Hi BUSABOB, taking a wild guess I'm guessing you're name is actually Bob
I read the thread sofar and shall try to put my two cents in, about all I can do Bob!
A) I realize there's down sides to "going bigger"; less nimble, fewer options higher cost for hooking up, some limitations on where you can go.
B) power and longevity of a diesel, amenities and storage space
C) Would everyone agree that a Class A is typically better built and better suited for full time living??
D) I'd be concerned about putting too much focus on my toys and not enough to where I would have to live and sleep! It's intriguing though.
E) Thor
Damon
Fleetwood
Tiffin
Holiday Rambler
Winnebago
Newmar
I'll start with E !!! just cause my name is Ed.....
Don't discount the venerable American Eagle ! Yes We own one and we love it, ours is a 2000 but the are available of all vintages and are great well build reliable coaches that where of the upper classes and build with great workmanship and pride !!! Dovetailed joinery that you can take apart because it was dry press-fit and then you can put it back together with some pressure and it will fit as tight and snug and square as the day it left the factory !
every thing is well thought out and in its place with lots of storage and living space.
That does'n mean the others aren't worth looking at, I loved the Beavers when shopping but found them to overwhelming interior wise, matter of taste! I loved the Monaco's but heard to many confusing stories about this model is OK for this but watch out for that if it is 2000? then It may be OK but the year befo-hind is watch out?????? I got too confused and walk from the whole line....
Hey maybe I got bad Advice.....!!!!
I had been looking for Eagles and given up cause I could not find a nice one in the budget we had (lower then yours) But a friend of mine encouraged me to get back on it and look again, and we got lucky and found a nice one.
A) I was worried about the same thing, and do we really need one that big?
first of all it cost about the same for campsites and hookups, very few campsites charge bi size and hookups are one prize for 15/30/or 50 amp regardless of size and often I don't need more then 15 amp to get by, so that's what I'll take.
Or it is one price!!!
Going places ........ once you get used to driving YOUR rig it will make little difference, sure there is a difference and some places you can not go, In two years of traveling (and yes I knew how to drive these rigs already) I have not found a place yet that I could not get in, It may take a little longer
Patience is a good thing to bring along.
B) Great Coach names come with great name Diesels and they come with great power and longevity and reliability like the Cummins line found in so many, Ours is awesome and we were lucky enough to find a low mileage coach (38th Mls.)
We already touched on amenities and storage...... Lots of both!!!!
C) We think Its the only thing suitable for Full time living BUT there are other opinions out there I have to admit, Like Fifth wheels and some TT's, but no other Motorhomes in my opinion.
D) I am solving that Dilemma by adding a trailer to carry my hobbies in including my secondary transportation! I have not fully decided on size because THAT will restrict where you can go with the whole rig somewhat, but at the same time give you more freedom by adding your secondary transportation if chosen right (Porsche, Side by Side, elec. Fat bikes) either way keeping that stuff in the trailer keeps the living in the MoHo !
I can still do my Model building Quads and RC planes in the MoHo on a small scale in winter time.
Anyway that's my two cent's worth and I'm sticking to it !!!
Good Luck Bob and Best Regards,
Ed