Which one to choose?!

My preference, based on shopping brands in this price range 2004-5, and continued visits to RV shows to look at who was building what how, would be the Chateau. In this entry price range, the FourWinds factory seemed to be putting RVs together better than Coachmen, particularly when Coachmen was starting to struggle and repositioning its model lines in the market.

But which floorpan works for you should be the key factor. I'm in a RV club that has been active for 20 years, with 30-40 families passing through at various stages of their lives. Everybody I know in the club who traded or sold a RV to get a different one did so because it did not fit their needs, either the living space did not work for them or their lifestyle and RV use was changing. Two families traded out three RVs in five years because the floorpan that looked right at the dealership did not work right for them at the campground. Finding the right floorpan can thus be an expensive lesson.

This is something where you have to get in the thing and act out day to day living, to have a chance of getting it right the first time, and someone else can't tell you what is best for you, because what is best for you might be different from my needs. Some people put high priority on kitchen usability, others on living room space, or maybe living areas separated to accommodate different sleep schedules. Wardrobe, bathroom, dressing areas matter more to people who need personal privacy, or have extended dressing rituals; others don't care, this is not a big part of their lives.

Both models are in the rental market, so the best way to try one out is to rent it and live in it for at least a week, with all the people who will be occupying whatever you plan to buy.

Chassis issues? I prefer the Ford, that was my choice when buying a one-ton passenger van as a daily driver and road trip platform, but for as little as a motorhome usually gets used, I could probably live with the Chevy as well. My Chevy passenger van issues don't really apply to the cab-chassis. However, if you plan to tow, the platform you want is Ford E-450, to get the V-10 and the gearing for 5000 pounds towing capacity. The Chevy does not get there without the Duramax, and you won't be finding that diesel in many used class C's, particularly entry models built for rental markets.

buy neither rv, till you have a inspection done. there was a couple on here just a week back bought a used rv , and found out AFTER words it was junk. . tires look great BUT tires rot ,if there over five years old they gotta go, no matter how much tread are on them. #one thing before you buy is the inspection, and you hire your own inspector not the inspection sheet a dealer has. remember a sales person wants ONE THING ,your money.

Go with the Chevy,smoother,quieter, no front end problems that can be very expensive,larger drivers area,a bit better mileage,mine averages between 9.1 and 9.7, among other things.

The floor plan is also one thing to look at too,if it makes you happy then that is factored in also.

I have more than 100000 miles on a former Rental and not one problem as far as engine or transmission... but then I am a bit biased as you can see with the clickys in my signature...:B

Looking at the floorplans, I think the chateau is a nicer setup. The queen bed is walkaround so you can easily make the bed, you gain a couch, and the refer is more convenient to the kitchen area - rather than being pushed out further with the slide of the freelander. With the chateau, you can watch tv from the sofa, with the freelander, you have to sit at the dinette (I know some folks who have installed a tv in the overhead bunk so they can watch from both the dinette and the couch). With only about 1 foot longer, the chateau seems to give you more for the space.

On the flipside, the freelander has slightly larger tanks.

Mileage is tough - too little mileage could mean ongoing issues that have kept the RV parked instead of being used. But too much mileage and you're hitting some maintenance issues sooner. It takes a good inspection to determine if one is better than the other.

Every chassis make has its problems and people tend to have their own opinions of which is better. If you're handy with a wrench, that can make a difference as to which one is better for you.

HRDWRK wrote:

Just the mileage alone could be a deciding factor?

Maybe.
Do you like that one ?
Do they both appear to be well cared for....I mean REALLY well ??

But if you haven't any RV experience at all, you probably should RENT one for a long weekend first. The larger C's seem to be the most popular rentals.

Then.....tires are important.
I recently got a good deal on a 7 year old C and the tires looked really good. One threw a tread after 200 miles. A new set cost me near to $1000.

The radio doesn't work exactly right.

There was a bad battery solenoid.

I could go on but the point IS that you will be EXTREMELY lucky if you don't find a few things that need attention and $$$ after you get it.....regardless of which you pick and how well it's inspected.

You probably should allow a couple of grand over the first year for "little" stuff.

P.S. I like my Ford E450 well enough. It cost me about $350 to get the front end "fixed".

P.P.S. 8 MPG is about all you can reasonably expect to get.