In Your experiance what are best ...

J-Rooster wrote:
Alpine, Country Coach and Travel Supreme would be on my short list!

Thanks for the info

prstlk wrote:
If you can find one with opposing slides in the living area it makes a huge difference in ease of use especially if you plan to travel with critters
We are on our 4th rig and full time
HR ambassador 330 cummins Allison 6 2007 great rig and build quality

thanks for the help prstlk

Alpine, Country Coach and Travel Supreme would be on my short list!

If you can find one with opposing slides in the living area it makes a huge difference in ease of use especially if you plan to travel with critters
We are on our 4th rig and full time
HR ambassador 330 cummins Allison 6 2007 great rig and build quality

Thanks for the help Mr Mark, Smitty, and Dahkota. As my search has literally only begun I will take advantage of all your help.

Go visit a few dealers, and RV shows, and kick many tires. Go in and sit down, both with he slide opened/closed, and spend sometime visualizing how the two of you will move around in a coach, and sit, and TV angle.

Read up here, IRV2, and other boards, on threads like this (Many, many threads averrable:)!). Learn Pro's and Con's on Side vs Rear radiator; two slides vs more then two slides; tag vs non tag; Jake Compression Brake vs Pac/Exhaust vs Retarder Transmission; propane water heater and heating vs Aqua/Hydro Hot, etc., etc.

Come up with a list of Must Have's and Nice to Have's. Pick a budget range, and then use RVT and PPL, and others, to get some ideas on prices. Narrow your manufacturer and specific models down to a small list. Then start your shopping.

I'm a firm believe in 'Dropping years to remain within budget range, and buy the best quality coach that you can find, that meets your needs.'. Quality lasts, and becomes a solid foundation to modify and upgrade to your personal likes. (Maybe keep a hunk of budget to cover upgrades.).

I also recommend buying the biggest engine you can find in the models you like. They work easier, and usually give you the same or better MPG. They also usually give you a safety edge on a bit more power, and higher braking house power vis the compression braking.

In no particular order:
-Alpine
-Travel Supreme
-Newmar (Mountain Aire and up)
-Monaco (Dynasty and up, and equivalent HR line)
-Beaver Patriot Thunder and up
-Foretravel
-Country Coach (Allure on up)
-Entegra
-Bluebird/Wanderlodge
** On Edit: Meant to include American Coach too. And again, for sure not a complete list. At a bit lower price point but well liked by their owners, add in Rexhall's Roseair and Tripple E too.

This is a partial list of higher quality and good bang for the buck in gently 3-10 years old coaches.

Happy hunting,
Smitty

Tiffin, Fleetwood, Newmar, and Winnebago are probably your best bets.

When looking, floorplan is king. How things are arranged makes a huge difference. We have a watchable tv and an accessible bed, bath, and kitchen even when the slides are in. This isn't always the case and is probably the #1 complaint about a particular floorplan.

When people say its a ford vs. chevy thing, that is because all RVs use the same suppliers for their components. There are only so many manufacturers of water pumps, slide gear, landing gear, satellite dishes, etc. and all manufacturers use them. The difference between coaches is the house and the quality of the materials. Particle board vs. wood, leather vs. vinyl, etc. That is where the premium comes in. You will pay more if you want more.

Chowan, if we were looking with your parameters, I would look at the following...

Monaco (Dynasty, Executive, Signature)... pre 2009.. Cummins engine.
Beaver
Newmar
Tiffin
American Coach/Fleetwood

A top-of-the-line unit of any manufacturer gives you all the amenities (Aqua-Hot, tile floors, Big TV's, residential fridge, washer and dryer, large battery capacity, etc.).

Also, a tandem axle will give you a lot more CCC (cargo carrying capacity) and generally a better ride. Tandem's usually start at 42 feet. Monaco did make a 39 ft. Dynasty w/tandem axle at one time (floorplan called the 'Bishop').

Good luck,
MM.

On edit: Motorhome Specialist in Texas has a 39 ft., 2009 Dynasty (Bishop) w/11,000 miles, 4 slides and a 500 hp ISM Cummins. Looks clean in the pics.

http://www.mhsrv.com/2009-monaco-dynasty-w4-slides-bishop-iv-used-rv-for-sale-used-diesel-pusher-tx-i456460

Bill.Satellite wrote:
Not knowing your budget you are likely to get a lot of answers that will be of no use to you in your search. You asked the best and that would be the entire Prevost and Newell line. There are many of these available in the used market that could easily fit all of your needs and budget. If you want new you are going to pay WAY more than necessary, especially when you are looking for your first RV.
As you move down the line a ways you will find that Tiffin and Newmar are likely the next best as far as standing behind their product. Even something like the used Foretravels and Bluebird/Wanderlodge units have excellent reputations.
If you are planning to spend $250,000 you can get such a good quality used coach that it makes anything new at any build level pale in comparison.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will take a look at these companies. Very helpful

thanks Richard and Halmfamily(really thinking class a though) Just went to the American coach. They look really nice.