Hello allI was hoping you could add some insight to our research on Class A’s. DH and I have been doing a lot of research on Class C’s. Every time I post a question in the Class C forum, there is always someone who suggests we look into a Class A. We know nothing about Class A’s….nothing.:? The little research that we have done on Class A’s has us wondering and I was hoping someone could help us with the following fears that we have read:Safety - - We’ve read Class C’s are far safer than A’s. Some examples that we have read: A’s do not have air bags. Class C’s are significantly safer in front impacts in the event of an accident. Controls are harder to reach in the A’s. Class A’s are intimidating to drive. Class C’s are less likely to roll than a Class A. Serviceability - - This is a big deal for us because my hubby can do regular maintenance on a truck. We’ve read/heard that Class A’s are very hard to service. IF we were to break down in a C, it’s easy to find someone to help since the C is just like any other Ford truck. We are under the impression that this is not true for a Class A. We’ve also read that servicing a Class A is extremely expensive as opposed to a Class C, that the engine is inside and heats up the driving area. I know these are crazy questions to some. I once heard someone say that if you Google a symptom you have, you’ll read that you are dying of cancer. I think I Googled to much on a Class A LOL.Any input is appreciated!

Welcome to the forum. We started out in a 24' class C. Took a trip from California to Omaha Ne. Came home and put it on the lot. It was too light and we got blown all over the road due to the winds on the plains. My wife drove about 50 miles and gave it back, she couldn't handle it with the wind. My main issue with it was the overhang would catch a reflection from the center dashed line at night. Was almost hypnotic to the point I wouldn't drive at night. We went to a 33' class A, then a 40' diesel, then a 38' fifth wheel. We got rid of the 5th wheel because I was never comfortable with something that big pushing me. I'm back in the market for another class A. You get a lot more room and storage. Depending on the size, you'll get a lot more carrying capacity than an equivalently sized C, plus generally larger tanks, propane, fuel, water, and waste. Good luck on what ever you decide.

Most of that is pure hog wash. As tend to be bigger, wider, easier to get into and out of. Cs are cut away vans up front. So many folks find them more familiar to drive. Personally I find Cs more cramped up front. Driving an A is pretty easy once you drive it for five miutes. Cs also tend to be loaded to the max with minimal stuff. Cs are harder to work on. Access to the motor can be a real pain. Your forced to work outside and inside. Class As usually can all be worked on from inside. Heck, back in the day I was adjusting the timing while DW was driving down the road in our class A. Class Cs seem to be more geared to families with kids. Class As are usually geared more to two adults. Neither is cheap to buy own, or maintain. Thats one reason we sold our A after a short time and went with a TT.

We started our MH journey in a class C in 1998. In 2006 we moved up to a class A. We are now in our 2nd class A. No comparison. Class C's are tougher to drive, ride like delivery trucks, and have less space and features. I only wish we had switched to a Class A sooner.If you are worried about maintaining a diesel, go for a higher end gasser. Maintenance about the same as a Ckass C.

You don't buy a motorhome for safety anymore than you do for mpg's. With that said most A's are greater than 16,000 pounds, one of the bigger vehicles on the road. Accidents will more likely be with a far smaller vehicle, 5000 pounds often far less. As long as you and your loved ones are belted in your quite safe unless you are in an accident with a same size or larger vehicle and if two 16000 pound vehicles meet head on an air bag won't matter, just the laws of physics.As for maintenance I us a local garage that work on cars and oversized vehicles. Far cheaper than most dealers and not nearly the wait time to get it in. Have fun finding your next adventure!

The A is king, with too many reasons why, to even list and especially if a DP!C's remind me of an after thought, while in the middle of construction.Even if just for the looks alone, I'd buy an A.

Newbie Class A Questions | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

K_Charles
Explorer
Aug 01, 2018
You said your DH can work on a truck, an A has an engine, transmission and rear end the same as a truck. They both have brake and a front end. If he can work on a C he can work on an A.
magicbus
Explorer II
Aug 01, 2018
tropical36 wrote:
The A is king, with too many reasons why, to even list and especially if a DP!
C's remind me of an after thought, while in the middle of construction.
Even if just for the looks alone, I'd buy an A.
But then there are other more practical reasons, like how you will use your RV.

Dave
tropical36
Explorer
Jul 31, 2018
The A is king, with too many reasons why, to even list and especially if a DP!
C's remind me of an after thought, while in the middle of construction.
Even if just for the looks alone, I'd buy an A.
Mommalu
Explorer
Jul 31, 2018
You don't buy a motorhome for safety anymore than you do for mpg's. With that said most A's are greater than 16,000 pounds, one of the bigger vehicles on the road. Accidents will more likely be with a far smaller vehicle, 5000 pounds often far less. As long as you and your loved ones are belted in your quite safe unless you are in an accident with a same size or larger vehicle and if two 16000 pound vehicles meet head on an air bag won't matter, just the laws of physics.
As for maintenance I us a local garage that work on cars and oversized vehicles. Far cheaper than most dealers and not nearly the wait time to get it in.
Have fun finding your next adventure!
IB853347201
Nomad II
Jul 31, 2018
We started our MH journey in a class C in 1998. In 2006 we moved up to a class A. We are now in our 2nd class A.
No comparison. Class C's are tougher to drive, ride like delivery trucks, and have less space and features.
I only wish we had switched to a Class A sooner.
If you are worried about maintaining a diesel, go for a higher end gasser. Maintenance about the same as a Ckass C.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2018
Most of that is pure hog wash. As tend to be bigger, wider, easier to get into and out of. Cs are cut away vans up front. So many folks find them more familiar to drive. Personally I find Cs more cramped up front. Driving an A is pretty easy once you drive it for five miutes. Cs also tend to be loaded to the max with minimal stuff. Cs are harder to work on. Access to the motor can be a real pain. Your forced to work outside and inside. Class As usually can all be worked on from inside. Heck, back in the day I was adjusting the timing while DW was driving down the road in our class A. Class Cs seem to be more geared to families with kids. Class As are usually geared more to two adults. Neither is cheap to buy own, or maintain. Thats one reason we sold our A after a short time and went with a TT.
StuckinTracy
Explorer
Jul 31, 2018
Welcome to the forum. We started out in a 24' class C. Took a trip from California to Omaha Ne. Came home and put it on the lot. It was too light and we got blown all over the road due to the winds on the plains. My wife drove about 50 miles and gave it back, she couldn't handle it with the wind. My main issue with it was the overhang would catch a reflection from the center dashed line at night. Was almost hypnotic to the point I wouldn't drive at night. We went to a 33' class A, then a 40' diesel, then a 38' fifth wheel. We got rid of the 5th wheel because I was never comfortable with something that big pushing me. I'm back in the market for another class A. You get a lot more room and storage. Depending on the size, you'll get a lot more carrying capacity than an equivalently sized C, plus generally larger tanks, propane, fuel, water, and waste.
Good luck on what ever you decide.

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Newbie Class A Questions

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