[Tantrum Cycles]

I am looking to upgrade from the old Winnebago ratrod I've owned since......

I really like the toyhauler motorhome, which I can only find in 2 brands, Newmar being twice the price of the Thor Outlaw. It comes in Class A or C and has a 10' garage in the back with a dropdown tail/lift gate.

Obviously the popular choice is a sprinter van conversion, but I think I would value a more homey place. I plan on taking it all over the US and Canada.

I am worried about the size. The class A is 37'. The class C is 29, which some sprinters are.

My main concern with the size is getting it into various bike events, it 's primary use other than being my road home.

comments?

 

[jonKranked]

last time i checked you could get an old school bus on craigslist for like ten grand.

 

[jimmydean]

Frita is 22' long with a 15.5' box that is 7' high inside. While I still dig the idea of a Sprinter, you can't get a used for $15k and that's my whole budget.

 

[Tantrum Cycles]

last time i checked you could get an old school bus on craigslist for like ten grand.

Don't know if I have the patience to do the rehab. And i don't want to be fixing shit all the time. I already have the Winnebago, which is much nicer than a bus, but old motorhomes, just start falling apart

I'll have my house rented while I'm gone to offset the cost, plus it's a biz expense. This is all part of my evil plan to ride bikes and play music until it stops. So I want to be comfy and reliable

 

[Tantrum Cycles]

Frita is 22' long with a 15.5' box that is 7' high inside. While I still dig the idea of a Sprinter, you can't get a used for $15k and that's my whole budget.

A fully kitted sprinter is as much as a motorhome, well north of $50k unless it has 300k miles on it. Or at least what I've seen so far.

So, better maneuverability and gas mileage, much worse on storage and living space. I need to work out of it too, office wise

 

[jimmydean]

Once all the repairs are done, I will have about $5500 into it with less than 100k miles on the trans and about 50k miles on the Cummins 4BT. I haven't checked my milage yet, but I have been told 18-20mpg even with subpar aero.

If I can get it "done" by end of year, I will be stoked. Looking like I might still be under $16k total, but we will see. The wife picked out way nicer flooring than we have in the house.

Anything north of $20k would have been a deal breaker for me. I am a cheap bastard.

 

[OGRipper]

What's your budget? You probably know this, but you either need to throw down some serious coin, or be prepared to deal with some janky shit. (Probably both.)

 

[Tantrum Cycles]

What's your budget? You probably know this, but you either need to throw down some serious coin, or be prepared to deal with some janky shit. (Probably both.)

I'm ready to pay what it takes. It's a serious decision. I had a blast in the old Winny days, I did all the Norba Nationals and a few WC, from Mt Snow to Switzwer Mt to Snowqualmie, sea Otter and Big Bear. And everything in between,

Driving around, racing ad riding, selling floating brakes and crazy upside down forks and shit. Good times.

But the Winny can't handle that anymore. It needs to be put to pasture, parked somewhere and used as a party barn by meth heads. Or something. breaking bad part 2

 

[Tantrum Cycles]

Once all the repairs are done, I will have about $5500 into it with less than 100k miles on the trans and about 50k miles on the Cummins 4BT. I haven't checked my milage yet, but I have been told 18-20mpg even with subpar aero.

If I can get it "done" by end of year, I will be stoked. Looking like I might still be under $16k total, but we will see. The wife picked out way nicer flooring than we have in the house.

Anything north of $20k would have been a deal breaker for me. I am a cheap bastard.

In a different situation, that would be cool. I bought the Winny for 25k back in the day, with 25k miles.

Now, north of 50 for sure. Nut it's for professional use. This will be the official tantrum mobile. When my new frames finally **%##@#$*** arrive, I'll be needing to sell bikes and stuff.

I figure I can easily get 10 or more bikes inside, with the garage and liftgate all ready

The one on top is class A, but the class c on the bottom has the same setup in back. I can put my moto in too

 

[OGRipper]

Should be a pretty sweet upgrade. Any thought to getting a smaller RV and pulling a trailer for your demo crap? That would be a more flexible set up, but less secure if the trailer is somewhere you ain't.

 

[Tantrum Cycles]

Should be a pretty sweet upgrade. Any thought to getting a smaller RV and pulling a trailer for your demo crap? That would be a more flexible set up, but less secure if the trailer is somewhere you ain't.

I hate the prospect of leaving a trailer. It kills me when I see 20 demo bikes left out overnite, even if they never get stolen, trailers get broken in to all the time. Plus, a cool part of the motorhome setup is actually staying right there, in the expo area. No trying to get out fast to get something to eat and hit the hotel. Chill out, ride your bike, have an adult refreshment.

They make toy hauler trailers too. And my Tundra could likely handle it, but my moto is quasi street legal too, so I'd have transportation wherever.

 

[Jm_]

A fully kitted sprinter is as much as a motorhome, well north of $50k unless it has 300k miles on it. Or at least what I've seen so far.

That's not even close to a "fully kitted" Sprinter. They are well north of 100K.

 

[Tantrum Cycles]

That's not even close to a "fully kitted" Sprinter. They are well north of 100K.

Ya, new, i've seen them up to 150, but if you get one with 200,000 miles on it.......

where as the Class C toy hauler above starts at about 90 brand new, the class A about 130-150 brand new (even though MSRP is like $250, talk about margin)

 

[Full Trucker]

They make toy hauler trailers too. And my Tundra could likely handle it, but my moto is quasi street legal too, so I'd have transportation wherever.

This. And wrap that thing.

Personally, I’ve always thought when I see an RV as a race or demo rig, it looks less “pro” than a dedicated rig. And as you said, you gotta sell some bikes... if it were me I’d want to put forth the best “I’m a bike company that’s going to be around for my customers” image I could.

A toy hauler trailer with a good graphics package would bridge the gap, and be super flexible I would think.

 

[Jm_]

A toy hauler trailer with a good graphics package would attract the thieves I would think.

Fixed

 

[Full Trucker]

Fixed

But if he’s sleeping in it...

 

[Jm_]

But if he’s sleeping in it...

The he gets free ride when stolen?

 

[Tantrum Cycles]

This. And wrap that thing.

Personally, I’ve always thought when I see an RV as a race or demo rig, it looks less “pro” than a dedicated rig. And as you said, you gotta sell some bikes... if it were me I’d want to put forth the best “I’m a bike company that’s going to be around for my customers” image I could.

A toy hauler trailer with a good graphics package would bridge the gap, and be super flexible I would think.

Ya the conundrum of putting your name on the side. Great advertising for thieves. I can think of at least 5 break ins this year of sprinter vans and demo trailers. A lot of times from hotels, etc. And it's one thing if Trek has 20 bikes stolen, if somebody takes my demo fleet....

The trailer thing? I don't know, even in my moto days, I wouldn't use a trailer. I want my bikes safe in the back of my truck. And a truck/trailer rig is arguably less maneuverable, at least when it's hooked up.

Looking less pro? Well, my rat rod Winny certainly looks less pro. And the current version of pro is sprinter van with trailer. like almost everybody. And most of those people are sleeping in them.

I've also been following the camper thread here and many complaints about towing and being cramped. And I will be spending a lot more time on the road than I think most "campers".

lots of ins and outs and what have yous

 

[roflbox]

I vote nay on the sprinter

and yes on a toy hauler with garage with a good graphics package.

having a extending roof would be cool as well, put the demos under it during the day, roll it up at night

 

[jimmydean]

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/seattle-step-van-international/6891302004.html

But I am biased.

When I was shopping for mine, there was a bike shop near Seattle that had an 18' box for sale. @gonefirefightin outfit his toy hauler with a wheelsmith machine and stand. He could work on both bikes and motos without issue. His setup is sweet.

 

[Tantrum Cycles]

The he gets free ride when stolen?

That would be fun to wake up to, nice and comfy,a nice little road rocking you along...when you suddenly realize you should be parked.

That is another advantage of the motorhome. Come and break in while I'm sleeping in there.....it won't go easy

 

[jdcamb]

I vote nay on the sprinter

and yes on a toy hauler with garage with a good graphics package.

having a extending roof would be cool as well, put the demos under it during the day, roll it up at night

My friend Jamie has a Toy hauler. We take our Motorcycles to the trails in it. I pay for gas in his truck so I don't have to sleep in the top bunk.... I don't mind his dog as long as I can take warm outside showers after riding all day. Full kitchen and all the amenities are easily accessible in his...

 

[OGRipper]

https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/60-foot-Muni-bus-for-sale-13904439.php#photo-17569840

Found it!

 

[maxyedor]

If you're looking to booze and schmooze people in pursuit of bike sales, may I suggest https://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-Bluebird-School-Bus-Turned-Party-Bus/303170999049?hash=item4696665309:g:EhQAAOSwd5Jc4isQ

 

[lobsterCT]

I vote for class C - maybe with Tantrum graphics and some claymores for theft deterrence.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

I vote for class C - maybe with Tantrum graphics and some claymores for theft deterrence.

A little strategically placed C4 would do it more simply...

 

[Tantrum Cycles]

My friend Jamie has a Toy hauler. We take our Motorcycles to the trails in it. I pay for gas in his truck so I don't have to sleep in the top bunk.... I don't mind his dog as long as I can take warm outside showers after riding all day. Full kitchen and all the amenities are easily accessible in his...

Is it a motorhome or trailer?

 

[Tantrum Cycles]

https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/60-foot-Muni-bus-for-sale-13904439.php#photo-17569840

Found it!

View attachment 134703

o ya. Party bus. Pull that baby into the expo area and open up the dance floor

 

[Tantrum Cycles]

If you're looking to booze and schmooze people in pursuit of bike sales, may I suggest https://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-Bluebird-School-Bus-Turned-Party-Bus/303170999049?hash=item4696665309:g:EhQAAOSwd5Jc4isQ

This one is interesting. A real party bus that they had to shut down ecause they couldn't get insurance. Crazy short wheelbase on that thing. I'm thinking speed wobbles.

Did I mention I've had the old winny up over 95 mph?? Yefuckinha. It WAS Kansas, but still, about 3 handfulls and my gf was...nevermind

 

[Tantrum Cycles]

I vote for class C - maybe with Tantrum graphics and some claymores for theft deterrence.

I am leaning in that direction. I'd like the luxury of the Class A, but the C is 10' shorter, really as short as the longest Sprinters, with a much more comfy interior and I just am enamored by the garage aspect

 

[jdcamb]

Is it a motorhome or trailer?

2/5 trailer, 2/5 camper,1/5 workshop. He bought it off the lot. I can't remember what brand it is.

 

[Tantrum Cycles]

2/5 trailer, 2/5 camper,1/5 workshop. He bought it off the lot. I can't remember what brand it is.

Interesting. I kinda wish I could get over my reluctance to tow. Believe me, I’ve towed many K, and maybe that’s why. Just something about everting right there

I have a weird feeling that the motorhome aspect is just more easily livable on the road. Maybe injustified, but I’ve had my gf make me a sandwich and grab me a beer, um a rootbeer, while t