Downsizing?

We went from a house to a Class C @ 27ft.

We looked very seriously at the Sprinter sized units. Even looked at the used Sprinter market to weigh out building our own.

1. Too small
2. Going that small is big $$
3. Too small

All the pro's and con's laid out the units have serious pro's lined up in the column. However, the money to fun ratio, for ourselves, was found lacking.

My $0.02

Why do you want to downsize?

I think they're way over priced for what you get. You mentioned fuel milage. It will probably be an improvement over a Class C, but unless you're doing 30,000 miles or more a year, how much are you really going to save?

Increased insurance cost on a new and more expensive rig over your Class C will eat up any fuel savings.

I still wouldn't travel without a toad - wouldn't be able to put up with disconnecting everything to go to the store for a can of tomato paste (had to go for one in the Jeep yesterday).

Bill

I sold my 42 foot Foretravel and ordered a 26 foot Born Free. I ordered t on a pickup chassis a dodge 5500 so it will be 29 foot overall. I looked at the sprinters and their 11k rating was too much of a compromise to use as a motorhome. Towing was reduced as was carrying capacity. I decided to downsize after 16 years and 360,000 miles. The mile per gallon was not important but the ease of use and where I can go was the deciding factor. I looked at earthroamer but could not see myself getting that far off the beaten trail and they were not comfortable enough inside so I compromised and got the Born Free on the 4x4 chassis with dual alternators fuel tanks and solar.

We had a class Class A but found it too limiting as to where it could go handily. We thought the B vans were the way to go so we bought a Pleasureway Excel on a Ford E350. We found it a very well built rig but just too small. Moving about was difficult for two. We never bumped our heads that much in our life. The shower was a nightmare. We sold it but still wanted a smaller sized rv because we liked the maneuverability. We wound up buying a Coachmen 2350. We know what Goldilocks felt like now when she found the one that was "just right".

Perfect! Nice rig.
Brian

Went from a 30 ft coachmen class c to a 24 ft lexington. Very happy with the downsize. MPG went from 6.5 to a solid 11. Easy to drive and can fit in almost every campsite. Still have dry bathroom, sufficient sleeping space and a dinette and couch. Really like this unit.

Had a TT years ago. When we went back into it we bought a class B. Liked the gas mileage and it was great for me and the dog but just too small for the wife and I on any longer trips. Decided we didn't want anything that did not have a full time bed as a bed you have make up and take down is not just a pain but it limits what you can do if you have different sleeping schedules. I like to stay up later and get up earlier.

Wound up with a class C that is 27' with a queen bedroom and can still fit in most of the campsites we like. Anything bigger would not work for us.

We travel more than camp so the smaller units make since for us. Plus we get good fuel milage and can go about anywhere. Since we paid less than 62K we can justify a night or two in a hotel if we would prefer. The best trips we ever had where back in the 80's with our custom van. Since then we have had 2 TT's and a 5th wheel. We haven't had our 23' Gemini out yet except a overnight shakedown but I think it will fit the bill for us.

Not sure if this should be in Class C or Vans, B+'s etc. Just curious how many of you have gone from a MH or 5th wheel in the 30 to 35 ft. range to 1 of the newer European style motor homes around 23 ft. or so. The ones either on a Sprinter chassis or with the Mercedes diesel engine or Dodge V-6. These seem to be getting popular and they are certainly cleverly designed but man they are small. Some have a slide, some not. The mileage, and driveability seem tempting. Do you tow a dinghy or just drive the RV? How do you like it and how hard to downsize? One thing that bothers me the most is the cost ($$ per cubic ft. of space). We paid $23,000 for a 2003 30 ft. Class C and seems like you can't touch one of these small ones under $50,000 even used? I know I would love to drive one but that we would feel super cramped and lack tank size, refrig. space, etc.

We full timed for years in a 1 and 1/2 bath Pace Arrow 36 foot, we then traded down to a small gas Tioga 23 foot Cheap and nice but I could not tolerate the corner bed in back, when you have a corner bed they are spacious but you have to enter from the bottom pull yourself up and then to me it feels claustrophobic...doggies liked it! The other issue on the older Little Tiogas is that the top bunk has no head room meaning if you manage to get up there you cannot sit upright to get down or up you have to crawl on belly so that is better for grandkids. No slide but did not feel it needed one perfect little kitchen and frig. So older gas one was cheap and nice to drive but...hubbie wanted Diesel....Yes you are looking at about 30,000 difference in some cases? But the engine fairly "purrs" however we are on a huge learning curve what makes it go...

Now we have traded for a Mercedes Tioga Ranger 24 foot with one slide in living room. It has head room in top bunk but still a challenge to get up there. The drivability is awesome! and the rear bed is actually a dinette when folded down has side access to get into. Even tho this bed is smaller its nice (one person bed) . It's a 2011 and our first Diesel and we have yet to make first trip. Gas Mileage in any motorhome is not important to me But one thing I love is I can gas it myself without taking out half the gas station barriers..ha for long trips but someone posted our Rig gets 15 miles to the gallon and with seat belts in back it hopefully will be some times a day trip vehicle with grandkids to the beach or park. I am so looking forward to this and leaving behind all the **** that gets packed into a larger motorhome. We are considering towing a lite car but have not made up our minds yet..If you want further news send me a message and I can tell you how its going..Marlene

Hello,
As I get older, I also become more pragmatic. I switched from a 35-foot travel trailer to a Tioga Ranger 25G and I am very satisfied with the change. Less space, but everything much simpler.