Advice on a Class C sizes..... 26' or 31'

Rigs advertised as 26 feet long may actually be one foot longer, bumper to bumper. Our Tioga 26Q is 27 feet long. A 27 foot rig may seem too small over time if your tolerance wears thin. Motorhomes do not have all the comforts of homes unless you own a 40+ foot behemoth. Making and unmaking a dinette bed can become a bother after a couple of weeks on the road. The dog can usually find a place to curl up, maybe in Ma's crocheting chair. We set up a large collapsible crate for our two dogs for daytime. If you've tent camped a lot, you'll appreciate limited time camping/touring a medium-length Class C rig.

Hi,

26 feet is the ideal ratio of length to wheel base (assuming 176") which makes the RV easy to handle in regards to tail swing and road tracking.

I had the same problem as you in finding something in my budget range and floor plan,looking at RV Trader and CL plus others that is why I looked at the Rental Market. This may not be your cup of tea but it is worth a look.

This one may be an option,altho it is up north they may have something at the Santa Fe Springs location,you might give them a call. Ask for Darylin Fragoso,she knows about the Rental Thread she may be able to help you out. Good Luck.

On edit: I see that you are in the Inland Empire,there is the same one at the San Bernardo location This One

Just curious if those with 2 adults and 2 teens, and a dog...found a 26' too small over time. Like I said.....trying to get input from those that have done this before and hopefully get the correct RV the first time.

Never owned a C, but have owned TTs, 5ers, and a Class A. Wife likes to crochet (relaxing for her) inside/outside after we've done our sight-seeing, boating and playing, and I like to fish/boat (my way to relax).

Inside space is important. Did not like the corner Full size beds for reasons described...too hard getting into/out of, and extra work to make bed.

Couch and dinette.....Would like to have the dinette free from being a bed so we can use it in the morning without have to wake up one of our kids.

Is there a 26'-27' that has a couch, dinette, and rear walk around queen?

Budget is $35K.....used in the years 2002-2005 seem to be what I am finding for these models at this price. RV trader and CL are where I have been looking.

IMHO length makes less of a difference in maneuverability than one would think at first. Yes, a longer class C does have a somewhat worse turning radius (though none are in any way superior) and does occasionally require more care in parking or buying gas, but in my experience it's less of a concern than the vehicle width or height. I personally would rather have a little longer RV with a handier layout than a shorter one for maneuverability, other things being equal.

If I were to launch a boat with my motorhome, I think I would get a front-mount hitch for that process. I also would have to get a boat and a trailer first....

We did have a 24' class C with a corner bed and no couch. Hated it, too hard to get in the bed, let alone make it. We traded it for a 26' Thor Chateau with walk around bed in a slide, sofa, dinette and cover cab bunk. So much better for us.

Sorry. You did say Class C.

Someone in a campground said that Class A motor homes, no matter how big, are best suited for 2 but you didn't say Class A or C. When we were looking we were also looking for that size range. Our must-haves were a standing walk-a-round bed, couch and dinette. We found that can't get all 3 in 26 ft. but you can with 30 or maybe 29. We found a 30 ft. Class C with 2 slides (bed cross wise in rear) and it works out really well. I would prefer 2 to 3 ft. shorter with 2 slides which are out there and might give up the dinette. But even a 25 footer is too big to drive around sightseeing without towing a vehicle.

Teens can usually sleep in the overhead or on convertible dinette. Adults sleep best in a rear bedroom with RV queen bed. Teens will probably lose interest in camping/touring after a time. We prefer spending daytime outdoors under awning.
You can take a tent for extra kids in safe places. A 27 footer with/without a slide should work for you. You may want to bring bicycles on a hitch rack.

If on a tight budget with a family of four, look at an affordable Coachman Freelander 22QB or equivalent. They are not tiny but work well enough in getting around in state & federal parks & other such lands without a tow vehicle. Sleeping & travel accommodations are great for Mom & Dad and two teenagers.

If no kids, just 2 adults, I suggest something like we have. A little smaller yet, still we tow to be even more mobile at our destinations.

If you are not worried about mobility so much, go bigger.

I can't comment on boat launching other than....the longer the rear over-hang is, the harder it will be. A short rig with a 170" wheel base will be better.