I'm not sure where to post this one, so I figured I would go general.

I'm getting tired of cycling my local area constantly and hotels are expensive these days. I'm likely going to buy an RV or more specifically a travel trailer to pull behind my truck to go to out of the area T-shirt rides (like Hotter'n Hell) and also to use as a base camp for out and back rides from different locations.

The idea would be to pull it to a spot, set it up and use it as my mobile hotel room for the duration of the event. Most of the time will be weekends or 3-day weekend type deals. Anyone else doing this? Any cycling specific floor plans or accessories that make this better?

Curious as to how you see this working out economically. Pull it to a spot? What sort of spot? One that costs money, like a private campground or state park? What about power for things like A.C.? Water? Sanitation? Then you have the cost of the thing, maintenance, yearly registration and possibly insurance. Don't know how things are priced in your area, but I have seen private campground RV sites with hookups go for more than $30/night and up.


In any event, if you have a truck I don't think you need to worry about picking something that can accommodate the bike. Just keep the bike in the back of the truck. Use a tarp if you are worried about it getting wet.

I've seen "toy haulers" that are designed more for dirt bikes, but would be excellent for cycling excursions.

You can stay in a lot of hotels for the price of a good camper, though.

We have a 28 foot bumper pull camper, with three water tanks (one fresh, two gray/black), which works pretty good for two people for shorter stays. If we will be camping for a longer period, we require a full hook-up camp site. Electricity, water, sewer, internet/cable TV, usually in that order.

In other words, you want to do hub-and-spoke tours.

Rowan and I try to do these about once a month.

We have a large van so we can travel with our bicycles, camping equipment if we need it, etc. etc.

On a couple occasions we slept in our van ... Rowan built us a sleeping platform to make that a comfortable option.

We have also camped in tents.

And we stay in caravan park cabins.

When we lived in Victoria, we travelled all over Victoria and even up just into New South Wales and across into South Australia. Now that we live in Tasmania, we are mainly restricted to Tasmania, but fortunately there is still a lot to see ... and this year we've also gone to Victoria and Queensland (although not with the van ... just with the bicycles those times).

Jarrett2, Howdy;

As a full-time Rver, I'll say that here are a few different ways to go about it.
Some, 5th wheel, strap their bikes on the back of the RV. Some with a Travel Trailer (TT),
can carry them in the bed of the truck. Some folks have what is called a Toy Hauler (TH),
and those have a garage / shop in the rear half can be found as either a 5th wheel or TT
Now if you are a DIY type and feel like you want to not quite rough it with a tent or buy
another vehicle then there is the Cargo Trailer Conversion;
Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers ? View forum - Cargo Trailer Conversions
Most (under 14 feet long), can be towed by a Rav-4 or other small pick-up / SUV.
As for camp sites that depends on where in the Country you are. Here in the West there are
lots of BLM, BoR, and even some State controlled lands where the camping is free for
up to 14 days. They are basic (primitive),in nature. Some may have a pit toilet, ... maybe not,
all depends on your level of comfort required. RV Parks generally have a tent area or an area
where there are no or minimal hook-ups (Power, power and water), full hook-up would include
sewer connection, power and water. Cost of minimum site can be as low as $10.00/night or
at an RV Resort the sky is the limit ... So, All price ranges and comfort levels are addressed.

As I mentioned at the beginning, I live in my RV and am solo, so, when I do pack up to go
find another location I drop the front wheel, turn the handlebars hard Left and slide it in the
back seat area of my Super Cab.

Hope this helps.

hank

Seeing as this is a bike forum I assume you care for your bikes more than the average camper. You may prefer to travel with them IN the camper for security and be out of the elements. I am copying this for our nicer bikes:

My bike carrier mod for a Roo 233s (should work on other models) - Forest River Forums

Lots of options. My Dad hauled a travel trailer around with his Dodge truck the last few years of his life. He would find one in decent shape on CL for <$5000.

They always needed work but was cheaper over the long run than motel camping. With one caveat. If you're actually going to use it. If you buy it, used it twice, then just let it rot, it's pretty costly.

Have fun.

Campers can certainly be fun even without the bike aspect. But I have to wonder, what 'layout' configurations could possibly make any difference with a bike? Folks get 'toy haulers' for hauling vehicles but you could stash a regular bicycle(s) just about anywhere in one or even in the back of your truck. Not sure what trailer layout really has to do with it.

On the camper vs hotel debate... depends what hotel and where (often time the cheapest one around could be well over $100 a night) plus campers give you a lot more freedom (fully self contained units can be operated from anywhere you can stay). It's nice to have a fully stocked kitchen with you, your own bed and sheets, no bed bugs, no people making racket on the other side of the wall, etc.

My advice is to try out these trips before you buy anything.


You can probably take you bike to any long-distance event with the vehicle you currently own.


I recommend you try a few of these events this year. Sleep in your vehicle if you can, but worst case get a hotel.


If you are into it, and you think that you will continue to do these types of trips, then you can consider getting a proper vehicle or a trailer.


I personally have a full size van so I can fit my bike inside and I can sleep in it too.

When I was younger, I seriously lusted after a SylvanSport Go to haul kayaks and camp. It's like a pop-up camper designed to carry toys. Nowadays, I think I'd either settle for a tent to rough it, or get a small teardrop or Airstream for "luxe" camping.

Bolt down fork mounts work very well for improvised bike carriers. Basically, mount the bike anywhere you can find space. A family friend has her road bike (650c wheels) upside-down in the back of a Sprinter conversion, with a mountain bike sitting below it.

Thanks to those that provided useful input thus far.

Most trailers can easily be self contained (w/o hookups) for several days. I have seen them parked at MTB races, in the parking lot, not at a campground. It's easiest to carry the bikes in the back of the truck. I have a cap over the truck bed so the bikes can be locked and out of the weather. Check out the small fiberglass trailers. Casita, Scamp, Escape etc.

My wife and I have camped for years. Bought a small A-Liner type camper (actually a Chalet) a few years back because tents were just getting to be too much. Love it as it tows with a Honda CRV, folds flat so you can see over it , has stove,fridge heater etc., all can work off of propane. I'm retired now and we're buying a Casita to travel for longer periods. When you camp, you're usually in the nicest parts of the area, you sleep in your own bed and cook for yourselves. I hate hotels, most of them won't even allow you to open a window so you're bombarded with ac noise or heater fans that keep you up. Cheap hotels have hygiene concerns, chemical cleaners, maybe bed bugs -uggg!
Everytime we camp, I rise early and go for a 2-3 hour ride. Get back and cook late morning breakfast/lunch. Do something with the wife for the afternoon, cook dinner, drink beer/wine while listening to the radio and collapse early, repeat. We try to stay at State Campgrounds, cleaner and cheaper. Beware though as its a popular activity and reservations are often needed, especially during the summer. If you decide to buy a trailer, you can find something for a few thousand dollars to try for a few years untill you decide if its for you. Our bikes ride either on the roof of our CRV or in the bed of my truck, although a single road bike with wheels off will fit in the folded down camper. Go for it, its cheaper, better sleeping, no fast food/restaurants, campgrounds usually have showers and baths to clean up. Whats not to like?

Good stuff, thanks.

Champlain, you can't go wrong with a Casita, very happy with ours. I share your dislike of hotels. Who knows what has been on that carpet, bedspread, pillow....

We bought a Salem 285 Bunk house 5th wheel in 2004 so I could camp for a week in Markleeville CA before and after the Death Ride. (I have done both the Hotter and Hell and the Death Ride. I will take the Hotter n Hell!) I pull it with a 2004 Silverado crew cab with a Duramax.
The trailer layout gives me the ability to have friends stay on out of town rides. The bikes are usually hauled on a Thule rack on top of the cab, or occasionally I just put them inside the trailer.
As for costs, after the initial outlay for the truck and trailer, It costs about $120 month for storage, insurance, registration, and maintenance on the trailer.
Camping can cost anywhere from free for parking at some Walmarts, to $80/night at Zephyr Cove in South Lake Tahoe. Most of the time it is between $35-45/night for full hookups. I also take into account the $20-30/day I save by not eating out. If you buy one, pull out your calendar and make plans to use it at least one weekend a month and a week during the summer. Otherwise a hotel room is cheaper.
We do have some great riding areas in the Sierras that a campground is the best option!
Jerry

Hire a Professional Welder , 10 years ago I heard a Thump right behind me .. riding the causeway & Bridge ,

A whole families Bundle of bikes fell off the back of their Trailer , rack and all and they drove off un aware.