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09-18-2015, 12:12 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: work right now but waiting for next adventure
Posts: 16
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New member saying hello and looking for advice
I am new to the forum and looking for some advice from you guys. I am going from a travel trailer to my first class A, My budget requires it has to be gas. Any advice you guys could give that may help me in the purchase process will be appreciated. Anything you like or dislike about your RV or any must have options etc...
I also have to ask the question. My budget will allow me to purchase a new entry level RV but I am considering buying a used one of higher quality. Specifically i have it narrowed down to a new Thor, a new Forest River(FR 3) nor the georgetown or a 2012 Newmar Canyon Runner. I am looking to keep this coach for 11 years as that will get me to retirement. Any and all opinions and advice will be welcome and thanks in advance.
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09-18-2015, 12:29 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: So.Cal.
Posts: 297
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There's tons of threads here on things that people "didn't" like. Most of them are regarding things that don't work or having trouble with.. ie: slide mechanisms and jacks. One thing people seem to miss when shopping is bringing in the sides and see how you (or wifey) can maneuver around the coach while driving. Some don't allow much space. Mine doesn't but we're ok with it. We liked everything else so it wasn't a deal breaker. Also, if you're retiring in this rig, make sure you don't go TOO big. Many RV spots aren't allowing those monster machines.
I did the same thing as you're doing. I bought a rig that is a year old and saved about 40 grand. Depreciation is a ton on these things.. I didn't want it to be ALL on me.
__________________
2013 Itasca Sunova 30A
2006 Crownline 250cr
2012 Ram Laramie Longhorn
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09-18-2015, 03:44 PM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Nor'easters Club Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NH
Posts: 5,099
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__________________
Bruce & Nancy
FMCA F280542
2004 Bounder 35E
US Navy Vet.
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09-18-2015, 05:06 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Nor'easters Club
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: upstate new york
Posts: 241
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Welcome!
Glad to have you.
Can't give any helpful advice but God Bless and Happy Trails!!
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09-18-2015, 06:05 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Fleetwood Owners Club Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North East Florida
Posts: 1,994
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Welcome aboard. For us, the 3 most important things were a comfortable bed we could walk around, 10 gallon water heater and duel heat pumps. We have a lot more things we like about our coach but those are probably the top 3.
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2019 Horizon 42Q
Cummins L-9 450 HP
Maxum Chassis / IFS with Tag
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09-18-2015, 10:23 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Today? Clayton, North Carolina
Posts: 5,093
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New member saying hello and looking for advice
Welcome, salt!! You're in the right place!
Buy older high-end brand. Quality lasts. With a gasser in the low to mid 30s length, look carefully at the wheelbase/length ratio. Manufacturers will deliberately use a short wheelbase chassis in order to create a long rear overhang. This in turn helps take some weight off the front axle. Clever engineering if you want to use a lighter, cheaper chassis, but the short wheelbase can leave you with squirrelly handling. WB/length ratio should be 53% or better.
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John and Diane (RIP Lincoln, 21 FEB 22) RVM103 NHSO
Fulltimers since June, 2012
2002 Dutch Star 40, Freightliner, Cat 3126, 2004 Element
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09-19-2015, 08:56 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: CO
Posts: 928
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First off, welcome to iRV! There are lots of threads on this topic, so be sure to read and search through them.
We started off with a Thor ACE. It has a great weight to power ratio and is fun to drive (especially after the 5-star tune and cheap handling fix). It also is a great tow vehicle and can pull your toad up and down the Rocky Mountains with ease.
You don't mention how many you want to sleep (grand kids coming along?) or how much you will be using it (weekends only or full-timing?).
__________________
Colorado '15 Winnebago Forza 34T w/MKZ hybrid toad '20 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk toad
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09-19-2015, 09:10 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: AZ.
Posts: 569
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purchase
Personally I would buy a used higher end coach with low miles. You will save a lot get better amenties and the bugs should be worked out. Find a floor plan you like then shop for it.
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09-19-2015, 09:46 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Everywhere USA
Posts: 2,107
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__________________
Hal & Jackie .... 03 TS Select 45DS01
02 Haulmark 20' Edge .... 02 Corvette Rdstr
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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09-20-2015, 05:33 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Conway, SC
Posts: 2,557
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A Thor lasting 11yrs. til retirement? I wouldn't count on it since it's pretty much an entry level coach. If you can afford a new gasser, then I'd be looking at a quality used diesel like Newmar, Monaco, Alpine, or Tiffin to name a few. There's a ton of them out there. Just be sure and get those maint. records, and do your due diligence and you'll be surprised what you will find.
__________________
2000 Dutch Star Pusher
2009 Saturn Vue Towed
Full timed for 6yrs.
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09-20-2015, 06:10 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 534
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ramets
A Thor lasting 11yrs. til retirement? I wouldn't count on it since it's pretty much an entry level coach. If you can afford a new gasser, then I'd be looking at a quality used diesel like Newmar, Monaco, Alpine, or Tiffin to name a few. There's a ton of them out there. Just be sure and get those maint. records, and do your due diligence and you'll be surprised what you will find.
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Agree with the THOR comment. Also, avoid the Schwintek slide system.
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2019 Newmar Ventana LE 4002
2015 Kia Soul
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