Community Forums

chanellec · 07-15-2017, 03:40 PM

NEW HERE!

OK, we NEVER, except a test trip on Cruise America with a rental have owned an RV. Not knowing, even after researching "so we thought", we first purchased a Thor Axis 26'. We actually enjoyed it, the 2 trips we took, but realized to travel with family and from Alabama to Alaska.... it wouldn't do. Then we were introduced to Tiffin. So 4 weeks after the New Thor, we purchased our Tiffin. We do love it.... but again, sales people don't educate or ask questions, so again, we find ourselves wondering if we still need to upgrade before our big Alaska trip May 2018.

Our current Tiffin already has nearly 7,000 miles on it!! We purchased her in April! We do love it! I don't need to tell all of you why! Here is where we could use your thoughts...?? For the type of travel we are doing and plan on doing even after our Alaska trip, we believe we may need a Diesel pusher. We currently aren't towing either, need to. Pulling into a gas station at 38' isn't too bad most of the time. But adding a tow.... thinking we may need to go with the big rigs (18 wheelers).

How effective is the combo washer/dryer? Isn't better to have stackable?
Is the double living room slide a huge difference for living?
What drawbacks do you find if you have over 40'.

Any upgrades that you have added? Hate the oven, too hard to lite! Thoughts on an outdoor kitchen set up! We love to cook, but when it's 90 outside, just boiling water makes it very hot inside.
Anyone have a tub, I missed my baths!
Does anyone have the contol panels with tank levels outside near the water/sewer hookups?
Please any tips or ideas would be very appreicated.

Thank you,
Chanelle

LarrytheBear · 07-15-2017, 04:26 PM

Can't help much from personal experience but this past week at a Ga. State Park I talked to a man that regretted moving up from a 36 footer to a 42 footer. He said it is great once you get it parked but parking is no fun and some places he used to go he cannot go now because of his size.

There are many on the forum that love their 40+ rig and maybe you will too.

Something to think about.
Good luck with your decision!

kbhine · 07-15-2017, 04:47 PM

We have a 33AA and love it! When we ordered ours we upgraded the interverter, along with a residential refrigerator. When we ordered a convection microwave, we didn't realize we were also getting an oven upgrade. We have never used ours, and don't intend to. Its a storage area now. We don't light the stove top either for the most part. A nuwave cooktop is a lifesaver.
Ceiling fan upgrade in the bedroom was a plus, as well as the central vacuum.
Love the washer/dryer though you do have to do smaller loads and it takes longer. A tip I just learned about is that the clothes dry faster if they are softer, as in liquid, no dryer sheets, and if doing sheets, to take them out after about 30 min, fold them and put them back in. I have'nt tried it yet, but supposedly, they dry faster.

The Blue Ox towing system works like a dream, and we use the truck lanes for fuel for the most part.

curtsr · 07-15-2017, 06:26 PM

We had a 2015 36LA and put 13000 miles on it in one year, towed a Ford Fiesta. We travel with 3 - 4 people most of the time and wanted the bath and a half. The coach served us well. In September of 2015 we went to a Tiffin rally and got to see a 40 QBH Phaeton. It was love at first sight. The additional room with 4 slide outs made a tremendous difference. Ordered one when we returned home and picked it up in December 2015. The ride, handling and power of the Phaeton is much better than the 36 LA. even gets slightly better fuel economy at 9 mpg vs 7.5 on the 36 LA. Now have 14000 miles on the Phaeton and very satisfied with it. As for the combo w/d vs the stacked, the DW claimed she can wash the same amount of clothes in half the time with the stacked w/d. If you can afford the diesel pusher, especially a Phaeton, you won't be sorry.

allegro1x · 07-16-2017, 08:42 AM

If you're going to Alaska, you might want to get the Alaska mile marker book and read up on traveling to Alaska. Also, If you haven't driven out west you might want talk to someone who has. I just got back from Colorado Springs and will never drive a MH on either I70 or I40, winds were terrible. Take an Alaska cruise and skip the MH. Dave

chanellec · 07-16-2017, 03:10 PM

All of the thoughts are good. We currently have the bath and a half and will never go without it. Agree on the thoughts of the washer and dryer. Some access to state parks are limited for sure with a 40' plus rig. Mainly doing National Parks.
We've done the cruise to Alaska, don't like cruises. But your thoughts are well advised and we will be doing our research for sure. My husband set up a defense base way North in Alaska, he is somewhat familiar with terrain, but research is much needed. We are road warriors... just usually in a car. New adventure here. We have heard nothing but good about the Paethon. More advice and thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thank you all!!!

luvlabs · 07-17-2017, 09:40 PM

Sounds like some customization or a new motor home.

Tubs, even if you can find one just don't work in a motor home. Stay in motels if you want a tub. RV ovens are something you will want to get rid of. A Cooktop and a convection oven are a far better way to go. If you don't have a residential fridge, that is a priority.

Yes, you need to be taking something with you to see the local sights. If you haved a gas motor home (you really need to add your coach details to your posts), do not start pulling into truck stop fueling lanes - they are diesel only. The large stations can accommodate large rigs.

Good luck and yes, Phaetons are pretty darned nice.