Powerstroke (Dale), you have a ton of very good questions but your post like reading a novel, the questions are all mixed in which makes it hard to read, but I read it!!
-The Tiffin Phaeton's and Newmars are very mainstream with plenty to pick from on the market.
-I think an outside TV is nice to have to watch the news, a good TV show or a DVD (I'm not a sport fan either). If you have kids/grandkids, put a cartoon in to keep'm busy!
-36 or 40 ft. will have a single rear axle..... 40 ft. might be pushing your CCC if you are a full-timer and like to carry a lot of stuff. A 42 ft. will get you a tag axle with tons of CCC. A few manufactures made a short diesel with a tag axle
-I would go with a fiberglass roof if at all possible, rubber will need to be replaced at some point in the future depending on how well you take care of it.
-Most likely a two slide or more coach will have plenty of walk-round space for the bed.
-MCD shades are really nice. I bought one for my driver's side in our Dynasty as the perforated shade that came with it was awkward to raise/lower with one hand. the MCD's can be electric or manual.... I bought the manual and you can use one hand to operate it. I would have liked to have them on all the windows vs. the pleated shades that we had (previous coach).
-You just can't beat a separate washer and dryer with the dryer being 220.
-You can always add more solar panels to fit your needs, we currently have zero solar panels, we just don't need them.
-Full body paint on certain years 2008 or earlier???? ....had the checking problem mainly in the dark colors. Our 2008 Dynasty was starting to check in the black stripes.
-Any of the dinette set-ups are good, just pick the one that you like. Our first coach had the legless table and separate chairs, our current has a J-booth type that I really like.
Good luck,
MM.
