Best Used Class C's? Rank your top five.

Technically, a class "B+" (which is a marketing term rather than an official RVIA classification) is a class C, one generally on the smaller side and generally without a cabover bunk. I guess "B+" is deemed as sounding better than "C-".

A class A motorhome is built on a bare chassis or a custom motorhome/motor coach chassis. The bodywork comes from the motorhome manufacturer.

A class B motorhome is built inside a cargo van, with the cargo van walls (but often a raised roof). The bodywork comes from the chassis maker.

A class C motorhome is built on a cutaway chassis or a cab-and-chassis. The cab body work comes from the chassis maker, the house bodywork from the motorhome maker. Having a cabover bunk is common in class C motorhomes, but by no means a requirement.

DrewE's pedantic but gentle rant for the day is now over. You may return to your regularly scheduled discussions.

memtb wrote:

pnichols wrote:

memtb wrote:
Triple E, Bigfoot, Phoenix Cruiser, Coach House, Winnebago, In that order, the first two are a toss-up!

Todd ... shouldn't your list order maybe be - Coach House, Triple E, Bigfoot, Phoenix Cruiser, Winnebago?

By the way, I think that the OP asked about Class C motorhomes ... and that implies a full size cab overhead. (Some on the list might be Class B+ motorhomes due to a smaller size stream-lined overhead area.)

Your probably more accurate than I. I did “lump” the B+ in with the C’s.....should have verified prior to posting! :o. The reason I didn’t list the Coach House higher.....I’m “hung-up” on wintering capabilities. Unless my limited research is incorrect, they have exposed plumbing. If “wintering capabilities” is off the table.....Coach House moves to #1!

Here's some info from the Coach House website on how they're designed and built to deal with cold weather - FWIW, what they describe is about how our Itasca Class C with it's Winter Package handles cold weather:
http://www.coachhouserv.com/info-faq.php#7

pnichols wrote:

memtb wrote:
Triple E, Bigfoot, Phoenix Cruiser, Coach House, Winnebago, In that order, the first two are a toss-up!

Todd ... shouldn't your list order maybe be - Coach House, Triple E, Bigfoot, Phoenix Cruiser, Winnebago?

By the way, I think that the OP asked about Class C motorhomes ... and that implies a full size cab overhead. (Some on the list might be Class B+ motorhomes due to a smaller size stream-lined overhead area.)

Your probably more accurate than I. I did “lump” the B+ in with the C’s.....should have verified prior to posting! :o. The reason I didn’t list the Coach House higher.....I’m “hung-up” on wintering capabilities. Unless my limited research is incorrect, they have exposed plumbing. If “wintering capabilities” is off the table.....Coach House moves to #1!

memtb wrote:
Triple E, Bigfoot, Phoenix Cruiser, Coach House, Winnebago, In that order, the first two are a toss-up!

Todd ... shouldn't your list order maybe be - Coach House, Triple E, Bigfoot, Phoenix Cruiser, Winnebago?

By the way, I think that the OP asked about Class C motorhomes ... and that implies a full size cab overhead. (Some on the list might be Class B+ motorhomes due to a smaller size stream-lined overhead area.)

Hi Tom-Wildlands1

My reply is based on these assumptions.....

- 24 foot max length
- main floor double bed B+ types
- primarily for a married couple (and an occasional guest)
- 10 year minimum age, 26 year maximum age
- pricing from $8,000 to $25,000-$30,000

- 1993 to 1995 Telstar (E-Series) very affordable
- 1998 to 2005 Starflyte (E-Series & Chevy) very affordable
- 2004 to 2009 Phoenix Cruiser (E-Series)
- 1999 to 2009 Dynamax Isata Sport (E-Series & Chevy) old ones very affordable
- 2001 to 2009 Coach House (E-Series)
- 1993 to 2006 Chinook (E-Series and Chevy) old ones very affordable
- 1993 to 2009 Born Free

If getting the most popular E-series (E350 & E450) the Triton V10 engine is an excellent engine, introduced in 1998, replacing the previous V8 engine which had issues with exhaust manifolds, lower fuel efficiency, and also less power. The Triton V8 is just as great in the short 20-21 foot lengths. So I consider 1998 the ideal starting point. There are other technical thresholds. For example, the Torqshift transmission introduced around 2005 is better than previous years, a 2008 has numerous chassis upgrades over previous years. A 2009 has a refreshed dash board with glove box and nicer features better ergonomically placed over previous years.

Basically, the newer the better. Ford kept making the E-series better. NOT one year did anything get worse. But keep in-mind that even a 1998 was a good year. It just might not be as shift-friendly when climbing, will use a little more fuel, and brake a little less efficiently as one made today in 2019.

Also keep in-mind that starting in 2008, the E350 and E450 handle heavier loads which only makes the ride more harsh in the shorter & lighter motor homes. If you buy a 2008 or newer and find the ride too harsh for your lighter load (most often up front) you can replace the front coil springs to the next lower rated Ford spring to better match your worst case load for a smoother ride.

Our 2007 E350 (at 23'-8" long & 158" wheel base) has a light load up front. I had looked into this after a wheel alignment was done. So our load did not warrant any such action. If I had a 2008 E350 chassis, I would change the front coil springs to one rating less which is what our 2007 E350 has or one rating lower yet. If I had an E450, I would have even more to consider.

If you study our rig in my signature, you can visually see the front end standing a bit taller than it should be. When our rig was brand new, the front tires skewed inward at the bottom....kind-of like what happens when you jack up the front end. A lower rated spring (one rating less) would bring it down to the right level, setting the tires more properly. My alignment shop compensated through the use of offset suspension bushings for a proper wheel alignment. I feel that was addressing the symptom rather than the cause. It all works right though I feel there was a better way to handle it with a better over-all outcome.

Triple E, Bigfoot, Phoenix Cruiser, Coach House, Winnebago, In that order, the first two are a toss-up!

Add Coach House units to those mentioned above, usually a little higher priced but they hold their value well and are made to last.

In my opinion, condition trumps brand. A lower-end brand in great shape would be a better deal than a top brand in poor shape.

That said, the four mentioned are probably the top ones in general. Winnebago has a bit better than average reputation in my estimation for the bigger, more mainstream companines, but not on a par with Lazy Daze et al.

had a born free 24ft was a great unit well built, they hold there valve because there one of the best and don,t have to worry about roof leaks.

Maybe look at the "Cruisers"
Phoenix and BT, in that order.