full time options

Executive wrote:
Part of your decision should be defining full timing. There are many definitions of FT RVr. There are those that consider full timing as staying in the north for 6 months and then traveling south for the other six months. There are those that travel the member circuit, Thousand Trails, C2C etc. staying 3 weeks at a campground and then moving to the next and possibly back to the original CG. There are also those that feel FT is simply getting an annual site in a CG and living there. Finally, there are those like us who travel extensively, staying a week here or at the most two weeks in a CG. I put about 15,000 miles on my coach each year. If you're going to be a traveling FTmer then a Class A coach is for you. If you're going to be stationary most of the time then a Fiver makes more sense.

That said, you asked a question. Below are my suggestions...in no particular order. Look for hardwood cabinets, held together with screws not staples, look for steel frame construction, at least three slides and a tag if possible. Smallest coach for full timing, IMO would be 40' although 42' or more is preferable. The tag will give you more CCC as will the extra length. This is extremely important for full timing. Many do FT with smaller coaches and I understand that but for comfort the larger coaches can't be beat. Also, we found the larger coaches have better build quality and more features to make your journey more enjoyable. I would only consider a diesel, used from any of the list below.

Go to PPL Motorhome's website and search for coaches and floorplans. Narrow down your search to two or three brands then go from there. Be sure to look at the SOLD listings on PPL as well. Good luck with your search....Dennis

Remember, each mfg has top of the line luxury coaches all the way to entry level. The higher up the food chain you can go the more features and comfort items you'll find. The build quality increases as you go up as well.

I would start looking at these first:

Monaco
Country Coach
American Coach
Newmar

Then:

Winnebago
Tiffin
Fleetwood

More pricey:
Newell
Prevost
Bluebird

As usual Dennis has given a well thought out and readable reply,
only thing I might add is the Travel Supreme (slight bias) my only add/change would be to work hard on the likes and dislikes that you will require in the Coach - Full Time means FULL TIME - so this thing really needs to be what you will enjoy Living In, a Big Coach is still a very small house with a VERY BIG Yard.





Enjoy the process and take your time,

I would purchase a used diesel pusher rather than a new gas for going full time. You will be able to carry more and have a more comfortable ride.

If you move around a lot a "A" is faster and easier to set up. If you stay longer (several days to weeks) a 5th wheel is good. A's maybe more luxurious, 5ers more space. 5ers are cheaper but you gotta have a $40-60k PU. A's usually pull 4 wheeler. But the best you can afford, we've wasted $70k upgrading 3 times.

1)Been thinking about looking into a class A (gas) in the $100,000.00 range Max (MSRP), don't think I could afford anything decent in a diesel pusher.

You should be able to buy a new $100k MH for about $75,000. There are some awesome used DP motorhomes in that $75-100 range that would make a much better full time home than a new gas powered motorhome in same price range.

Part of your decision should be defining full timing. There are many definitions of FT RVr. There are those that consider full timing as staying in the north for 6 months and then traveling south for the other six months. There are those that travel the member circuit, Thousand Trails, C2C etc. staying 3 weeks at a campground and then moving to the next and possibly back to the original CG. There are also those that feel FT is simply getting an annual site in a CG and living there. Finally, there are those like us who travel extensively, staying a week here or at the most two weeks in a CG. I put about 15,000 miles on my coach each year. If you're going to be a traveling FTmer then a Class A coach is for you. If you're going to be stationary most of the time then a Fiver makes more sense.

That said, you asked a question. Below are my suggestions...in no particular order. Look for hardwood cabinets, held together with screws not staples, look for steel frame construction, at least three slides and a tag if possible. Smallest coach for full timing, IMO would be 40' although 42' or more is preferable. The tag will give you more CCC as will the extra length. This is extremely important for full timing. Many do FT with smaller coaches and I understand that but for comfort the larger coaches can't be beat. Also, we found the larger coaches have better build quality and more features to make your journey more enjoyable. I would only consider a diesel, used from any of the list below.

Go to PPL Motorhome's website and search for coaches and floorplans. Narrow down your search to two or three brands then go from there. Be sure to look at the SOLD listings on PPL as well. Good luck with your search....Dennis

Remember, each mfg has top of the line luxury coaches all the way to entry level. The higher up the food chain you can go the more features and comfort items you'll find. The build quality increases as you go up as well.

I would start looking at these first:

Monaco
Country Coach
American Coach
Newmar

Then:

Winnebago
Tiffin
Fleetwood

More pricey:
Newell
Prevost
Bluebird