What kind of Class A do you recommend?

I read this

It will be just the DW and I on weekend trips and occasional extended trips until she retires.

as longer trips after the DW retires. Fulltiming or long timing, the requirements are basically the same. Full timers tend to buy bigger rigs. We went for a solid 6 months and I don't see much of a difference between that and full time, other than the obvious of having a S&B house to return to.

Not sure where the notion of fulltiming comes from. My original post says nothing about that. It says weekends and extended trips. DW and I want to be comfortable and as I have learned, bigger isn't always better. I've been to many RV shows looking at TTs, just looking for some insight from experienced Class A owners on what to look for as I explore this style of RVing. I appreciate the input I have received thus far and will continue to enjoy your recommendations. Thanks...

Think the first step is to determine how much you are comfortable spending on the MH. You want to be able to afford what you want to do with it!!! We made the leap to a 32' Georgie Boy Pursuit after almost 40 years with TT and a Class C. Just DH and I. Two slides, walk through when slides in (IMHO, VERY important!) Its a 2006 and we got it in 2012 with only 8,000 miles on the gas powered engine. Paid less than $60,000. Why this one? Price, condition, lay out of the interior. I suggest you go to several RV lots and walk through as many in your price/size range as they have available. You'll find a layout that works for both of you. Ask that slides be put out (after all, you'll be in it with them out most of the time!) and see how it 'feels'. Might want to visit an Camping show. Generally good deals abound at them. Make a list of 'must haves' and 'don't cares' and see what you can find.
Don't need all the bells and whistles - need comfort. Will you really watch that TV mounted outside in a space that could be a great extra storage area? Is the outside kitchen something you would use? IN my opinion, KISS it (Keep it simple silly!) Can't help much with mechanical issues - that's not my forte.
BTW, we lived for almost 6 months in our 32' RV. The layout made it possible for each of us to find an 'alone place' (we could easily watch two different TVs - inside - without either of us hearing the other) and the abundance of storage inside and out gave us enough room for our 'stuff'. Of course, there was far less of it than before! You'll be surprised what you really don't need!
We also tow our Honda CRV (4 down) and have never had a problem. Just make sure you have a quality towing/braking system installed properly when you do tow.

Fulltiming in a 30 footer? The first thing I recommend is to rethink, and then think some more.
I don't care if I don't know anything about you, I still stand by my recommendation.

Bumpyroad wrote:
nothing with a rubber roof.
bumpy

This is starting to become comical. Anytime someone asks what kind of RV to get, you always only offer this.

Meanwhile thousands upon thousands of RV's out there with PTO roofs for decades and no issues. Remember also reading lots of posts in the past few months on Winnie fiberglass roofs peeling off.


Just sayin'

To the OP, floorplan should be your primary concern. Also budget. I agree with some on here that 30' or less is going to be small to full time in. Chassis type depends on how you will full time. Short trips followed by long stays you'd be better with gas. Long hauls and short stays I would think a DP would be better.

Personally if I were to FT I would look at a 40' or more DP. It is your house after all.

A slightly used one with the floor plan you and the wife like.

Make sure you check out the coach with the slides in. You don't want to find out the bathroom or bedroom is impossible to get to with slides in. Jim.

nothing with a rubber roof.
bumpy

If you plan on short trips and long stays, then you may want to make floor plan the priority. If you like long trips, and possibly shorter stays, then you may want to place more emphasis on ease of operation, power, and handling characteristics.

JumboJet wrote:
We determined we needed a larger Class A and purchased a diesel pusher.

Pay attention to this statement. We got a 28 foot gasser first with the same goal as yours - retire and travel. First season doing weekend trips and 2 week vacations on the road and we decided we really needed something bigger. We ended up spending 6 months in the motor home last winter. It would have been pretty tight in the 28. IMHO, 35 is probably the smallest you want to go.

So, if you do get a 30 something gasser, get an older one that will not depreciate too much in case you to decide you need to go bigger after weekends trips and vacations. I ended up selling the gasser for more that I paid for it (but not quite what I had into it).