Small Class A for astronomers to bring your telescopes along

Wow, that's a beaut. We were looking at the sub-100k models, likely a new gasser. I think we really like the Jayco Precept 31ul and plan to go see one this weekend. Also on the short list is the Georgetown 329. I am more inclined to the Sunseeker 3010ds, but the DW thinks the Class C's too small.

We looked hard at the ACE 30.1 and FR3 30 but are concerned the single ac unit will not be enough as we camp mainly south of the Mason Dixon line. If FR would offer a second ac as an option we would probably be sold...

Hi,

We went to look at a bunch of different A class (decided that for full timing a diesel pusher would be best) RV's, looked at the Allegro Red, a couple Winnebagos (Forza and Journey), and Thor Tusacanys. Some like the Tiffin did not have cargo bays that were tall enough to wheel the scope into. Some were tall enough but were not deep enough or had a frame hump that made it awkward.
We were shown a Fleetwood Expedition 38K that had cavernous storage space (242 sq feet) and was plenty tall with pass through space for my 18" Dob and solar scope, tripod, mount plus some! We also really liked the floor plan! Its a few feet longer than we really wanted but its the most perfect one we have found thus far. It has lots of room on the roof for solar panels since we will be boondocking a lot, lots of coach batteries and a 2800W inverter.
Now all we have to do is wait for the sale of our home!!

Gonna bump this one back to life.

To the original poster, what did you wind up purchasing?

We are on the verge of ordering our 1st Class A and have narrowed to a handful. I was wondering what you decided as it may impact my short list.

Thanks Keith-How do you do a private message?..0_0...

Pamela,

With respect to Class A pricing, I can't speak to all models but based on the research I've been doing it's my understanding that the Tiffen Class A we have been looking at (31SA) can typically be purchased for 25% off of MSRP and in some cases up to 28% off.

If you decide to pursue this route please feel free to send me a PM and I will advise what I have learned with regard to obtaining favorable pricing on a Tiffin motorhome.

Best regards,

Keith

I didn't try too hard to picture the packaging sizes in my mind. But we have the smallest Sunseeker Class C (2300 model), and it probably could handle your load in the rear pass through storage compartments. Some of the larger Sunseekers, the ones with a walk around rear bed, have huge exterior pass through compartments. Our rig can be bought new in the very low 50's. Another 10K or so would put you up into the mid- and larger sizes.

Forrester is a sister model line handled by different dealers, so you might find one or the other near you.

edit to add: I went back and looked at your dimensions. The compartment itself is big enough, but I'm not sure about the doors. The 25x25x32 might or might not make it through any of the doors in my pass through. Maybe it would go through the rear door, and then slide over to settle down into the tallest part of the compartment. Everything else would fit for sure. You ought to look at some C's, I think.

Whatever model you might be interested in, look for a sales video of it on youtube. Dealers often put them up, and will probably show you the storage compartments.

Thanks for all the information-wow..can some of these RV's be pricey!I'll be buying a lottery ticket this week;)I think a smaller A class is going to be what we are looking for-the Serrano looks promising if we can find a used one.I'm not interested in off roading with an RV..I've lived off road for 7 years..that was enough;)..it can be amazing where you can get a vehicle if you know how to drive and handle it:)What passes for a rough road in America is often a pretty good road in the rest of the world;)

i love where you can go with an earth roamer

but they lack the storage space for a large telescope
18" is not the length..it is the Diameter of the tube/main reflector ?

the length is more like 6-ft exterior dia 20+ inches

I would look at Earthroamer or tiger class C or Global expiditionary vehicles. They make go anywhere motorhomes.

This is what I recommend four your telescope storage
My uncle's 2010 Serrano has this..
No bedroom slide..big rear storage