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Old 05-11-2015, 08:07 AM   #1
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Question Full Timing and Repairs

We are still trying to decide between a Class A and a 5er. I was reading on a full timer's website that one of the reasons for choosing a 5er was when the Class A had to be serviced - and because it would be their home - what would they do. Where would they stay? I suppose the same would hold true for a 5er being repaired, but it is more likely that an Class A would be held up in a garage for an extended period for obvious reasons.

What are your thoughts?
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Old 05-11-2015, 08:39 AM   #2
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While a 5'er may not need to be serviced as often, it still requires service of the running gear.
That said most of the service you require should be done in a day. Also some shops work with you and let you spend the night on there lot.


We recently had to spend 2 nights in a hotel while ours was getting repaired. Once they got into the problem they couldn;'t move it out of the shop at night.


So you may need to spend a few extra nights away from a class A, but I bet it won't be that many more than a fifth wheel.
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Old 05-11-2015, 11:22 AM   #3
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While fulltiming, if the motorhome needs service, it's time for a "vacation".

I'll just plan a real air/hotel trip with my kids and go somewhere there are no roads to and the motorhome could not have gone anyway.
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Old 05-11-2015, 11:44 AM   #4
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Ahhhh...So that would be the time to take a cruise!

But, if the service is unexpected? I guess my follow-up question would be, is the maintenance requirements (or unexpected services) of a Class A reason enough to look at different type of RV so you're not stuck without your home too often?
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Old 05-11-2015, 11:53 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jomark View Post
Ahhhh...So that would be the time to take a cruise!

But, if the service is unexpected? I guess my follow-up question would be, is the maintenance requirements (or unexpected services) of a Class A reason enough to look at different type of RV so you're not stuck without your home too often?

That is an answer only you can provide.
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Old 05-11-2015, 12:04 PM   #6
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What kind of full timing do you plan to do? Moving twice a year between north & south (aka snow birding) or traveling constantly? After 3 years and 24,000 miles of full timing, setting up and tearing down in over 100 campgrounds, I cannot imagine having done it with anything other than a class A diesel pusher towing. Two vehicles with separate drivetrains is a very nice safety feature. Once we were out in the middle of nowhere (aka west Texas) and the starter went out on the toad. Maneuvered the MH to hook up and then towed it to a repair shop in Alamogordo. Try doing that with your 5er when something goes wrong with the truck.

Do you plan on going up and down a lot of mountain ranges? Does your tow vehicle have an exhaust brake? Do you like towing a tall, lightweight sail in high wind areas?

BTW, we spent a week out of the coach last year while Cummins charged us $4k to fix an exhaust leak. We stayed in a motel. Next time we just might take a cruise.
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Old 05-11-2015, 12:15 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jomark View Post
Ahhhh...So that would be the time to take a cruise!

But, if the service is unexpected? I guess my follow-up question would be, is the maintenance requirements (or unexpected services) of a Class A reason enough to look at different type of RV so you're not stuck without your home too often?
My limited experience says no. There are personal preferences for both an A and a 5er. But unscheduled breakdowns or routine service probably are the least of it. Truck breaks down - you're 5er is towed somewhere for you. A stops on the side of road - toad is unhooked, A is hauled off for repair and off ya go in your own car.

We are about to put or toad in the shop for 2 - 4 weeks for hail damage. We will have a rental car while the toad is being fixed.

For many As - DPs included - you schedule your annual maintenence and service and you're good to go. The house is the biggie - cause they are more prone to silly, unexpected failures. Often times there's a mobile service that can fix that stuff if you can't. And then there's the mobile lube and repair guys for service if ya don't do it yourself.

I'd say it's about the same either way.
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Old 05-11-2015, 12:29 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Air Baron View Post
What kind of full timing do you plan to do? Moving twice a year between north & south (aka snow birding) or traveling constantly? After 3 years and 24,000 miles of full timing, setting up and tearing down in over 100 campgrounds, I cannot imagine having done it with anything other than a class A diesel pusher towing. Two vehicles with separate drivetrains is a very nice safety feature. Once we were out in the middle of nowhere (aka west Texas) and the starter went out on the toad. Maneuvered the MH to hook up and then towed it to a repair shop in Alamogordo. Try doing that with your 5er when something goes wrong with the truck.

Do you plan on going up and down a lot of mountain ranges? Does your tow vehicle have an exhaust brake? Do you like towing a tall, lightweight sail in high wind areas?

BTW, we spent a week out of the coach last year while Cummins charged us $4k to fix an exhaust leak. We stayed in a motel. Next time we just might take a cruise.
We are not the snowbird type. Although we will no doubt follow the weather, we plan to be on the go with 3 to 4 weeks stays in different locations.

Thank you...good information. You're right about breakdowns can happen to any type of RV, so making a decision based on a few nights in a hotel (or on a cruise ship) isn't the way to go about this. It is good to hear what people do in these circumstances.

Money will be a consideration as we will be on a fixed income without a lot of savings when we hit the road. Knowing what to expect will help us plan.
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Old 05-11-2015, 12:38 PM   #9
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Old 05-11-2015, 12:43 PM   #10
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Our experience is not extensive as far as repairs, but the 3 times we've needed to, the repair outfit gave us hook-ups at the repair facility and we just stayed in the coach.

It was totally normal at these places; we could come or go as we would if parked in a campground, so it was no big deal, even with the pets on board.
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Old 05-11-2015, 12:57 PM   #11
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We have been to the dealer a couple times for repairs. The dealer provides plug ins and will drain the tanks and provides water. They have a great waiting area and with the toad we have toured the area.

I would think there may be times when you will have to find accomodations. Repairs that do not allow the coach to be moved such as engine or power train items would make it impractical to move the coach in and out of the shop.
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Old 05-11-2015, 01:18 PM   #12
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Howdy!

Look for a servide location that will work with you during repairs to let you stay in your home. In the last eight years of fulltiming we've only been diaplaced for our home once. That was when we had a tire tred seperate and did alot of damge. The repair center would have let us stay in it but they had to remove one of our large slides. So we stayed in a hotel during that time.

"Happy Trails"
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Old 05-11-2015, 02:16 PM   #13
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When my Class A finally makes it to the shop for a new engine.

I will check into a hotel or motel

And my fur kids will either come with me (if the Hotel/motel allows, Some do) or visit a vet..on need to do that anyway (elective, not urgent, visit).
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Old 05-11-2015, 02:52 PM   #14
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We've full-timed for 4+ years and have traveled >40,000 miles in our Class A. Pretty much the only time we've had to stay in a hotel for a few nights was during major remodeling such as replacing all the flooring in the living room and kitchen. For maintenance we've almost always been able to stay in the MH with at least water and electric provided. One facility we're thinking of using next year doesn't have hookups but he said we were welcome to stay in his parking lot with our generator running if needed.
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