Whats the best thing to get if you want a bed, kitchen, shower, bathroom that flushes?
Class C RV?
you can get all those things in trailers, 5th wheels, motorhomes, and campers
for instance, here's about the smallest Northwood 5th wheel that company makes (Desert Fox):
https://northwoodmfg.com/5th-wheels/fox-mountain/fox-mountain-235rls-2/
I'm not schilling for Northwood. I just picked them because I'm familiar with their RV's and they are headquarted in LaGrande, Oregon. There are many more manufacturers out there
you could find about the same floor plan in one of their smaller trailers
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the same company also makes Arctic Fox campers. Here's a floor plan of their 2nd biggest model:
https://northwoodmfg.com/truck-campers/arctic-fox-camper/af-camper-1140/
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be advised that campers feel smaller than their floor plans imply. The bathrooms are tiny. It also takes time to load and unload campers making them fairly unsuitable for camping in one spot if you want to explore. By contrast, a half a dozen times I've "dropped" my 5th wheel for 6-10 days in a spot in the Steens Mountains at about 6500'. With the pickup free, I can explore and drive around plenty. Take 200 mile day trips if I want, or go deep into the rough country on a 4X4 road. But you can't do that with a motorhome, and it's labor intensive to drop a camper in the boonies
again, if you are sticking to pavement and don't mind changing spots often, a motorhome works. You can also get a motorhome powerful enough to tow a 'toad', which is a car you can then unhitch and explore with
if you're dry camping you need to keep track of your tanks, fresh, gray, & black. For instance, that 5th wheel above has a 59 gallon freshwater tank; a 42 gallon gray water tank (sinks and shower), and a 36 gallon black water tank. That's pretty similar to what I have, except my fresh water tank is only 45 gallons. But we've camped in one spot for 10 days and didn't fill the waste tanks. Just about all these RV's will have outdoor showers too.
most will have 60 lb propane tanks (10 gallons). Sometimes a single tank and sometimes double 30 lb tanks. Propane will supply your hot water, furnace, and cooktop/stove. It will also supply your refrigerator when you're dry camping. Most refrigerators are 2-way: AC electric and propane. But some are 3-way adding DC (direct current) from your 12 volt battery system. But you need a big battery bank to run the fridge. I don't think 3-way fridges are that practical, although if you're driving 6 hours on a hot day a 3-way fridge keeps the box cold without running the propane, and you're keeping the batteries charged with your truck
if you're serious, and you start looking at new RV's, be prepared for some sticker shock. Campers can be crazy expensive. I've seen some new ones cost $70,000. Smaller 5th wheels and trailers can start around $20,000 new...and they don't get cheaper as you go bigger. I bought my 24' fifth wheel for about $16,000 about 15 years ago. Then I started adding extras and remodeling a bit. I think I ended up somewhere around $19,000
but you can find cheaper if you go used. Be prepared for some existing wear and tear though
it's best to have a single membrane on the roof. You don't want seams, especially if you're in Oregon where it rains a lot
my wife and I love to camp so even though the up-front cost was high, and there is maintenance, it's all been worth it
never had a motorhome or coach. One advantage a camper and smaller coach have is they are easier to drive and maneuver. Towing a 5th wheel or trailer into a service station can be an ordeal sometimes.
here's a rule: the amount of trouble you have backing into a spot with a trailer is directly proportional to the number of people watching you do it. It can be a humbling experience, especially when the spectators laugh and shake their heads....assholes
True story. RIP Chuck, we had a lot of fun times. And you did it your way.