Used Class C Help

What will the Crosstek weigh with hitch and any stuff?

Well, if you are a seasoned fiver owner you are already aware of how things work in rv life. Don't pay too much attention to brands at this time.

Think floorplans, GVWR's and wheelbase lengths.
You will need go look at units and sit in them with all 5 people for periods of time to really get that camping and traveling in it feel to decide on a floorplan, then take from their.

As you already are aware, getting into a 5 year old rv is going to depend on how it was maintained by the previous owner. You should already know what to look for in that respect so there is no need to get into those basics.

Five people plus personal and camping gear is a lot of weight on a chassis. Watch your payload and make sure the seatbelt positions will offer comfort for long term driving.

** Keep in mind that hauling all that weight will be different than towing it. Adding weight to the rear compartments might lift weight off the front axle and make it drive like 'hell on wheels' .
Its not like your pervious 2000-2500# hitch weight over the rear axle, this new rv experience will put much of it behind the rear axle inside large rear storage compartments as well as rear kitchens and bathrooms.

Watch the rear overhang length, there is a formula regarding wheelbase and overhang length. You can
Google it.

You'll need to decide on your towing options for your model Subaru.
You might or might not be able to flat tow it, you might have to use a dolly or an actual car hauler trailer. You can search to see what others say about towing a dingy behind an rv.
Once you get all the class c basics in place, then you decide on a brand that matches you floorplan needs.

Ideal is 55% ratio of length to wheel base. I went from 56 to 53 and it is NOT nice. Below 50% is horrible.

on a 176 wheel base 26 feet is pretty much wonderful and feels much like driving a car.

Bobndot. That's why I came back to the forum. I wouldn't even think of the overhang behind the rear wheels and all the weight back there. You sir have given me a lot to think about. Seatbelts, plus people weight wow. I must admit I always thought the class c guys had it easy compared to a 5er and TV. Like usual I Have a Lot to Learn.

Good tips above. The sleeping 5 is a tricky one. Are you ok with a corner bed? Are you ok with climbing into the upper bunk as your main bed? How many of the five can share beds? How do you feel about converting couches and dinettes each night and morning?

Not trying to deter you, just beware, it's just different than towing.
All the appliances and some gear is inside the unit with you, you can hear things rattle as you drive. It takes time to eliminate those rattles.
I think 5 people having a 'what' ? contest while driving might be fun. :B
As long as you are aware and educate yourself in the particulars then you will be fine, just know what to expect and pick your unit accordingly and you'll be fine.


use an oscillating lawn sprinkler under your vehicle to wash your undercarriage from road salt. I hooked up a hot water line just for that purpose.
Enjoy your new home in Maine. North Country rocks !!

We recently bought a used 2017 Class C-about 24 ft.-switching from a 5'vr. Made a point of getting a Chevy 450 chassis- had read articles about Ford's had less foot room and that the front passenger side seemed to get hot while driving. Big difference in storage availability, definitely more rattling noises. Really like the ease of parking or setting up, much easier to drive and nice to be able to move around on a long trip. We don't have toad so have used "Uber" quite a bit or just take the RV.

Though many class C's accommodate 5 people, I advise you spend some time looking at Super Cs to determine if they are a viable option for you. For the most part, you won't have a worry over-loading them or their tires. I don't know the used Super-C market other than paying more than a conventional E450/4500 chassis version.

Some super Cs are ridiculously huge, like driving a tractor trailer. That's not what I am talking about. Look at the "mild" versions which will also be much more affordable, something along these lines.

You might consider one of the bunk models. It's not just how many people it can sleep, but also can they sit and move around comfortably. I have a Jayco 31FS and it has a queen bed, 2 bunks, dinette conversion, coach pullout, and overhead bunk. If you want a couch, which is much more comfortable than the dinette, it usually put you in a 30 footer or so. If you can get an E450 chassis with Ford's new 6 speed it really helps the gas mileage too. Winnie also makes a bunk model, Forest River also. Good luck with your search.

My main concern is this: would it be possible to have some of the five drive and/or ride in the Subaru? DH and I haven't gotten to the point of towing our Focus; I just follow him up to the campground (and listen to what I want to on the Sirius radio;)). Just an idea.

Also I doubt all five of you will want to sit in the camper that much. When our children join us, we're usually sitting outside, under the awning or anywhere. We cook over a fire because it's fun to and eat outside. We have all crowded indoors when it was too hot to enjoy a meal outside, but we don't stay there long.

And they drive their own car up. DH and I sleep on the dinette bed because we're shorter than our daughter and SIL and they have room for the little one and themselves in the corner bed.