Community Forums

Unicorn Driver · 12-25-2017, 12:56 PM

Hi all,

Hope you are having a great Christmas day.

I was hoping to use the time off work for the holidays to check out some gas class A's.

Our current one is a 35ft 2005 Damon Daybreak with 1 slide which we have had for 2 seasons and love it, but would like full body paint and a bedroom slide.

Looking for recommendations on other brands and models. I have done a lot of research on Newmar but want to widen my net.

Budget is about 60k, as would need to keep some cash aside for sales tax, repairs and suspension upgrades.

Thanks,

Edit: we live in Michigan and not full timers
so not looking at diesel until we retire.

Smitty77 · 12-25-2017, 02:02 PM

National made some nice full body paint Dolphin's. Both on Workhorse with 8.1, and on Ford F53 Chassis (If shopping any Ford F53 chassis, look for the ones with the 5sp transmission.).

Though harder to find, Triple E also made a fine Class A gasser. And another semi boutique builder is Rexhall.

If you're still in the research phase, you might also look over the Workhorse UFO based chassis. Rear engined 8.1

Many people sing the praises of Tiffany/Fleetwood/Winnebago too

!

Happy hunting,
Smitty

Unicorn Driver · 12-25-2017, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smitty77

National made some nice full body paint Dolphin's. Both on Workhorse with 8.1, and on Ford F53 Chassis (If shopping any Ford F53 chassis, look for the ones with the 5sp transmission.).

Though harder to find, Triple E also made a fine Class A gasser. And another semi boutique builder is Rexhall.

If you're still in the research phase, you might also look over the Workhorse UFO based chassis. Rear engined 8.1

Many people sing the praises of Tiffany/Fleetwood/Winnebago too

!

Happy hunting,
Smitty

Thanks Smitty,

I did see a National for sale locally but just sold.

I have seen some Fleetwood also but have read conflicting reviews about them.

edgray · 12-25-2017, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stMH

Hi all,

Hope you are having a great Christmas day.

I was hoping to use the time off work for the holidays to check out some gas class A's.

Our current one is a 35ft 2005 Damon Daybreak with 1 slide which we have had for 2 seasons and love it, but would like full body paint and a bedroom slide.

Looking for recommendations on other brands and models. I have done a lot of research on Newmar but want to widen my net.

Budget is about 60k, as would need to keep some cash aside for sales tax, repairs and suspension upgrades.

Thanks,

Edit: we live in Michigan and not full timers
so not looking at diesel until we retire.

not sure why you are excluding newmar, because if you can find one of their Mountain Aire gassers in good condition in your price range, you could stop looking. IMO, there is no finer gas Class A ever built. Quality materials and build make them heavy and durable. good luck with you search.

Unicorn Driver · 12-25-2017, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgray

not sure why you are excluding newmar, because if you can find one of their Mountain Aire gassers in good condition in your price range, you could stop looking. IMO, there is no finer gas Class A ever built. Quality materials and build make them heavy and durable. good luck with you search.

Hi,

I am not excluding Newmar at all, I am just looking at other options for due diligence.

I have seen some Mountain Aires for sale.

vettenuts · 12-25-2017, 06:55 PM

I looked at Newmar, Tiffin and Winnebago. I ruled out Winnebago due to the windshield frame issue. Not something I wanted to chance or deal with. Ended up with a Newmar on the Workhorse chassis. Going on year four and still love it.

Unicorn Driver · 12-25-2017, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettenuts

I looked at Newmar, Tiffin and Winnebago. I ruled out Winnebago due to the windshield frame issue. Not something I wanted to chance or deal with. Ended up with a Newmar on the Workhorse chassis. Going on year four and still love it.

I don't really know a whole lot about workhorse models but open to one.

GeorgeandTheBear · 12-25-2017, 07:50 PM

This one is in my area.

https://louisville.craigslist.org/rv...423100208.html

He had it parked down the street from my car wash one day. I couldn't stand it and had to go walk through it. It has three slides and is in great shape. He had apparently just picked it up from the tire store because some of the stickers were still on the treads. He keeps it stored in his attached and heated garage. His wife had passed away recently and he just doesn't need it any more. If it is something that suits your needs, I doubt that you would be disappointed. I took a picture of the for sale sign with the phone # if you want it.

Just to be clear. I do not know this man personally and have no interest or involvement in it.

vettenuts · 12-25-2017, 09:05 PM

That's a nice looking coach. Always sad when something like that happens.

Quincy · 12-26-2017, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgray

not sure why you are excluding newmar, because if you can find one of their Mountain Aire gassers in good condition in your price range, you could stop looking. IMO, there is no finer gas Class A ever built. Quality materials and build make them heavy and durable. good luck with you search.

X 2 We just bought our first Newmar but our fifth class A. I like the Newmar better than any other coach we have had. Now, full disclosure. I am not in the diesel pusher tax bracket so we are talking about gas coaches only. In the past I liked Fleetwood products as the Pace Arrow Vision we had. After touring the factory we were impressed. Allegro is another coach I would consider because Bob Tiffen is, and has been for quite a while, famous for standing behind his product even if it is out of warranty.

After having several Chevy Vortec motors and two Fords I dont see much difference between the two as far as dependability is concerned. Ford is rated more capable in pulling power and the Chevy's seem to be just a little less thirsty than the Fords.

Hope this helps. Good luck,

Unicorn Driver · 12-26-2017, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I.B. George

This one is in my area.

https://louisville.craigslist.org/rv...423100208.html

He had it parked down the street from my car wash one day. I couldn't stand it and had to go walk through it. It has three slides and is in great shape. He had apparently just picked it up from the tire store because some of the stickers were still on the treads. He keeps it stored in his attached and heated garage. His wife had passed away recently and he just doesn't need it any more. If it is something that suits your needs, I doubt that you would be disappointed. I took a picture of the for sale sign with the phone # if you want it.

Just to be clear. I do not know this man personally and have no interest or involvement in it.

That's a really nice looking coach.
If it was near me I would definitely check it out.

I will add this model to my list.

TJDave · 12-26-2017, 06:55 AM

Maybe add Holiday Rambler/Monaco to your search list.
We traded our 2006 Thor Four Winds class C for a 2005 Holiday Rambler Admiral gasser. A year older, but night and day difference in build quality.
Aluminum sides and roof, full paint, no more chalky white. Real oak instead of stickers on balsa wood! 2 slides. Couldn't be happier.

Hit_the_Rhod · 12-26-2017, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stMH

That's a really nice looking coach.
If it was near me I would definitely check it out.

I will add this model to my list.

Not sure what area you are in, but for the right coach, you need to be willing to travel. This one looks like a nice coach, and fits your price range. I.B. George may be interested in taking a closer look for you too if you asked! If you are interested in this year/model that is a good way to eliminate the "dogs" no matter what coach you are considering. Heck, I'm only about 1 hour away, and I'd meet up with I.B. George and we could look at it together. (I just LOVE helping other people spend their money!)

Not to get on the Chevy/Ford thing either, when I was looking for a coach a friend pointed out that is worse came to worse and you ended having to replace an entire engine, a Chevy Vortec long block runs about half the cost of a Ford V10 from most quality rebuilders. Just something to consider.

Good luck with your search, . . . research, research, research! Just don't spend so much time researching that you let a Gem pass you by.

GeorgeandTheBear · 12-26-2017, 07:11 AM

I would be willing to help a bit if I can. Keep in mind that I have not yet owned a motorhome and am just kicking tires right now. Funny thing about this coach/owner. He is retired from Ford. When I asked him about buying a MH with a Chevy drivetrain, he said that he liked it better than the Ford. We didn't get into why, but he said he caught a lot of flack from his friend and coworkers.