Best Built Class C Motorhomes

pnichols wrote:

Islandman wrote:
We have a 23 ft. Coach House on the Ford E450 chassis, it is well built and has not caused any problems at all; the unit still looks sharp and drives well. They are expensive, but the old saying is "you get what you pay for" certainly is true. Recommend looking at the privately owned used market, CH owners take good care of their rigs.

It's nice to have a Coach House owner speak up in these forums!

I'm curious about how Coach House has dealt with the stiff rear springs - relative to the weight of the coach - when using the E450 chassis on their smallest Class B+: For instance, does CH change the E450's rear suspension from leaf springs over to the ultimate - a full air suspension system?

We have a 24 foot Class C on an E450 and I have changed to special shocks in the rear to help deal with the stiffness, but full air suspension is really the way to go. Other than that, the E450 provides a real solid feeling under all conditions when I drive it because it under-loads the chassis so much relative to the maximum it was designed to carry.

31ft,E450 which has a huge overhang behind the axle. Over time metal fatigues. I simply had them add a leaf. Made a BIG difference. No more bottoming out at gas station driveways and made a BIG difference on the rude. IMHO I think air bags just make it worse and they do'not' give you lift.

To toss in my two bits...C's are constructed with one of two types of framing. Wood..whch is subject to rot and failure. And aluminum.

If you have the time..perhaps look at one of two C's from Canada. Big Foot, which is solid fibreglass roof. And Triple E Regals, which are of the aluminum framing variety. Regals also enjoy Thermo windows and very R valuse insulation, with enclosed pipes and lines and insulated and heated tanks.

Both of these are now only available on the used market.


Gary Haupt

Islandman wrote:
We have a 23 ft. Coach House on the Ford E450 chassis, it is well built and has not caused any problems at all; the unit still looks sharp and drives well. They are expensive, but the old saying is "you get what you pay for" certainly is true. Recommend looking at the privately owned used market, CH owners take good care of their rigs.

It's nice to have a Coach House owner speak up in these forums!

I'm curious about how Coach House has dealt with the stiff rear springs - relative to the weight of the coach - when using the E450 chassis on their smallest Class B+: For instance, does CH change the E450's rear suspension from leaf springs over to the ultimate - a full air suspension system?

We have a 24 foot Class C on an E450 and I have changed to special shocks in the rear to help deal with the stiffness, but full air suspension is really the way to go. Other than that, the E450 provides a real solid feeling under all conditions when I drive it because it under-loads the chassis so much relative to the maximum it was designed to carry.

We have a 23 ft. Coach House on the Ford E450 chassis, it is well built and has not caused any problems at all; the unit still looks sharp and drives well. They are expensive, but the old saying is "you get what you pay for" certainly is true. Recommend looking at the privately owned used market, CH owners take good care of their rigs.

There are many Lazy Daze owners that worship them, few complaints. The modern Ford engine/transmission/chassis is very reliable, easier to get service for, and cheaper to run for many years than any diesel set up. Phoenix Cruisers also have many satisfied owners. Most US brand Class C's use pretty much the same brands and models of appliances, RV generators, furnaces, air conditioners, awnings, plumbing, etc. Differences are in framework, roof and sidewall construction, and materials and hardware used in cabinetry, etc. Take your time and look at the various brands and models including lengths, sleeping accommodation, floor plans and features. Spend time reading previous posts on this forum including the stickies at the top. Take all comments with a grain of salt. Buy as new as you can, appliances, etc. start to need replacement at 10+ years. Tires need replacement every 5-6 years for safety, brake system needs periodic servicing including brake fluid flush/replacement. Owners often have suspension upgrades to improve handling and ride.

Owning, maintaining and using an RV is an expensive hobby in itself, not like owning and using an SUV. Renting, before you buy an RV is a good idea if you can afford it. Get the feel of preparation, operation of all the devices, and cleanup after a trip. Make sure that you and partner will want to use the rig often enough after the initial thrill wears off.

don,t no where you MB haters get your info but all the people I talk to, look on the net there great.mines been great like tens of thousands of others.

John S. wrote:
I love my Born Free on the F550 chassis with three roll bars and solid construction , hope it gives me along trouble ownership. I owned a size smaller born free for 9 years with no issues. I also have owned a foretravel class A for 16 years. More repairs there but a great coach. I like my Born Free better so that is saying something.

Yes, I've been looking at Born Free motorhomes.I know that they have a good reputation. The used one's are somewhat expensive. But, I guess you get what you pay for.

. The biggest thing that make them so bad for campers is that they need to be worked hard and long regularly and when you only use your camper a week or two a year they die sitting

Similar in Australia they use them a lot for Australia Post.Like the Fed Ex example are very reliable

I looked long and hard for my first Class C.

I found if they had REAL SOLID WOOD for cabinets AND the slides/front for drawers, it was a good place to start.

Pressed wood for cabinets/drawers pass em by. Cause there is going to be much more of that pressed wood thru out.

I found Four Winds was 'very' well built inside. Quality materials real wood thru out. Sturdy and durable. Fixtures and furniture.

I took my first Four Winds out on the show circuit where they are rode hard and put away wet each and every single weekend all year long. Fellow campers in and out of the MH all weekend long used and abused.

And that Four Winds held up to all of it!

At our sporting events 90% of the MH's on the grounds are Four Winds, Ford V-10. This is one of the reasons I decided that Four Winds just might be the MH to buy. And she didn't disappoint me.

And MANY of them pushing 100,000 miles. AND then they are often sold used to fellow sporting event campers and we STILL see them pulling into the show site with their new to them owners! It's not unusual for us to put on 70,000+ miles a year on our MH's.

midnightsadie wrote:
moisheh you facts ? fed X and others have run the death out of those engines and they still prr after 300k.

MB engines have a huge failure rate and are VERY expensive to repair with limited repair centers. Outside of major centers few if any places repair them and parts are a big problem to get and when you do get them they are crazy expensive.

Even companies that use them curse them as they are so hit and miss. One guy on a Sprinter forum has 6 of them and other than two that have been relatively trouble free (only requiring work every few months) most of his are off the road every couple of weeks. Transmission, Black Death, electronic issues, etc, etc.

A Sprinter was my dream vehicle till I started to hear the stories and talked to owners of them. Even dealers will tell you that they are nothing but problems when they are being honest. Check some of the Sprinter forums or Google Sprinter problems. The biggest thing that make them so bad for campers is that they need to be worked hard and long regularly and when you only use your camper a week or two a year they die sitting.