Point out the pros/cons

[Allentc2]

Still a couple of months until Hershey, but I'm hoping to thin the herd a little. Here are my main contenders for my next 'home'.

Bay Star 3014, 3226, 3401 and 3408
Canyon Star 3513

The BS 3408 and CS 3513 are mainly there because they have w/d capability. I plan on full-timing, so that SEEMS like a must-have (though I'm soliciting input on that on other forums). I think the 3401 is my favorite floorplan w/o a w/d. One, the TV position looks perfect for rainy days. LOL Two, the pooper has a window.

One consideration.....I want some beefy solar capability, so roof real estate may be an issue.

So what do you all think? Any of you have the above floorplans? What do you like? What sucks eggs? Inquiring minds want to know.

["007"]

If you go into QT's #3 and the BAY Star section there are threads with BS MOD's,Solar added, batteries added and many other options.
I had washer dryer option never used it on three Newmar's always used CG facilities and we had many kids with lots of laundry.
Used the space for shelf's to store cloths.

[Dizzee2020]

I would have a hard time buying any motorhome without a fiberglass roof. therefore, Canyon Star. We were also drawn to the 3401 BS floorplan.

[JFNM]

Since you are planning to full-time, I'd suggest carefully considering weight. Us full-timers tend to carry more stuff which equals weight. Having a rig that can safely carry all the stuff you are going to fill it with is important. This includes whatever you plan to tow.

After weight, there are a whole slew of priorities - storage space, holding tank capacity (if you are boondocking), solar/battery bank capacity (boondocking), build quality, insulation (you will not ALWAYS be in the ideal temperature), etc...

You mentioned windows. IMO, windows in the 'sides' of the slideouts are nice. They allow viewing fore and aft.

[Boomer]

If you buy the CS make sure you get the 26000 lbs chassis, not sure if it is available in the BS. Makes a big difference in CCC

[saddlesore]

Keep in mind..
Your 1st coach is a learning tool..
BUY USED! & buy one with everything you "think" you want and will need..
As You will make mistakes and have booboo's We all have.....(sometimes more than twice..)
Within a year or two you will discover..about the RV

What you love about the RV...
What you can kinda-sorta tolerate with the RV..
And what you absolutely hate about that !@#$%^%$#@! RV.
Then you can go get what you should have gotten in the first place..
Happy Hunting

Remember!!!!
Every day you "put off" retiring...is just one LESS day you have remaining to enjoy being RETIRED !!!

[We_B_Tripn]

Originally Posted by Boomer

If you buy the CS make sure you get the 26000 lbs chassis, not sure if it is available in the BS. Makes a big difference in CCC

Completely agree.

I know the 34xx Bay Stars are now built on a 24K lbs chassis. Not sure if as a special you could get them to build a 26K. We special ordered our 2018 BS on an upgraded chassis (they didn't offer 24K for 2018) and it provided a significant increase in cargo capacity.

[Stuart W]

Full time, as said, I would make sure you have enough extra weight capacity to take all of your stuff safely, I had a 2016 CS 3710 and from a quality standpoint, it is top of the line in the gaser market. The 26k Chassis should be on your must have list. Good luck and happy hunting [emoji4]

[We_B_Tripn]

One thing to keep in mind is on the 26k chassis your are limited to 4K towing before you start eating into your CCC.

[The Brews Cruise]

My wife and I looked at a Bay Star 3401 and liked the floor plan. Perfect viewing angle for the TV, and overall a great coach. But we went with a Canyon Star, 26000 GVWR chassis and Fiberglass roof. The Bay Star 3401 we looked at was 22000 GVWR. Our Canyon Star floor plan also has a great viewing angle for the TV. Diagonally across from the sofa like the Bay Star 3401 has. I was concerned with the net carrying capacity on the 22000 GVWR chassis, as I don't like to push the limits. Our Canyon Star is heavier, but with the 26000 GVWR chassis it has a greater net carrying capacity. Fully loaded with our gear and full water and propane, I still have over 2000 pounds to spare as weighed on CAT certified truck scales. Just the way I like it. Plus we have a washer/dryer and a bath and a half. My preference in your list would be the Canyon Star 3513, with a fiberglass roof which was an option on the Canyon Star. The fiberglass roof is not available on the Bay Star.

[Finance]

Solar capabilities depend more on preexisting roof obstructions than anything else. BS 29' we easily installed 2 large residential panels 325w each. The present 34' rig required 100w panels due to the layout of vents and other roof mounted equipment. It's a puzzle unique to each floor plan which panels can fit and how many.

[Dizzee2020]

Originally Posted by saddlesore

Keep in mind..
Your 1st coach is a learning tool..
BUY USED! & buy one with everything you "think" you want and will need..
As You will make mistakes and have booboo's We all have.....(sometimes more than twice..)
Within a year or two you will discover..about the RV

What you love about the RV...
What you can kinda-sorta tolerate with the RV..
And what you absolutely hate about that !@#$%^%$#@! RV.
Then you can go get what you should have gotten in the first place..
Happy Hunting

Remember!!!!
Every day you "put off" retiring...is just one LESS day you have remaining to enjoy being RETIRED !!!

x2.


We did this to determine if we liked traveling by this mode in addition to bridging a steep learning curve with new coaches. It was a conservative approach but one that has served us well. Now we have a more complete picture of what we want in a new or late model coach.

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by We_B_Tripn

One thing to keep in mind is on the 26k chassis your are limited to 4K towing before you start eating into your CCC.

Not full timing, but towed our Jeep most of the 32000 miles, no issue. I think it weighs in at 4300 lbs.

[Allentc2]

I get the "try it out cheap first" approach, but in my specific case, I can't see that as being financially possible. LOL