Entering the next stage in my life

Figure out your budget, then start looking. You can visit RV delearships and tour the various units for free. Go with the intention of not buying anything. You are the one who will know what you like when you see it. Don't stop there though - keep looking for a comparable. Also, look for RV shows in your area. Ask specific questions here while looking. Good luck in your search.

I would continue to see how much is working and what is not. You will win either way.

You may (although I have my doubts) be able to repair / restore for less than you thought or if you part it out parts and appliances that can be shown to work are worth more than those that do not.

The suggestion to go to RV shows is a very good one. Go sit and lay and try to imagine actually using the unit. For example, when sitting in the living room what type of view do I have of the television. We like to cook certain meals is there enough counter space? Do I fit in the bed? Is it comfortable? Don't laugh I watched a guy close to if not over 7 feet tall pursue getting in and out of a little teardrop trailer. Reminded me of one of those clown cars!

As far as to buy a motorhome or a truck and trailer, only you can answer that. Everyone that responds here is going to back the setup they have because it works for them. It may or may not work for you. Make a list of the pros and cons and see if there is a winner. If there is see if you know someone that owns a similar setup and see if they will take you out for a ride or if willing, drive it. And as always keep asking questions!

I was in your shoes a couple of years ago. I looked for a year at all makes and models of everything. I had to decide if I wanted 2 drive trains to take care of, higher insurance etc.

As I looked my must have list grew and my list of I can't live with that grew as well. I had the engine on my vehicle blow so I had to get a truck for a 5th wheel anyway so that is when I got a 1 ton dually quad cab long bed diesel. I could then get the 5th wheel I wanted and not have to worry about whether my TV could pull it or not safely.

Take your time, look at every model available to you so you can make an informed decision on what you want and most of all have fun going through the process.

Cherry

We started out with a Class C and knew very little about RVs. It was a 26' rig on an '85 Ford E350 chassis with a carburator-equipped Ford 460. It didn't have any slides and the main bed was an undersized "standard double" corner bed.

We got 6 mpg at sea-level and about 4.5 at altitude (and there's altitude involved just about anywhere we go. We also got the dreaded 460 manifold problems (about $1300 to fix) and serious brake problems (another $1000).

Just into our 2nd season, we decided we loved the RV lifestyle, but not with that piece of rubbish. We consigned it with a local dealership and they were able to sell fairly quickly, but for $4500 less than we'd paid for it.

We waited a few years before we got our current Class A, which we found at a private sale about 25 miles from home. The original owners were selling because of medical issues. We got it for about $8K under NADA estimate, and it's been almost trouble free in the 6000 miles we've put on it. It has two slides, one of which gets us a "shuffle-round" residential queen-size bed.

The only problem at present is that the generator won't run. This is a self-inflicted injury, as I was sidelined by a cardiac problem and didn't get out to exercise the generator for four months over the 2011-12 winter. We rarely use it, staying most times a full gook-up sites, but it's irritating that a generator with only 53 hours on it from new is dead.

We're are dedicated Class A owners after three seasons with this one, and would not consider a "C" if we ever sell the present rig. The only thing we'd consider is a diesel pusher, about 33 feet or so. The F53 chassis doesn't have the greatest ride quality - it's an 11-ton box truck after all - but I'm much more inclined to spend money on gas and CG fees than trying to turn a pig's ear into a silk purse. It's more than adequate for us (DW, me and 2 Labradors)

Veebyes;
Excellent comments. My choice for a specific type of RV is very much still open. I know what I want to do in retirement and where we might go. How to get there will be in an RV. Which one, for now who knows. You make some very fine points which will involve me in my travels. I'm in the process of trying to read all the RV info I can. And there is a lot. Some I don't really understand yet but I'm progressing.

Many Thanks again...



GT

IMO you have 3 choices. Buy something cheap & old, i.e. somebody elses troubles. Not a good idea. A money pit to fix up & you will still have something old.

Buy something new. The most expensive option but, well, gee, it is new & has all of the warantees etc.

Buy something used but only a few years old, i.e. somebody elses mistake. They bought the wrong unit for themselves. This way you get almost new, the bugs have been worked out, the first owner takes a huge depreciation hit & you still have some warrantee life.

The secret of course is to do the research & buy the model you need first time. Make your first your last. Trading every few years gets expensive.

I guess we are sort of in your position. After renting a C some years ago we learned two things. First we liked RVing. Second, no way was the RV of our own going to be a C. The jiggle & rattle of stuff is too much & having to move the whole 'house' for sightseeing or shopping was out of the question.

The hitching routine with a towable is something that one adapts to very quickly. There is only one propulsion engine to take care of. No toad. If the TV needs to go for repairs the house does not go too. No hotels needed.

Yeah the TV is big. We can't park next to the store door. No matter, a short walk is good for the heart. Again, you adapt with little problem. In any case taking a 1 ton pickup shopping is easier than a C.

All right guys, hope yall are well.
As I ponder into the decision weather to part out the 78 or keep wasting my time on it, another thought keeps creeping into my head.
Another 2 year old (2 years for cost and depreciation) RV class C should would be great. I have looked at some on ebay and brother they are nice. Not knowing much pertaining to RV's, and could possible drop 100k on the one I want, I find it extreamly important to listen to comments. So besides asking questions pertaining to the 78 I will also be humbly asking comments on newer Class C type vehicles.
Best manufactors, best models, available equipment, known problems to stay away from, best diesel or gas for horse power and milege, etc. I also hope I am at the right site to ask my questions pertaining to a newer RV. Don't want to PO the webmaster.

As always guys, thanks so much for the help!

PS ............ Please don't ask me why I'm sticking to a Class C, right now to me it seems "To Hitch or Not to Hitch"...

Hey Guys;
Had a RV friend stop by (at the request of my wife) to go over what he thought should be checked. The motor, generator, frig, etc.
So I guess plan B is on hold until we find out if all the major components are serviceable. There are switches on the dashboard that are not labeled? I guess I must plug the holes on the roof (once known as roof vents/fans). I hope I don't fall thru. I did find the oil dip stick and the level is good. Still looking for the ATF stick. So many things to find. Still looking for the frig lp or elec switch.
Anyway guys I'm on the journey, good, bad or whatever. I want to thank yall for your help and would hope I am at the right location for my questions on this web site? If not, please direct me to where I need be.
As always, useful comments welcome.
The journey begins ...

Thanks all

GT

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. I pulled the plug in 2008 at age 60. I'm also a retired Air Force mechanic.

If you worked in mechanical maintenance, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to do routine upkeep and repairs on whatever RV you end up with. With a quality unit, there's really not that much to do. There may be some things, i.e., changing engine oil, tire rotation, etc. that you might simply prefer not to do since at our age it's just easier to pay somebody else to do it. I guess that somewhat depends on the state of your health.

As to whether RV parts are expensive, I don't really know. Other than the occasional light bulb, I've never had to replace anything in the three RVs I've owned over the years. And most of what you might ever need can be found at any big box store (Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards, etc.).