Need RV input and opinions

[fishbait]

I am going to move upp in RV size. Currently have a small 19 ft and I want one that has a walk around queen bed. So most likely it will be 28-33 ft.

Who has one, pluses and negatives. Class A vs. Class C

I want:

Queen walk around (island) bed
Ability to sleep one or 2 (poss, not absolutely required) additional adults

Will be driven from Hillsboro to Newport, Warrington and Tillamook. 2-5 days most trips except parked in Tillamoon from mid Sept to mid Nov.

You input, thoughts and comments please.

Will also have small 18.5 ft Mobile Travler w/ chev 350, 1987 with 51000 original miles for sale fairly cheap.

Thanks Ifishers...........

[newbeebob]

I don't have any recomendations for you, but I do know that my in-laws are looking at selling their motor home. I think it is in the 30' - 33' range. Double axle. Can't recall much else about it, but could get you the info if you are interested.

[PapaHog]

Bigger is always better. Heart, Fish, boat, bank account and RV come to mind.

Couple places this is not true would be the bathroom scale and golf score.

[Norm]

The class C are built on light truck chassis, the class A are built on medium truck chassis. The class A is a better option if you are going to tow anything. Most of the class C units require frame extensions for a trailer hitch which lowers the tow rating considerably. IMO, you will be better off with a class A in the size of coach you are looking at.


I looked at a bunch of them last year, I just couldn't justify the $$ difference between a fifth wheel and a coach ($25K vs $90K).

[retiredgal]

We had a class A 33' MH and lived fulltime for several years traveling and camping the country. We had a GVW of 20,000 lbs and a total towed wt around 23,500 I think?

We had a gas Ford 460 engine and pulled our Saturn behind it with stuff inside. We did gfind we needed a surge break to slow the car down going over the mountains. Lotta of extra weight pushing!

The diesel engine is so much better for towing.

Slides are so much nicer than the older models without them.

I don't know if I helped answer your query but feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

Linda

PS: Consider the length in the places you be camping. Over 33' can be a real problem in many CG's. 30' might be ideal and still give you the room you want?

[B-RUN STEELIE]

True story.. my dad decided he wanted a motor home a year agao. He bought a 4 Winds ( class c ??) anyway, he proceeded to drive it home, park it in his driveway and has never drivin it again. It has like 160 miles on it, and has never been filled with water, nothing.

Its pretty big. Has the things you are asking for ( walk around queen bed, a ford V-10, T.V all the stuff) he decided he wants to sell it but will be losing his butt on the deal. He paid almost 60 for it, the dealer offered him 37,000 to buy it back. I suspect its a 28 fter.

You could clean up on a stupid thing he did if its what you are really wanting. I have looked at it when he brought it home and its nice.

[pdxkevin]

We bought a class c when I was entering my teens. Every summer we'd head out to explore the country. We took it out for weekenders to long haul cross country trips. After seeing 49 of the 50 states and all the Canadian provedences in it, I have a pretty solid understanding of what I will get in the future.... it will be a diesel class c (without any reservation).

They just seem to use the space more efficiently. Look over the floor plans closely and avoid any wasted space or extra weight (we can always find stuff to buy or bring that will add the weight back on.

Look at the functionality when in sleeping mode and the route each person would need to take to use the restroom. How close is it to where your going to sleep. Will it work without pushing out any pop-outs? or do some have to wait for you to park before they can lay down... not that I would recommend that because everyone should be buckled in when the vehicle is in motion... and not making a meal, using the restroom, taking a nap, etc...

I remember some of the trips we took back then... there were times we would all head to sleep while my dad still drove down the road. Somewhere he would pull over and get some sleep and be back on the road before us kids we even awake. really look over the layouts and functionality for different uses. After years of RV shows and website reviews, I am still going to get the class c.

[someguy29187]

Most class C's are built on very light duty van chassis, which isn't the best for towing. However there has been a new industry trend come about, they are moving to the Kodiak chassis, which is a medium duty chassis from GMC and Chev. Class C's are nice if you want something a little bit smaller, but low on power.

Class A's are usually built on Chevy Workhorse or Ford chassis. There usually set up for towing and can handle roughly 5000 LBS. If you want storage a class A is probably the way to go.

Most likely you will run into a rear slide out queen bed or a just a queen bed with a slide out dinette and sofa combo. There is so many brands out there that don't be afraid to shop around for what suits you the best.

[k9jeff]

I have a 30' class A and tow either my Jeep or my boat when we camp.

Know you chassis! I have a p-30 chassis which needed several upgrades to handle correctly on the road without wandering. You can spend about 20k and end up with a nice used unit with low miles. Mine had 20k miles on it with 19 hours on a 4k genny when I bought it. We just spent a week at wallowa lake dry camping without hookups and did not have a problem working off the batteries. It does have a walk around queen bed, the dinette drops to a bed and the couch folds down. We sleep four with room to spare. Sofa, Dinette, chairs, microwave, tv/dvd, 4k generator, awning, A/C ect,,, its really roughing it.:grin:

Reasearch and get what you want. I went with a class A becasue there is more room, its more open, I can haul more with it, its relaxing to drive and we found a unit which was stored indoors and looked like it was new and got it at a good price.

Down side: I was really happy with getting a whole 8 miles per gallon loaded while towing the boat.

Check out RV.NET which has a bunch of informaiton on first time buyers, information on chassis, manufactures, and just about anything else you could want to know. Its like the Ifish for Rv's.

Good luck, I you have any questions I might know tha answer.

Jeff

[Bucolic buffalo]

We have an Allegro 30' and love it. It has duel slides and a Tritan V 10 with a Banks power package on it. We bought it so we could tow the boat or the car. Just got back from Odell and it towed the NR 21' Seahawk like it wasn't back there. It is good for two people and sleep 3 with the sofa. Ours gets 8 to 8.5 mpg towing. A diesel would get better but diesel was more expensive when we bought it. One thing to look at is not only the towing capacity but the fresh water, grey water and black water capacities. Some have pretty small holding capacities. The Allegro doesn't. If I had a choice today I would go with the Chevy Workhorse power and chassis. I haven't had a problem with the Ford but the Workhorse is also good. Another thing to look at the the distance from the rear wheels to the end of the coach if you want to tow a boat. Closer is better. A 32' gives you lots more room with out detracting from the towing so if you can find one it would be better. It all comes down to $$$$ and personal preferences. Drive them, walk through them, talk to owners and when you find what you want get it.

[Musicman]

I have a 34' Class C, love it...have a 25' class A...hated it...good luck Steve!

[fishbait]

Thanks.

Found a 94 Bounder, 34 ft, 28K miles, new tires, all the extras, IE: self levers, solar panel, larger fridge, very good condition, $14K.