Hello everyone, this is my first post in this section,and first in a long time over all. We have been camping and RV vacationing for about 10 years and currently are in an XLR 38x12 40' 5th wheel toy hauler. We have some apparent structural issues with our camper and have gotten interested in trading it in for a Class A since the main reasons we got a toy hauler are not valid any more. We don't want to go in debt over the trade which puts our budget at about 50k. The shopping I've done so far tells me we'll have to get an older unit with some miles on it to accomplish this. That being said, I'm thinking a diesel would probably be wise, and due to our camper having opposing slides, I'm thinking somewhere in the 38-40' neighborhood so we don't feel so cramped. I'm looking for any advice I can get about the slightly older class a or possibly even super c. I've never really considered a motor coach before so I have no knowledge of them at all. Any input would be greatly appreciated. We've already started looking and hope to have the trade done before the end of March.

There is a ton of information on this site and others that will address most of your questions. I was not sure what your "total" budget is, is it 50K plus the trade in or is it 50k total? If 50K total, you will have to go to a much older DP in the 38-40' neighborhood to make the numbers work. I am just now in the process of closing a deal on my first A. My wife and I shopped for 2 years, going to every show and multiple times to the same lots as their inventory fluctuates. We learned a lot doing that. I started out wanting a DP, and while I can afford it, I just did not want to shell out that amount of money. I also did not want to buy new and take the big hit on the appreciation. So I ended up going with a 35' gasser made by a quality manufacturer. The DPs are built better, and they can tow more, but the upper end gassers are lovely coaches and I am confident that my wife and I (not full timers) will be very comfortable in this rig. And we were over your 50K number BTW for a low mileage 2008. I think you will need to shop for a 2000 or earlier coach if you want a 40' DP around $50K. Check out the PPL site to get some idea. Best wishes on your search.

You're probably looking at a 2002-2004 DP. Try to get one with a few miles on it, because that means it was actually used and not sitting and rotting. That would also get you into the before emissions BS era.RVT.com and RVTrader.com for price research (they are both a little over market) and craigs list to purchase. PPL motorhomes seems to be the most up-front dealer. They do mostly consignment.If you're looking for an old cheap gasser to get your feet wet, I have one for sale ;)

We made the move from a 5th wheel toyhauler to a class A, a few years ago. All of our toys barely fit, then I bought a sand car too. So we ended up selling the hauler and buying a 1999 Holiday Rambler endeavor diesel pusher. It is really nice compared to the toyhauler, and we tow our open deck 22' trailer that fits all our toys including the sand car and ATV's. I paid $33K for mine, that included a 2006 Honda CRV toad.Good luck!

Lots of nice luxury D.P. in the 90's and early 2000 out there for the price you want to spend.

Go back as far as you need to in years to get a quality motorhome. Have it inspected by an independent person that is knowledgeable.

Purchase advice appreciated | Good Sam Community

John_Wayne
Explorer II
Jan 02, 2015
I would also throw a National RV product into JimM68 list. I'd also want one with a 330 hp engine and the allison 6 speed trans. vs the 5.9 300hp and 5 speed trans. And diesel generator instead of a propane generator.
cbr46
Explorer
Jan 02, 2015
Take a drive down to Red Bay, AL and tour the Allegro factory. Sure, you can't afford one (either can we) but for $0 they'll give you a close up & personal walking tour rubbing elbows with cabinet makers, chassis builders, electrical installers and at the end walk inside finished product of several designs going through final check-out (these are people's coaches, too - not for dealer stock). Tours run every day and I was shocked when our tour had to be split up into two groups.

Not sure if the on-site campground is Tiffin owners only or not but it would be extremely convenient . . . .

Point is you get to see why this construction is better than that, etc. and talk with other coach owners + knowledgeable tour guides. Website says tour takes "about an hour" - ours was 2+ hours and never a dull moment.

http://tiffinmotorhomes.com/about/factory-tour

Best,
- bob
mike_brez
Explorer
Jan 03, 2015
JimM68 wrote:

Monaco and Newmar totally rock.
Tiffin and Fleetwood are close.
everyone else is a wannabee.
(please... don't hang me over this, we all have opinions).

Hmmmmm Foretravel, Newell,Prevost,Country Coach wannabes. I getting the rope.
davesparks2001
Explorer
Jan 03, 2015
We looked at an 07 Fleetwood Excursion 39S this week, among about 50 others, and really liked it. Of course it's quite a bit above our budget. One of our favorite features was an outdoor kitchen and entertainment center in the bottom of the front passenger side slide. Any ideas of other coaches to look for with this feature?
davesparks2001
Explorer
Jan 04, 2015
So the Fleetwood is the only older coach with the outdoor kitchen?
Sully2
Explorer
Jan 04, 2015
davesparks2001 wrote:
So the Fleetwood is the only older coach with the outdoor kitchen?

They are like an outdoor commode.....not a big item on anyones list!:E
davesparks2001
Explorer
Jan 06, 2015
If we decide to stretch the budget to consider the 07 Fleetwood Excursion 39S, does anyone know of a reason to avoid this unit. I'm gathering from the responses that Fleetwood makes a quality coach so is it safe to assume the Excursion to be a good model. I've already figured that if we talk to the dealer it will be a condition of the sale that we will get an unbiased inspection confirming the condition of everything that matters.
bullydogs1
Explorer
Jan 06, 2015
If the Fleetwood has the troubleprone atwood electric jacks..you need to check those out and make sure they have a new kit installed that better insulates them from water intrusion and shorting out the circuitry.....I had a friend with a Discovery with them and he traded it for a Forest River Charleston. They were nothing but a headache.
JimM68
Explorer
Jan 06, 2015
davesparks2001 wrote:
We looked at an 07 Fleetwood Excursion 39S this week, among about 50 others, and really liked it. Of course it's quite a bit above our budget. One of our favorite features was an outdoor kitchen and entertainment center in the bottom of the front passenger side slide. Any ideas of other coaches to look for with this feature?

Oh Jeez Mike! I was not trying to be inclusive, only sorting the brands he mentioned!
JimM68
Explorer
Jan 06, 2015
Many Fleetwood's are built on a "straight rail" chassis.
This isn't a problem, but it does mean you don't get no giant basement passthru storage.

If the storage bays come out with the slides, they do not pass through.

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