Community Forums

Sky_Boss · 03-20-2014, 09:06 AM

I like the idea of the post, but from practical experience

It is really hard to find your "last coach" on the first try. For that reason, by accidental or otherwise, I would bet 80% of the RV world buys a trial/starter RV.

SeeTheUSA · 03-20-2014, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ie2special

All the advice seems to be one or the other. Buy your last coach first or get a starter coach.

I'm curious to see the percentages on this question.

Our first coach was our "forever" coach . . . we thought. Kept it almost seven years.

Our second coach was our "no-kidding forever" coach . . . we thought. Kept it two years.

Our third coach will have to be our "really forever" coach, we get it next week . . . probably wouldn't make sense to keep shoveling out our kids' inheritance for any more.

PDR John · 03-20-2014, 09:39 AM

When we bought our first coach, we spent months thinking and writing down all the things we wanted.

Things like: Booth not free standing table, more storage. Propane, for boondocking etc...

Things and the reason for them.

Then we had to find one that fit those criteria. We did and it was great, but some things weren't as great as we thought they'd be.

The booth required cave diving to use all it's space, all just little things. But we now had first hand knowledge of what worked for us. So after 2 years we began "looking" at different coaches.

After 2 more years, we quit looking and sat down with Newmar to have them build exactly what we wanted. Turns out it was less then buying off the lot.

We plan this one for ten years or more.

89sandman · 03-20-2014, 02:12 PM

last motorhome first. what a silly idea! unless your a few years from death it just isn't going to happen...

MoonSail · 03-20-2014, 02:35 PM

I bought my last boat first, and now I hope I have purchased my last RV first. In both cases, I did a lot of research, knew the features I wanted, and found a good used candidate. The boat was purchased 15 years ago. I lived aboard it from Day 1 and have been cruising mostly full time for the last 9 years in the Caribbean. Last summer after similar amounts of research, I bought the RV. In a few weeks, the boat is for sale and the RV is home. To me, the whole process of buying a large boat, or RV, or S&B house is too much hassle to be working my way up from a starter to the real deal. But as many have said, everybody's desires and experiences are different. That's what makes the world go round.

PushedAround · 03-20-2014, 02:47 PM

Can I pick a 3rd choice? Get one that suits your needs for the near future. Depending on your finances, it may not be a "starter" coach. Like others say, you never know what may change a few years out.

We decided that we wanted a 36~40' diesel for the mileage, size and storage. That immediately eliminated a new coach. We found a 2 year old one that suited those needs, and it still does today. In fact, unless my finances take a big upturn, I see no impending reason to get rid of it. It may be our first and last.

ramblinboy · 03-20-2014, 02:48 PM

We bought a starter MH a year before we retired. Previously we had only camped in tents and then with a Westfalia and for years no camping at all.
The starter allowed us to see if it suited us without a big layout of dough. We bought a 10 year old coach off CL for less than $30K. We loved to travel in the PACNW but couldn't stand bad beds and bad food anymore. We sold it after 2 years for almost what we paid for it and bought the floor plan we needed. We couldn't have known that with a first purchase.
Are you an innie or an outie?
Lots of folks spend their days inside the MH apartment whereas others are outside more - cook outside, eat outside, read outside etc. Which one are you?
That'll help determine your needs - length of coach etc.

bruceisla · 03-20-2014, 03:01 PM

I'll give you a different idea:

Rent 3 different types for at least 1 week each. You'll get a much better idea of all kinds of things !!

homecan1 · 03-20-2014, 03:04 PM

We're on our third and haven't bought the last one yet. Started with a "C", after 4 years moved up to an "A" with a "Super Slide", after 6 years moved up to a DP with 3 slides. Won't be ready for my "Last" one for another 15 years. will probably have two or three more before then. Always bought used and below market value.

Wizard · 03-20-2014, 03:43 PM

If you have never owned one, how would you know if you would like this lifestyle. I see a lot of almost new coaches for sale that someone is going to take a big hit on when selling.

bruceisla · 03-20-2014, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizard

If you have never owned one, how would you know if you would like this lifestyle. I see a lot of almost new coaches for sale that someone is going to take a big hit on when selling.

SHHH ... I'm watchin' those too

ie2special · 03-20-2014, 04:16 PM

We need a weekender for the next 2 years, after that, we may go full time with 1 or 2 kids.

Tha_Rooster · 03-20-2014, 05:00 PM

It should say buy what you really want first because hopefully it want be your last yall still look young. There are so many post about swaying,not enough power ect. do your homework test drive everything then end up with a floor plan your better half wants and a chassis you like. It worked for me every bodies happy.