Hi, all - Newbie with a bunch of questions
Hi, everybody, I've been lurking for a couple of months and finally decided to register and post. We're tent campers who are toying with the idea of a small MH, so I'd like to tap your collectiv...
Forum Discussion
You have lots of good info., so I'll just add some personal experience.
My 26' Jamboree (1983) has the ideal floor plan you describe. It also has room for two captain chairs behind the passenger seat and a 3 person jackknife couch behind the driver. The dining stands on two posts in the floor, in front of the couch. The captain chairs have a fold out table in between. It's a TON of usable living and dining space. Pull the table and posts and you have open floor. I LOVE this floorplan and the cabover is a queen.
If you have an RV space, then 30+ isn't such a big deal, but if you have to street park some and visit friends in urban areas, you will REALLY appreciate being less than 30'.
If I were in your shoes, I would be looking for a newer 26' with this floor plan. They are hard to find, though.
Another thing I know about is water damage. The modern MH's with totally flat and smooth sides are made from the vacuum formed pieces mentioned earlier. Any delamination in that kind of body is cause to walk away. It is just too expensive to repair and affects the structural stability of the whole coach. The older MH's with corrugated FRP outer skins have wood and/or metal framing inside. Some buckling isn't so bad in that type, but it would indicate water leakage. Water leakage is a KILLER!!!! Look in every single corner and along every seam. If you see water staining or curling/crumpling of the veneer, that tells you water is leaking there. Un-noticed leaks are almost always on the roof. If you notice the water damage in the middle of the floor, check for overhead vents or leaky plumbing. Another thing you should just re-seal is all your windows. There is NO REASON for you NOT to just re-seal all the windows. It is cheap insurance and will last you many years.
Good luck and have fun searching.
Jose
My 26' Jamboree (1983) has the ideal floor plan you describe. It also has room for two captain chairs behind the passenger seat and a 3 person jackknife couch behind the driver. The dining stands on two posts in the floor, in front of the couch. The captain chairs have a fold out table in between. It's a TON of usable living and dining space. Pull the table and posts and you have open floor. I LOVE this floorplan and the cabover is a queen.
If you have an RV space, then 30+ isn't such a big deal, but if you have to street park some and visit friends in urban areas, you will REALLY appreciate being less than 30'.
If I were in your shoes, I would be looking for a newer 26' with this floor plan. They are hard to find, though.
Another thing I know about is water damage. The modern MH's with totally flat and smooth sides are made from the vacuum formed pieces mentioned earlier. Any delamination in that kind of body is cause to walk away. It is just too expensive to repair and affects the structural stability of the whole coach. The older MH's with corrugated FRP outer skins have wood and/or metal framing inside. Some buckling isn't so bad in that type, but it would indicate water leakage. Water leakage is a KILLER!!!! Look in every single corner and along every seam. If you see water staining or curling/crumpling of the veneer, that tells you water is leaking there. Un-noticed leaks are almost always on the roof. If you notice the water damage in the middle of the floor, check for overhead vents or leaky plumbing. Another thing you should just re-seal is all your windows. There is NO REASON for you NOT to just re-seal all the windows. It is cheap insurance and will last you many years.
Good luck and have fun searching.
Jose
