Surfing for RVs

I have been dreaming about buying another RV. I own a Prowler 19', but it leaks, and would need a lot of work to get back out on the road. Plus, it requires a pretty heavy-duty (read gas guzzling) tow vehicle. I have a 1986 Chev Beaumarchais (is that right? I can never remember) full size van.

It has a 305 engine, and pulls a treat, but only gets about 12mpg. My brother used to say I had jacked up the radiator cap and driven a new vehicle underneath, I've repaired it so often. Tires, brakes, alternator...at one point I had the front end fall off! In California rush-hour traffic. On an expressway. In the fast lane.

I went from 55 to 0--without brake lights--in about 100 feet or so. I'm lucky I didn't get rear-ended.

With 250,000 miles on it, though, the van's starting to lose its pizzazz. Going up a steep mountain road without a tow slows it down a lot; add a trailer and I'd go backwards. Plus lately it's been draining the battery, and now rain has started coming through the roof. Apparently the metal has gotten thinner over the years.

I've been eyeballing fiberglass trailers such as Scamp, Boler, Casita, etc., because I also drive a Honda CRV, and thought I might be able to tow with that. These little (as short as 13 feet) jobs are light and appear homey. Keeping an eye on what they sell for, watching on Ebay, etc., I saw one 1972 model on Ebay that sold for $3700 or so. For a 24-year-old 13-footer made in St. Cloud, MN.

However, the towing capability of a 2001 4-banger CRV is only 1000 pounds, and most of these little jobs are heavier than that. Oh, I suppose I could get a tent trailer or an A-liner, but those don't add up to something I'd like. New ones, too, sell for $12,000 plus.

Once I get back out on the road visiting farflung golf courses, I'll be happy.