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02-02-2012, 06:15 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Logandale, NV
Posts: 17
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New member looking for guidance
Hi,
My wife and I have decided that we'd like to become RVers. We've given it a great deal of thought over the last few years, so its not a snap decision. Anyway, we've begun going to RV sales lots just so we can get an idea of exactly what we want in an RV.
We live in southern NV and expect to be doing a fair amount of travel at higher elevations. We think that we'd like a used Class A, diesel pusher motorhome between 38-40 feet. Beyond that, we know little about what we should be looking for. We don't know the difference between the "Kia" and the "Cadillac" motorhomes. They're all shiny...and thats what we know.
Logically, it seems appropriate to prioritize our purchase, first, on the best chassis we can afford, secondly, quality of build and then lastly on floor plans.
Any recommendations would be very welcome. Thanks.
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02-02-2012, 06:37 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Better concentrate on floor plan in the MH you can afford. We ended up going with Newmars because of their quality construction that we could afford. My parents had Airstream TT's and a Foretravel MH so we kind of looked for a quality built rig.
You'll need to pull drawers out and look at the cabinet construction too. We had a Santara 35' MH that we had LOTS of problems with screws pulling out. Turned out the frames were pressed cardboard and screws wouldn't hold.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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02-02-2012, 07:21 PM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: In a lawnchair
Posts: 11,993
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Howdy and welcome. I agree with Mr. D....the floorplan should be the first consideration. You will spend a lot more time "living" in the moho, so it needs to be liveable. Most newer chassis are dependable. Good luck.
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02-02-2012, 08:37 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Posts: 5,173
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Hello gschwob, welcome to the forum. Take the advice given above. You can see the difference in quality. Kinda like the difference in closing the door on a Cadillac and and Kia.
__________________
Travel well, travel safe,
Jim
2006 Tiffin Phaeton - 2011 Cadillac SRX
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02-02-2012, 09:02 PM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 10,530
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Howdy and
Absolutely give the advice above serious consideration. I understand the logic of your stated priorities but at the end of the day it's going to be the floor plan that you live with so make it something that works for you.
Best of luck.
Rick
__________________
Rick, Nancy, Peanut & Lola our Westie Dogs & Bailey the Sheltie.
2007 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
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02-02-2012, 09:14 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Federal Way, Wa.
Posts: 2,901
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Floorplan---it does not take a lot of looking to get a feel for quality and you have decided D-pusher so chasis will fall in line easy enough. It is very true however that once you have narrowed your choices to two or three then do the intensive look by opening drawers and looking behind in the cabinets to see how they are made---see how the welds are done in the basement area things like that---it will begin to tell you the story.
__________________
I do all my own stunts
03 Dolphin LX 6355, Workhorse W22, 8.1 vortec, 04 CR-V, Blue Ox, Brake Pro----Norm, Barb and
Doc(He's a PhD)
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02-02-2012, 09:50 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Solo Rvers Club
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Zigzag, OR
Posts: 1,063
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Welcome to the forum, a very good choice for getting advice. My 2 cents - FLOORPLAN AND DECOR YOU CAN LIVE WITH, because as stated above, you will be spending a lot of time inside while traveling, weather, etc., and you need to be comfy. You might think about what kinds of activities you will be doing inside - for example, if you love to cook make sure the kitchen works for you. If you are a painter, where will you lay out all your paints and place your easel.... If you're a movie buff, you'll want a great entertainment system, if you enjoy card games with company, you might prefer dinette chairs rather than a booth, and so on.... Best of luck
__________________
'07 Itasca 35L/W22 FULL-TIMING
1000 Trails - VFW - 5 Yrs Army
"NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST"
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02-02-2012, 10:25 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Spokane Valley WA
Posts: 323
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and when you are through inspecting drawers, closets and cabinets, look outside check the DOT # on tires, ask for maintenance records from previous owner/s, pull dipsticks, etc. If you don't have strong mechanical skills bring a friend who does, or ask your trusted mechanic have a look. (Especially if you are buying from a private party), check all running gear. No matter how lovely and livable it is, it is no fun living on the shoulder of the highway waiting for a tow truck. (Voice of experience).
Please do not let me discourage you. You can't be fussy enough when making this sort of purchase. Looking forward to seeing more from you, what you chose to buy and where you travel.
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02-02-2012, 11:50 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 7,469
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Hi and
Floor plan is king. MH is no fun if you hate living with the floor plan.
__________________
US Navy Vet, Liberty Tree Member of Oath Keepers, NRA & VFW Life Member, Alaska EMT.
2009 Safari Cheetah 40 SKQ
2009 Winnebago Chalet 231CR
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02-03-2012, 09:03 AM
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#10
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,794
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Hi folks! Welcome to IRV2! Can't help on the MH question but you'll find all the answers you need on this site. Good luck & God bless!
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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02-03-2012, 09:21 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: FL
Posts: 1,355
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Welcome. Narrow down your choices to three or so. Sit in each unit for a while and visualize how you're going to use it. Is it comfortable, convenient and easy to use? Do you fit in the shower and toilet area? Bed comfortable? Adequate storage? Good tires less than five years old (6-7 years and you'll be putting new ones on, soon)? Reasonable mileage?
Both Newmar and Tiffin products appear to be good, although I've started to see some negative comments about Newmar lately. Ask for maintenance records. Lastly, don't be afraid to make a ridicuously low offer, either with a dealer or private seller. The market stinks. Don't worry about insulting the seller. Unless the seller throws a fit and walks away, you can always negotiate upward. Some private sellers are way underwater, just like in the housing industry, so they are probably trying to hit their payoff, which may very well be more than the unit is worth. Enjoy the hunt!
__________________
--2005 F350 Superduty Crewcab, 6.0, 4wd, short bed, 3.73 gears
--2016 Montana 3711FL, 40'
--SOLD 2014 Wildcat 327CK, 38'
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02-03-2012, 09:31 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Johnstown, PA USA
Posts: 3,326
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Welcome to the forum and I too agree. Floorplan...Then go from there.
__________________
John, Deb; & our dog, Benji, Forever in our hearts.
2014 Coachmen Leprechaun 319DS V-10
2011 Jeep Liberty Jet & 2014 Jeep Wrangler
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02-03-2012, 09:31 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Whitney, TX
Posts: 437
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You've probably seen this advice before, but most of us feel that it is important that you be able to function in the coach with the slides in. You don't want to have to crawl across a bed to get to the bathroom on a quick roadside stop.
__________________
USAF, Retired (1962 - 1983)
2006 Monaco Diplomat 40 PRQ
2006 Honda CR-V Toad
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02-03-2012, 01:05 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 637
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Great advice above, especially re LOOKING behind things for real quality. You will know it when you see it....and vice versa.
One other thing I would mention....adequate counter space. I am amazed at how so many highend DP's ($$$$'s) have every conceivable comfort known to man packed into their coach....and yet consider 18" of counter space as adequate. Lights in the floor and mirrors galore...but only enough counter space to accomodate two cereal bowls, a coffee cup and one fork. Suggest you pull off the sink and stove top covers....and see what you are left with. In way too many cases, you will be disappointed.
Not sure if you will be full-timing....we do not. Our coach, like many, was built prepped for washer/dryer installation. The original owner, however, ordered the coach with a second full sink/vanity/medicine cabinet/etc. in the shower area in place of the w/d setup. Of all the great "touches" on our coach, this feature is by far our favorite. I'll let the readers decide why. But if you can find a coach with the two sinks,etc., and it meets your other requirements, you will soon love this feature as well.
Like you, we also live out West with grades, hills and mountains. On top of all the other things you are looking for, you might want to also consider adequate engine power...especially with a toad behind you. Pulling the Sierra's at 25-30 mph on any given weekend just ain't fun....and can be dangerous.
There is a ton of good info on this forum re most of the thoughts posted so far. Good luck...hope this is of value.
__________________
2003 Fleetwood Revolution DP
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