Newbie, motorhome ratings?

[jkhuddle]

I am from southeast Washington state and am looking for a motorhome. Don't know how the ratings go though? Is there a list of ratings?

[Gordon Dewald]

Welcome to the forum.

This is the place to find out about RV'ing.

Best to go to a dealer to look at motor homes to get a really good idea of the MH classes. To get started I will give you the classes as I interpret them. Others will jump in to correct me where I have erred or provide additional information.

Class B - is a van or other enclosed van type body converted to a motorhome. The body may be widened or stretched. These are generally the smallest and most easily driven and parked.

Class C - the C comes from cutaway. Basically a van body with the body cutaway keeping the cab. The coach maker then builds a coach on the remaining frame and connects to the cab making a single unit. These units can have beds or cupboards over the cab making for additional useable space.

There has been some lively discussion about naming convention for a C with a bed above the cab or one without. Some people are partial to calling the one without a bed above a B+ rather than a C-. Does not matter as both are built on a similar frame. Just one has a bed and the other is a bit more streamlined.

C class can get quite large and are very liveable depending upon your needs.

Class C+ (super C) - this is a coach body built on a truck cab and chassis. You may have seen them on the road. Looks like a commercial truck cab with a nice MH body. International, Freightliner, Peterbuilt, etc. These can get very large and will pull large trailers and loads when properly configured. Come in both single axle and tandem axle configurations. Lots of folks who follow the racing circuit use them. Nice looking rig and really functional and can be luxurious.

Class A - a large group of models. Lots of times called Winnebagos although Winnebago is a brand. Flat nose with driver and passenger seats in front of steering axle. They come in various configurations and lengths. Can be from around 30' up to 45' long.

They come with gasoline or diesel engines. Front or rear engine configurations. Mostly gas for front engine although diesel models are available as well. Rear engine are generally diesel although there are a few with gasoline.

Front engine models are generally sprung chassis while rear DP or diesel pushers are air suspension.

If you are looking for a MH best to determine the length that will fit your needs the best. Then look for FLOOR PLAN. The floor plan should fit your needs and be comfortable for the conditions you plan to use it.

No matter where you camp you will eventually encounter inclement weather that may keep you indoors for several days. Will you have room to move around, lounge, do hobbies, relax or perhaps have guests.

Having detemined the model then is price. Newer, better equipped are more expensive than older used ones.

No matter what you purchase you have to be prepared to spend money, do repairs and spend time maintaining your home.

Enjoy the research and the search for your perfect unit.

[MSHappyCampers]

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang here!

Gordon gave you excellent advice! Enjoy the forum!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[Fred1609]

Welcome to IRV2....I would also suggest that you start visiting dealers, checking the net and reading old threads and current threads. you'll narrow it down eventually once you get an idea of what's important to you....Best of luck in your search.


Safe and Happy Travels.

[r___r]

Welcome to the forum.

Good luck in your search for an RV.

Rich

[jones47172]

This forum is a GREAT place to learn. However, be cautioned that you will read MANY negative things about any RV. Learn from everyones comments but do not let them scare you away from any particular model. Instead, after finding something with a floor plan you like use the problems others have commented on to see if the RV you are looking at exhibits these issues.

[JohnRR]

Good luck with your search.

[LarrytheBear]

Welcome to the forum. Good luck in your search.

We found a great low mileage 2006 and have had no problems. It was ready to roll and we have just turned 5000 miles since July.

[GaryKD]

Hi jkhuddle,
Welcome to iRV2. Ratings mean very little when you are looking for a house on wheels. Determining which coach to purchase also depends if you are buying new or pre-owned. There are some very important items once can not overlook. Remember, one is buying a truck, not a car. Consider the top three items are:
1. Floor plan
2. NCC or CCC (depends on manufacturer) This is GVWR minus UVW = the cargo capacity of the coach. This will tell you if the coach can carry you, all your people and all your stuff.
3. Will the coach tow what you want to tow? GCVWR minus GVWR = towing weight capability. Also check the hitch/receiver weight rating.

After these items are okay, one can make the decision as difficult as one wants to make it. Define what is important to you and let us know. There is a bunch of folks here who can shepherd you along the journey as you let us know the requirements.

The Tampa RV Super Show is January 14-18. Even if you are not in Florida, try to come to this show. Everyone needs an excuse to come to Florida in January. This is by far the largest show of the year. You will need several days to look at just the kind of RV that meets your needs. Everyone who is in the RV business is at this show.

[Medico]

Welcome and glad to meet you!

["007"]

Welcome to irv2.
Here is a link to get you started will steer you in to what you may want for a motor home.
Good luck in your search and keep notes so you do not get lost in your new adventure.

[Mike and Cha]

Don't be in a rush to buy, do your research first so you really buy what you want and need. I spent alot of time on this site looking at all the manufacturer threads reading what people liked/didn't like, problems with each brand, how they were resolved, peoples overall satisfaction, customer servcie ect. You will begin to develope your own standards so to speak as to what is important to you. Quality is in the mind of the beholder, for some it's price, others it's style/look, other it's craftmanship, customer service, size, ect. Then go out and look at them at several dealerships and drive as many as you can. You again will develope more of your own standard/rating.

It is a longer process than buying a car, as you are spending more money and buying a MH with numerous moving parts and systems. Although you shouldn't let other's experiences with a particular brand scare you away, do pay attention. Many times people don't want to spend more money for a higher end quality or craftsmanship, but you will find at the pricepoint, the actual cost difference for MH's of the same size and equipment between brands, is not enough to justify spending less and sacraficing what you really want or the quality build. At the end of the day the quality will be what you decide, but as always you get what you pay for. Some brands cut corners to keep the price down, but in the long run it may cost you more time and money to get it the way you want it.

Don't get discouraged or jump into anything before you are really ready. It is alot of money to spend and well worth it if you are happy with your purchase. It took us two years of research, test driving, finding the right dealer ect before we pulled the trigger. But when we bought we felt that we bought what was best for our needs, and have enjoyed every minute of using it. And remember looking for your MH is half the fun of getting one. Good Luck