Thinking about getting a Class a coach

[manimal]

Been tossing around the idea of picking up a mid 90s class a coach for some time. We have three year old triplets at home and have been taking day trips in out minivan or my winter beater expedition. Suprisingly my wife has chosen the expedition the last few times because she is more comfortable.

We need to sleep 5 comfortably now and would like the option of sleeping two grandparents as well. optimumly there would be two slides so we can have the option of sqeezing in 8 occasionally.

I have seen some crazy deals in the low 20s and nice looking rigs in the mid 15s. I really want a diesel pusher like a georgie boy but they are still in the 40s for a 2000+ Class a.

Mechanically I am not too worried save for plumbing issues and leak problems. I can pretty much take care of everything else.

Been looking for one with low miles that someone used for tailgating. Saw one last week with 10k miles and plumbing that had never been used. it was priced out of my range however.

Anyone own a nice rig and want to share experiences?


if you got one show us your picts!!!


If you have a fifth wheel or anything else show us your picts and experiences as well!

 

[Jeffg010]

For 20G not sure you get anything trust worthy.

Is a fun read on current thor ACE 29.2
http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,51040.0.html

Is better place to do research.
http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php

 

[JulesMaximus]

You know you can rent those right?

 

[SearchMaster]

You know you can rent those right?

Soooo this.

I have a friend who retired at around age 45 and his dream was to travel the country in a motor home with his wife. He bought a brand new one at somewhere near $150K, took it on maybe 3 trips, then sold it at a huge loss. Were those trips worth $15K each? No, and renting would have been a big win.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Soooo this.

I have a friend who retired at around age 45 and his dream was to travel the country in a motor home with his wife. He bought a brand new one at somewhere near $150K, took it on maybe 3 trips, then sold it at a huge loss. Were those trips worth $15K each? No, and renting would have been a big win.

I have a friend who bought a brand new 5th wheel camper or whatever the heck you call them and of course he bought a brand new Ford F250 crew cab truck to tow it with. All told he probably has well over $125k into this rig. I don't mean to question his or your wants or desires but have you thought at all about renting them instead of buying?

I'd imagine you could rent a practically new luxury motorhome for 2 weeks a year for 10 years or more before buying a new motorhome makes any financial sense. Plus you wouldn't have to hassle with storage, maintenance and upkeep, or depreciation.

 

[manimal]

I have a friend who bought a brand new 5th wheel camper or whatever the heck you call them and of course he bought a brand new Ford F250 crew cab truck to tow it with. All told he probably has well over $125k into this rig. I don't mean to question his or your wants or desires but have you thought at all about renting them instead of buying?

I'd imagine you could rent a practically new luxury motorhome for 2 weeks a year for 10 years or more before buying a new motorhome makes any financial sense. Plus you wouldn't have to hassle with storage, maintenance and upkeep, or depreciation.

We have rented one twice in the last two years. Buying new like your friend is folly incarnate. The depreciation is worse than an alfa romeo in england lol


We plan on taking 3-4 trips a year to visit family out of state and to go to a lake where friends of ours have a lake home. We have camped outside every time we have gone and would get a big upgrade in our sleeping arrangements.

The biggest reason I want one is we have three year old triplets and I want them to grow up camping and doing road trips like I did in our airstream when I was younger.


Right now the market is seriously cheap for motorhomes. Those coaches in the mid 20s were 60+ a few years ago.

 

[skyking]

Post your questions over at rvforum.net, as Jeff suggested above. It is a great site, they do not mine your personal info as you come in the door, unlike the other rv forums.
I'm a member over there but do not profess any expertise on coaches. I'm a 5th wheel and diesel truck kinda guy.

 

[manimal]

Post your questions over at rvforum.net, as Jeff suggested above. It is a great site, they do not mine your personal info as you come in the door, unlike the other rv forums.
I'm a member over there but do not profess any expertise on coaches. I'm a 5th wheel and diesel truck kinda guy.

I originally wanted a fifth wheel but the wife insisits that being all in one. She said she doesnt want to be cooped up in a truck when she could be reading in the back. Not having the kids kicking the back of my seat asking us are we there yet would also be a plus.

I will check out rvforum

thx guys!

Lets see your fifth wheel skyking!

 

[skyking]

A coach is really what you want. Wife and I and the dog are quite comfortable in the truck while traveling; add 3 little ones and not so much

 

[boomhower]

My parents had a Class A for years growing up. They really liked it. Down the line they sold it and bought a fifth wheel. They and I liked the fifth wheel set-up much better. It seemed to have more room but the biggest thing was that once set-up you had the truck to get around in. That said, triplets in the cab of a truck is a whole other issue.

 

[skyking]

I originally wanted a fifth wheel but the wife insisits that being all in one. She said she doesnt want to be cooped up in a truck when she could be reading in the back. Not having the kids kicking the back of my seat asking us are we there yet would also be a plus.

I will check out rvforum

thx guys!

Lets see your fifth wheel skyking!

First post in the original "who is wrenching" thread.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2063406&highlight=who+wrenching+today

That one is going up for sale this spring. I have a lighter Alpenlite like this one:
http://priceonomics.com/rvs/alpenlite/27/

It is 7200 pounds with full water and gear and food, and 1400 pounds hitch weight, compared to 10K-plus and 2100 on the hitch. it is so much nicer to travel with.
No slide so less room, but we are fine with that. It drives like it is not even there. I get mid-teens towing it @60 mph.

 

[compman25]

I originally wanted a fifth wheel but the wife insisits that being all in one. She said she doesnt want to be cooped up in a truck when she could be reading in the back. Not having the kids kicking the back of my seat asking us are we there yet would also be a plus.

I will check out rvforum

thx guys!

Lets see your fifth wheel skyking!

You know, in about half the states it is legal to ride in a 5th wheel while in motion. And then you have a vehicle to use once you arrive at the campsite.

 

[skyking]

No seatbelts, no ride in my book. Have not seen a trailer with certified seating and belts in it. Shit does happen.

 

[KeithP]

Soooo this.

I have a friend who retired at around age 45 and his dream was to travel the country in a motor home with his wife. He bought a brand new one at somewhere near $150K, took it on maybe 3 trips, then sold it at a huge loss. Were those trips worth $15K each? No, and renting would have been a big win.

Well, if your "friend" and his wife actually did what they said they were going to do, that per trip cost would have dropped a bit right?

If this is your first RV, renting makes sense until you are absolutely sure you would use it enough to justify your purchase. The downside of renting is spontaneity. With your own RV you can decide in the morning to take a quick two night trip and be on the road by that afternoon. With renting, such short notice trips may not be possible.

You could also look a something like http://www.coachshare.com/default.asp

-KeithP