New to class A's, I THINK I want one, but...?

Rick Jay wrote:
Well, our rig came from the factory with 12 seatbelts: driver, passenger, 3 on each of two couches for 6 plus 4 at the dinette.

Best gas mileage I ever got on it was low 9's. BUT....that was before they forced this ethanol junk on us (10% MPG loss right there), it was Fall, so no generator/AC running, and we weren't dragging our 4,500 lb. Honda Odyssey behind us, and I was keeping the speed between 55-60 mph and we were travelling on mostly level terrain.

Now, with crummy gas, running the generator for the house AC and towing the Honda, I usually travel at 65 mph and my mpg hovers around low to mid 7's. But it's dipped into the high 6's. One time several years back after filling up with 100% real gas, the mpg jumped to low 8's.

All that said, in my opinion, there is NO BETTER WAY TO TRAVEL with your family than in a motorhome. It's never bothered me to fill the tank on the motorhome because when I'm filling it, it means I'm on vacation. :) It bothers me more to pay for the gas in my daily driver 'cause I'm using THAT to go to work! :)

Anyway, 10 mpgs is probably unrealistic for most rigs, although some of the smaller diesel units might do it.

But, the seatbelt requirement is possible. Plus, you can always add additional belts if the rig you find doesn't have enough.

Oh, and by the way, our rig was the first RV of ANY TYPE when we bought it almost 11 years ago. Big expense for us for the 10 years we were paying it off, but I've never regretted the decision. Now that it's paid off, I like it even better! :)

Good Luck in your search.

~Rick

Sounds really nice, and I agree, a great way for family to be together!

The RV industry really sticks it to people, BAD!
One buys an RV, fights for the best deal possible and then automatically looses 40% of the value of the new purchase...Yes, 40% right away! Then if trading towards another unit, the RV dealer wants full MSRP for the new unit, while only allowing 60% value or less towards your trade in, no matter how new or good the trade is. They rape us! All for the sake of $$$$!

Yes, 8 pmg, I get it. Not too good, so the quest continues, to sell the 5ver (right now I'm willing to take a huge loss), and to find a suitable family travel rig!