Hello all, this is my first post on this forum. I don't have an RV (yet), but I am trying to learn. My wife and i have been talking a lot about the fun we could have taking our kids out for some adventures (now 2 and other almost 6 years old, both girls).
First, my mentality, I am not too much of a "fix it" guy, and I really really don't know how to fix cars. So initially I was mortified at the thought of getting some kind of motorhome, and being subjected to all kinds of things that need to be maintained/break etc. Anyhow, after a lot of thinking and looking around I started thinking that maybe a Toyota would be a good fit as Toyota trucks have a great reliability record. I also am not interested in driving around a huge Semi-Bus rig, but would want at least a toilet, stove, fridge, and sleeps 4. Would probably prefer bunks for the kids over a 2nd bed but the models I've seen pictures of of the Toyota's I have yet to see bunks.
Our budget will probably be in the $5k range, possibly a bit higher, I hear the best time to look for an RV is in the Fall or Winter?
If any of you have experiences with these, are the Toyota's more reliable than other motorhome/ RV's? If any of you have other models to point me toward that would be fine, or maybe you can just tell me I came to the right place.
In reading some other posts, it appears the 4 cylinder is less prone to problems/issues than the v6. Are the automatic models reasonably reliable, and inexpensive to have worked on? I see a lot of different names out there like dolphin, sunrader, Itasca, Winnebago, and I've forgotten the names of the other Toyota RV models. Not sure what the big differences are so my plan is to try to zero in on the engine type / make/ model I should be looking for then when I see one come up on craigs list in my area I can go jump on it.
Also, just in terms of maintaining the RV in terms of sealing the roof, AC, fridge, toilet, plumbing, generator, etc. etc. What kind of budget for continued upkeep and maintenance should I expect to be in for, assuming I got a serviceable model rather than a fixer, but a lot of them items are likely to be years old?
Sorry about the lengthy post and questions, I'm heading out for our annual family camp-out tomorrow AM, and hopefully this will be my last year in the tent! Thanks for your help and answers to my questions.