Manufacturers of Class C 24-foot Motorhomes
My husband and I are currently on our dream cross-country trip, but our truck camper is failing us, as it has been over the last couple of years. We're thinking we might just go to an RV dealer and...
Forum Discussion
JR Consumer reports puts out a review of the various rv manufacturers. Available on internet. A little pricey, but answered a lot of questions for me when purchasing my first rv. I dont have any financial interest in the company.
Dont expect to pay list on a given new unit. You should expect at least 25% off and possibly more depending on if you buy off season. For example go to MHSRV.com a large dealer in texas, to see how much you can get off list. Its published right on their website. Again I have no financial interest in the company. But a 24 foot Class C should be easily available for approx 50K or less. My 32 foot class C Forest river cost 68K new, list was 95. For a used class C 24 foot, I would expect you could get a recently used one for well under $50K and possibly under $40K.
Opinions on the various manufacturers vary as widely as the floorplans available. In general Born Free and Lazy Days are considered top of the line but are also more expensive. Winnebego has a long track record. Thor, which used to be Four Winds, and FOrest River are larger manufacturers. I have had a Four Winds and a Forest River and thought I got more for my money and better build quality in the Forest River, but again that is just my opinion, nothing bad to say about Thor/ Four winds. In addition, different manufactuers may make several different lines, just like GM used to make Chevy, Pontiac, and Olds, Thor may make Coachman, Four Winds, and Fleetwood. After the economic downturn of 2008, there was a lot of consolidation. FInally, you can go buy direct from the manufacturer through Nexus or RV direct and save some money that way but you may have to travel to get the unit.
THe different manufacturers will also make entry level, mid level and high end models just like Chevy used to have Chevy;/ Saturn/ Cadillac.
Probably the most important thing to look for is a floor plan that works for you. Floorplans will be more limited in a 24ft class C. Going to a Diesel Class B or a Class B van conversion from Roadtrek would probably be smaller but more expensive as well, in the 80K range. Depends on whether going small is important.
Slides are nice in a classC of that size. Really does expand the living area when parked.
Any motorhome is bound to have gremlins that needs to be fixed after purchase. Both my new motorhomes had several things that were discovered as we used it that needed to be fixed. That doesnt mean poor build quality. ANd just because someone else may say that a given manufacturer has a lot of problems or is junk doesnt necessarily mean you shouldnt buy from them if they have the perfect floorplan for you. Most class Cs will be built on the same Chevy or FOrd chassis, so the basic mechanics will be similar across all manufacturers. What changes is the box or living area on the back and the various accesories which are included like slides, generators, awnings, etc. You can avoid some of the gremlins with a thorough pre-delivery inspection. If buying used, have an independent RV inspector look at it first, just like having someone inspect a house before you buy it.
Purchase the floorplan and accesories that works best for you in your price range . The rest will work itself out.
Dont expect to pay list on a given new unit. You should expect at least 25% off and possibly more depending on if you buy off season. For example go to MHSRV.com a large dealer in texas, to see how much you can get off list. Its published right on their website. Again I have no financial interest in the company. But a 24 foot Class C should be easily available for approx 50K or less. My 32 foot class C Forest river cost 68K new, list was 95. For a used class C 24 foot, I would expect you could get a recently used one for well under $50K and possibly under $40K.
Opinions on the various manufacturers vary as widely as the floorplans available. In general Born Free and Lazy Days are considered top of the line but are also more expensive. Winnebego has a long track record. Thor, which used to be Four Winds, and FOrest River are larger manufacturers. I have had a Four Winds and a Forest River and thought I got more for my money and better build quality in the Forest River, but again that is just my opinion, nothing bad to say about Thor/ Four winds. In addition, different manufactuers may make several different lines, just like GM used to make Chevy, Pontiac, and Olds, Thor may make Coachman, Four Winds, and Fleetwood. After the economic downturn of 2008, there was a lot of consolidation. FInally, you can go buy direct from the manufacturer through Nexus or RV direct and save some money that way but you may have to travel to get the unit.
THe different manufacturers will also make entry level, mid level and high end models just like Chevy used to have Chevy;/ Saturn/ Cadillac.
Probably the most important thing to look for is a floor plan that works for you. Floorplans will be more limited in a 24ft class C. Going to a Diesel Class B or a Class B van conversion from Roadtrek would probably be smaller but more expensive as well, in the 80K range. Depends on whether going small is important.
Slides are nice in a classC of that size. Really does expand the living area when parked.
Any motorhome is bound to have gremlins that needs to be fixed after purchase. Both my new motorhomes had several things that were discovered as we used it that needed to be fixed. That doesnt mean poor build quality. ANd just because someone else may say that a given manufacturer has a lot of problems or is junk doesnt necessarily mean you shouldnt buy from them if they have the perfect floorplan for you. Most class Cs will be built on the same Chevy or FOrd chassis, so the basic mechanics will be similar across all manufacturers. What changes is the box or living area on the back and the various accesories which are included like slides, generators, awnings, etc. You can avoid some of the gremlins with a thorough pre-delivery inspection. If buying used, have an independent RV inspector look at it first, just like having someone inspect a house before you buy it.
Purchase the floorplan and accesories that works best for you in your price range . The rest will work itself out.
