rideability

I had a TT and looked a diesel class C. Somewhat disappointed since it was expensive and still looked like a TT on the inside.

Drove a quality class A with 8 outboard mounted airbags and it was game over.

Drive as many motorhomes as possible. Don't believe the salesman until you verify that the motorhome actually handles that well. There are many variations.

Having said that, I really like my HR Endeavor DP.

Good luck with your search.

Fred

Just Joined, Rented Class Cs for the last two summers, wanting to do more. I think I am interested in a '99-'03 Class A for the following reasons:

Better options for getting a diesel, mileage is always a concern
Storage, the C was a 30 foot and yes the inside was OK but as for outside stuff it seemed limited
Ride I heard was better.

I know there exceptions, there always is, but I just need some information to make a better decision.

Chuck

Thanks, I appreciate the comments. Our kids live in Oregon and we live in Louisiana and I expect many trips back and forth.
Cork

To answer your specific question with generalizations:

MOST of the time, the Class A will drive better than the class C of the same era. This is especially true post 1999 or so when the Class As went to a wider track on all chassis.

Obviously there will be exceptions here and there in both directions but that is generally how it is.

Another valuable difference to us is the view both driving and sitting parked. In the average DP you have twice the front window space that you have in the class C.

If driving you get a lot better view, especially in the mountains. If you're parked with a view such as over a lake or a valley, a DP's front windows are like the picture windows in your front room at home. While we'll usually watch sunsets from outside, I like to be sitting in the front seats looking out the "picture windows" for sunrise.

If you're in the middle of a DP, because the windows go all the way to the ceiling, you still get a good view. Is you're standing in the middle of a class C, usually all you get is a good view of is the overhead bed.

Bill

IF you look at a class C, the first thing you want to do is to try backing up into a confined area. You will soon realize you can't stick your head out the window and see what is next to you. Sometimes it is hard to judge distance, only with your mirrors.
Actual ride quality may vary, depending on what class A you are looking at, but generally speaking, the wider track in the front is going to give you a little more stability. A class A is much heavier over all. This means a much more rigid frame, which forces the suspension to handle bumps, rather than the frame flexing. OK yes it still flexes, but not as much.

I will also qualify my comments that they are assuming a class C means a van front end. A Super C (such as a Renegade) is a whole nuther ball game, and will quite often out handle and offer better ride quality than a class A.

The think I like about a c is that the drive feels like a truck. Also when you get somewhere the truck section "seems seperate" from the house area. The class A I almost always have to see the steering wheel.

HOWEVER, this does NOT bother most people. The class A's are nice and big and you get a better view off the ground.

If you have children consider the overhead bunk too in a class C.

It's really a toss up, but most people prefer A's.

I currently have both. The C is a 24 foot BOrn Free and the A is a 42 foot Foretravel. There is no comparison. The Foretravel has a much better ride and is easier to drive especially in the wind. I have no issue driving the Born Free and I take that into cities that I do not want to take the bigger coach. If I can only have one, I will keep the Foretravel. In fact I am thinking of doing just that.