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06-11-2017, 07:42 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 1
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New to motorhomes. Questions.
Hello all,
I have never owned a motor home before. I am close to retirement and looking to travel when I retire. I am interested in a class A motor home.
Can I use my car licence to drive a class A?
Since this is my first motor home purchase, would I be better off getting a smaller one to start?
Any recommendations on manufactures and models to look at?
I am looking to purchase a low mileage used motor home.
Thank you
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06-11-2017, 07:54 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 7,321
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Test drive a few before you buy. That way you will have a good idea of what you are comfortable with. Maybe even take an rv driving course.
Good luck, and happy Rving!
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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06-11-2017, 08:05 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Sedona, AZ
Posts: 2,993
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Lots has been written on your issues. Many start by trying to buy what they want in the long run but few succeed. I would add that since you plan to buy used, get a good professional inspection of any MH you are considering. As to size, it would certainly be easier to learn to drive first on a smaller Class A, but that of course means having a smaller one and then having to upgrade unless you decide to stay with the smaller one. This all depends on your wants, desires and most importantly the one no one can make for you, your decisions. Good luck with it whatever way you decide to go.
__________________
Shell Bleiweiss
2014 1/2 Thor Challenger 37KT
Sedona, AZ
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06-11-2017, 08:18 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: New Smyrna Beach Fl
Posts: 232
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike_Wayne
Hello all,
I have never owned a motor home before. I am close to retirement and looking to travel when I retire. I am interested in a class A motor home.
Can I use my car licence to drive a class A?
Since this is my first motor home purchase, would I be better off getting a smaller one to start?
Any recommendations on manufactures and models to look at?
I am looking to purchase a low mileage used motor home.
Thank you
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Yes in most states you can use your car license, some have restrictions on large MH
__________________
Don & Liz B. w/ Pink Retired Greyhound
Forest River
2016 GTS 2800QSF
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06-11-2017, 08:36 AM
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#5
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Community Moderator
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Posts: 31,302
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Glad to have you here in the forum with us.
Licensing varies by state I would check with DMV to get the answer. If your state does not require a special license then you'll be good in all states.
So many people say to start small and work your way up. I disagree. You have a depreciating asset and you will always be selling at a loss. Learning to drive a larger coach is something that with training will come relatively quick. Rent first to find out what your needs are and what you will be comfortable with. Then decide.
Happy Trails!!!
__________________
Tony & Ruth........... FMCA#F416727
2016 London Aire 4519, Freightliner chassis, Cummins ISX, 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Blue Ox Avail with AF1. TST 507 TPMS
No amount of money can buy you an extra second of time.
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06-11-2017, 01:36 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 202
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As said. Rent first. We rented a Class C and knew that that's not what we wanted. Visit different dealers. Attend RV shows. Floor plan is very important. We did buy a used rig before our the one we purchased new. After a couple of years in the used one we had a better idea about what was really important to us. Good news is my wife has not seen another coach she would trade ours for. Take your time. Ask any and all questions you can come up with.
__________________
Bill Lubben
2014 Tiffin Phaeton 40qkh
2013 Honda CR-V
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06-11-2017, 01:42 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Licensing will depend on your home state requirements. My first motorhome, after some 20 years with TT's was a new 17' Type B in 1988, then a new 25' Type C in 1997, then a new 35' Type A in 1998, then a new 38' Type A diesel pusher in 2000, then a new 2002 40' Type A Diesel pusher and now the used 45' Diesel Pusher in 2015.
See a pattern there?
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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06-11-2017, 02:43 PM
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#8
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,622
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Hi Mike! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!
Once you set a budget figure for the RV you can go to RVTrader.com and do a search under the classification you are interested int, i.e. Class A, and put in the price you're looking for. They will show you all that are available in that price range, thus giving you an idea of what you have to choose from.
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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06-11-2017, 03:49 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Fulltime/ SE Minnesota
Posts: 3,117
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I agree with TonyDi above. Get the one you feel you will be happy with for a long time.
__________________
08 Foretravel Nimbus 40 ft tag axle / 1000 watts of solar
2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn Hemi 4x4
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06-11-2017, 06:04 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 7,321
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Another hint I can give you is check web sites that show floor plans. think about what you would like ie where is the kitchen, free standing dining or dinett, driver's door or not, big or small bedroom, etc, etc.
I looked at PPL's site as well as others until I found the floorplan we love. Then it's the hunting that takes place. I looked for nearly 2 years until I found one that had the right price! We already had a great rig, so weren't in a big hurry.
Good luck and happy hunting!
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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06-11-2017, 11:49 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Roseville, California
Posts: 2,638
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__________________
Steve & Sheryl
2021 Montana 3231 CK full body paint (Sterling)
300 watt solar, 3 air conditions, Slide out toppers
2015 GMC Denali 3500 SRW CC SWB
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06-11-2017, 11:55 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 8,848
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As the owner of a smaller 28 ft class A, let me say, don't let size scare you. I bought my first class A motorhome last year, I had decided I wanted a small class A for various reasons, maneuverability in tight spaces was one. But now that I have a few months and a few thousand miles under my belt, I can say that particularly on the road height and width are far more of an issue than length itself is. Getting in and out of parking lots, campgrounds, side streets, etc. may be a different matter, but this should not stop you from buying the size motorhome you otherwise want. Length is not the only factor that effects low speed maneuverability, wheel base and wheel cut also factor in.
This does not mean I want to go out and buy a 45 ft diesel pusher, as I like being able to fit into state and national park campgrounds, many of which have a 30 ft max size limit (at least on paper), but if the need were to come up to drive a large diesel pusher across the country it would not terrify me now.
__________________
2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
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06-12-2017, 07:53 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: White Rock, BC
Posts: 782
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Mike,
There is no simple or single answer to your question due to the many variables such as your budget, prior experiences, preferences and even your location. I went through much the same thing a few years ago when nearing retirement so I'll go over my decision process and influencing factors but your mileage WILL vary so you'll have to adjust for your situation.
I chose a large, used, high-quality class-A diesel pusher; a 2005 43ft Newmar Mountain Aire.
Our plan was to travel extensively for a number of years, crossing both Canada and the US. To accomplish this I felt a large rig would provide better longterm comfort and a larger tag axle diesel would be better suited to long miles and traveling in whatever type of conditions the road presented. In my earlier years I had driven fueling tankers, large semi-trailer rigs, and even a bus, so vehicle size did not intimidate me.
I had dropped my licensing for large vehicles many years ago so I did have to do some driver's license upgrading for my area. You will find that your requirements will vary depending upon the type of vehicle, its size and your location. In my area I did not have to upgrade my base driver's license class (5) - a license for passenger cars and light trucks. Due to my MH having air brakes, I did have to get an Air Ticket Endorsement added. Though I had prior air experience, our regulations here required me to take a 2 1/2 day Air-Ticket course at an accredited driving school and pass both a written and practical examination. Though required, the coarse was a waste of time as only the smallest fraction actually applied to the air brake system on today's coaches, but that's another story.
We considered buying new and used. I had an idea what I wanted equipment wise and that ruled out new for us as my wish list was in what is called the "luxury coach" group and a new one in that category was not in our budget so we looked at older luxury coaches.
We looked at a number of luxury MH brands and models; Newell, Newmar, Monaco and more. We actually found one that appeared to suit our needs, located in Florida. Since we live near Vancouver, BC, I contracted an RV inspector and a mobile mechanic to thoroughly check it over before I flew out to do my own inspection. It turned out that the professional inspections were good value for their cost as they relieved a number of problems, some with a high monetary impact. This was for a Monaco and in looking at repair costs I also become very aware of the problems associated with manufacturers that are no longer in business or have sold out to another party. This experience helped narrow my search down to a small number of stable manufacturer that are owned and operated by the same people now as when the coach was built.
We eventually found the coach we have today and although we have had to do a few repairs, the cost has been substantially less than if we'd purchased one several years newer.
As for mileage, you will find that many motorhomes do not rack up a lot of miles and if you are looking at a diesel rig, the miles do not play a significant part in the decision as the power train is designed to go well over 1/2 a million miles. Of course, it is rattling down the road all that time and that is where a quality built coach like a Newmar makes its value evident.
Good luck.
__________________
Retired and livin' the RV dream!
2005 Newmar 43 ft. MADP, Cummins ISL 400HP, 2018 Jeep Wrangler JLU Sahara
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