Basic Class A questions - looking for used 1997-2002
Hi to all,
My wife & I have been going back and forth for the past few months about which type of used unit to purchase which is within our budget. This purchase will probably happen in the Fall, Winter or Spring, to be ready to use it next summer. We've been watching ads and we're now seeing prices getting more attractive.
Through the years we've had a pop-up, travel trailer, older small Class A, and an older 26' Class C, and we now have a 20' hybrid. This time we've considered MH to TT and back again, and now we're pretty sure we want to go ahead with a 1997-2002 Class A within the $30k'ish range. The Class A gets us the levelers, storage and generator that just aren't available with a TT. We've had used before so used doesn't scare us. We'll of course make sure to get a unit that has lived in the south or southwest, no rust, hasn't set up for years without use, decent service records, no major damage, etc...
I have some basic questions on these years of Class A's as they are newer and larger than anything we've had before. We're most probably looking at 33'-36' length, and we're definitely looking for only a Chevy chassis since those years saw the first Ford V-10s come in with the plug issues. We know those plug issues were resolved long ago, but in the year models we're looking at, its got to be Chevy, preferably the 8.1L Workhorse, or (if we can't find the right 8.1L), a 7.4L 454.
Here are the first questions:
.) What is the chassis difference between a '98 7.4L Chevy and a 2001 8.1L Workhorse? Was the Workhorse heavier and/or wider? Did it drive/ride better? How was it different?
.) Was the Allison transmission only available with the Workhorse 8.1L, or was it also available on the late 1990's 7.4L models?
.) Since we're looking at the longer units, we're looking at 2 roof A/C's and 50 amp service. To date we've only had 30 amp models. Question - can you plug a 50 amp unit into a 30 amp service, of course as long as you don't try to use over 30 amps at one time ? Is a costly smart adapter necessary to hook up to the 30 amp service from a 50 amp unit or is it just a plug adapter?
Many thanks in advance,
Marty
My wife & I have been going back and forth for the past few months about which type of used unit to purchase which is within our budget. This purchase will probably happen in the Fall, Winter or Spring, to be ready to use it next summer. We've been watching ads and we're now seeing prices getting more attractive.
Through the years we've had a pop-up, travel trailer, older small Class A, and an older 26' Class C, and we now have a 20' hybrid. This time we've considered MH to TT and back again, and now we're pretty sure we want to go ahead with a 1997-2002 Class A within the $30k'ish range. The Class A gets us the levelers, storage and generator that just aren't available with a TT. We've had used before so used doesn't scare us. We'll of course make sure to get a unit that has lived in the south or southwest, no rust, hasn't set up for years without use, decent service records, no major damage, etc...
I have some basic questions on these years of Class A's as they are newer and larger than anything we've had before. We're most probably looking at 33'-36' length, and we're definitely looking for only a Chevy chassis since those years saw the first Ford V-10s come in with the plug issues. We know those plug issues were resolved long ago, but in the year models we're looking at, its got to be Chevy, preferably the 8.1L Workhorse, or (if we can't find the right 8.1L), a 7.4L 454.
Here are the first questions:
.) What is the chassis difference between a '98 7.4L Chevy and a 2001 8.1L Workhorse? Was the Workhorse heavier and/or wider? Did it drive/ride better? How was it different?
.) Was the Allison transmission only available with the Workhorse 8.1L, or was it also available on the late 1990's 7.4L models?
.) Since we're looking at the longer units, we're looking at 2 roof A/C's and 50 amp service. To date we've only had 30 amp models. Question - can you plug a 50 amp unit into a 30 amp service, of course as long as you don't try to use over 30 amps at one time ? Is a costly smart adapter necessary to hook up to the 30 amp service from a 50 amp unit or is it just a plug adapter?
Many thanks in advance,
Marty
