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Old 10-31-2012, 08:04 AM   #1
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A or C

We are thinking of upgrading our 21' class C to something larger -- we have looked at Leprechaun 31DFS and also Four Winds 31L as class C's, and then Vista 26P or 30T from Winebago. One concern I have is the ratio which I have read about in this forum, but don't remember how to figure that out. Which RV would hold more weight? I know the decision between A and C is ours. I lean more to the C and my husband leans more to the A. We carry 3 large dogs and a cat. All the cat's gear is over the cab. I am also concerned about the weight hanging over the back wheels whereby the RV would sway while driving. Any input you can give us would be very helpful. Thanks ----
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Old 10-31-2012, 08:16 AM   #2
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Weight over the rear wheels on short Class A's is not a problem. Don't know about the larger Class C's. I do think you have hit on your critical issue in where are you going to store all your stuff and all the stuff needed for your four legged family.
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Old 10-31-2012, 09:08 AM   #3
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Cargo weights or " CCC " are listed on the build sheet of all RVs, the capacity varies with every manufacturer, every floor plan, and every option added to every unit built.
Personaly from what my DW and I carry on our trips a CCC on a class C of at least 2500lbs and on an A 3500lbs; and more is better.
As to a ratio of wheelbase to overall vehicle length, I'm not aware of one , BUT, if it looks like too much over hang on the rear , chances are it is, and there are, any number of units out there that are tail heavy.
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Old 10-31-2012, 09:26 AM   #4
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We began our search 6-months ago convinced that a Class C motor home was the ticket for us. The more we looked, the less convinced we were. After spending more than 3-months doing in depth evaluations and comparisons. we opted for a Class A. We looked at the Jayco, Winnebago, and Itasca more than any other Class C, and we finally purchased a Fleetwood Bounder (gasser) 33U.

What finally convinced us is the storage, the shower space in a class A, and the livability of the coach. We only have one miniature dachshund and yet the bed and crate we need for Coby is more than would fit into a larger Class C.

We are going out on our "Shakedown Cruise" this weekend...I'll/we'll know more on Monday...
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Old 10-31-2012, 09:42 AM   #5
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We had a 29' class C with three slides for 18 months. Put 17,000 miles on it. Everyone we talked said "if" we were going to keep traveling that much we needed to move up to an A. We plan to keep going. "Don't let the tail pipe get cold" I was once told!

We have since moved up to a short (35') class A DP with two slides. We just love it. More storage than we know what to do with. I can actually take a shower now in the MH and I don't hang over the (queen ?)bed.
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Old 10-31-2012, 12:28 PM   #6
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We recently upgraded from a 31' Class C Leprechaun to a 32' Class a Windsport and used it for the first time this weekend. Although I loved our Class C I love the Class A even more. However...I have to admit that we actually had more storage in the Class C then we have now in the Class A! I know it sounds unbelievable but it' true. I lost my wide pantry and also my deep drawer under the refridge for pots and pans. But then again I now have a bigger refridge.

However being a passanger I think the biggest plus to the Class A is the copilot seating. I was so cramped in the Class C that most of the time I sat sideways in the seat or moved to the sofa...and I am not a big girl by any means. The room and the space in the front of the Class A is to die for!

So there are give and takes with either unit.... it's a matter of what you are comfortable driving and what fits within your budget.
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Old 10-31-2012, 06:56 PM   #7
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Having had both As and Cs, I'd go with a small A over a larger C. The A will generally have a larger basement and more weight carrying capacity.

Ken
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Old 10-31-2012, 07:07 PM   #8
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Having had one 29' "C" and three "A's", I'd skip the "C's".
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Old 10-31-2012, 07:58 PM   #9
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We've had a C that was four feet longer than our current A and to be totally honest, even though there were areas on the C that I really liked, I'd never want to go back to a C. I wouldn't have said that a few months back, but I'm now really settling into the driving of this unit and over all driveability . Just today we finished another trip dragging the '65 pictured in the Sig line to a car show, and the Vista 26P (actually length, 27 foot) handled with the tow, absolutely wonderful.
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Old 11-01-2012, 07:27 AM   #10
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Here's something to consider from someone who's just navigated from the Southern Georgia up into S.E. Mich. the last few days. Big cross winds, up to 50 mph one day. I can tell you I was REALLY glad we were in a DP. Interesting ride for sure, but I never felt uncomfortable at the 65mph pace we generally run.

With that experience in mind, a discussion like this makes me wonder what that ride might have been like in a C?
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Old 11-01-2012, 07:47 AM   #11
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had a 2009 HR "C" and now a 2011 gtowne"A" both about 29 ft but he A because i can turn the seats towards the living area and the engine
is under the coach rather than in front of it it equeals about 3 more feet of living space and storage on either one was more than adequate
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Old 11-02-2012, 12:50 PM   #12
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The only reason we went with a Class C was sleeping space. I travel with DW, three kids (18, 12 & 11) and a shepard mix dog. The 18 YO is 6'2" and needs his own sleeping space. The two "tweens" also are too cramped if they sleep next to each other on the dinette or couch. So with a Class C, everyone has their own sleeping spot. The dog usually finds an empty spot at the foot of a bed.

We did look at both A and C when we were looking recently. But we just didn't want to squeeze into the beds at night.
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Old 11-02-2012, 01:46 PM   #13
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Besides all the above recommndations for a Class A, I'm thinking the chassis under a 30' Class C is going to be pretty much maxed out when empty while the same size on a Class A should have lots of capacity. I realize that is generalization but I would check the numbers very carefully on any coach you are looking to buy.
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