Extended European tour

[Dans]

My wife and I have decided that we are in a position to say "The h*ll with it all!" and take an extended vacation for a couple of years with our young children.

Us: 37 and 35, the kids 5 years and 22 months. We have started the process of selling off our house and other non-essential possessions with the intent of purchasing an RV (not our first) and having it shipped over to the UK and starting a 24-36 month tour of Europe in the summer of 2007. We have sufficient finances to tide us over for that timeframe with a burn rate of around $150 UDS per day, the RV will be purchased outright.

The single biggest issue facing us at this point is WHICH RV to purchase? We would like the largest unit possible (32.8' max, 10 meters is allowed in Europe) That would have a separate sleeping area for our two children. Ideally we would like an arrangement that allows the kids to go to bed at 8-9pm and allows us to stay up for another hour or two in the primary living space. They will be 2.5 and 5.5 years old when we start the trip, we have been looking at the 32' class C units with the cab-over beds for the kids to sleep in, but we can't really separate the living space from the sleeping space in that setup.

None of the 32' class A rigs we've seen have a layout conducive to kids at all, unless were are willing to sacrifice the rear bedroom to the kids and have us sleep in the main area.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I would really like to find a unit that has bunk beds setup between the main space and the rear bedroom, but except for a couple of rigs from the 80's I haven't been able to find anything like this. Fifth-wheel setups don't work well over there as shipping costs get prohibitive since they are based on total length x width x height.

[TexasClodhopper]

I don't mean to rain on your parade or anything, but I'm wondering if you considered the same tour of the USA? After all, your fortunes were earned here (I don't mean to be presumptuous.), and your kids are going to grow up here, aren't they? I guess I just don't understand ... I guess I'm totally off topic, though.

An RV bought here would be better suited for use here, wouldn't it? So, why not buy one over there to use over there?

Old Bazzer will probably chime in here soon. He's lives there and is designing a MH now.

[DL Rupper]

I'm sure Dans is a good Patriotic American. Maybe just a little misguided. I would think he would want to purchase Lynn Cheny's new history book for children about the 50 States, and take his children on a tour of the good old USA. Just a thought.

[Kirk]

Having seen several RVs that were built in Europe, I really do think that you would find more of what you are looking for in that market and it would save shipping it over the ocean, two ways. You could always bring it back when you return. My question is, would not the 2.5 year old get a lot more out of this trip if he were 5 or 6? He isn't going to remember much from it, if anything at all.

[hamiltonrandy]

How much does it cost to ship an RV? I say tour the US and Canada, some really cool places here too, and ALOT LOT easier! Maybe get your feet wet here in an RV fulltime before you do anything that could be disaterous.

[Dans]

Thank you all for the feedback and comments! Let me take them on one at a time

Why Europe vs. the USA? Well, both my wife and I have traveled extensively on both continents, however it has been many years since either of us have been back to Europe. Trust me, we spend our fair share of our income here in the USA and all of the associated taxes as well, we won't be hurting anyone by going overseas for a while... all of our investments (and the associated taxes (sigh)) will remain here while we travel.

Kids - undoubtedly our younger one will have few if any memories of the trip, however the older one will soon be forming long-lasting relationships with friends at school, etc that would be distressing to suddenly break off, hence the timing works well for us now.

Tour the USA - been there, done that! We will surely do it with the kids several times as they grow up. Europe is more for Mom & Dad, we will likely take the kids back over there (God and finances willing!) when they are in their teens for a more memorable time.

Costs to ship, approximately $2,000-$3,000 for a 32' rig each way (it is dimensional shipping, measure the outermost dimensions of your rig and then call one of the shipping companies). We will *more* than make up for the shipping costs by saving hotel/resort/housing bills for the duration of the trip.

Does anyone have any suggestions on sleeping arrangements?

Many thanks!
-D

[TexasClodhopper]

We have the over-the-cab arrangement in our Class C with one slide out for the couch and dinette; queen bed in the back. We also have separate shower and toilet areas. Having little ones in the overhead means that they are 'captured' on three sides, at least. I don't think a 2 year old will be climbing a ladder, though.

Something that might come in handy in Europe's tight roads is the maneuverability of the Class C. Lots better than a Class A. We recently visited the quaint (high priced tourist trap) little town of Nashville, Indiana (that isn't RV friendly) and were able to roam around city streets (because there was no parking for RVs anywhere) and turn around in driveways (to avoid driving 20 miles to the next turn.) You might be doing some of that in Europe.

[DL Rupper]

Don't recall seeing any Class A's with bunk beds or for that matter any extra beds. A hide-a-bed couch might do since the kids are light weights. Enjoy your adventure.

[darack]

Hi
Sorry I can't help you with sleeping arrangements but regarding your trip to Europe totally ignore the previous replies. Europe is a fantastic place to tour with so much variety. As regards buying a vehicle in Europe it would cost you approx double. Some countries are more motorhome friendly, for example France, Germany. Look up in Google, "aires" and "french passion". Also Scotland and Northern Ireland has a very relaxed attitude to motorhomes. One last thing look up Google " magbaz travels" for some excellent information on european travel. By the way we are coming to the USA to buy a motorhome and tour the states.
Darack

[JRW]

I don't know anything about Damon rv's but here's a link to a rig with bunks.

http://dealer.damonrv.com/motorhomes...etails=bedroom