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06-01-2011, 06:35 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 302
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What else should we look at?
We're still researching for the right class of RV for us when we retire in four years. We haven't settled on anything yet, but at the same time we're wanting to limit what we think about. Based on current prices, we're looking at DP rigs that are 10-12 years old. Brands we're thinking about are Holiday Rambler/Monaco, Newmar, Tiffin, and Wanderlodge (maybe). I say "maybe" on the Wanderlodge because it seems that rigs of the same age as the others are quite a bit more expensive.
What other brands should we think about? We're interested in a quality rig, not necessarily a flashy one.
Thanks in advance for all of the good advice I'm about to get.
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06-01-2011, 06:42 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 10,530
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Figureing all this out can be frustrating but also a lot of fun. I don't know much about Wanderlodge but the others make up a nice list to choose from. Any particular reason Winnebago isn't on the list?
Best of luck...
Rick
__________________
Rick, Nancy, Peanut & Lola our Westie Dogs & Bailey the Sheltie.
2007 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
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06-01-2011, 06:47 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 302
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If they're in the same league, then they ought to be added. Thanks.
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06-01-2011, 07:07 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: TX
Posts: 725
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looking
Foretravel
__________________
96 Prevost Liberty XL40'-Past MHs: 02 Monaco45'Sig,00Monaco43'Sig,99Monaco42'Exec,98Mona co42'Sig,98Newmar38'DSDP(pictured),88FW26'Jamboree .
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06-01-2011, 08:05 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 291
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Focus on floorplan first
Then look for powertrain capacity
Then look into brands
At 10+ yrs range all brands are more or less the same
and almost all bugs have been worked out by then.
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06-01-2011, 08:14 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southampton, ON
Posts: 206
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Beaver
I bought my Beaver at 10 years old and now it is 13 and still going strong and very well put together - no squeaks, rattles, etc. on the road.
__________________
98 Beaver Monterey, 3126 Cat
2010 Toyota Matrix on dolly
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06-01-2011, 08:34 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Hammond, IN
Posts: 353
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My only suggestion would be to make sure whatever you get; the company is still in business and going strong!!!
__________________
1982 CrossCountry - NW Indiana
Ford Electrician
Built WITHOUT your tax dollars!!
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06-01-2011, 11:58 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 466
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kb0zke
We're still researching for the right class of RV for us when we retire in four years. We haven't settled on anything yet, but at the same time we're wanting to limit what we think about. Based on current prices, we're looking at DP rigs that are 10-12 years old. Brands we're thinking about are Holiday Rambler/Monaco, Newmar, Tiffin, and Wanderlodge (maybe). I say "maybe" on the Wanderlodge because it seems that rigs of the same age as the others are quite a bit more expensive.
What other brands should we think about? We're interested in a quality rig, not necessarily a flashy one.
Thanks in advance for all of the good advice I'm about to get.
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Country Coach, Beaver, Monaco and Foretravel. These are highest quality production line MHs.
Jim E
Jim E
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06-02-2011, 12:40 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,269
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Any of the MH's mentioned are worth looking into. Floor plan/price and cargo carring capacity, tow rating are also considerations.
One unit we taken through, with hard wood and marble everywhere had a CCC of only 518lbs. Thats my wife and I and a 6 pack of beer, not a fun way to travel.
Another consideration . Where do you plan to spend your time; as some RESORT RV parks have a 10 year rule as to the age of units they allow in. Single slide units are not holding their value, so unless you plan to keep the unit for a long time re-sale price could be a consideration.
Having said that , we ended up with a 99 Dutch Star DP Cat/Allison, single slide, great floor plan, 3345lbs CCC. Bought in Nov. 2010, 75+ nights and 5000miles . Love it !
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06-02-2011, 06:51 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Freeport, ME
Posts: 4,707
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Some food for thought here. First if the MH is 10 years old or more you cannot get a RV loan. They just will not do it. If it is older than 2001-2003 (depending on model) it will only have the older picture tube TVs and not the flat panel TVs. Does sound like much but most of the old style TV mounting is very different to flat screen mounting and is a real pain to switch over.
I have said this before and will say it again. Do not settle for less than what you want or you will be spending money trading it in for the one you originally wanted. You will take a loss on trading in and moving up so it is cheaper just to get that bigger and better one to start with.
You need at least three slideouts. I like not having a slideout on the curb side of the front living room area because there is no internal wall blocking you inside when traveling and you can sit on the couch and look through the front window and also watch TV on the overhead front TV. You can't do that real well when that slideout wall comes in. Also that front curb side slideout takes up your sit down outside area under the awning.
If you go with a 36-39' MH you will be disapointed with the ride because of the short wheelbase and you lose a lot of storage area inside and out. If you are going to travel a lot then get something 40' and over. If it is a Monaco product then make sure it is at least a minimum of 8 air bag with 8 shocks chassis. Anything less you will be disappointed with the ride and always trying to make it smoother $$$$$$.
The going prices right now are at or below wholesale. You will see a great MH for $150K and see the exact same model also for sale at $300K because the people that have it for $300k bought it new and are trying to pay it off. Stay away from those high priced ones. The cheaper one is the same great MH. Use NADA to get a real price on the motorhome and use the wholesale price as a base, Like I said these days you can find them at wholesale of cheaper.
__________________
Mike Canter
"Gunner" USN Retired, Airdale
2004 Monaco Signature 44' Conquest. Detroit 60
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06-02-2011, 07:46 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,027
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David (kbOzke):
When you retire, how do you forsee yourselves using the rig you select? In other words, will it be primarily for weekend jaunts, occasional extended short trips, occasional extended long trips (cross country), perhaps full time (ie., selling house and stuff), wintering down South, summer travel up North, etc. etc.?
In very, VERY, general terms, alot of folks who plan to go somewhere, and stay for an extended period in one location, prefer the 5th wheel type rig towed by a beefed up pick up or the like because for them the 5th wheel seems more like a home. Those who want to bounce around the country (ie., two weeks here, four weeks there, one week another place, etc.) generally find the motorhome type rig more convenient.
Knowing this would help folks offer their opinions......and, keep in mind, just like our noses, everyone's got an opinion. If someone tells ya that THEIR OPINION is the only right opinion, ....."forget about it !!!"....and move on to the next response.
FYI, we live full time in our motorhome (no house, no stuff stored) and we tow a small car for running around and to seeing the local sites. Doesn't mean this is "THE WAY" to RV, but, this works for us.
Steve & Lynette
__________________
2014 Newmar 3103 BAYSTAR/Triton V10 w. Banks/05 Honda Element toad
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06-02-2011, 08:26 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: TX
Posts: 725
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What Else
We(DW & I) are a private cash buyer/seller that sell to private buyers. In my retirement, we buy, fix up, use, and sell a couple of MHs per yr.
In Feb, we sold our 1998 DutchStar 38' DP to a single young man that worked for a govmt contractor. We sold it for high retail(custom paint,etc) and the buyer got a 100% 15 yr loan from USAA. We owned this MH for 2+ yrs and put 22K miles on it. It road and drove like a dream, w/only 4 airbags. We drove it from TX to Alaska and back and drove on a lot of small whindy roads. We've since owned four 42+ foot Monacos that would be much more difficult to drive on such roads. Our DutchStar was on a Spartan chassis which has incredible basement storage because there aren't any walls separating each compartment like on Monacos. Our DutchStar had one huge basement between the front and rear axles. There are also few other smaller compartments. I would say our 38' DutchStar DP had as much basement space as our 42' Monacos.
Then, in March, we sold our 98 Signature 42' Classic for avg retail to a soon to be retired couple. They got approval from 3 different lenders for 10 yr term with 80% down. They went with their local credit union which had the lowest interest rate.
We currently own, enjoy, and are fixing up a 2000 43' Signature, and a 2002 45' Signature. We always install new TVs in them and don't find it difficult to DIY.
We hope this helps
__________________
96 Prevost Liberty XL40'-Past MHs: 02 Monaco45'Sig,00Monaco43'Sig,99Monaco42'Exec,98Mona co42'Sig,98Newmar38'DSDP(pictured),88FW26'Jamboree .
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06-02-2011, 06:47 PM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 302
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Thanks to all who responded. Our original list of four brands has now grown to eight. The reason for asking about specific brands at this point is that I'd like to focus the research a bit. I know there are probably one or two brands that, at 10-12 years of age, are pretty much ready for the boneyard. Reading about their problems would just make us decide against a MH. Hence the focus on higher quality brands.
As for what our lifestyle will be like in retirement, well, we don't know too much, other than we want to see all 50 states eventually. Driving to Hawaii might be a bit challenging, though, so we may have to try something else for that one.
We are also looking at fifth-wheels and travel trailers, too, so we're really trying to learn as much as we can before we start focusing on any one thing. While we're traveling this summer we'll be making a list of must-have features (and must-not-have "features"), so that when the time comes we can start deciding what class of RV we want. Then we'll start researching specific brands and models, looking at floorplans and features, trying to find two or three that look like they will be the best fit for us.
We aren't concerned about financing because we generally pay cash for things. We have no objection to taking a "one year same as cash" deal, though.
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06-03-2011, 07:23 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 199
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I've been thrilled with our 99 Navigator we bought. It was 10 years old when we bought it and was in pretty good shape. It is certainly well constructed and appears to have the quality built into it to last for another 10. We bought it in 09 at 10 years old (actually nearly 11 if you go by the manufacture date) and were able to finance it (although we only financed a small percentage, so I don't know if that made a difference to the lender).
I'm more familiar with the Monaco / HR brands than the others. We looked at several of the higher-end units (8 bags+). Anyone of the higher end Monaco and HR units would serve you well in terms of quality and reliability.
We had a 5th wheel before the MH. We found the comfort of the MH to be far superior to the pickup/fifth wheel setup when going down the road. I've heard it mentioned several times that if you tend to be on the road more than you stay, a MH is the way to go. If you tend to stay for longer periods of time and travel shorter distances in between, fifth wheel/TT makes a lot of sense. I agree with both statements. We initially went with the 5er because we already had a pickup that could tow it and the 5er is definitely a lot less to maintain than a DP Class A. Since then we've found we spend more time on the road and enjoy the creature comforts while rolling.
__________________
1999 HR Navigator 42DSS
2008 Jeep Wrangler X Unlimited
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