Used Class C Help

We own an Outback and a Forester, Both must be carried on a flat bed trailer because of the 4 wheel drive setup. Your car may be the same. I wouldn't want to tow a large trailer with vehicle using any Class C. If you have a trailer setup but won't always need the car, leave it home, you can rent a car at your destination, or have family members drive car separately to your destination. Motorhomes don't usually have crash-safe seating for five. You can disconnect a class C from hookups in 5 minutes for occasional trips into town or local sightseeing. RV'ing has compromises. My opinion, you need at least a 26 footer for comfortable sleeping in a rear bedroom for the main couple, others will have less comfortable sleeping in the overhead or on convertible sofa bed/or dinette. Short rigs are slightly more maneuverable but sacrifice sleeping comfort and overall storage space. A cluttered motorhome gets on your nerves after a week or so.

Good advice so far. I would add the following to clarify weights a bit. The Ford E450 chassis (most common on a C) has a GVWR of 14500 pounds. The RV manufacturers the house part of the RV, so that the weight of the house can vary greatly. Generally, the longer the Class C the more it weighs.
Further, the weight of the house part is increased by the addition of certain options like leveling jacks, slide outs, and after-market goodies. The weight of fluids like gas and fresh water is also added to house weight. Subtract these weights from the GVWR, and you get the OCCC Occupant and Cargo Carrying Capacity, that is the amount of weight of people, food, pets, and stuff you can carry.

The GCWR is the total weight of the RV and tow vehicle weight that the chassis can carry. On the Ford E450 it is 22000 pounds (I believe). So the fully loaded RV, the tow rigging, and the tow vehicle should not exceed this weight.

If you consider a Super C unit, remember certain state like PA where I live will require you to get a Commerical Drivers License if the GVWR is 25000 pounds or more.

Good Luck with your search.

PghBob wrote:

If you consider a Super C unit, remember certain state like PA where I live will require you to get a Commerical Drivers License if the GVWR is 25000 pounds or more.

Good Luck with your search.

No state requires a CDL for a motorhome or other RV used for personal, noncommercial purposes. Some states do require a different class of non-commercial driver's license for motorhomes above certain weights and/or sizes (often mirroring the classes of CDLs); but that's not the same thing as a CDL, and carries different requirements--though often the written and road testing is quite similar.

Having a CDL requires one to undergo yearly physicals by a DOT certified physician, to submit to periodic random drug testing, to log driving hours (in most cases) and follow driving time limits, among other things.

yearly cdl physicals are only required IF there are medical reasons such as diabetes etc. Most physicals are good for 2-3 years otherwise. Yes there are a few states such as kalif that require a class D I think it is for rv's over a certain weight. really not a bad idea but I think they mostly do it for the $$.

Wow you guys are the best. I must clarify the 5 people are my wife, myself, two teenage boys and a 12 year old young lady. The more i read the more i'm thinking about leaving the Subaru at home. uber or a rental will do. We really like the Jayco 31FS Redhawk. So much for a used unit, once the DW looked at the New Jayco's she is all in for a new unit. Still we dont rush into anything and will still be looking for advice on options and such that go along with a new purchase. Thanks to everyone who responded and keep them coming!

My 30 Foot Cambria has a full size bed and a dinette area that can sleep 2. There is no overhead bunk. On a trip to film in the desert two cameramen slept together on the front bed (childhood buddies) and me in the bed. Well, it's cramped with 3 people inside. I often travel solo and after being in the coach for a week i appreciate my brick and mortar house. 5 inside would not work at all. With just the two of us the coach is just fine.