Community Forums

Cat320 · 11-21-2012, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 450Donn

...Manufacturers will not pay for hotels, towing or any other incidentals involved in a breakdown...

Spartan will pay for mechanical services and/or towing...for three years or 50,000 miles.

RCtime · 11-21-2012, 06:30 PM

My wifes cousin did just as you are planning. They checked out rentals for a months trip and found the prices rather pricey.
They purchased a class C model (I cant recall) based on the mecerdes diesel platform about 27 feet or so long for the two of them and their daughter and loved it.
Why I mention this, Is if this a one time thing, then a 40 footer just may be to your detriment.
they were able to go every where, state parks etc. manueverable and great mileage. They enjoyed driving it, were not itimidated by it, and purchase price new was in the low 80,000s or low 90,000s I think.
But now they will sell it and i guess someone will get a deal with just west to East coast mileage, but they figured the cost of rental vs the selling cost loss was worth it.
Believe me, for two people, you just dont need 40 feet for a 2 month trip. My wife and I have more room in our 34 footer than we need, and we are regularly out for more than 2 months.

Walter5555 · 11-21-2012, 06:41 PM

We rented a M.H. for a couple weeks and it was great, after that we baught one.
We have been cross county two times the first was for six months we stopped at just every place we came across. We traveled some days 75 miles and other days it would be maybe 300 miles.
I would sujust that you rent one for a couple of weeks just to see if its what you realy what.
We belong to three diffrent R.V. clubs and we go out once a month to veryest campgrounds within 100 miles which is a good reasion to keep it.
Just a thought.

Theluckys · 11-21-2012, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSL417

I gotta say this...take a two month cruise for a vacation, leaving where you are by plane and returning where you're going by plane...what your proposing is probably more costly with a new coach than taking a balcony cabin on a 60 day cruise (and there you get meals and entertainment (and you don't need a warrantee)

DITTO!

Loozycat · 11-22-2012, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wonderer1

does anyone remember the couple who are going to buy their mh for a 3 mo. app.6,000 mi. trip. maybe you two can work out a deal.

I am pretty sure that this is the same couple.

4tfamily · 11-22-2012, 07:18 AM

Thank you all for your concern about our financial and marital health.

Maybe I should have mentioned that I've posted before and gone through the whole "do anything but that" argument.

Our goal is to go to SoCal with our daughter and 2 dogs (one 85lb shepherd), so cruises or other vaca's are not going to work.

We've rented RV's twice in the past and actually owned a BRAND NEW Tiffin back in '08. So this isn't new to us.

Renting sounds like a good idea, but if you look into it, it's very expensive for that amount of time and miles and you're not going to get a class a unless you want to spend $57,000. Yup! That's one quote I got.

We don't need marriage counseling. We are having discussions, as we should. We both have input, as we should. Marriage is not a dictatorship. (The title of the thread was bait.)

I only tell you our intentions (2 mos 6,000 mile trip then possibly sell) because I believe it should factor into what your opinions will be as to what we should consider: older diesel or new gas.

Carry on.

bmacrc46 · 11-22-2012, 07:32 AM

Sometimes, too many choices makes it harder to make a decision.

It sounds like the 36LA fit your needs quite well and has a new floor plan that should sell pretty easy if you decide to unload it when you get back.

Generally, your first instinct is the right one. Buy the Tiffin and enjoy your trip.

retiring1day · 11-22-2012, 07:42 AM

Hello, as a newbie to motor homing 2 years ago , I can tell you after purchasing a DP, a Gasser and a Class C our last purchase was a DP. I have bought a very expensive lesson well learned and educated on RV'S,but the DP is the the best for traveling with the family. Why, you ask, 1.the ride is better,2. Husband likes the driving and handling better, 3. Noise from front engine gasser was irritating, on a trip that long I would have to consider comfort and resale on a used DP might be a little better. You may like it so well that you will want to keep it, so with that being said whatever you purchase make a list of the must haves and a have a wonderful trip. Happy Trails and Safe Travel!!!

Scooter · 11-22-2012, 07:51 AM

Your motorhome insurance policy might come with some hotel/meal re-imbursement provisions. Or an endorsement that you can buy.

As far a extended service contracts, there are probably some that you can buy for one year; cancel out and receive a pro-rated refund. Check the fine print carefully.

Sky_Boss · 11-22-2012, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4tfamily

Thank you all for your concern about our financial and marital health.

...

My latest post was done without seeing this one. There are some points I want to make to you as the OP...

1. Never assume that information from another thread will be read. It sounds like there is a back story to this that most readers won't know about unless you bring it into a new thread that is a spin off of another thread.

2. It must be assumed that MOST readers here have an appreciation for the financial impact of RV choices. If an OP doesn't say that money is not a factor, it will be assumed to be one.

3. This is my buggaboo...thread titles designed to "bait" responses will get what they asked for. I HATE titles that are deliberately thin or misleading. It is ok for threads designed to be "funny" but...

4. Holding back important details will only lead to this kind of response.

That all being said...I personally wish you find a solution that fits your desires and will not cause financial harm to a level you can't tolerate.

I go back to my suggestion that an older, well maintained DP will serve you well and reduce the financial exposure of going new. Both the old and new route will still leave you open to unforeseen trip interruptions and service contracts won't fix that problem. The only advantage of a new MH might be in warranty work and road hazard/towing help that might go with that warranty. The question is whether the costs of a new MH to get these warranty covered features outweighs the impact of massive depreciation that comes with buying a new MH.

All this becomes a little more on the moot side if you have a solid plan to hold on to the MH for future use. Flipping out of a MH is not cheap unless you have a buyer willing to let you drive their future "slightly used" MH for a couple months to work out the kinks and then pay you something near your purchase price.

Traps90 · 11-22-2012, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4tfamily

Thank you all for your concern about our financial and marital health.

Maybe I should have mentioned that I've posted before and gone through the whole "do anything but that" argument.

Our goal is to go to SoCal with our daughter and 2 dogs (one 85lb shepherd), so cruises or other vaca's are not going to work.

We've rented RV's twice in the past and actually owned a BRAND NEW Tiffin back in '08. So this isn't new to us.

Renting sounds like a good idea, but if you look into it, it's very expensive for that amount of time and miles and you're not going to get a class a unless you want to spend $57,000. Yup! That's one quote I got.

We don't need marriage counseling. We are having discussions, as we should. We both have input, as we should. Marriage is not a dictatorship. (The title of the thread was bait.)

I only tell you our intentions (2 mos 6,000 mile trip then possibly sell) because I believe it should factor into what your opinions will be as to what we should consider: older diesel or new gas.

Carry on.

All I would say is if it we're me doing this, I would look for a good used 40'DP, and then go out and have a great time. You'll definitely enjoy the miles on the road more, and if you had to or chose to sell the financial loss on resale wouldn't be near as much.

Other than that I would say get out there and enjoy the heck out of that trip

Steve N Sal · 11-22-2012, 08:54 AM

Even though the Tiffen has the 22.5's and the 24K lb chassis I suspect the diesel would be a much more comfortable ride. It's hard to beat an air suspension beside the fact of being able to carry more with you as far as cargo. (MUCH MORE) I don't believe you would have any problem getting into any campgrounds. Most accomodate larger rigs. Now if you're looking at staying at National Parks, well that may be a different story. They generally are a lot tighter and a little harder to maneuver in. I'm sure with a little pre-planning before your trip will give you a great traveling expeience. Good luck with your decision and have a great time with what ever you decide for your coach.

If you do decide on a used vehicle, maintnance records should be a priority. As mentioned things can go wrong even with a new coach so some time you just have to roll the dice.

WheelingIt · 11-22-2012, 09:24 AM

I would have to agree that if you're going to do this a used DP will be your best value for money. With a good quality DP you have the best chance of
#1 finding a good deal
#2 reselling it for a good value

wonderer1 · 11-22-2012, 11:15 AM

4tfamily --- you brought up a question about renting vs buying then selling. most of us use our rv and renting would be to expensive. that being said i seen on other posts, other members with your same question. renting from what i've heard is expensive. maybe you should start a post where all of you can come together and maybe because of your numbers buying and what ever you come up with will work.. maybe a time share sort of thing. 20 of you willing to take a $5,000 loss from buying and selling would be $100,000. (time share). proper wording for your title will improve the heading. just a thought.