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07-26-2016, 09:20 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 5
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Best entry level class A
Hi there- My wife and I are looking into purchasing an entry level class A for regular family travel. Budget wise, we would like to stay under 100K, preferably no higher than 90K. We have 5 kids between 7 and 13 so a bunkhouse would be preferred. We are from South Florida and although most of our travels will be along the East coast, we do plan on venturing West as well. We have looked at the Thor ACE and the Forest River FR3 seriously. We have also looked at the Winnebago but the unit we saw really appeared to be poorly built. We are planning on putting 20-30% down and are hoping to pull the trigger in the next 6 months or so. Any help or input would be greatly appreciated!
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07-26-2016, 10:05 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Warner Robins, GA
Posts: 2,613
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Look at the Tiffin Allegro Open Road 36UA or 35 QBA. Tiffin has a good reputation. With 5 kids the 36UA with the bath and 1/2 will come in handy.
Allegro - Luxury RVs | Tiffin Motorhomes
Jon
__________________
Jon & Sue Francis (Retired U.S.A.F.)
Lil Girl-Rescued, Abby Rescued, Peaches Rescued
06 Allegro 35TSA Workhorse Chassis
2013 Chevy Spark Dinghy
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07-26-2016, 10:35 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Orange County CA
Posts: 975
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seussg111
Hi there- My wife and I are looking into purchasing an entry level class A for regular family travel. Budget wise, we would like to stay under 100K, preferably no higher than 90K. We have 5 kids between 7 and 13 so a bunkhouse would be preferred. We are from South Florida and although most of our travels will be along the East coast, we do plan on venturing West as well. We have looked at the Thor ACE and the Forest River FR3 seriously. We have also looked at the Winnebago but the unit we saw really appeared to be poorly built. We are planning on putting 20-30% down and are hoping to pull the trigger in the next 6 months or so. Any help or input would be greatly appreciated!
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Best builders are Tiffin, Winnebago/Itasca, Newmar.
Watch out for cheap builders. Lots of complaints on Thor products.
Check out Adventurer or Sunova from Winebago, not their entry level stuff.
IMO Newmar is one of the best gas coaches out there.
You're on the right track though, a Class A has much better cargo carrying, tankage, and towing than C's.
Know that you'll lose half your investment within about 5 years. Consider something slightly used that's already taken the hit. There are some bargains out there.
Watch out for schwintek slide mechanisms.
Test EVERYTHING to work before you buy or leave with your unit.
__________________
Chris Brown -
2005 Itasca Sunrise 31W - W20 and 8.1
2021 Chevy Spark Toad
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07-27-2016, 05:38 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 90
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Best entry level class A
I too am looking at both the Thor and FR3 so I'm curious as to any research that you may have found.
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07-27-2016, 06:23 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Key Largo Fl./Ft Mill Sc
Posts: 875
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We looked at the Thor brand at first, but decided on the entry
level Newmar instead.The dealer we used sold both and many others,
but after asking which brand had the least problems my mind was made up.
The cost was close, but not the quality..
__________________
Barry & Martha
2016 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 Freightliner
2018 Harley ultra Limited / 2018 Jeep Wrangler Sport
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07-27-2016, 07:35 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seussg111
Hi there- My wife and I are looking into purchasing an entry level class A for regular family travel. Budget wise, we would like to stay under 100K, preferably no higher than 90K. We have 5 kids between 7 and 13 so a bunkhouse would be preferred. We are from South Florida and although most of our travels will be along the East coast, we do plan on venturing West as well. We have looked at the Thor ACE and the Forest River FR3 seriously. We have also looked at the Winnebago but the unit we saw really appeared to be poorly built. We are planning on putting 20-30% down and are hoping to pull the trigger in the next 6 months or so. Any help or input would be greatly appreciated!
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Why are you not considering a Pick up and travel trailer combo?
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07-27-2016, 08:25 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FT on the Road
Posts: 3,831
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To OP, is your budget for a new or used rv?
I would not agree that Winnebago quality is below Forest River.
Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Don't compare a low end Winnie to a high end FR.
As I say to others asking, make a list what is important to you, ie, floor plan, build quality, appliance quality, storage capacity, chassis weights and CCC, inverter/converter specs, residential or RV type fridge, insulation, HVAC specs just to name a few.
__________________
I don't subscribe to threads I reply to so will not see your reply to my comment. Drop me a direct message if you want a reply from me.
Cheers!
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07-27-2016, 08:31 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,580
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Were it me, I'd be at a Newmar dealer first.
Then I'd buy a 3 to 4 year old version of the model I liked
__________________
RVM#78 - -USAF- F-15 Eagle Radar Vet
'5 Fleetwood Revolution- '15 Airstream Intl Sig. 27FB
Jay, Andrea, Stella '14 Ram 3500 Aisin '18 ORV F30RLS
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07-27-2016, 10:34 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: May 2013
Location: CT
Posts: 664
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For under 100k, Dixie rv has 2016 Fleetwood terra 36b, which is a bunkhouse, for $ 89,900.00. Very good deal, seeing that they are rebadged bounder classics, for a entry level coach, check out what it has compare to all other units at that price point, can't beat it.,
__________________
Rapid Rick
2013 Fleetwood Terra 35K
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07-27-2016, 02:00 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DFW
Posts: 1,473
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I would say go with a higher end used coach. That way you don't have to take the huge two year depreciation hit, and there are some really high quality units available for your price range.
Here's one, although I think it may be more than an afternoon drive for you to see!
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/diesel/...tion-32848.htm
__________________
2009 Fleetwood Excursion 40E
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07-27-2016, 05:51 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Athol, Id
Posts: 126
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Don't buy NEW the depredation is horrible.
Seriously Look for a nice gently used rig and save a lot of money.
Let someone else take the big hit and work out the bugs.
__________________
2008 Dutch Star 4035
Retired IBEW Local 595
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07-28-2016, 06:59 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 146
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We found a 2012 Winnebago Vista 32k that is a bunkhouse model. With the dinette and couch for more sleeping surfaces, it makes it comfortable when we take our grandkids camping. This might be an option for you if used is o.k.
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07-28-2016, 10:50 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 128
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If you still are deciding to buy new. This is the time, dealers are pushing last years models out the door. for way under the original cost. Still keep the warranty work.
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