like a gymnast wearing a blue shirt with a big red S on his chest, holding a solo cup of beer and complaining about all the people in his way.  But thats just me, I could be wrong.

If this helps, I just drove from Myrtle Beach SC and made it to Jacksonville in 6 hours.  The slowest part was us 17. I drive a gas motor home and keep it between 55-62 MPH with stops every two hours for streching my legs.  I stopped and then got started the next day at 9:30 AM and arrived at the fort at exactly 1 PM.  Traffic through Jacksonville was not busy at all but I recommend that when you get just north of Jacksonville you stay in the middle lane.  Don't bother with I295 as it will add 20-30 minutes to your trip.  I4 west of Orlando is busy but at Noon it was moving at normal speed which is 50 mph. 

The manufacturers with reputations for excellent and consistent quality are Winnabago, Tiffin, Fleetwood and Newmar in no particular order.  Yes there are better manufacturer but not in a price range under $300,000.  Ford is popular because it is now the only manufacturer offering a gas chassis.  Go to the web sites and look at the new features.  Many are now coming with bunk beds and lofts so they can sleep more people.  Class C's were often better for the family traveler who had kids and a 1-3 week vacation with ocassional weekends but now the lines a blurred.  Take your time and go to some shows.  There is a lot to making a good decision that will good for you in the long run.  What ever you do stick with quality over price.  Resale value will hold up better and problems on the road will be less.

Latch?  What latch?  Mine just thumps in and out as I drive down the road.  Where would I find this mythical latch?

I came from Mytle Beach and had a mixture of salt mist and love bugs.  You should wash those off as soon as you set up.

I never saw any evidence of a schedule.  You just stand there until one arrives.  

How about chargers for your phones and other electronic devices.  DW could not be consoled when the iphone died.

I just made my reservation for 2015 as I was leaving the fort today.  Thats 13 months in advance.  For those who are going this year could you keep tabs on how many trick or treaters you have so I know what to expect.  By the way, Some of the site decorations that are already up are outstanding.

The trailer was removed and the site was cleaned today

I stayed there for 3 nights and liked it.  Got a good deal as it was not fully opened yet.  The pool was beautiful but only 3.5 feet deep.  Apparently it was designed by lawyers.  The buildings were named after old Miami Beach Hotels like the Castaways.  It has a very 50-60's design.  it was very attractive without all the gawdy cartoon drawings found in the POP resorts.  It will eventually have a lazy river and may have it already. The rooms were surprisingly quiet.  I liked the bar by the pool and spent quality time there.  There is a large gym but did not use it.  There was also an outdoor firepit with sofas around it and a playground.  If there was anything like live entertainment or character encounters I did not witness them.  The rooms were well equiped but i stayed in a suite so it may be larger than a regular room.  It slept 5 comfortably.  The restaurant was a big dining hall with individual food stations where you got your food, put it on a try, paid the cashier and found your way to a vacant table like a cafeteria.  There were no other dining options when I was there.  It was an attractive and comfortable hotel but I would not  go back at their current summer rates.  I still like the Fort best. 

Ray, I drove my Class A Ford V-10 from FL to Yellowstone then down to Pheonix then across to Houston then back home towing a Chevy Equinox 4 down.  The Mountains in Arizona were the steepest both up and down.  On an 8% grade I was most comfortable doing 35 MPH at 3500 RPM.  Truckers behind me had a different opinion about the proper speed.  I think your best bet would be a TT that you could tow with the Yukon.  When you get older you can always trade it in on a dream machine.  But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.