Starting my education process....
Awesome forum!!!! been reading it for the past few days. I do like Class B's but they are just outside of my budget, well at least the ones I like. I'm looking at C's since we are 4 (parents ...
Forum Discussion
As tenbear mentioned, being handy helps a lot and can open up a lot more options to you.
There are pros and cons to buying used vs. new:
With new, your RV will spend time in the authorized shop getting fixed under warranty. With used, your RV will spend time in your driveway or shop of your choice getting fixed at your cost.
A used RV will cost less out the door than a new RV, but you'll have more repair/maintenance costs at the beginning. Only you can determine which will work better for you and your finances (for me, used was better as it's easier to postpone/defer some repairs than it is to postpone/defer payments - allowing me to budget expenses).
Looking at both will allow you to find the best RV for your needs/wants.
If you read through, you'll find that RVs of all "quality" and pricing have issues. Class B's are probably the most robust because they are built within a vehicle built to current vehicle standards. Other RVs are built outside of those standards.
Many issues are easily fixed without loss of enjoyment if you don't get caught up in the "I paid $XXXXXXX for this, it shouldn't have problems" rationale. For example, loose cupboard handles - sure it's a quality issue; but it's one that you can easily fix with new screws and a screwdriver. Don't need to be particularly handy, just need to be able to use a screwdriver.
Other issues are bigger, but can be easily prevented/corrected with common sense and a decent attention span. For example, many people winterize their RV and put it in storage. They come back 3+ months later to find the RV ruined by water damage. Quality issue? Sure. But, had those folks checked out their RV after the first rains to see if there were any leaks, then they could have gotten a tarp to protect the RV until they could get it in to a shop for resealing (or resealed it themselves) and prevented the major long-term water damage.
Size-wise, I think a smaller class C will work fine under certain compromises:
1. You don't mention age or gender of the two kids. If they can share the cabover bunk, then you have a lot more room for the size in the C. A 24-26ft will provide a permanent bed for you and your wife without having to convert the couch/dinette.
2. Outdoor time. You mention that you hope the majority of time will be spent outdoors. That will make things a lot easier. If your plans are to camp at true campgrounds (versus RVing at RV parks), then you can add a tent, tarps, or canopy for more "indoor" space without needing a larger RV or slides.
3. Using the campground/park facilities, coordinating chores, etc., can reduce space awkwardness also. If one person starts cooking breakfast while the others use the facilities for morning needs, then you don't have people trying to climb around each other. Adding an outdoor grill, etc., can allow the 2nd person to fix salads, etc. in the RV. I have a folding basket that I will fill with salad fixings, etc., and I send that out to the picnic table for someone else to fix while I cook on the stove in the RV.
Appliances are really no different than household appliances in that any can have issues at any time. I bought my house range and fridge 17 years ago - they were basic low end models. They are still working fine. Others have bought high end appliances and have problems within a few years. (Knock on wood), the range and fridge in my RV are both original - 40 years old - and working great (I did have to replace the thermocouple in the fridge a year ago).
There are pros and cons to buying used vs. new:
With new, your RV will spend time in the authorized shop getting fixed under warranty. With used, your RV will spend time in your driveway or shop of your choice getting fixed at your cost.
A used RV will cost less out the door than a new RV, but you'll have more repair/maintenance costs at the beginning. Only you can determine which will work better for you and your finances (for me, used was better as it's easier to postpone/defer some repairs than it is to postpone/defer payments - allowing me to budget expenses).
Looking at both will allow you to find the best RV for your needs/wants.
If you read through, you'll find that RVs of all "quality" and pricing have issues. Class B's are probably the most robust because they are built within a vehicle built to current vehicle standards. Other RVs are built outside of those standards.
Many issues are easily fixed without loss of enjoyment if you don't get caught up in the "I paid $XXXXXXX for this, it shouldn't have problems" rationale. For example, loose cupboard handles - sure it's a quality issue; but it's one that you can easily fix with new screws and a screwdriver. Don't need to be particularly handy, just need to be able to use a screwdriver.
Other issues are bigger, but can be easily prevented/corrected with common sense and a decent attention span. For example, many people winterize their RV and put it in storage. They come back 3+ months later to find the RV ruined by water damage. Quality issue? Sure. But, had those folks checked out their RV after the first rains to see if there were any leaks, then they could have gotten a tarp to protect the RV until they could get it in to a shop for resealing (or resealed it themselves) and prevented the major long-term water damage.
Size-wise, I think a smaller class C will work fine under certain compromises:
1. You don't mention age or gender of the two kids. If they can share the cabover bunk, then you have a lot more room for the size in the C. A 24-26ft will provide a permanent bed for you and your wife without having to convert the couch/dinette.
2. Outdoor time. You mention that you hope the majority of time will be spent outdoors. That will make things a lot easier. If your plans are to camp at true campgrounds (versus RVing at RV parks), then you can add a tent, tarps, or canopy for more "indoor" space without needing a larger RV or slides.
3. Using the campground/park facilities, coordinating chores, etc., can reduce space awkwardness also. If one person starts cooking breakfast while the others use the facilities for morning needs, then you don't have people trying to climb around each other. Adding an outdoor grill, etc., can allow the 2nd person to fix salads, etc. in the RV. I have a folding basket that I will fill with salad fixings, etc., and I send that out to the picnic table for someone else to fix while I cook on the stove in the RV.
Appliances are really no different than household appliances in that any can have issues at any time. I bought my house range and fridge 17 years ago - they were basic low end models. They are still working fine. Others have bought high end appliances and have problems within a few years. (Knock on wood), the range and fridge in my RV are both original - 40 years old - and working great (I did have to replace the thermocouple in the fridge a year ago).
