Community Forums

cucotx · 08-03-2014, 06:50 PM

So I continue to plan my fulltiming future. If everything goes according to plan, it will be in 5 years. Hopefully, my plans will actually come through at least this time, for sure ... Although the budget is still Under Construction ...

So I said to myself, self, what is going to be your fulltiming unit. What is it that you and the DW would like?

1 - Bath and a half.

2 - 600 HP engine

3 - Most, if not all electric. Residential fridge ... DW says NO CARPET!

4 - At least 2 slides

5 - Final approval on the floor plan from the CEO, the DW

6 - Oh yea, a used unit ... The most in the budget for our dream RV is $250K. Hey, it may happen, even though DW says "Good luck with that Buckwheat!" ... To this day, I have no idea what she means by that! ...

So, I have done some research, and if I buy a used unit in 5 years, it means my eventual rig is out there already, somewhere in the Good Old USA.

Based on depreciation tables and prices for similar units from Newell, Foretravel, Entegra and Newmar, here is what I have come up with.

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One possibility is a 2008 Newell like the following:

Coach #1227 - Newell Coach

This is based on the fact that Newells from 2003, i.e. 12 years old are going for about that now.

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A 2011 Foretravel IH-45 similar in design to this 2012 Foretravel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My14IIi-chs

This is based on 2006/2007 Phenix Foretravel selling for about $250K now.

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A 2015 Entegra Cornerstone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fLee3I-TX8

This is based on a depreciation of about 50% in 5 years. I think that the new Cornerstones are selling for about $450K new.

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A 2015 Newmar London Aire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFQD_HpvxyI

This is based on the MSRP of the London Aire ... But, I think this one will go closer to $300K in 5 years.

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So, there you have it. Obviously, we all know the DW will pick the actual unit ... My preference is for the IH-45 Foretravel, either a 2011 or 2012 unit...

What do you guys think?

Which would be your dream fulltime Class A from the list above or some other list and why?

super_rep · 08-04-2014, 06:38 AM

Your plans sound great, but you might want to reconsider the 600HP. We've got 500HP in our rig and that is more than enough. Actually I think we could live with 400HP. Remember when you are full time, you don't need to rush to the next destination. We're now to the point where 200 miles is a long day.

Mechanically, the Newell would be my first choice, but their storage is not as good as some others. Storage for us is important. It's also probably the most expensive to maintain.

Ramets · 08-04-2014, 07:40 AM

Things can really change in a 5yr. period. But with a 250K budget to work with you'll have plenty of units available. If I had to dream...it would be the Foretravel.

bevandtomH · 08-04-2014, 03:48 PM

Cucotx - you and I are on the same timeline. If all goes even close to plan, we will be homeless and in a coach full-time.
Looking at similar models (Newmar and Entegra to name a few), I don't think you will have much of a problem finding a coach, floor plan, or features in your price range.
Even looking now, there are lots of choices. Where we differ is I don't want to spend that much. I am willing to look at slightly older coaches with good maintenance records. That is why I am focusing on 2013-2016 range of models.
It will be interesting to see how our views and analysis change with new information. Good luck in your search.
Tom

cucotx · 08-04-2014, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bevandtomH

... I am willing to look at slightly older coaches with good maintenance records. That is why I am focusing on 2013-2016 range of models...
Tom

Tom, I'm also considering the possibility of an older coach. For example, instead of a 2011 IH-45, for example, may be a 2008 Phenix Foretravel. That would still be a great coach. An older model for may be $100K-$150K would leave some money for upgrading to a future unit 10 years later.

But, as Ramets mentioned, a lot of things can happen in 5 years. Sometimes we make plans and destiny has its own way of doing the planning for us. As the DW says, it makes sense to plan for retirement, but once we get to be in our sixties, it may not make sense to plan what we're going to do at 75. Not many make it past 75 in good enough health to RV. So, may be buying the LAST coach for fulltiming at whatever budget we have may make more sense.

cucotx · 08-04-2014, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by super_rep

Your plans sound great, but you might want to reconsider the 600HP. We've got 500HP in our rig and that is more than enough. Actually I think we could live with 400HP. Remember when you are full time, you don't need to rush to the next destination. We're now to the point where 200 miles is a long day...

Super_rep, the 600 HP is for those trips over the Rockies and Colorado mountains while towing a toad and may be even a motorcycle hanging on the back of the coach.

But, the advantage of selecting a 500 HP engine instead of 600 HP would be that it would give me a chance to buy an older unit. For example, some of the older, pre 2007 or so units from Foretravel are at most 500 HP. To get to 600 HP, you need to buy 2007/2008 or newer Foretravels.

My concerns with the size of the engine and heavy coaches has been discussed in this forum. For example, some of the threads have discussed heavy coaches with 450 HP having trouble going up a steep hill.

twogypsies · 08-04-2014, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cucotx

... some of the threads have discussed heavy coaches with 450 HP having trouble going up a steep hill.

You certainly don't need 600 hp. Our 'baby' only has 370 hp and we're in the western mountains all the time towing a Jeep. In fact, we're boondocking at 9400' EL in Colorado right now. In 10 years of owning our Newmar and full-timing we've never had a problem on steep hills. In fact, we seek them out.

super_rep · 08-05-2014, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cucotx

Super_rep, the 600 HP is for those trips over the Rockies and Colorado mountains while towing a toad and may be even a motorcycle hanging on the back of the coach.

Our 45' Monaco Signature, 500 HP with 4 slides has no trouble at all with the grades in the Rockies towing a 5300 lb Jeep GC diesel. I can pass the trucks with ease.

cucotx · 08-05-2014, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by super_rep

Our 45' Monaco Signature, 500 HP with 4 slides has no trouble at all with the grades in the Rockies towing a 5300 lb Jeep GC diesel. I can pass the trucks with ease.

Super_rep, what's the GVWR on your Monaco Signature?

I've heard that a good rule of thumb to go by is with 1 HP or more per 100 pounds for GVWR. So if your Monaco has a GVWR of 50000 lbs, you're within the ballpark on power.

Good to know that I may not have to buy the largest engine.

My fixation on engine power has to do with what others have experienced.

For example, take a look at this thread on power issues with the 450 HP Mountain Aire

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/2014...ms-194921.html

**TonyDi** · 08-05-2014, 08:08 AM

I have a C9 Cat in my DSDP with 400HP and I've never had a problem in the mountains. I pull a Jeep Grand Cherokee and it performs well. I can't accelerate going up a 7% grade but getting to the top of the hill 1 minute faster is not a big concern.