RV Experts - What About This RV?

Hakim · Apr 10, 2006

Frank & Bird,

Frank -- thanks for the RV board link. I WILL use it.

Bird. Well, thank you again; you certainly have given me a lot more to think about and consider. And that's a good thing. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I probably am going to have to buy a RV basics-type book and go thru it enough to at least be able to carry on a conversation on some of those RV lots.

When I drive over to Tucson, I pass exactly by a couple of huge dealers right over the CA border. I'll stop next time and spend an hour or so going inside the various coaches and see what "I like."

I am just a little but nervous that RV-ing -- like photography -- is one of those pastimes/hobbies, where there really is no end to spending on "just one more" upgrade or feature.

Fun is on the way, that's for sure! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bird · Apr 10, 2006

( going to have to buy a RV basics-type book )

There are several good ones available. We were members of both the Good Sam Club and the Family Motor Coach Association. Membership included monthly magazines from each of them and I bought a repair manual that was really good. And now I'm not absolutely sure, but I think it was this one.

EddieWalker · Apr 10, 2006

I don't know the brand first hand, but have a few thoghts on what you said in your post.

The driveline is the most important part of your RV, but most people buy on color, floor plan and doo-hickies.

Cummins seems to be about the standard engine, though Cat is good, it's just easier to get parts and maintain the Cummins IMHO.

Air suspensions really make a huge difference when your travleing all day. Too many models cut corners here and use springs. The difference is like night and day.

Slideouts have a bad rep from all the problems people had with them. Leaks were very common, but also not working.

The newer models pretty much have that taken care of. It's been a long time since I've heard of a newer RV having a slide out problem. If you can, get as many slides as possible. The cost, but when you enter an RV with double slides in the living area, you'd think you were in a small house. Wide open space!!!

Do you have kids?

Bigger is better here. Keep them as far away from you as you can and let them be kids in their own area. This way everyone is happy. Small RV's are only good for two people that really get along. My parents have a 40 footer with triple slides and it's just right for space.

Tow vehicle. You should really reconsider not wanting one. Even a small RV is a pain to drive around town, but haveing to break camp just to go get something is a headache that could easily be prevented. Once you set up, you really don't want to have to put everything away every time you want to go to town.

Site seeing, shopping, visiting friends or just exploring is very enjoyable with a small car, but a huge headache in an RV. Did I say that it's a HUGE HEADACHE???? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The new towbars are real easy to hook up. It's something you can do yourself in just a few minutes. Faster than it takes to put away the grill and chairs, that's for sure!!!

Serivce for an RV is the same as a tractor. Be sure you buy something that you can get serviced at a convienent location. Lot's of things can and will go wrong on it. Price has no bearing on it either. It's always something you never expect, but when it a happens, you have to deal with it. The blades all broke off the vent fans within a week of each other once. Three fans and no blades. Weird stuff, but in the RV world, that's pretty normal.

Be sure you know where you can dump your tanks too. It can be a real challange finding a dump station after a weekend at the lake at you have 60 gallons of black waste.

Enjoy,
Eddie

anojones · Apr 10, 2006

This is from a non-RV'er, so take it for what it's worth. If you are really new the the RV lifestyle, I think it would be a good idea to rent one for an extended trip to see if you're going to enjoy it. It's a fairly small investment to make sure that your not spending 75-100K on something you will want to get rid of in the next couple of years. There are lots of used RV/Travel trailers out there that folks sell soon after buying- and you take a big hit in depreciation. On the other hand, those new class c sprinter chassis do look nice.

Bird · Apr 10, 2006

Eddie, I'd have to agree with some of what you say and disagree with some.

Driveline important? Sure it is, when you're moving down the road, but what percentage of the time is that compared to the time you spend sitting parked, fixing meals, bathing, sleeping, watching TV, etc.? The floorplan and doo-hickies get mighty important then. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Cummins the standard? And Cat? Yes . . . in the big rigs, but so far in this thread we've been talking about Class C, not Class A rigs. Class C with a Cummins or Cat is a rare and expensive machine.

Air suspensions? They're wonderful, as are air brakes, but right now I can't think of any motorhomes that have them until you get into the big, high dollar rigs.

Bigger is better? Kind of like tractors; depends on personal preference and use. We lived for awhile in a 40' Bounder with no slide-outs. It had a floor plan that was perfect for the two of us and all the room we ever needed or wanted. It also had all the bells and whistles we wanted; automatic leveling jacks, VCR, two TVs, separate ice maker, washer/dryer, two air-conditioners, 7kw generator, dual 6 volt batteries for the coach, automatic power steps, microwave, etc. Great home for us, and probably no good at all for some other people. It was on an Oshkosh chassis with a 460 Ford gasoline engine (you bet I'd prefer diesel), no air suspension or air brakes (yes, they're better), but the price was much better on the one we had so we were happy with it.

Tow vehicle? I agree, if you're going to spend much time parked and hooked up to water, electric, sewer, and sometimes even telephone and cable TV. It was an absolute necessity for us, but may not be for someone with a small self-contained rig that isn't going to spend much time hooked up to utilities.

The tow bars are great, quick, and easy, but you can't back up more than 3 or 4 feet without unhooking the tow vehicle.

Dump stations? Anyone who has and uses an RV really should buy one or more of the campground directories. They will tell you where you can dump, and yes, that can sometimes be a problem, but not one we had with the directories we had.

Taylortractornut · Apr 10, 2006

Hakim You might want to look at an Allegro RV. I think the smallest one they make is an Allegro. I cant remaber al lthe models right now Bu they are some pretty good RV's I work for the owner Mr. Bob Tiffin operating a landfill for his waste. Every thing is done inhouse and he has an excellent frame warranty and alsothe outs pannel have the same 5 year warranty. An they are available with the inline Cummins motors now. I dont know if this rig is in your size range but after touring the plant several times and seeing their service first hand Im impressed with them. I think they use a Freightliner chassis now to I know all the bigger ones they make do. Their site is www.tiffinmotorhomes.com .

Egon · Apr 10, 2006

I also think a rental would be a good idea. Everyone is different in their personal space and all the requirements/needs that go with this.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bird · Apr 10, 2006

Taylor, isn't the 28' Class A Allegro the smallest thing they make?

moss2940 · Apr 10, 2006

Small rigs have Cummins. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
This one comes with a 100,000 mile warranty on the engine.

Bird · Apr 11, 2006

( Small rigs have Cummins )

Yeah, but that's a 2 piece rig and we've only been talking about one piece rigs. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif How do you like that Alpenlite? The products of theirs that I've seen looked really good.