Class C question

Recently in Aug I stayed 9 nights at Townsend, TN KOA. Sunday checkin, Monday check out. Even with folks coming and going every day this popular KOA never had more than three class C's present. The over whelming majority were TT and 5'ers. More than a few popups, and a handful of Class A's. A couple of days later we spent four nights at Virginia Beach KOA. Same deal, a handful of C's. Just a random sample I know. I guess it depends where you go.

Go through Arizona in the winter and you might think the only type of RV that exists is a 35+ foot class A. I felt like a pauper going through there. At other places our class C the spiffiest rig around. It just varies.

I drove through the only rv dealer in town yesterday, all he had was 5ers and tt's. On the road I see a few more 5ers than A's and very few C's

This is in NW Ohio, if that makes a difference.

I will give an alternate view. I've stayed 50 nights in my RV this last year in Maine, Hilton Head, Michigan, Colorado and various places in between. I think Class C's are becoming much more popular. My dealer can't keep them on the lot. A new one is not any more than a new diesel truck.

And the repairs are not as expensive. There's a big jump between most class a's ans c's in prices for new motorohomes except like the Thor ace which is close.

I see lots of C's at the higher end campgrounds flat towing a variety of vehicles. It's always fun to talk with those folks.

Definitely 5vers are very popular, Class A's and expensive Class A's are still the main Motorcoach but I do see Class c's on the roads a lot and maybe it's because I'm looking for them.

I remember years ago somebody on this forum said "Alaska is Class C Country" and it's true. We've made many AK trips to visit family and friends. Some of what we learned:
Great Alaskan seems to be the "boutique" of the rental agencies. Beautiful facility, their own factory certified Ford and ONAN service agencies, and Winnebago-built rental (Chalet series) coaches. They also sell Itasca and Winnebago A's new. The majority of privately owned C's in Anchorage seem to be former Great Alaskan Chalets. They sell them "young" and so well detailed they appear new (in their boutique indoor showroom!).
ABC is more of a dirt lot operation. We rented from them, and they were completely cordial, helpful, and responsive when we had a failure (furnace logic board) down on Homer Spit. They were renting Gulfstream units. We later learned how helpful they can be to both buyers and renters from other companies. ABC is one stand-up outfit.
I wouldn't hesitate to do business with either, nor to buy a Great Alaskan former rental. You may like how they "train" the renters. Great Alaskan sets them down in a designer cubby to watch a video. ABC makes sure the coach isn't "parked in" by others and hands over the keys. Both, of course, offer a walk-through. Both companies offer trip planning based mostly on how much time you have.
Fraserway is a Canadian outfit. No experience with them, but I believe they're the one that rents lots of truck campers on diesel pickups. Lots of them out there too, but nothing like C's.
On the westbound side of AK HWY entering Watson Lake sits "RV Services" (and they offer a slight fuel discount for RVs). Steady stream of rental C's there too, and the staff commented most of the renters are European.

Im up in Anchorage right now, and I guess all the class C's are here.

However, none of them are privately owned. They are all rentals. They clog the Parks highway between Fairbanks and Anchorage. Go east of the parks highway and you never see them.

Great Alaskan Holidays, Cruise America, ABC Motorhome Rentals, Fraserway RV. How do I remember all the names of the Rental Companies. BECAUSE THEY ARE LITERALLY EVERY OTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD!!!!

When we decided to take our embroidery business 'on the road' we sold our stick and brick and 98 RoadTrek 'B' and bought a Jayco Seneca Class C. One reason for the Class C is that my DW will drive the 38' C but not a 30' Class A. Go figure...

I think that most folks don't buy a Class C is due to the lack of outside storage. Since there is no 'basement' there is little to no storage.

Since we haul a 24' car hauler with Pontiac Solstice, Goldwing and 2 embroidery machines (and equipment), we needed the biggest diesel engine we could find. And since we live it it full time, we needed the most comfort we could find. The Seneca, with 3 slides, a 340hp diesel and a good size genset makes a good home.

Lew

We bought our C and not an A because we didn't want the maintenance of a Commercial bus. Where do you get work done? Heavy duty everything and it cost. Big tires, big oil, big everything and you can't have it serviced or repaired at a pickup truck dealer. It needs to go to a Commercial truck shop.

squires5 wrote:
My 2 cents: The economy squeezing the middle class is subsequently squeezing the middle markets--
When we purchased our Class C used the dealer owner was saying how the markets have changed the last 10 years-- he finds it much easier to sell $70K 5th wheels than $20K travel trailers-- on the other hand he sells a lot of pop ups and used trailers for less than $10K. He doesn't sell or stock many class C's for same reason- most motorhomes he sells are top end class A's to snowbirds. Not as much demand for new class C's. Demand for used Class C's are big but because demand is low for new-- supply will continue to be low.

That sounds plausible, unfortunately.

My 2 cents: The economy squeezing the middle class is subsequently squeezing the middle markets--
When we purchased our Class C used the dealer owner was saying how the markets have changed the last 10 years-- he finds it much easier to sell $70K 5th wheels than $20K travel trailers-- on the other hand he sells a lot of pop ups and used trailers for less than $10K. He doesn't sell or stock many class C's for same reason- most motorhomes he sells are top end class A's to snowbirds. Not as much demand for new class C's. Demand for used Class C's are big but because demand is low for new-- supply will continue to be low.