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bob-m · 12-05-2024, 10:01 PM

Hi friends,

New member and first time poster here. My wife and I are considering the possibility of buying a class A as full-time employed empty nesters. We still have several years to go before entering full retirement, but we are fortunate in that we can work remotely. We currently don't own a home and have never owned an RV but have been thinking about not renewing our lease and living & working from an RV, while we periodically change locations.

Our 5+ months of searching seems to have us pointing towards a 40-45 ft class A diesel pusher. We'd like to purchase a used, but very reliable and high-quality coach, in the $300-400k price range.

One thing I really want to have is a small office area in the RV that is a quiet and private area. I have found that there are very few (maybe just one?) class A RVs that have a dedicated office space (Fleetwood Frontier GTX 37RT). Whereas, I have come across many travel trailers that have them, but that's not what we want.

I am currently thinking that a used Entegra Aspire 44R may be a good choice in that the bunkhouse could be modified and used as an office. We'd keep the upper bunk, which could be raised up to get out of the way using the motor, and then find a shop to remove the lower bunk and add a small desk, etc. This would also provide us with a sleeping space if one of our children were to come visit.

I'm also intrigued about the idea of finding a 20 year old (plus or minus) Prevost/Marathon/Liberty luxury coach that has a bunkhouse and having it modified to become an office space.

I have been reading many posts in the iRV2 forums and it seems like the best place to get expert, honest and helpful opinions. So, just thought I'd make this post to see if there may be suggestions or advice that anyone has to offer. Is my current thinking on the right track, are there any other possible ideas to explore, etc.? Thanks for reading this.

The Ward Den · 12-05-2024, 10:20 PM

While I am nowhere close to retiring myself, I also keep an eye out for some sort of "office" in a motorhome. A chair at the kitchen/dining room table just doesn't give the privacy and ability to tune out the peripheral distractions.
Converting a bunk is also the best idea I have come up with. Like you mentioned, remove the lower bunk and stow the upper while working.

Arch Hoagland · 12-06-2024, 01:47 AM

Bob have you ever used an RV of any sort?

d23haynes57 · 12-06-2024, 05:23 AM

https://www.motorhomesoftexas.com/Pr...11785?ref=list

If I didn't buy the Nimbus last March I would be looking at this one. I love the seating options, mid bath, and the desk area.

While it is an older coach there is a lot of value here. You will need t become a bit of engineer to use it and maintain it all.

twojayhawks · 12-06-2024, 09:29 AM

Many of us want/need to work on the road. We have been doing it to some extent for 30 years & still are. But I'm talking about working occasionally while we vacation not working full time while full timing. Our kitchen table multi tasks but it's not ideal. When we full or half time we won't be working so we live with the set up for now. Keep in mind you can shop for almost any 45' traditional floorplan coach, with a sofa & love seat. Love seat can be removed and the desk/office set up you desire installed in it's place. Below are two pics on our DS. One from 10 years ago & current. When coach was new you can see we had a love seat. We have replaced sofa, euro dinette, and installed fireplace in place of loveseat. Instead of fireplace a office set up could have easily been installed. Then again that CC posted above looks like a perfect fit with no mods too.

alank · 12-06-2024, 10:48 AM

Just my opinion, but your desire for a place in a motorhome that is quiet and private will only happen if you're the only one in the motorhome. If your spouse would buy into the idea of no TV or phone during your working hours, then it may work. There just isn't any interior walls that will block sound like apartment walls do, so you'll be hearing everything that is going on.

To me, trying to set up an office in a bunk bed space just isn't practical.

Ray,IN · 12-06-2024, 11:55 AM

FIRST! Closely read the IRS rules for such a scenario. The "dedicated office space" cannot be used for another purpose, and be totally separated from living space. That was the last I knew about, things change though.
This offers some advice: https://rvshare.com/blog/rv-tax-deductions/

Actually NO, not an RVing forum; the best place for such advice is a tax attorney.

DuaneMiller · 12-06-2024, 12:16 PM

Someone asked a similar question on another social media outlet I follow... I offered this model as a potential solution for a "dedicated" office area. Granted, some minor "surgery" would have to be performed, but, looking at it overall, I don't think it would be too hard of an accomplishment... You would just have to remove the one or both bunks and install a desk of some sort.

Take a look at the Fleetwood Discovery LXE 40G. When the slide is opened it has a bunk room that can be completely closed off from the rest of the coach by doors. There is a sister model which is the Holiday Rambler Armada 40P. The differences between the 2 models are the master bedroom set up.

bob-m · 12-06-2024, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Bob have you ever used an RV of any sort?

Hi Arch - I have never owned one. Although I have rented about five class C RVs that were in the 30 foot length and also rented a class a once I used to also drive around a busy metro area with a 30 foot(ish) food truck.

bob-m · 12-06-2024, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d23haynes57

https://www.motorhomesoftexas.com/Pr...11785?ref=list

If I didn't buy the Nimbus last March I would be looking at this one. I love the seating options, mid bath, and the desk area.

While it is an older coach there is a lot of value here. You will need t become a bit of engineer to use it and maintain it all.

Thanks for the suggestion, Dennis! It's funny but right before I read your post I was getting ready to send we can do Motorhomes of Texas an email as I also saw another one on their site that I wanted to inquire about. I will also definitely check out the one that you suggest.

TampaDave · 12-06-2024, 03:08 PM

If we weren't constantly on the move, I'd be in a 5th wheel toy hauler. For that kinda budget you could get a darn nice one. All kinda stuff you can do in the garage, you can make a desk that elevates with the touch of a button. "Elevate me!" "Now? Right here?"

Plus you have a truck to get groceries with. A cool truck, big ole dually, that's what I'm talking about yeah

But ya know hardly a week goes by we aren't going somewhere, and having a motorhome sure is convenient to get yourself on the road in the morning with a minimum amount of thrashing around. That's the compromise. My office is the dinette.

Sherpa Vern · 12-06-2024, 05:43 PM

Tow a stacker trailer.

Build an office in the front of the lower area and put a car on the upper deck.

bob-m · 12-06-2024, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherpa Vern

Tow a stacker trailer.

Build an office in the front of the lower area and put a car on the upper deck.

Thanks for the suggestion Vern. I actually haven't thought of that and that may end up being the best solution w/o having to lose precious living space in the coach, and w/o/ having to make any mods to the coach. I will reach out to a few of the trailer companies and see what I can find and if you have any such suggestions, feel free to share. Thanks again, Bob.

Jim 75 · 12-06-2024, 06:32 PM

Bob-m, I had an Amish made desk in my coach when I bought it. I took it out so as to make room for two recliners. I still have the the desk and chair. My coach is a 2012 Newmar Mountain Aire 4336. I can send pics of the installation, if your interested to see the set up?? This may give you some idea of what would work for you. Jim 75