First Time Buyer...Updated 03/06/2006
This post is intended to be helpful to the first time buyer of a motor home. For those of you who don't fall into that category or believe this post is incomplete or off the mark, do us all a favor, a...
Forum Discussion
JohnnyT: Thanks for the info and taking the time and making the effort. We are presently in the initial stages of purchasing a Class A DP - Years ago we did have a class C, it was fine, then I opened up our own business and 15 years went by without ever getting out of the shop. Last year we went the 5er route, 34ft- and it was great, but we are going to go to a MH - we are drivers not stayers, and we have all of the conveniences in our 5er, lots of room and storage.
What we are looking at now is a MH in the range of 34-35 ft, maximum two slides, and this is not easy. Dealers tell us it is a poor choice both in size and configuration. Donna has the floor plan that works, I concentrate on the quality and performance side and so far we are down to 3 manufacturers that fit most of the criteria. One option that we are having trouble with is the floor, we want a hard wood interior floor, (not imitation) in the main area, tile in the bathroom areas, carpet in the bedroom. We have this in the 5er and it is great, easy to maintain. Of the three manufacturers selected we cannot get this option. I agree on the split bathroom/shower layout, separated from both bedroom and living area. Sleeping accommodation for 4 is fine for us. Washer-Dryer are not a requirement, we would prefer storage, same with the double door fridge.
Tires are a bit of a quandary, all supply Michelin's - I would prefer Goodyear - not a option. Dealers, all of the 3 have stated that regardless where we buy, we can use local dealerships for warranty work, our local dealers purchased their inventory with $0.60 cent Canadian dollars, and are out of touch by about 23%, so we will probably buy in the US.
It's a long process, we are looking at keeping the coach, not upgrading, with the thought that this will be our last purchase, that is why quality is such a high priority. I am sure that eventually we will find what we want, again thanks for your help, the insights are great.
What we are looking at now is a MH in the range of 34-35 ft, maximum two slides, and this is not easy. Dealers tell us it is a poor choice both in size and configuration. Donna has the floor plan that works, I concentrate on the quality and performance side and so far we are down to 3 manufacturers that fit most of the criteria. One option that we are having trouble with is the floor, we want a hard wood interior floor, (not imitation) in the main area, tile in the bathroom areas, carpet in the bedroom. We have this in the 5er and it is great, easy to maintain. Of the three manufacturers selected we cannot get this option. I agree on the split bathroom/shower layout, separated from both bedroom and living area. Sleeping accommodation for 4 is fine for us. Washer-Dryer are not a requirement, we would prefer storage, same with the double door fridge.
Tires are a bit of a quandary, all supply Michelin's - I would prefer Goodyear - not a option. Dealers, all of the 3 have stated that regardless where we buy, we can use local dealerships for warranty work, our local dealers purchased their inventory with $0.60 cent Canadian dollars, and are out of touch by about 23%, so we will probably buy in the US.
It's a long process, we are looking at keeping the coach, not upgrading, with the thought that this will be our last purchase, that is why quality is such a high priority. I am sure that eventually we will find what we want, again thanks for your help, the insights are great.
