Few questions from the future RV-er
I am a truck driver, planning to retire in about two, or three years. I know I'll miss my driving, so I am thinking about buying an RV, preferably class B, or small class C type. However I don't know ...
Forum Discussion
A lot of different opinions on the questions you raised.
For starters, the major brands are all using the same platforms (Ford Chevy, MB as well as Ram) and all of them have their fans. The Full size van varients, Ford E series and Chevy 3500 have longterm usage and are proven designs and powertrains. Ford is more common especially in the larger units 28' and up, and the drivetrain is a little stronger with the 6.8 V-10 vs GM's 6.0 V-8. But in smaller units especially, many feel the Chevy platform is preferable, both in road manners as well as interior comfort (dog house size and position). The new 7.3 V-8 from Ford could make the power and tranny issues even more obvious as they start showing up this year, and the doghouse may even shrink some.
The transit vans MB's and Ford dominate in gas vs diesel and Ram is in there with a few of each.
On interior components all of the brands use basically the same appliances, refrigerators, stoves, heaters and AC units are shared across brands. The bigger differences are in how a builder puts it together, and there some telling differences come to light.
The smaller "B" lines tend to be more of a craftsman market, less of a "mass production" approach. And their prices show the difference.
The bigger RV brands offer a lot of models with similar floorplans, across all levels of pricing, Interior cabinetry, and furnishings are where they can trim a lot of cost, and it's where you will spot a lot of differences.
Particle board with shelf paper type coatings are cheapest, and show wear the soonest, Ply wood frames are better, and hardwood is better still. Freestanding couches are better built and more expensive than the built in units generally as well.
Your size range mentioned puts you in a zone you may want to look at referred to by some as the Cruiser RV's.
Gulfstream B Touring cruiser, Phoenix Cruiser, and some others like the Coachhouserv and concord model from Coachmen.
These Cruisers still give you the heavier platform and drivetrain from the larger Ford and GM lines, but a slightly slimmer lower profile for easier travel.
Others will expound on other considerations, I'm just trying to get you started.
Happy hunting.
For starters, the major brands are all using the same platforms (Ford Chevy, MB as well as Ram) and all of them have their fans. The Full size van varients, Ford E series and Chevy 3500 have longterm usage and are proven designs and powertrains. Ford is more common especially in the larger units 28' and up, and the drivetrain is a little stronger with the 6.8 V-10 vs GM's 6.0 V-8. But in smaller units especially, many feel the Chevy platform is preferable, both in road manners as well as interior comfort (dog house size and position). The new 7.3 V-8 from Ford could make the power and tranny issues even more obvious as they start showing up this year, and the doghouse may even shrink some.
The transit vans MB's and Ford dominate in gas vs diesel and Ram is in there with a few of each.
On interior components all of the brands use basically the same appliances, refrigerators, stoves, heaters and AC units are shared across brands. The bigger differences are in how a builder puts it together, and there some telling differences come to light.
The smaller "B" lines tend to be more of a craftsman market, less of a "mass production" approach. And their prices show the difference.
The bigger RV brands offer a lot of models with similar floorplans, across all levels of pricing, Interior cabinetry, and furnishings are where they can trim a lot of cost, and it's where you will spot a lot of differences.
Particle board with shelf paper type coatings are cheapest, and show wear the soonest, Ply wood frames are better, and hardwood is better still. Freestanding couches are better built and more expensive than the built in units generally as well.
Your size range mentioned puts you in a zone you may want to look at referred to by some as the Cruiser RV's.
Gulfstream B Touring cruiser, Phoenix Cruiser, and some others like the Coachhouserv and concord model from Coachmen.
These Cruisers still give you the heavier platform and drivetrain from the larger Ford and GM lines, but a slightly slimmer lower profile for easier travel.
Others will expound on other considerations, I'm just trying to get you started.
Happy hunting.
