Looking for my first RV Class A

[rodgtc]

I am iterested in any advice on what brand of RV I should be looking at. I plan to retire in a couple of years and travel the country from October to April laying up down south for a couple of months. I plan to pull a trailer with my Touring motorcycle in it. What engine size would I need to go out west in the mountains? Do I need a pullout? I am looking at mid 1990's for around $20,000 I see alot of these for sale with low mileage. Why are there so many motorhomes for sale? Must be the gas mileage. I just sold my boat it got 2mpg. I am hoping the RV will get better. How much do camp grounds cost foe a Class-A?
Any advice would great
Thanks Rodger

[cb5300]

First of all Rodger, stop trying to shop with nickels and dimes. If you plan on using your motor home than the first thing to do is start looking at floor plans. Find a plan that you really like and then start working on the price.

If you are going to tow then go ahead and start shopping for a DP (diesel pusher) It'll tow alot better than gas. The DP will also have a greater CC than the gas.

You didn't say whether you would be traveling alone or with someone, if you are with someone than I would look at 40 footers or more, especially if I'm full timing it.

Here a few things that I looked for when I was shopping:
1) Slides, whether you want them or not and if so how many...I would
look for at least 3 slides and 4 would be better.
2) Aqua-Hot...is a must have, unlimited hot water, and even heat thru
out the coach.
3) Collision Avoidance System, talk about a great option, it can see a lot
further ahead than you can. It showed me just how important it was
one day on I-77 in the fog.
4) RV Sani-con system, the cleanest and easiest way to dump your sewer

Remember, this is your home, so buy it as such and enjoy it to the fullest.

These are the things that I have found to be important to me and my "better half", things that make life easier, and more enjoyable. These are also some of the MUST have items that I just ordered on my brand new coach.

[namvet]

I am iterested in any advice on what brand of RV I should be looking at. I plan to retire in a couple of years and travel the country from October to April laying up down south for a couple of months. I plan to pull a trailer with my Touring motorcycle in it. What engine size would I need to go out west in the mountains? Do I need a pullout? I am looking at mid 1990's for around $20,000 I see alot of these for sale with low mileage. Why are there so many motorhomes for sale? Must be the gas mileage. I just sold my boat it got 2mpg. I am hoping the RV will get better. How much do camp grounds cost foe a Class-A?
Any advice would great
Thanks Rodger

Roger:
Mid 90's coaches did not have slides I believe. At least I haven't seen any. I believe they started around 1998. I wouldn't buy one without at least a living quarters full slide if you intend on spending a lot of time in one.
While cb5300 is correct that diesel pushers get better mileage, the fuel also costs more and not as readily available as gasoline. They also require specialized mechanics and while most of can figure out some things on a gas engine, you will probably have to enlist a mechanic for everything on a diesel. They also have cold starting problems if you intend on going anywhere really cold. All in all a diesel might become way more expensive to maintain. Then there is the smell of Diesel fuel. It seems to get everywhere.
I have a 33' 1998 Dolphin for sale in the classifieds you might wish to look at as an example of what would be a good coach to spend any amount of time in. Although it's 14.5k more than what you are looking to spend, I doubt you will get a class A with a slide for less. It has a Ford 460 with plenty of power and a hitch setup with rear camera to tow your trailer. To me a 33' with a slide has plenty of room for 2 people to live comfortably.
You can also view my coach at http://www.vr4stealth.com/dolphin.html to get an idea of about what you need for your plans.
On prices of camping sites, they vary with the campground and what they provide. Average should be somewhere around $45 a night with full hookup. While traveling however there are many Wal-Mart parking lots you can spend the night in. They even have a directory on which ones are OK and which are not. While you can't set up completely by putting awnings and all that stuff out and barbequing in the parking lot. They are a handy way to save on campgrounds and much easier to find for one night stays when traveling from one destination to another. We do it all the time. Smart of Wal-Mrt to do this because we usually spend more in the store than we would have at a campground, LOL. Especially 24hour Wal-Mart's when you are bored.... We have shared space with everything from small trailers to huge fancy $300k motorhomes and I don't think we have ever stay at one where we were the only ones there with a camper.
Best of luck in looking.
John

[nmason]

I have 1987 Holiday RAMBLER Imperial 34FT 48,000 MILES
IT was made when Holiday still owned the company
it is built like a tank Hardwood floor oad cabinets
quallity counter tops search light on roof
built in jacks I am in Northeast ALABAMA
it has a chevy 454 queen bed and full tub shower bath

IF you dont want to spend a lot this is for you

MY mom is under medical care why i need to sell

I was asking $16500 I will let it go for $13,995
REGULAR EMAIL nmason@powernet.org
THanks
NEAL 706-767-5392

[jimcathy21502]

Hi rodgtc,
My wife and I spend about 6 months per year in our 35' gas class A Southwind motorhome. It has 2 slideouts and is plenty roomy for us. We previously had a 1998 Winnebago Adventurer (32' with no slides) and it was OK, but the new rig with slides is MUCH MUCH BETTER.
As to campground costs, we belong to Passport America, which is a 50% discount outfit at some campgrounds. We use this often while on the road and between California, Texas, and Tennessee we probably pay an average of $15 to $20 per night. Passport America discounts are generally only good for a day or 2 per stop, but if you're going to be in any one campground for between a week and a month, most campgrounds offer weekly or monthly rates which are much less per day than for a single day. We typically pay about $450 to $500 per month in Texas and Tennessee. Southern California is definitely more costly, but we live here and don't spend a lot of time in campgrounds here.
I think if you budget $30 per night for a long trip, you'll have a realistic estimate. Of course, the really nice "resort" type places are more in the $40 to $50 range.
Happy travels.
As to engine type and size, the 2 motorhomes I mention above were both gas (454 cu. in. Chevy in the 98 Adventurer and 8.1 Liter Chevy in the new Southwind). I average about 6.5 to 7.5 miles per gallon with both, and most of the time I'm towing either a 2000 Saturn or my dune buggy trailer.