Class A or C to full time.

[Davdeb1]

My wife and I are going to "sell it all" and full-time in about 3 years. I am on oxygen but my wife is healthy. We have looked at both options, class A or C but don't know what would bqe more practical. We plan to move with temperature, staying at least a month or more in someplace.
What size/class do most full timers use?

[RickO]

Welcome to the forum Dave! And, congrats on your planned changes.

I think you'll find that a majority of us use a class A to full time but there are many, many members doing so in a Class C as well. When full timing, an RV can start to feel pretty small so having a larger rig with slides really helps it feel like "home".

Much depends on your budget and where and how you intend to travel. If you plan to spend a lot of time in State/National parks a large Class A can be a problem because of its size.

On the other hand, you'll probably decide you need a towed car for transportation and many of the smaller Class Cs will have problems with that. If you should decide on a Class A then you have the whole issue of gas vs diesel but nobody here has an opinion on that.

Give us a bit more information on how you plan to travel and you'll probably get some better insights.

Best of luck...

Rick

[Davdeb1]

Thanks for the reply Rick.

We do know some things for sure. We will tow a small car, whatever unit we choose will be gas, and we will try to stay anywhere it is 60-80 degrees. So we will move around 4 to 5 times a year. Any exploring we do will be in the car using the RV as a home base so to speak. As far as I can see, a used 32-36 ft unit is probably what we can afford. I was asking this question because we are concerned with reliability and maintenance
cost. Mostly reliability. Bang for the buck is the bottom line. Thanks
Dave

[Vegasdan]

There are going to be things to fix and maintain no matter if you go with a C or A. For fulltimers, like us, the extra capacity and storage space was a plus with our A. You should also be able to pick up a gas A for the same price as a C in comparable year. Try both, we did before we bought and the A just felt more like what we could "live in". But there are also folks fulltiming in TTs, pop ups, tents etc. Good luck to you.

[TXiceman]

For full timing, a class A or a 5th wheel. Both have more storage area nd cargo capacity. The larger class C, are limited on weight capacity unless you go to a super C.

ken

[DRosedale]

I have a Class C, Coachman Concord. We like it a lot, it has 3 slides, but I wouldn't want to full time in it. It has already been mentioned about towing, most Class C coaches only have a 5K tow rating, not real sure I would tow anything close to that wait.

If I were to full time, it would be a Class A with as many slides as possible.

PS - Welcome to the forum and many happy and safe miles.

[TXiceman]

Many of the class C's are rated at 3500# towing capacity.

Ken

[tomwalt]

I did the same comparisons and decided on the Class A gas. I was totally overwhelmed by the complexity of the diesels and associated systems on those big boy's rigs. If you have a couple years I recommend you get out there and look at a lot of RVs. Go to a camper show to get ideas; then grab the local want ads and start looking. You will meet a lot of real nice folks and a few real loons. Keep in mind that spending $$ should be fun. You need to learn a lot about roofs and chassis. The more you learn the better choice you can make. Lastly, keep some extra $$ available after the sale for maintenance. There is always something to fix or make better. You might as well expect this and be prepared for it. Enough from me - Best of luck and get going - life is short and there is a lot out there to do and enjoy.

[WheelingIt]

A Class A will definitely give you bigger towing capacity, more storage and more living space. The main negative is the larger you go you more you might be limited on where you camp (some National Forests, State Parks etc. will limit size). That said, we have a Class A and camp mostly in public campgrounds so it can be done.
Maintenence is about the same for both, I'd say.

[paz]

Although there are people full-timing in Class C coaches, another drawback is Class C motorhomes seem to be built for weekend use and with budget in mind. In addition to having less space, lower towing capacity, and lower carrying capacity, Class C coaches tend to be more entry-level. The furniture, flooring and appliances may be chosen by the manufacturers to keep costs to an absolute minimum. Therefore, the interior may not be as durable as some Class A coaches.

If it were me, I would buy a Class A that was a year or 2 older if I had to rather than go with a Class C.

[Khenson]

One more add to the great advice above: Class A's generally ride a lot smoother with less sway than a Class C. Some Super C's are better but still not quite as smooth as an A.

[Dmiles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khenson One more add to the great advice above: Class A's generally ride a lot smoother with less sway than a Class C. Some Super C's are better but still not quite as smooth as an A.

Having had both, I found just the opposite to be true. In fact, driving our class A in any kind of wiind (say 40mph or abaove) something I just wasn't willing to do after a couple of difficult days.

We named our Class C "Freedom" because we no longer have to worry about wind, campgrounds that have size limitations, parking lots, gas stations, the list is endless.

[Triker56]

Since you are on oxygen most class A's but not all come with a inverter/charger to run a oxygen machine if you use one of those while traveling down the road.
Or overnight boondocking.
Probably hard to find one in a Class C.

35' and above A's can have a washer/dryer if that is important to your wife.
Most A's have a generator, some C's may have one.

[RicMac]

Not to repudiate anyone at all but to provide an alternate view, I picked a C class. Amazing things are going into the newer C's. Mine is clearly designed for two people, three slides, and at 31 ft in length, has more room than one would think. Genset is onboard as is the charger/inverter.
Why did I pick a C class? It was not to save money. I want to be nimble on the adventure and go where the A's hesitate to go. In the end it is a combination of what you need, want, and the lifestyle you enjoy. Good luck!