Choosing first class A

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by JohnWan62

Thank you for all your thoughts. Purchased new 2016 winnebago brave 31c. I am new to this forum so help me along. Question I have is flat towing with blue Ox and additional breaking? Is it needed for cars under a certain weight ex. 2000 lbs. thank you

Some states you won't need it, others you will. BUT you must comply with the laws of the state you are in, there is no reciprocity on braking laws like there is for insurance or drivers licenses. So, if the state you're in requires it, you must have it. Since I don't plan on bypassing states that require supplemental braking I have it.

I'm sure someone will post a link to the AAA or the Towing Laws sites, and say you don't need them, but I have found large holes in the data in both those sites just by checking WA, OR and CA cites against the actual laws.

[Sandy Swede]

Originally Posted by Dan McMartin

We are considering the 30T but a closer look on paper gave us pause. We still haven't seen one but it looks like the redheaded stepchild of the Vista line.

The fresh water tank is big but the black and gray are only about 42 gallons. Not unusual but every model in the Vista line, LX or not, has bigger a bigger gray tank save the 26HE.

The shower is the smallest in the Vista line as well along with the 31KE.

Can't find the cargo capacity but with the 18000 lb chassis, it can't be more than 1500 to 2000. Could be wrong.

The galley is a tiny too. Overall, great rig with a floorplan we really like. Could deal with the kitchen. The tanks aren't any smaller than most entry and mid level coaches but still disappointing. Won't know if the shower is a deal killer until we actually find one to look at. Same with CCC. We'll see what the sticker says. Local dealers are expecting some soon.

We hear the 31KE is being phased out in favor of the 32YE (both Vistas, not LX's). 32YE is nice but the TV location is horrible. The 30T model is an older one and maybe it just doesn't include a lot of the later improvements you see in the Vista line. Hopefully, the 30T will get a next gen big brother too.

Just one opinion here, but we grew to really hate the small shower and we sold the previous rig primarily because of that. If you are like most people, you take a shower every day. Banging your elbows or head every day will get old really fast. King size bed vs queen size or location of TV pales in comparison, IMO.

[tdaddy]

I purchased a new Winnebago Itasca Solei 38R a little over a year ago and have had issues with it to include very limited places in Alabama that do warranty work for Winnebago. Have researched and talked to owners and will be trading soon for a Tiffin.

[SSTraveler]

Newmar Ventana would be my choice for a Class A.

[tropical36]

Originally Posted by JohnWan62

Just recently retired and I would like people's opinion of the following rigs.
Winniebago vista LX 30T
Holiday Rambler vacationer Xe 32A
Jayco precept 31 UL

Above are new 2017 models, but any thought on above or similar 2016 models.

As you can tell length around 30-34' , Gas, Full paint, extra bed over front captain seats, table and chairs over dinette. Would like to spend in the neighborhood $ 95,000-125,000.

Should I stay away from any of these models?

Sure would like some advice

Gee....and for that kind of money, you could buy a really nice quality DP with a side radiator, but then again, it wouldn't meet all your must haves, so......

[RichieCt]

If this is your first RV motorhome I would highly recommend buying a used one at least for the first time and if you don't like it you can sell it and you won't lose too much money if you buy brand new you are probably going to look at 25 to 35% off list which sounds good but it Will depreciate 50% or so as soon as you drive it off the lot.

Your question everyone asks gas versus diesel well that comes down to two major factors preference and price the diesel will be more money and the coach will have more high and amenities.

Most of your newer RVs made in the last several years if gas will be a Ford chassis if they are diesel it will be a Freightliner chassis.

A gas motorhome will cost you less to buy initially which is nice there's a gas station at every street corner and you can get it serviced at most ford dealers which is also helpful. That is really about the only upside

The vantage of a diesel motorhome it will get almost twice the fuel mileage it will have a ton more horsepower and torque to climb hills. Depending on how many miles you drive you'll probably only need to service it once a year. Will have a diesel generator in most cases which are the most reliable overtime and need less service which means less cost Resale value on a diesel will be much better. Much better if you want to pull a trailer or if you plan on towing a vehicle behind you


Disadvantage of a gas motorhome is Fuel mileage, power and resale value more cost and time doing maintenance. Will also have a gas or propane generator which tend to have more issues and cost over time
Also some of your lower cost low-end class a gas motor homes are built with some of the cheapest material also have thinner walls and floors and some will have a rubber roof. It is lousy if you're pulling a trailer or a car

Disadvantage of a diesel more upfront cost. harder to find service you will need to go to a truck or freightliner dealer that can service a Cummins engine and Allison transmission. If you do have a problem with the engine transmission or generator the cost will be more than a gas Barbie to repair.

Most places that sell RVs. Only work on the RV park they do not service the engine transmission for chassis not all of the majority

Also I would recommend no matter what you bye to sign up for good Sam's Club membership and also get an extended warranty it's worth every penny if you have a problem and it's great peace of mind and it's not that expensive per year. Never never buy extended plants from a dealer. They want to much money they only last for a few years and if you finance your RV for 10 years for 20 years three or four years after the warranty is up you're still paying for something you don't have.


Another thought to remember one dealer will try to tell you one model is better than another and the truth is they all use ford chassis or Freightliner chassis for the most part. That part is pretty much all the same. the interior parts all the manufacturer use the cheapest stuff they can. If you are not handy to do repairs yourself and fix things then an RV is not something to buy when things break and need repair it's very expensive to have a dealer do it if it's in their busy season you will wait forever to get something done most of an RV is pretty simple straightforward to repair or replace. Most things in an RV are plastic to help keep down the weight and the cost.


When you buy a new you may get a one or two year warranty depending on the unit but like I said be prepared to wait 2,3 or 4 weeks in the busy season to get things fixed so it is good to be handy. Also when things do break a lot of your RV store parts on the shelf will work if they do not have it on the shelf or in their catalog chances are you will need to talk to the service department because they need to order directly from the factory many parts or you won't get in the RV parts store.

The bottom line is buying new doesn't mean better it just means it's never been used but trust me when I tell you you can buy a brand new RV and things will still break no matter how well you take care of it there's always something that seems to need to be fixed.


So it really comes down to you.
What can you afford
What do you want and need.

you can buy a new gas ford v10 chassis 30 footer around 85,000 to 125,000 depending on layout and options new.

A diesel pusher will cost you around 180,000 to 300,000 depending on size options. New

I have seen many used diesel pushers 4 to 6 years old with 10,000 to 20,000 miles in the price range of 100,000 to 150,000

Gas motorhomes used the prices are all over the place some are very cheap as low as 50,000 if the three or four years old. The mileage is part of the cost on a gas engine also the condition as I stated a lot of the gas motor homes are built less expensive and tend not to hold up as well overtime.

That's why I suggested bang for the buck if you could find a three-year-old or five-year-old used diesel pusher in your price range you could try it in a year from now if you liked it you could buy something new and you get probably every penny back to you paid.

Many RV dealers have a list of customers looking for used diesel pushers usually as fast as they come in they go back out and are sold if they're not and they been sitting for a while you're really want to look it over good. Used diesels don't sit long unless they're overpriced or really been abused and not taken care of.

That's my two cents worth I hope it helped you in someway if you have any questions feel free to ask. I am sure there are other advantages and disadvantage is of both that I forgot to list and I'm sure someone else will throw their two cents in and help guide you in the direction that will work best for you good luck and happy RVing

[Mr_D]

A Newmar Dutch Star will go over $400,000 and Newmar doesn't consider it a "high line" coach.
We've ordered two new DSDP's and found them to be a great rig for the price point.

[brokenrule]

Originally Posted by JohnWan62

Thank you for all your thoughts. Purchased new 2016 winnebago brave 31c. I am new to this forum so help me along. Question I have is flat towing with blue Ox and additional breaking? Is it needed for cars under a certain weight ex. 2000 lbs. thank you

Good pick. I think Winnie's are solid and build very well and hold up great over time. I went with one for build first, floor plan second, storage last. Still don't see to much in my size that would make me buy new.

Also, at a recent RV show I met a couple shopping for a new MH when I walked into a Winnie on display and said "my I come into your rig" They said "yes, we are going to buy her". In the conversation on why they liked it, safety was on there mind. They had a roll over in their last Winnie and only the stuff in the cabinets came out. The firemen had to bust the unbroken front windshield to get them out. After seeing MH flattened in roll overs, I'm glad I have a Winnie.

[tropical36]

Originally Posted by brokenrule

Good pick. I think Winnie's are solid and build very well and hold up great over time. I went with one for build first, floor plan second, storage last. Still don't see to much in my size that would make me buy new.

Also, at a recent RV show I met a couple shopping for a new MH when I walked into a Winnie on display and said "my I come into your rig" They said "yes, we are going to buy her". In the conversation on why they liked it, safety was on there mind. They had a roll over in their last Winnie and only the stuff in the cabinets came out. The firemen had to bust the unbroken front windshield to get them out. After seeing MH flattened in roll overs, I'm glad I have a Winnie.

I wasn't aware there were any certified tests, naming one coach safer in a rollover than others, as I've never seen or heard of one.
I guess the rest of us, better be extra careful, with not having a Winnie, eh?