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02-10-2018, 03:28 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 25
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How big is too big
We are ready to make our first RV purchase as newly retired travelers and are in need of some some feedback. We are stuck between 36 or 38 Class A. We have our hearts set on a 36 so we would have access to most state and national parks. We feel 36 will give us the most flexibility. Problem is we dont seem to be able to find many of them for sale. We are pretty particular on what we are looking for(99-02 Monaco, Country Coach, HR or Newmar). How much of an issue is it if we move up to a 38 footer. They seem to be much more available and as such would have a better chance finding what we are looking for. Thanks for any feedback you can give me.
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02-10-2018, 03:39 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 544
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A 38' will go anywhere a 36' will. It's only 2 foot.
__________________
2004 Newmar Mountain Aire 3781
2019 Ford Explorer Limited
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02-10-2018, 04:12 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Where we park it!
Posts: 13,145
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If your 36 fits into parks you want to go to the 38 will as well. We will be in a 39+ and will not have any problems in the state parks, NPs and such that we would have gone to in our 25ft Class C
__________________
momdoc
2018 Tiffin Allegro RED 37PA
2020 JEEP Trailhawk
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02-10-2018, 04:21 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Northridge, CA
Posts: 1,218
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Either length is ideal. Look for floor plan and features
__________________
Harry Grace
KM6ZRG
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02-10-2018, 05:21 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sacramento, California
Posts: 1,402
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Either or length won't be an issue. But it's all about finding a floor plan you like.
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02-10-2018, 07:36 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 599
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Ive had 31, 35, and 37. For getting around I liked the 35 the best. For smoother ride the 37 is better. All got about the same fuel mileage.
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Winnebago adventurer 37g, 18 F-150
Full time since 2000
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02-10-2018, 07:43 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Foretravel Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Home is Where WE PARK IT...
Posts: 6,007
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In that stated years,, add Foretravel to your list.. several available here and on the RV sales sites.
NOTE!
As with ANY used coach get a full inspection prior to purchase! (Keith @ MOT is a straight up guy that will point out all the known "warts")
and no... I have no financial interests in this dealer of quality motorcoaches.
ALL Pre Owned motorhomes Inventory
This one is a bit newer but thought I'd add it to my post. (A 270 mdl is the Foretravel entry level coach... ie: smaller engine (400 hp, 3000 Allison 6 speed transmission with retarder) with propane heat and hot water) , 10 kw diesel generator.
http://motorhomesoftexas.com/coachrv...270--36--C2082
__________________
Retired truckdriver,
'02 Foretravel... "This Shack will do"
being pushed by an '06 Scion xB
SKP's of Box Elder, South Dakota
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02-10-2018, 08:35 PM
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#8
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Community Moderator
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Posts: 31,248
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Length very rarely becomes an issue. I am 43' long and only once in 8 years have I had an issue. Buy the MH that fits your needs. Don't just settle on something because it will fit in a state park
Good luck with your search.
__________________
Tony & Ruth........... FMCA#F416727
2016 London Aire 4519, Freightliner chassis, Cummins ISX, 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Blue Ox Avail with AF1. TST 507 TPMS
No amount of money can buy you an extra second of time.
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02-11-2018, 12:32 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Today? Clayton, North Carolina
Posts: 5,093
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How big is too big
Four..... I'm at 40 ft and have not been turned away yet in almost 6 years. An extra 2 ft or 4 ft or even 6 ft will make precious little difference in either campground access or ease of driving and handling, but could make a big difference in livability and storage space.
If you plan on living in this coach for more than a week or two continuously, my advice is to buy more coach than you think you'll need. If you have no experience living in 350-450 sq ft you are trying to make decisions based on estimated requirements (read: guesswork). Perceptions are funny things, and often differ from the reality they anticipate. After you move in, "Too big" will last for a month or so; "too small" will last forever.
Good Luck!
__________________
John and Diane (RIP Lincoln, 21 FEB 22) RVM103 NHSO
Fulltimers since June, 2012
2002 Dutch Star 40, Freightliner, Cat 3126, 2004 Element
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02-11-2018, 05:04 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,204
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We've have a 36' CC and have been glad it's not been any longer. If you're traveling without a toad I agree that up to 40' doesn't make that big a difference. However if you have one you'll find that you may have to have your toad stick out in the road or park it some other place besides you coach. We also tend not to make reservations so we find we have to take what we can get. No matter how big a coach you get you will find you will fill all the storage space with stuff. It's on of those immutable laws of the Universe. Happy Hunting and good luck.
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02-11-2018, 08:11 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 25
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Thanks for the feedback. We live in St Petrrsburg Fl. and having the coach professionally inspected is a great suggestion. Can someone recommend a good inspector in the area.
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02-11-2018, 08:23 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Olympia, Wa
Posts: 2,772
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You will not fit in many older State parks. But there are always other parks near by. If your touring this does not matter, but if your intent is to stay in those parks smaller is better. We were in a 40' DP and although there were spaces that could have fit the larger coach we could never get one. Maybe you luck will be better. We moved to a 31" so we have many more options.
LEN
__________________
2004 Clss C 31' Winnebgo
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02-11-2018, 08:42 AM
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#13
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Registered User
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 7,114
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Depending on where you spend most of your time, the two ft difference may have minimal impact, but on rare occasions, it could make a difference. As mentioned by OLYLEN, options start closing down at about the 30 ft length.
We specifically limited our length to 35 ft, Not for traveling, but for storing at home. 35ft is the absolute maximum we can get in our driveway / storage area..
Example: We just shoehorned our 35ft into the last spot available at Lee Oliver state park in New Mexico. If we were 2 ft longer, I don't think we could have done it.
We traveled up to Valley of Fires park in New Mexico. same deal, sites get a little more challenging as the length goes up.
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02-11-2018, 02:18 PM
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#14
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Between the Oceans
Posts: 8,017
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40 ft is right in the middle - big enough for full timing and small enough to fit in regulations and parking. over 5 years i have not run into a single issue because of its size.
in a summer i was in pismo beach ca. on their website, the county park says limited to 36 ft, first come first serve. well i drove there directly. they even didn't ask about my rig size, gave me the site number. right on, no problem for the size at all.
__________________
Steven & Polly
2000 Country Coach Intrigue 40' ISC 350
2018 Ford Explorer 4WD
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