Class A, or Bus Conversion

[Ph.Dad]

This is primarily an academic question because of the subjectivity of answers I am sure to get, but I am beating my head against the wall trying to decide for myself (and my family) which type of motorhome we will purchase as we delve into the fulltime lifestyle for at least two years with to small children.

My first consideration is a 'homey' feel and space to live comfortably, especially on those rainy days when we are couped up inside with the kids. We want this to feel as much like home as possible, and we want the kids to have their own little space (like a bunkhouse).

My other primary consideration is price and retention of value. Specifically, I am hoping to purchase something for at least 25% under market value, use it for a couple of years, maintain it well, and then resell it AT market value which by then should be about break-even with my purchase price. Make sense? My price limit right now is approx. $80K. I'm buying used, of course, and so it seems I can expect to purchase and early 2000's model class A or a late 80's, early 90's model bus conversion. BUT, it seems that in two years the $80K class A will be worth $50 - $60K, whereas the conversion bus may still very well be worth $80K.


Here are some things I believe to be true (mostly) from my research:

Class A:

• availability of slides will allow for more interior width, so my semi-rambunctious kids have more room to move around.
• cockpit is on the same horizontal plane as rest of rv, so it become part of the space when parked.
• Readily accepted at most RV parks (though I know size can be a limitation in some)
• Wide range of construction quality, making the decision a little more 'fuzzy'

Bus Conversion:

• Structure and chassis made to last forever, for all intents and purposes. These also seem to be safer in the case of a rollover, but of course I don't intend to experience one of those.
• Better power and control while driving, especially up hills and in strong winds
• Seem to hold their resale value. Depreciation seems to bottom out and prices reaches some steady-state.
• Large holding tanks and power supplies for extended bookdocking.

We've done several two-week stints in a 33' class-C motorhome and we're pretty sure that won't be good for anything much lengthier. We've also ruled out the 5th wheels because we really appreciate the convenience of being able to tend to the kids and prepare snacks, etc while driving. More space for my wife to step away from the screaming children if they get restless in their car seats.

Oh, and if it matters, I will be a stay-at-RV dad with the kids while my wife does locum tenens work at nearby clinics or hospitals. So we'll have days where we just hang out at the park and others where I take the kids on local adventures.

I'll leave this open for comments. Thanks for your time!

[Clay L]

Personally I wouldn't want a unit without a slide. They make a huge difference in livability in my opinion.

[Steve N Sal]

I might lean toward a bus conversion for your experience and if it had a slide that would be nice. Don't know if your looking new or used but you may want to look at a Bluebird. You can go to www.vintagebirds.com and have a look around. They usually have some used rigs in the classified section that look pretty neat.

[jimkate]

The older converted bus sounds attractive. We considered that. We decided to buy an older high level motor coach, because we found that it was very affordable and very durable. Just the two of us, we're happy as can be with no slides and tons of storage space.

However, I don't think either choice is suitable for your needs. Without slides, I think you would find you just wouldn't have enough living space. I think your price ceiling of $80,000 could put you into a used mid level Class A, which might be a little bit of compromise for road handling in order to have the livable space you need.

There are good used high level motor coaches out there with three and four slides, but I think they might cost considerably more than your budget will allow. Converted buses with slides are probably totally unaffordable. Others may know better.

Our children live full time in an RV Park. They moved up to a used 37' fifth wheel trailer with four deep slides that they paid $17,000.00 for. I've never seen so much space. It's like a small house. It's wonderful for them because they don't travel with it. Wouldn't suit us at all, we travel too much.

I also think that anything you purchase today will most certainly be worth less every year that you own it.

[PyrateSilly]

Slides or no slides oh what a question. There are alot that cannot get along without slides. While Thom and I went with a MH that has NO slides and a side aisle instead of a middle aisle. If you look at the pictures on the blog in my signature you can see how it's laid out. The bigest thing is floorplan. That will determine how cramped you and the family feel. Ours is laid out in such a way that the kitchen is bigger than most apartment kitchens. The living room area can have 3 adults in it walking around and not bumb into each other.
Ours only sleeps 4 and thats if you open a couch but the thing is keep looking and you will find one that speaks to you both. Take your time and research. Don't limit the year span, you never know you may surprise yourself and find an slightly older one for ALOT less.
Another thing, make sure you can walk around in while the slides are in. If you are talking about your wife making sandwhiches and stuff for you and the kids while you are driving then you need to make sure she can do that. There are alot of coaches out there that with the slides in you can hardly get past the first 1/3 of the coach. What happens if you need to use the bathroom and you can't get back there? Make sure you can do what you want both with the slides in and out.