The world is my salon!

After comparing the floor plans on Class C motor homes I discovered that the only differences between a 20' and 26' model were the salon and extra storage.  Do I really need a sofa or lounge chairs?  Not  really!

My Salon!

When I traveled in my Jeep CJ7 there was no sofa and I never once gave it a thought.  Two beach chairs and a small table became my living space.  The one time it rained we were content to lie down in the back of the Jeep, read and enjoy the view.  If the rain had lasted longer, we would have just closed up the Jeep and headed into town for a night in a motel.

Do I really need the storage?  Doesn't everyone?  I plan to increase the storage in my Class C by converting the overhead bunk to a storage/entertainment center.  I got the idea from Tioga George!  George's Cabinet Story

Is a 20' RV large enough?

In 1987 I outfitted my 1981 Jeep CJ-7 for a trip from California to Cabo San Lucas.  I cut a piece of plywood that would extend the length of the rear storage area to accommodate a twin mattress.  I had a canvas cover made to protect the area from the raised cargo area window to the extended sleeping area.  Now I can sleep in comfort! I purchased a propane stove, a large ice chest, a propane lantern and designed and built a porta-potti. My porta-potti was nothing more than an upturned apple crate with a hole in the bottom.  Include a shovel and you are ready to go (in more ways than one).

During the trip, my wife and I spent more than half the nights in motels but the times we spent dry camping were my most memorable!  After reaching La Paz, we took several off-road excursions.  On one trip north of the city we were in the desert and saw a single lane road (almost just a trail) leading toward the beach that would not be accessible in any vehicle without 4-wheel drive.  It rose steeply up a hillside.  Being foolhardy, we chose that road.  When we reached the summit, we saw a beautiful  bay with turquoise water and a brilliant white sand beach.  One side of the bay had mangrove trees which indicated there was fresh water available.

We were able to walk out more than a quarter mile into the warm waters of the bay before the water reached our heads.  There was absolute silence both day and night.  The stars at night were so vibrant and plentiful that the Milky Way was as visible there as it is in any "candy isle" in a supermarket!

"What does a man need - really need?"  Sterling Hayden, 1963

Class A, B or C?

Class A:  After searching for over a month, the shortest Class A I was able to locate was 22'.  Class A eliminated.

Class B:  During the same search period, all of the Class Bs I found fit the length requirement (no surprise there) but they fell short (literally) in one dimension I hadn't considered.  I am 6'1" in height and none of the Class As I looked at allowed me to stand straight up!  Class B eliminated.

Class C:  I feel just like Goldilocks!  Class C is just right:  available at 20' or less with plenty of headroom.  Although there are few Class Cs around that fit my length requirement,  I was able to locate a few for sale within 200 miles of my home in Southern California.

Now the only really important criteria remaining were amenities and condition.  More on that tomorrow!