I am thinking about getting an RV. Have been doing a lot of research and think it may be a good way to travel with my dog & bird. I plan to travel an average of 30-90 days per year; 4000+ miles per year. I am looking at 30-34' used Class C and Class A (dp & gas) options. I find the Class A may work better for me as far as driving comfort. At just under 5', the Class C feels like I am siting in a well! I just came across a listing for a 2009 Georgetown XL 378, Class A gas, 37' (a little more than I wanted, but should be OK) for $62,995. It has 19,995 miles and loads of amenities, including a fireplace, washer-dryer combo and air mattress, just to name a few. The pictures look really nice; I plan to take a look at it tomorrow.Does this sound like a good deal? Is that too much mileage for a 2009? What should I look for and what questions should I ask to be sure it is in optimal condition. I don't want to save a few $$ upfront, only to have it cost more in maine & repairs.Thanks.

egurewitz wrote:I am thinking about getting an RV. Have been doing a lot of research and think it may be a good way to travel with my dog & bird. I plan to travel an average of 30-90 days per year; 4000+ miles per year. I am looking at 30-34' used Class C and Class A (dp & gas) options. I find the Class A may work better for me as far as driving comfort. At just under 5', the Class C feels like I am siting in a well! I just came across a listing for a 2009 Georgetown XL 378, Class A gas, 37' (a little more than I wanted, but should be OK) for $62,995. It has 19,995 miles and loads of amenities, including a fireplace, washer-dryer combo and air mattress, just to name a few. The pictures look really nice; I plan to take a look at it tomorrow.Does this sound like a good deal? Is that too much mileage for a 2009? What should I look for and what questions should I ask to be sure it is in optimal condition. I don't want to save a few $$ upfront, only to have it cost more in maine & repairs.Thanks.based on what you have posted here it sounds like real decent dealA friend of mine has a 2007 and he towed a 4 door tracker on a 8 month adventure from bc to NB to florida and back.12000 mile.MH worked great and functioned well.He really like the georgetown XLhe paid 64K for the 2007 in 2012

No that is not too many miles for an '09. That is only 4000 or so miles per year.Price may be high. Look at RV trade and PPL to compare.

You don't want a rig with too little miles. That would mean it had been setting and that is not good for motor homes.

Slow down and do lots of reading here on this forum, and over at www,irv2.com, and at www.rvforum.net. If you do that, you will have a much better idea of what fits you and your needs.

Thanks for the responses. I have been doing research on the forums for a few weeks now and also went to several dealers to get an idea of what is available and costs. I am not yet ready to buy, so all and any assistance is greatly appreciated.Anyone have direct experience with 2009 Forest River Class A?? I have just been reading some "horror" stories. How about a Holiday Rambler? Does anybody have recommendations on what make/models are "best". As a single "senior" woman, I would not be doing my own maintenance or repairs, so I want something that will be reliable and not take a significant amount of "support".

Is this a good deal? | Good Sam Community

deadbat
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
workhardplayharder wrote:
My wife is right at 5'. She was able to drive our Class C without a problem (Ford E-series). A coulpe years back we went into a Class A (F-53 chassis). The seat will not go forward enough for her to sit in the seat without a couple pillows behind her back even then she has trouble reaching the pedals.

My Tiffan Class A easly fits a 5 foot person.seat is 6 way electrical and brake and gas pedals move electrically for leg length ajustment
egurewitz
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
Soren, would you please tell me which dealer that was, if not here, then privately? I definitely plan to use an RV Inspector, since I do to know all the questions to ask or what to look for!

This is harder than buying a house! I need to do a lot more research and also get out and drive a few rigs to see what is the most comfortable for me.

What about internet sales, rather than local? I am wary about buying anything, sight-unseen, but if I have it inspected, it is worth the chance? Of course, then I would have to fly out to the location to pick up the rv and the sale isn't final until I see it and like it?? That may not be worth the extra expense for airfare and then driving the rv back home or adding the cost to ship. Anyone have direct experience with that?

I am so thrilled to know this forum is here and how helpful you all are!!!
ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Jun 01, 2013
I bought the last one in Maine and live in NC.....Flew up and inspected it, drove it, had money transferred to his credit union, they gave me the title, I had borrowed a dealer tag to transport it, and drove it home....exact model here rougher than a cobb was $15,000 more. I looked at the local one to get an idea what it was like. It has been a good unit.....The one before that I got in Iowa. Same deal flew up and drove it back....Most of the time I find if I deal with the original owner they are pretty honest so I have been willing to take a chance always remembering that those airplanes will bring me home if I don't like what I find when I get there. Couple of things to remember----Buy the top of the line unit---those entry level ones are cheap for a reason and you never have to much motorhome....Also diesels are built on a much stronger foundation
egurewitz
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
How do you find "top of the line"; is there a listing somewhere by manufacturer or another thread that discusses makes & models in more detail (what is good, what is not)?
Fishinghat
Explorer II
Jun 02, 2013
egurewitz wrote:
How do you find "top of the line"; is there a listing somewhere by manufacturer or another thread that discusses makes & models in more detail (what is good, what is not)?

Simply put, the top of the line is the most expensive coach made by a manufacturer. For Holiday Rambler, it would be the Navigator. For Monaco, the Executive. But, these are still very expensive even when several years old. You may want to consider a "compromise", like a Holiday Rambler Scepter. The HR Endeavor is even less expensive, and is actually one of their most popular models. You should have no problem finding a used on in your price range. \

What several posters may have been suggesting is don't go with the cheapest coach a manufacturer makes, since the compromises may be too much of a trade off. I'm thinking limited insulation, cheap roof, chassis with a limited gross weight limit, etc.
egurewitz
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
Got it.

What is the maximum age & mileage I should consider for:
Class A dp
Class A gas
Class C gas

I don't want to get into costly repairs right off the bat, or worry about problems when I am on the road.
wny_pat1
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
egurewitz wrote:
How do you find "top of the line"; is there a listing somewhere by manufacturer or another thread that discusses makes & models in more detail (what is good, what is not)?
Try Foretravel, Country Coach, Travel Supreme, and Newell.
bsinmich
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
If you are planning on having all the work done on the MH I would ask how many miles you anticipate putting on in one year. A gas MH is much less expensive to maintain than a DP. I have only 38K miles on my 10 year old MH. Just the oil chanages alone have saved me a small fortune. Mechanics that work on a diesel get more money than gas engine workers and parts are less expensive on gas engines.
afrescopXx
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
How much do you plan on using the MH? First and foremost the floor plan should be the major consideration. There are very good MHs at all price points. Just because a coach is entry level does not make it junk. Buy what is practical and works best for you.
Sea_Dog
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
Why do you think that you want a class A?
Aside from the snob value,
a class C might be much better for you.