Going from 5er to class A. Which one?

[corn18]

We have decided that a class A would fit our needs better. My wife pees a lot and we have 2 dogs so we like the idea of being able to go to the bathroom while traveling and the dogs will have a nicer experience while traveling.



The toad will be a 2015 Chevy 2500 that weighs 7200 lbs.


I'm looking for something that can pull the toad. Room for 2 adults and 2 medium dogs. No need for luxury.



I look at an RV from a total cost of ownership standpoint. We bought our current 5er during COVID for $38k and it looks like we can sell it for $30k easy. So a total cost of $8k over 6 years (not including other costs). We are looking at RV travel for the next 5-10 years. Two to three week trips. Would love to buy something that holds its value well to control sunk costs. Buying something for $200k (or whatever) and selling it for $160k after 5 years would be my choice. This would be vs. buying new and taking a giant hit on depreciation. This would be a cash purchase.


What should I be looking at?


I can provide more details as required.


Thanks,


Tom and Nicky and Maisel and Millie

[NMRVer]

This is a very individual thing. As an owner of both a gas Class A and now a DP, either may meet your needs. Floorplan and travel requirements (i.e. number of people it will sleep) should be focused on. Then budget constants and what your need is versus desires.

I would recommend getting something that will hold everything you want to take (load capability). That's where a DP shines.


Lastly with your toad that heavy, make sure you don't overload the chassis.
Good luck and enjoy the journey.

There are several gas vs diesel posts that should aide you with your decision.

[corn18]

Originally Posted by NMRVer

This is a very individual thing. As an owner of both a gas Class A and now a DP, either may meet your needs. Floorplan and travel requirements (i.e. number of people it will sleep) should be focused on. Then budget constants and what your need is versus desires.

I would recommend getting something that will hold everything you want to take (load capability). That's where a DP shines.

Lastly with your toad that heavy, make sure you don't overload the chassis.
Good luck and enjoy the journey.

I'm thinking DP might be the way to go with my TOAD. I really don't want to buy another vehicle just to go RV'ing and I will always have a pickup truck. If I get rid of the 5er, maybe I can get a 1/2 ton pickup but my current truck is awesome and paid off. Probably has another 10 years of good service left.

[NMRVer]

I think that's a great way to narrow down what will work for you. A DP is outstanding when climbing especially while towing.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Tom-

To tow a 7,200-pound truck you're looking a coach with a horizontal hitch rating of 8,000 pounds or more and a difference between the GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) and GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 8,000 pounds or more, as well.

You're unlikely to find that combination in a gas Class A coach.

Diesel coaches that meet or exceed those numbers will typically have an Allison 3000MH or 4000MH transmission.

Back when I was looking for a DP I had my eye on a number of coaches from the 2004-2008 era, some of which would meet these specs and sell for less than $100K today. I particularly liked the floorplan of the Winnebago Journey 36G and its upscale companion, the Itasca Meridian 36G. Of course, there are newer coaches that meet the specs, too.

If you intend to trick out your Class A with the same amount of solar and lithium batteries you'll need some of that $160K and a coach with enough roof and open compartment space.

As always, once you get the specs you want you'll want to home in on the floorplans you and the Mrs. like.

[corn18]

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

Tom-

To tow a 7,200-pound truck you're looking a coach with a horizontal hitch rating of 8,000 pounds or more and a difference between the GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) and GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 8,000 pounds or more, as well.

You're unlikely to find that combination in a gas Class A coach.

Diesel coaches that meet or exceed those numbers will typically have an Allison 3000MH or 4000MH transmission.

Back when I was looking for a DP I had my eye on a number of coaches from the 2004-2008 era, some of which would meet these specs and sell for less than $100K today. I particularly liked the floorplan of the Winnebago Journey 36G and its upscale companion, the Itasca Meridian 36G. Of course, there are newer coaches that meet the specs, too.

If you intend to trick out your Class A with the same amount of solar and lithium batteries you'll need some of that $160K and a coach with enough roof and open compartment space.

As always, once you get the specs you want you'll want to home in on the floorplans you and the Mrs. like.

I'm thinking a DP tag would be just right.

[bentjm]

My view after owning a 2005 Newmar Mountain Aire 4032 and now owning a 2022 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40IP:

It is folly to try to justify this lifestyle based on a financial perspective.

You are buying a depreciating asset. A heavily depreciating asset.

Our decisions are based on walking away from it all in 5 years with $0 in our pockets.

My point is that the financials of owning a RV are basically hosed. Do not bet on any residual value and you will not be disappointed.

We rolled out of East Tennessee last July. Spent three months out west with some good friends. Swam in glacial runoff and in Lake Powell. Saw stuff most people only see on YouTube.

Tomorrow morning, i will watch one of my grandsons play a flag football game I will walk the beach tomorrow afternoon and gather shells for my granddaughter. I will then spend a few days at Universal Studios with my wife of 40 years. Then I will watch the Dirtcar Nationals with all my grandsons, my son, and my son in law.

All of that more than offsets all the negative financials.

[corn18]

Originally Posted by bentjm

My view after owning a 2005 Newmar Mountain Aire 4032 and now owning a 2022 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40IP:

It is folly to try to justify this lifestyle based on a financial perspective.

You are buying a depreciating asset. A heavily depreciating asset.

Our decisions are based on walking away from it all in 5 years with $0 in our pockets.

My point is that the financials of owning a RV are basically hosed. Do not bet on any residual value and you will not be disappointed.

We rolled out of East Tennessee last July. Spent three months out west with some good friends. Swam in glacial runoff and in Lake Powell. Saw stuff most people only see on YouTube.

Tomorrow, i will watch one of my grandsons play a flag football game tomorrow morning. I will walk the beach tomorrow afternoon and gather shells for my granddaughter tomorrow afternoon. I will then spend a few days at Universal Studios with my wife of 40 years. Then I will watch the Dirtcar Nationals with all my grandsons, my son, and my son in law.

All of that more than offsets all the negative financials.

Yup, I think I want a used DP tag that can tow my truck.

[bentjm]

Originally Posted by corn18

Yup, I think I want a used DP tag that can tow my truck.

Do that with the right attitude and you will be a blessed man.

Crap happens if you are stationary or if you are rolling down the road.

We have not owned a house for 5 years. We live our boat in TN about half the year and in our RV the other half.

Live the dream.

[Shadow5501]

A couple random thoughts.

To pull that class 2 pickup truck you absolutely require a diesel motorhome. No gasoline class A can tow that kind of weight. The great majority of gasoline class A motorhomes are equipped with a 5,000lb hitch. A very few have an 8,000lb hitch, but can’t actually tow that much weight due to chassis limitation (GCWR).

That said, your proposed 2-3 week trips are actually quite short. You don’t say how far you plan to drive, or what time of year you plan to travel (those are considerations), but that kind of trip would appear to make you a reasonable candidate for a gasoline chassis motorhome. Especially since you stated that you don’t require fancy/luxury.

The cost of acquiring and maintaining a gasoline motorhome is significantly lower than diesel (assuming similar age and miles) that I believe it would actually be less expensive to buy a smaller/lighter toad car in order to use a gas motorhome, as opposed to having your 2500 pickup drive you into a diesel pusher that you otherwise don’t need.

Just a thought.

[corn18]

Originally Posted by Shadow5501

A couple random thoughts.

To pull that class 2 pickup truck you absolutely require a diesel motorhome. No gasoline class A can tow that kind of weight. The great majority of gasoline class A motorhomes are equipped with a 5,000lb hitch. A very few have an 8,000lb hitch, but can’t actually tow that much weight due to chassis limitation (GCWR).

That said, your proposed 2-3 week trips are actually quite short. You don’t say how far you plan to drive, or what time of year you plan to travel (those are considerations), but that kind of trip would appear to make you a reasonable candidate for a gasoline chassis motorhome. Especially since you stated that you don’t require fancy/luxury.

The cost of acquiring and maintaining a gasoline motorhome is significantly lower than diesel (assuming similar age and miles) that I believe it would actually be less expensive to buy a smaller/lighter toad car in order to use a gas motorhome, as opposed to having your 2500 pickup drive you into a diesel pusher that you otherwise don’t need.

Just a thought.

Thank you for your thoughts. We do not want to full time or take RV trips longer than a few weeks. Maybe a month at the most. I hadn't thought about keeping the truck I have and get a dedicated TOAD. Lots to think about. We definitely want to transition from a 5er to a class A, though.

[Unplanned Tourist]

As much of a pain in the butt a dolly is, that might work for you. Just pick up an older FWD car to run around in. That way a gas MH would work for you and be $$$ less. Just my 2 cents.

[Goettsch]

Do not forget to take into account the cost of upkeep on any motorhome especially a diesel pusher. Lots of systems ,lots of tires.. I have heard for a Presvost 10000$ a year is suggestion. A set of tires can take 6000$ or more. Systems are complicated and service is expensive if you cannot do it. For mine I would think 5000$ a year is not overstated. No fuel considered.. insurance can be a big part of that. At that number I do most of the work my self. I have had several fifth wheels and they are much less expensive to keep up.

[HighDesert]

As others have said, you are definitely talking about a DP, as there is not gas Class A that will meet a 7200 tow on your truck. So you are looking for a rig that has a minimum of an Allison 3000 transmission, or better and I'd say 380 HP or more. Lots of available units in the price range you are talking about so it becomes a matter of personal preferences as to length, layout, etc. Comments on maintenance costs are correct so need to pan according for that. Insurance rates vary on location, credit history, etc, and annual preventative maintenance will run for $850 to $2000 depending on what kind of rig you have (Prevost not in the discussion). Tires (for 6) run anywhere form $4K to $6K depending on what you get and where it is done at.I'd take a hard look at some older Newmars, Country Coach, or Tiffins. All have better roof construction than Winnebagos.