5 figure 30 foot
A while back DW told me she wanted a Class C so I checked into that forum to get advice and learned loads about chassis options, engines, pros and cons etc.
We just got back from the Tampa RV show and went through the various C's and nothing seemed to strike our fancy. Our favorites were some of the options on a Sprinter chassis (I mostly liked a diesel)... but for what we intend to do there was not enough storage, they were set up with almost no carry capacity, and they were not really affordable. To set some context - we paid $70K for an HDT with a 40' toy hauler as our last rig. It was really a dream rig for what we did back then. We are OK to downsize now that we have no kids in the mix... but to pay a lot more and be scrimping on every pound of cargo seems wrong.
Our intention is to have a rig for extended stays (we've live in an RV for up to 6 months with kids) as well as long trips (we'd like to do a circuit of the continental US one day).
Now that a Class C seems out - are we off base to think we can get into a capable Class A in any 5 figure price range and maybe under 30'? We went through several shorter floor plans with a V10 gas engine and 2 slides and there were a few that seemed quite livable. The "show prices" on several rigs we liked were under $90K (a few a lot under).
I've never really looked seriously at a Class A before, in part because I hesitate to spend over 6 figures on a depreciating asset. However, if DW is behind this and I can get my homework done - this could be a plan.
All my previous RV have been diesel but I guess I could be OK with a V10 gas. The rigs we saw had 80 gallon tanks so even with gas fuel efficiency the range was ok. I'm OK driving anything but DW is hesitant. I got her to drive the 34' fifthwheel setup but she refused to attempt the hauler behind the HDT. I need her to be able to take turns driving and I do think that if she could do the 3/4 ton diesel towing she can step up to a motorhome? In fact, sitting in a few class A vs sitting under the doghouse of some class C made her think she might prefer the sight lines of the A vs a C?
Finally, I just cannot see us doing a 2 (or 4 or 6) month trip with an 800# cargo capacity. We can pack light.... but not that light. I have not yet checked all the numbers on the short A's with a V10 but I am assuming we are OK to tow a small car and carry a ton of stuff and go across the country?
What wisdom can this group offer? What questions should I be asking. What issues do I face with a less expensive and short A?
We just got back from the Tampa RV show and went through the various C's and nothing seemed to strike our fancy. Our favorites were some of the options on a Sprinter chassis (I mostly liked a diesel)... but for what we intend to do there was not enough storage, they were set up with almost no carry capacity, and they were not really affordable. To set some context - we paid $70K for an HDT with a 40' toy hauler as our last rig. It was really a dream rig for what we did back then. We are OK to downsize now that we have no kids in the mix... but to pay a lot more and be scrimping on every pound of cargo seems wrong.
Our intention is to have a rig for extended stays (we've live in an RV for up to 6 months with kids) as well as long trips (we'd like to do a circuit of the continental US one day).
Now that a Class C seems out - are we off base to think we can get into a capable Class A in any 5 figure price range and maybe under 30'? We went through several shorter floor plans with a V10 gas engine and 2 slides and there were a few that seemed quite livable. The "show prices" on several rigs we liked were under $90K (a few a lot under).
I've never really looked seriously at a Class A before, in part because I hesitate to spend over 6 figures on a depreciating asset. However, if DW is behind this and I can get my homework done - this could be a plan.
All my previous RV have been diesel but I guess I could be OK with a V10 gas. The rigs we saw had 80 gallon tanks so even with gas fuel efficiency the range was ok. I'm OK driving anything but DW is hesitant. I got her to drive the 34' fifthwheel setup but she refused to attempt the hauler behind the HDT. I need her to be able to take turns driving and I do think that if she could do the 3/4 ton diesel towing she can step up to a motorhome? In fact, sitting in a few class A vs sitting under the doghouse of some class C made her think she might prefer the sight lines of the A vs a C?
Finally, I just cannot see us doing a 2 (or 4 or 6) month trip with an 800# cargo capacity. We can pack light.... but not that light. I have not yet checked all the numbers on the short A's with a V10 but I am assuming we are OK to tow a small car and carry a ton of stuff and go across the country?
What wisdom can this group offer? What questions should I be asking. What issues do I face with a less expensive and short A?
