Class C suggestions

Capeteacher wrote:
I did like the Phoenix Cruiser 2350 I saw online.

We special ordered our 2007 Phoenix Cruiser. See many pictures of it by CLICKING HERE. If we ordered our rig today, it would be the same. Our garage depth of 25'-0" & 10' tall opening eliminated most choices. With a PC-2350, we didn't sacrifice anything of importance to us. Also noting that we did not get what we didn't want which was a slide out. We paid $67,200 for our rig back then. Today the same rig might cost $15k-$20k more.

If shopping for a used PC, the slide out is most popular so finding one without will be very difficult. The older ones made prior to 2010 will have a smaller slide out. Since 2010 the slide out includes the fridge which opens up the interior much better.

Shopping used, I personally recommend a PC not older than a 2004 model to get the current day rear wall design. It offers better construction, better spare tire storage, and a nicer rear storage compartment.

In 2007 (our year) PC-USA installed a whole house inverter and twin coach batteries as a standard feature in all their models. We really appreciate that functionality.

In 2008 they redesigned the outdoor storage compartment, introducing a drawer. I have mixed feelings about that drawer as I really appreciate the open space our 2007 outdoor storage offers. Some time later PC-USA relocated the PC-2350 fresh water tank in part to improve handling/drivability. Along with relocating the furnace under the bed, today's under-bed storage compartment is not nearly as big as ours.

Our rig did suffer from handling problems when new. With only 800 miles on the chassis, I took ours to a specialty shop to resolve them through heavy duty stabilizer bars, shocks, steering stabilizer, the addition of a rear trac bar, and a wheel alignment. Our rig has handled beautifully ever since.

If you decide to seriously consider a new 2014 PC-2350, their recent news letter mentioned that the factory acquired a limited amount of 2013 Ford chassis, both V8s and V10s with a 40 gallon fuel tank, offered with full Ford and PC-USA warranties, just like a new 2014 chassis. Of coarse with a handsome savings applied. You'd have to call the factory and ask more about that. I always thought that if we were not towing our Jeep Liberty, the V8 engine might have been a wiser choice for the sake of a 10% improvement in fuel economy, from 10 mpg to 11 mpg. The smallest PC model 2100 would be quite sweet with the V8 engine, just right for that tiny rig.

BTW: My 10mpg is our "trip average" figure. It gets better on the open road, and less in urban areas.

The one in this ad is exactly like ours, even including the colors of the fabrics, but they do have other choices.

http://www.leosrv.com/inventory/288942/Used-2008-Winnebago-View-24H.aspx

The slide show even shows the floor plan. The couch folds out into a bed, and we actually sleep there instead of the overhead. ...and we're over 70.

Islandman wrote:
A real good Class C is the Chinook, they're not made anymore, but quality was first class. They were last made in about 2004-05, and the size is usually in the 22-24 ft range. Check out a used one to see if one would suit your needs, at least the price is less expensive than new Class C's off the dealers lot.

I had a 95 Chinook. My '11 Winnie is put together much better.

We have a Forest River 2450 Sunseeker with corner, full size queen Serta pillowtop mattress and it is great. I don't use top sheet so only have to change bottom sheet and mattress cover for laundering then place comforter or throw on bed when I get up in the morning. Easy!
It has "multiple places to sleep". The very large dinette makes a really big bed and the cabover is a large bed. There is lots of good brands out there and Forest River is one of them.

Just keep searching and reading and asking questions on this forum and learn what to look for and against.

Prior to purchasing our 'C' we rented 'C's on and off for a number of years. We had lengths from 24 to 32 feet, slide-out and non-slide-out. Safari, Freelander, Sunseeker, Tioga, probably others were all represented.

What we found was the non-slide-out 'C's had too little floor space in front. Rear corner beds were ok, the biggest issue with rear corner beds was having to crawl on your knees across the bed to access the cabinets above the bed. Longer 'C's with the rear platform bed also had the same issue, accessing the cabinets above the bed.

We saw a 26' footer as being the best size, reasonably maneuverable, yet sufficient room, but with a corner bed.

What we settled on was a dual-slide C, 28' with a rear walk-around bed. It has a roomy rear wardrobe so direct access to drawers and cabinet. The lowest drawers are blocked in when the rear slide is in however. Having the rear separate bedroom is great for when one of us wants to stay up late and the other doesn't. Or when we were out over New Years and I caught the flu and was knocked out for a couple of days.

Here's the floor plan:

The Coach House Platinum 232XL is a well-made RV, kind of expensive, but there are some good deals to be found on 3-5 year old units. We have a Coach House and enjoy it a lot.

I have gotten some great advice. I have closed in on a floor plan design I think would work for me. I would like some opinions on these RV's. Phoenix Cruiser 2350, Coach House Platinum 232XL, Coachmen Prism, Monaco Montclair 25 PCS or Holiday Rambler Augusta 25 PCS. I think the last 2 are the same but marketed on different lines. Now there is also the Itasca Viva that is interesting, don't know if that is labeled class A or C. I do know the Thor Axis and Vegas have crossed my radar, both are marketed as small class A.

I imagine all corner beds are not the same. Ours is a 60x80 queen with a good sized opening, and it's fairly easy to get around the other person.

Wow!! Lot's of great information to research. keep it coming. Thanks.

mlts22 wrote:

Skid Row Joe wrote:

harley-dave wrote:
Now days you can also look at the short class A's like the Winnebago Vista, or Itasca Sunstar. Also the new Thor Axis or Vegas are all in the 24-27 foot range. Much roomier inside than the the typical class C.

Dave

100% agreement. The short Winnebago Class As are awesome!

You cannot beat the Winnebago brand of motorhome for any number of great reasons.

*Value - they give you more selection and standard equipment than some of the priciest brands even offer - all, at a value price. Not at an inflated one.

*Price - You get more for your dollar.

*Dealer availability - They have an unmatched network of independent dealers Nationwide, conveniently located almost everywhere.

*Longevity & Confidence - Winnebago boasts the longest track record of any motorhome manufacturer in the industry. They're NOT going out-of-business, as some of the Mom and Pop shops did during any number of bubbles OR recessions since the mid-1960s.

*Class Cs - They have a larger selection of Class Cs than any two or three other Class C manufacturers combined.

*Parts - Getting replacement parts for your coach as it ages is never a problem. Winnebago can go back many years in providing accurate parts replacements.

I've been looking at WGO products, and to add to that list, they provide a few things as well, I might add:

1: Wiring and plumbing diagrams. I've seen some other brand class Cs which locate switches and such where the installer feels like it. Winnebago can get me the schematics on how exactly everything is wired up, as well as plumbing. This way, should I want to tee off from the hot water line and make a hydronic system to keep the external storage compartments warm (with the warmed water winding up back in the FW tank), this is easy to do.

2: I -think- warranty service depots might be easier to find, because CW sells Itasca models.

3: I've harped on this before, but after seeing how older (80-90s) trailers can remain solid while newer ones with rubber roofs end up having to go to the scrapyard, the fact that Winnebago uses fiberglass roofs on all their motorhomes is a seller with me.

4: I don't read many horror stories about Winnebago rigs. Nobody is perfect, but when scanning the forums, it usually is another brand that has some issue.

5: I wouldn't say Winnebago is 100% stable, but they managed to make it through 2008, which is a major feather in their cap.

6: If one watches YouTube, the "Winnebago Man" is one of the absolute best spokespeople I've ever heard in the RV industry.

I wouldn't say Winnebago is the only brand, as Nexus RV, Lazy Daze, Coach House, and other premium brands also have these features, but a MH is an expensive thing to buy, so might as well buy from a known good company.

Great input - RE: Winnebago! The fact of the matter is that with Winnebago, you can spend as much as you want to on their new Class Cs and small Class As, and get a warranty, usually with more design features and benefits than even the high-line, very pricey Class Cs have - only they have a puny output, no selection, usually very few if any dealers.

What I learned by buying and owning a very pricey Born Free for over 10-years, is that is breaks like crazy - just like all the rest of the brands do. So, might as well save your money and buy a mainstream brand like Winnebago, instead of the high-line brands which may go out of business at any time!