Newbie Needs Help! From experienced rvers

Ricjoyner wrote:
Folks,
This forum has been a big help. I am totally new to RVing. The last experience I had with "camping" riding a motorcycle in CO Rockies. Breath taking. That was tent camping. Before that, I took 4 preteens pop up campering and hated it. Caught in the rain taking it down, lots of drunks and unmentionable noises with an out of control bonfire (not mine).
I am too restless to sit at a campground without going site seeing which then a Class A diesel (don't want gas due to ride) and thus must pull a car. Can a mazda 6 or a suburu outback be towed? And how do you prevent mileage from accumulating? That is daunting itself let alone driving a BUS. Yes a bus. That realization hit me while standing next to it! We looked at a 2005 discovery 40 and the first thing the guy said to me was; "I have had to put a ton of money into this and want it to stop". I said; "what has my stupid brain been telling me how romantic this may be to hit the highways while semi-retired?" Am I loopy? As an ex CEO this industry is gigantic and with the ginormousness of "world" a newbie has to take in quite a bit of information and then the sales people are everywhere and it is hard to trust them because typically one says one thing and another another. Help!!! Anyway the coach wasn't for us as the generator wouldn't stay on even though there was more than 25% fuel. It drove "ok". Next I posted on this forum in another area and the amount of help was amazing but they said to start a new post. Here I am.

And here are my questions:
I have a budget of up to 250k but don't want to blow that much the first time out. So is it better (due to depreciation)to get a good coach, something with quality and lower miles first time out. But that means lots of footwork. I would like to go with a reputable dealer and found a newmar dealership in Orlando. But am open to others and even privately owned. There are some good old class a diesels out there for under 100k. So let me bare my soul. We are not fancy people. Sort of a cross between fisherman, artists (wife) and recently retired tech CEO working on projects. Thus I need office type set up. We want to travel EVERYWHERE (mountains) for 4 months a summer and get out of FL heat. But this will serve as guest quarters in the winter. Seems like you have lots of guests in winter if you live in florida....(old wis cheeseheads..go buck and pack). We are also working on some ministry avenues too using technology which the bus would be ideal for. I think 400 plus hp is a must for mountains. Am I wrong or right? Expect 9 mpg? Tires need replacing every 7 years. We want a washer and dryer versus combo. Correct? We would love to have swivel recliners our most used chairs in our home. We are not tv-aholics but would use them for video and dvd presentations and learning . A 4 person table that can serve as an office would be nice versus booth. Are there coach designs that are office formatted? Most look like a grandmas house. We would like to do a driving school and learn how to maintain and repair every system if need be. Any good ones out there? We know nothing about boondocking and want to do that as I fish whenever I can and want to see all the state and national parks. And I love fly fishing although my best bud calls it eye fishing because I nearly take out his eye each time we are fishing near glacier.
What manufacturers should we stay away from? I have discovered newmar and am really impressed. Should I be? They seem to have quality and lots of it with great price. We are for quality. I drove used audis and now sub outbacks to get a picture of what we mean as it relates to quality. I am afraid I won't be able to drive it without that comfort steering as I have driven class c and class b and hated them. I thought I was riding on a whale that wanted to go back to sea world. And parks? I don't ever want the experience of the yogi bear and KOA with drunks and unmentionable noises with bonfires going. Are there such thing as yuppie parks? (Not a yuppie but you know what I mean)
I watched Big Rv and that seemed like a sales pitch for lazy dayz and it wasn't very helpful. I have learned more here than any video or books yet.

What books on rving would you recommend? I am "ok" at handy stuff but don't want to spend my time maintaining anything. Heck I don't even want to change light bulbs.

I am not a rv club member yet so which ones are good?

Finally we are looking at the newmar line as mentioned and here is one we found. http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2008-Newmar-Ventana-3933-112952487

The NADA is saying 94k so I asked two questions. Pricing seems a bit high and tires: Here is the answer:

Tires: (owner)The rear tires are original and still in good shape. The front tires are new last year. I understand from what I read on the internet that they should be replaced after 7 years. I planned on putting new ones on next spring before I go on the road.

Price: (owner) The high retail is 118k and low retail 87k. This Newmar coach has a lot of upgrades. I'm not interested in taking 94k or 100k even for that matter. I'm selling it to free up funds for this project I'm doing and we don't and won't have the time to use it.

My comments on his comments: while they may be honest they also seem dodgy. And the 94 to 100k doesn't have logic. Someone would pass up a 94k cash offer?

Grateful for any input.

Hi. Welcome.
So, your first question as to wether those two vehicles are towable... Check
here. Dinghy Towing Guide.
Yes, your budget will get you a nice used coach. Let someone else take the hit on
" new ". Be sure, wether you are buying private party, or from a dealer, to have your own inspection done, by a reputable inspector. Dealers are not your friends, and most of them, not all, do not know the history of the motorhomes they are selling.

Newmar has a fantastic reputation, and are quality coaches. 400 is a good size engine, as less, especially with a 40' coach, you won't be happy with the power performance. Though, that is only DH's personal feeling from experience.

For mpg, expect more in the 7 range, and if you get more, you will be happy.

A note... These coaches are not meant for off road, so do not expect to be able to drive narrow, rutted, back roads, to get to a boondock spot by a river to go fishing. The larger the coach is, you will be more limited getting into State parks and campgrounds.
Most of them were built before slides and 40' coaches were introduced, thus, meant for smaller RV's.

5-7 years is a good average for tire life. Depends what part of the country you are in, how much it sits, how much sun, etc.

DP's are a little more maintenance than a regular vehicle. The oil changes, and scheduled maintenance can cost some $, but if you have a $250k budget, and buy something ~ 100-150, then you will have plenty left over for any mods, repairs, and changes you would like to do.

Most people take many, many years of schooling to be able to service DP's. You can learn the basic workings of an RV, since they all start with most of the same things.... Water pumps, water heaters, inverters, generators, etc.

You will have to look at floorplans that will work for your situation, and the best way to do that is either go to an rv show, or a large dealer with a bunch of different manufacturers and models.

These coaches are pretty easiy mod'd, so, as long as you find the basic layout you like, anything can be changed... ie... Table to a desk, couch to chairs, a built in office, etc. there are plenty of Companies that do it.

There are alot of mid 2008-21011, that aren't alot of " fluff". Country Coach is another one to look at.

Best of luck with your decision. Take your time, and find the right one. It's worth the time and hassle, and it's a very fun journey.