Buying our first motorhome

Hi "...dance":

It is very easy to get wrapped up into various floor plans and "eye candy". The most important factor in your decision, IMHO, is the Occupant and Cargo Carrying Capacity (OCCC) of the RV. Basically, this is how much weight, people and stuff, the RV can safely carry without overloading the chassis and tires, and keep you and your family safe. You noted that you were interested in a unit that can sleep 7-8. Will you be driving down the road with 7 or 8 or only sleeping 7 or 8? So, approximately how much do all these folks weigh? How much stuff will you need to take for 7 or 8? Will you be taking all of your groceries with you, or buy when you get there?
Slides will give you more room once camped, but not while on the road. Slides are heavy and subtract from OCCC. I know the weight issue can be mundane and detracts from the fun of the RV experience, but I strongly suggest that you consider this as your starting point in your search.

Best wishes on your search,

Bob

Some things my friends and I do is frequent RV shows to see what is going on. It is a convenient place to compare floor plans of different RVs while the features are fresh in your mind. Floor plans in new RVs are often carried over from year to year so you probably can find a similar older unit that suits your needs. One friend was looking for something to handle a bunch of kids and dogs and met someone at a show shopping to trade up. Seller and buyer both win when the agreed price is somewhere between wholesale and dealer retail. I bought a used pickup truck the same way visiting a new car dealer lot on a Sunday afternoon while they were closed.

Go visit a bunch of dealers, and find some floorplans you like. They don't change that much from older years, so you'll have a better idea of what to look for when you look at used coaches online...

Our Outlook 31C sleeps 8, but only if everyone doubles up in a bed, and we fold down the dinette (which is shorter than the other three beds/couch).

We bought it used, and so far, no issues whatsoever with water damage, but the Winnebagos use an aluminum frame and have a steel floor. Some manufacturers have wood frames and plywood floors, and they simply don't age quite as well...

We just bought a 2003 Itasca 30 ft. class C with 2 slides; 20,000 miles for $23,000. After 40 years of pop-ups and a small 5th wheel. Very excited but apprehensive about long term costs. If you are going to tow as we are, have to be prepared for lots of costs besides just purchasing the MH but we knew that. It's the costs of future repairs that no one can know. We think we will like it a lot; the generator, fast set-up and the space added by the slides. Only time will tell. 1st thing I did was buy Good Sam's road service for around $90. Generally I don't believe in this type of expense but with a MH, no way I can change a tire, etc.

If you want to comfortably sleep up to 8 people, then you would need to buy an RV with something along the lines of dual slideouts with dual couches that convert to beds. Otherwise, you will be stacking like Bordercollie says. A class A will be down on sleeping space, so I think a class C is indeed what you will end up with.

If you are buying used, water damage is a HUUUUUUUGE concern. That is your number one enemy. You need to learn how to inspect for it. Water leakage in the cabover is the most typical issue, but it can happen all over. Bubbling in the siding is a tell-tale sign of leakage. In modern RV's with the very flat and smooth sides, the whole side panel is one bonded piece. If there is bubbling/separation on the outer skin, that is deal killer. Warpage compromises the structural rigidity and is prohibitively expensive to fix.

It's different everywhere but in my area, I found that class C's less than 10 years old in good condition were upwards of $30K. RV's in the 10-15 year old range were in the $25K range. Slideouts make for higher prices and more potential water leaks. Buyer beware is triple true with motorhomes. If you can find someone local who has owned older used motorhomes, they will be a great resource for you. I have found that other RV'ers are always happy to help and will gladly share their experience.

Jose

Welcome to the forum. Read, ask questions and research before you make your purchase.
There is a lot of information available on the forum, don't hesitate to ask.

Sleeping 7-8 is a lot unless you can stack some kids like cord wood. Class C is probably the best bet for a large number of people. You will need to keep total weight from supplies, etc., and kids stuff under control or you may exceed weight limits. Drive a number of class A's and C's before you decide. Winnebago is highly thought of, Lazy Daze is considered one of the best, is a lot more expensive new, but resells for more. You'll get a lot more advice.Learn as much as you can about buying a used motorhome. A cheap older rig can be unsafe to drive and a "money pit" Make sure that everything works and that there is no water leak damage. Get independant estimates for any repairs, replacements or upgrades needed before you decide to buy. Don't buy on impulse or when tired of looking. Tires that are older than 4 years old may need replacement regardless of tread depth or appearance. Tires become unsafe on motorhomes from sitting parked holding up all that weight. Have entire brake system checked over and have brake fluid flushed and changed for your safety. Refrigerators that are over ten years old may need expensive repairs/new cooling unit. Roof AC and dash AC same thing. Motorhomes get poor gas mileage pushing against air, weight and rolling resistance. Expect to average 7-9 mpg.

I'm big on inside layout to be sure it meets your proposed camping lifestyle. Take your time and picture yourself making a meal, watching TV, playing cards, etc. to choose the rig that best works for you.
BTW mileage on Class C's is depressing so don't bother trying to find one with the best mileage.