What to look for in a MH when going full-time

Clay L has it right, Carry Cappacity is #1. If you don't have room for your stuff nothing else matters.

You and only you need to be comfortable in whatever you get. And everyone is different as you can see from the responses you have gotten and will get. But for us,,

*Make sure you have ample storage inside and out. We prefer a motor home on a raised rail for the extra storage below it creates. And we prefer to not have a dishwasher because of the storage it takes away.
*Storage space means nothing if you don’t have the carrying capacity needed to handle what you will probably WANT to carry while full timing.
* There is NO WAY we would be without a washer drier. Sure they are slow but I’d rather sit outside enjoying nature or out for a walk while the machine is doing it’s thing. Rather than sit at a laundry mat. And what do I care if we take 5 min. loading the machine every 2 our 3 days to keep up on laundry while I’m off enjoying something else rather than being at a laundry mat. In fact even though I would like the stacked set, Diane says she likes the combo unit because it does not take as much space.
*Most MH’s will have at least 2 air conditioners and if we ever buy another it will have 3. Even if it’s a 40 footer.
*A generator and inverter is a must for us. And for us solar and good battery capacity is very important.
*We could certainly live with 2 slides up front and one in the bedroom but I don’t think we personally would be happy with it.
*We like to boondock or at least stay in state parks and things can be a little more dirty than staying in a resort setting so if we had it to do over we would not have any carpet if possible. We only have carpet in the bedroom and drivers side slide now and that’s to much for our taste.
*For me more power is better (torque) but you can make due with whatever. You shouldn’t be looking for a races anyway.
*Remember you can modify a few things to fit your likes. We took out a couch and put in a computer station with file cabinets and a rocker recliner. And installed MCD shades, solar and larger batteries to suit our needs. But it would have been nice to negotiate some of that into the original purchase but had no real idea what we were doing because it was our first MH. But we still have it and we bought it in 07.
It’s good you are asking questions.

We have a mid-entry diesel. And I believe there is a new one out, just can't remember who is making it. But the mid-entry does make it so easy for entertaining on the patio, carrying in groceries, etc. And when we turn the navigator seat around, I use the small area (because I can move the seat back almost to the dash) behind for storage while we are at a park.

Combo w/d do just fine if you don't have room for stackables, or don't want to loose space above the washer. i agree with not schlepping to laundromats, but have no problem using the combo washer, just takes a little bit of practice not overloading them. Do agree on having it mid coach not next to the bed as I often put a load in to wash/dry when we go to bed. As for time - it doesn't take me an hour to do a load - because I don't sit and look at it as it is working, I'm doing something else. What difference does the time make when you are doing something else?

Don't want a tub I can't use. Never have a problem with water backing up into the coach from the shower as I leave the gray tank open when we have full hookups and close the day before dumping the black. If you figure 10 gallons per load of wash, you'll quickly learn how many loads along with other normal uses you can do before dumping if you do decide to keep the grey closed all of the time. For us, it is 6 loads of laundry. We have a 100 gallon grey tank.

I have a central vac.

Replaced the day/night shades with blinds. Can tilt them so we can see out/light comes in. Windows are tinted.

Oven - not me. I never use ours except for storage as I have a microwave/convection oven that works very well. I'd rather have a cook top with storage drawers below.

Do agree on not having carpeting. Hate mine and would love to get rid of it.

Make sure you can use all of the facilities with the slides in. You never know when you will need to hunker down and pull all of the slides in during a storm. Or that you will be able to stay overnight with the coach at a repair facility, but can't put out the slides. We can do that and get to everything we need with the slides in. Really important to check when looking at a unit. Also, spend a couple of hours in a unit that looks promising and go through the motions of taking a shower - including washing your hair, sit on the toilet and CLOSE the toilet room door. With the slides in, open the refrigerator, open drawers, etc. - can you get to everything. Stretch out on the bed with the slide in, can you sleep on it, etc.

Look for older high end coaches and part of your shopping. You'll be surprised at what is out there.

Barb

As mentioned above, something you need to be aware of.
Many full timers find that they need at least 1500 pounds of cargo carrying capacity (CCC) for each adult. The CCC or the newer designation OCCC will be on a sticker somewhere in the motor home - usually in a cabinet or closet.

You can see the definition of CCC HERE, and OCCC HERE.
Scroll down to "2009 New weight label" and download the pdf file.


To get CCC subtract the weight of water you will carry and the weight of the people you will carry from the OCCC.

It is common to see CCC numbers as low as a few hundred pounds (even on diesel pushers) which means it would be overloaded for weekend trips and unusable for full timing.

We have 2800 pounds of CCC and would like to have 3500. We started with a 30 footer with no slides and after a year traded it in on a new 35 footer with two slides.


This is a reprint of Gary Rinker's article from the rvforum.

"The federal government has stepped in and issued regulations concerning weight labels in Cars and RVs. Previous RV weight labels were under the auspices of the RVIA and all their member companies used them while others did not. The new label, called the Occupant and Cargo Carrying Capacity label (OCCC) will supersede the previous RVIA label, i.e. the RVIA will no longer require its members to place the RVIA version of the label on each RV. The new label requirement requirement went into effect June 2, 2008.

The main effect is that OCCC replaces the RVIA CCC definition and that's important because OCCC is a much different number. The previous CCC was a net number, showing how much capacity was left for actual cargo after subtracting everything else that is normally carries, e.g. people, water and propane. The new OCCC combines people, water and cargo weight into one number, leaving it to the owner to compute how much he has of each on board. Propane, however, is NOT considered cargo and is included in added to the chassis UVW (Unladen vehicle Weight), which also includes fuel, oil and coolant.

The new OCCC label will show the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo, the weight of a full tank of fresh water and the number of seating positions that have seat belts. For RV trailers, the word "occupants" and the information on seat belts are omitted from the label.

OCCC is computed as follows: OCCC = GVWR - (UVW + Propane)

Simply add the weight of a full load of propane (including the tanks, if portable tanks are used) to the Unladen Vehicle Weight (UVW) and subtract that number from the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

Regulations specify that the label must be permanently affixed and visibly located on the interior of the forward-most exterior passenger door on the RIGHT side of the vehicle. That should make the new label much easier to locate than the former RVIA label, which could be tucked away almost anywhere.

Another feature of the new regulation is a requirement that dealers must provide an updated weight label if they add more than 100 lbs to the factory weight between the time they receive the RV and its sale to the first retail customer. This assures the customer gets a useful OCCC number.

When you are looking be sure to have them close the slides so you can get a feel for the motorhome when you are on the road. We have 2 smaller slides and can even walk around our bed when the slides are closed. Some MH you can't even access the bathroom.

Front entry is not that much of a hassle. If someone needs something outside we just hand it thru the window no big deal.

Carpeting is a no no for us. Throw rugs work great, wash, dry and put back down.

No washer and dryer. Would rather go to the laundry mat every 7 to days get it all done in an 1 1/2 hours. Some people have told us it takes 1 hour or more to do 1 small load of laundry. To much effort.

Love the convection oven had to learn to use it but would never have an oven in an RV again. (never thought I would say that)

Go for the bigger shower. As you get older it is harder to step over the tub to get in. NO washer no gray water issue. Just watch your water use when your gray water valve is shut.

Full timing is great. Your life style changes so much. Spend all year in warmer weather and summer clothes take up a lot less room. You don't need as much as you think you do. Have fun and good luck with the adventure.

Wally Walleye's DW

Agree with the brands mentioned above. I would also consider a pre 2010 Monaco Knight or higher; or Holiday Rambler Endeavour or higher model. The other thing I strong suggest checking for a full-timer is the cargo carrying capacity. We carry everything we own with us (except for 3 boxes of "stuff" at my Mom's). Even with all the cutting back, it still amounts to quite a load.

Kathy has some good points and I agree with many of them. But I think all mid-entry door models are gas and all diesels usually have door in front of passenger seat. One of my pet peeves.

I prefer my Oreck vac over factory installed vac. The Dirt Devil (or whichever brand factory installs) bags are way too small and it usually requires going outside to change bags.

No Oven for us. A Microwave/Convection is a much better way to bake for fulltimers. Cookies, pies, cakes, bread, Turkey, bake great in our GE M/C.

Most MH's are limited with kitchen counter space, but if you're organized, you can fix Thanksgiving dinners in anything.

Two AC's should be standard on all MH's and most 5er's. Many 43' models have 3.

While some people prefer a King bed, we like a Queen. Much easier to change sheets without throwing out my back. And speaking of backs, we can use nearly any residential mattress type out on the market. RV Kings are harder to find with their odd size.

We have a 37ft Class A, 2000 Winnebago Adventurer. What you ask is impossible to cover in one message. I'll give my thoughts on what I think ... and keep them brief (or as brief as I can).
1. Gas or Diesel? We chose gas engine. We're more familiar with maintaining a gas engine. If we had gone any larger than 37ft, we'd have had no choice but to go with a diesel engine. We don't travel more than 500 miles every six months.

2. mid entry or front entry? I insist on having my front door behind the passenger seat. Carrying stuff in and out (groceries etc ) is a hassle and I like having my door come into the kitchen area. If you want to eat outside...it's hundreds of extra steps to cart food/plates/condiments/beverages if you have to walk ALL the way forward outside and then half way back to your kitchen.

3. Washer/dryer? Stackables are a must (combos and laundry mats are horrible) I DO NOT want my washer and dryer in the bedroom. Mid Coach next to the toilet (BUT NOT IN THE SAME ROOM AS THE TOILET) is better. (We winter in the NW and it's easier to keep the water from freezing if the water lines are close to the bathroom area instead of where we are sleeping. I will run a small heater in the bathroom area with doors and cabinet doors open, but I will NOT run a heater in our bedroom. Too noisy and I don't like it too warm when I sleep.)

4. Tub vs Shower? I insist on a tub. If you've ever had your gray tank back up into the coach because the valve is closed and the washing machine is going... a tub will save you lots of cleaning up.

5. Toilet area behind it's own door... vs between the shower and the sink? No brainer. Toilet behind it's own door.

6. Oven or no oven? OVEN!

7. Table or Bench dinette? I always liked a bench dinette (for storage) and that's what we have but if we ever bought a larger coach, I'd go with an expandable table and swivel chairs.

8. Mirrors around the kitchen area? I do not like to clean them, so big dislike here.

9. Roof A/C or Basement A/C ? Basement is my choice because it's like being in a house (air flow without the noise) but I've not listened to a "ducted roof" system. We gave up storage area to have a basement A/c / Furnace.

10. Slides? Two... both on driver's side. One for the living room and one for the bedroom. (We only have the L/R slide in this rig but sometimes wish we had more room in the bedroom.) (I don't like kitchen slide if it's on the passenger "patio" side of the coach. Cuts down on outside area to relax in. Makes it really hard to get at storage area, too.)

11. Filtration system. ALL the water coming into the coach should go through a sediment filter. If you have internal sprayers in your black tank...a little sand will plug them up and then they won't work. We have an under-the-sink filter for cooking/drinking water.

12. Vacuum. I've never had a central vac... but it's a real chore to store a regular vacuum.

13. Windows. Day/night shades go up and down. Windows slide back and forth. When you want to close the shades and still have the window open for air, it's a toss up how to do that and keep your privacy. I put curtains over the windows and that gives me lots of options... and helps cut the condensation down to almost nothing. The Bedroom windows - need ventilation and privacy... it's a challenge.

14. Windshield curtain. Electric or manual? You will have to close the front windshield curtain so make sure it's easy to do.

Trying to find a Mid-Entry front door, oven and tub/shower combo in a Class A these days, is like looking for a four leaf clover. They are VERY hard to find.

I would stay with the top manufacturers like: Newmar, Tiffin, Winnebago. Some others that were quality built, older models: Foretravel, Country Coach. I would have at least 2 slides. Queen bed. Lots of storage. Joey bed in storage bins underneath. At least 2 AC's. Residential refrigerator unless you are going to boondock. Aqua Hot furnace and hot water. As for length, we full time in a 33' Country Coach Allure with 2 slides with no problem, so I think the floorplan and slides are more important and length. We just are careful about the weight and pared down all our belongings. We chose a diesel pusher because of how long diesel engines last and how many miles they will go.

Quite honestly, you can full-time in anything - we've seen it done. However, we love our Newmar! The reason we bought it was because of other owners' positive comments and we haven't been disappointed in anything. If ordering new you can make many changes to the floorplan (within reason) to suit you. We designed it for us and then sent out emails to approx. 20 dealers throughout the country. They were all bidding on exactly the same unit so the one that came in lowest, we bought from. It was a very easy way of shopping. We just made another siteseeing trip out of going to pick it up. As far as warranty work, any dealer can do it. You don't have to return to the original. Fortunately, we had minimal the first year and none since. Much happiness in your new lifestyle. It's awesome!