Let's talk about class A motorhomes.

[MrCassdin]

So I'm considering purchasing a used class A motorhome to live in full time for the next 3-6 months and then keep as weekend toy after I sell my current home and buy a new one. Why not just get an apartment? Well, if you haven't seen my other thread about moving to the California Bay Area, it seems to make more sense for a quick stay vs. renting at $3,500/month. I can rent a lot with utilities, water, sewer, etc for $750/month. If my payment on the motorhome was $750 (or less) then I am in for less than half per month for housing vs the apartment. I don't mind the $3,500/month I would just prefer it to be on a house and not being thrown away in rent. After I buy the house I would keep the motorhome.

If you have a class A motorhome I'd love to hear your experience. I'm looking at a diesel "pusher" style unit. If anyone has experience living in one full time please chime in.

Looking at a used model, I've been told that 7 years old is the max anyone will finance, is this correct? I don't know much about motorhome financing other than it's more like a mortgage than an auto loan.

Something like this is appealing, has good space, good features.

http://www.campingworld.com/rvsales/class-a-diesel/2003/fleetwood-providence/362792/

http://www.campingworld.com/rvsales/class-a-diesel/2003/tiffin-phaeton/322484/

:thumbsdown:

:thumbsup:

D:

 

[skyking]

If you can come up with the cash, I prefer models from 1995 to 1998, with the cummins 8.3/allison 5 speed power pack.
Simpler coaches, no slides, and no electronic engine controls. The combination is very reliable.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Where do you plan on storing this monstrosity while you live in the bay area- certainly not your home, driveway, or street.

Space rent for $750 - what park has openings and where? Morgan Hill? Tracy?


http://www.rvparkmorganhill.com/Rates.html

 

[WT]

Also keep in mind the need for a shoreline, water source and gray and black water disposal. Dumping that stuff won't be free and will add to your monthly cost.

 

[NAC]

Financially, what you describe makes great sense. I just wonder if you'll be able to find a lot to live on which is in a nice area that you'll be happy with. Even in SF, you can get a pretty nice neighborhood for $3500 a month. $750 a month in a trailer home or RV park or whatever wont be nearly the same. Look for an apartment in a worse location like you may be in the RV, and the cost may be much closer.

BUT, assuming you found a location you are happy with:

For your use, I wouldn't recommend spending more on a diesel pusher. After all, you won't be travelling in it much for now, and the higher fuel efficiency is already factored into used prices – folks who drive a lot are willing to pay considerably more. Unless you drive well over 10k miles a year I doubt you'd recoup the extra cost – but you could when you sell it. Plus diesel engines / drivelines may be more expensive to repair if there are problems – a gasoline Chevy or Ford will be cheap.

In my opinion and experience, most motorhomes have very few miles, and you'll have few problems with the driveline and mechanicals. You are much more likely to have problems with leaks, plumbing, etc. In the price range you are looking at, if you go to a good dealer they should have identified and resolved any issues so I think you'll be fine. In my case, I bought a 1998 class A with a chevy 454 for a small fraction of the links you gave and I've had zero problems in two trips across the country and back in the past two summers.

In general, I would recommend staying away from slides – just another thing to break and leak. But in your case, living it in, the extra space will likely be welcome. Without slides, a motorhome is obviously quite narrow.

Since you are basically gonna use one for a house – shop for it like a house. Go and walk around in some of them and see what you like.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

You can apply the same logic to boats. Grab a boat, find a marina, park. I actually knew a couple that lived on a boat in the Alameda Marina for about 2 years. They finally moved out once the wife got pregnant, but when it was the two of them it worked perfectly fine.

 

[WackyDan]

You should factor in lat rent for the RV that has 50 Amp electric, and sewer hookup for your grey water and black water tank... Not sure how many RV parks are in the Bay area.

I know I pay $30-$40 per night for full hookups just camping weekends with my rig. Monthly rates are of course a bargain, but that is here in the boonies of NC.

 

[MongGrel]

You can apply the same logic to boats. Grab a boat, find a marina, park. I actually knew a couple that lived on a boat in the Alameda Marina for about 2 years. They finally moved out once the wife got pregnant, but when it was the two of them it worked perfectly fine.

I'd think a RV would make more sense than a boat any day.

A boat always sounds nice on paper....

But I have no clue about the area out there these days, haven't lived there since the early 80's.

 

[MrCassdin]

I've already found a place with water/sewer/electric for $750/month in the area (see OP). I'm going to look at a Fleetwood Excursion tomorrow.

 

[DougoMan]

The only place you're going to be paying $3,500 a month in rent is San Francisco, and you're not going to be parking an RV in a similar location there.

Oakland and plenty of surrounding places would be $2,000 a month for a nice 2BR apartment. I don't think you will match that with an RV.

 

[exar333]

The only place you're going to be paying $3,500 a month in rent is San Francisco, and you're not going to be parking an RV in a similar location there.

Oakland and plenty of surrounding places would be $2,000 a month for a nice 2BR apartment. I don't think you will match that with an RV.

I think the OP wants to keep the motor home, so it works well to live in that (no lease, etc) as they look for a house. Does provide some flexibility in the short term...