Full timing rig; the search continues

[norfla71]

My family is planning on a full year tour of the states in a few years. Original plan was to use our current rig, but plans have changed; truck and fiver are gone, which opens up a motorhome purchase.

One question remains; A or C? We will be pulling a toad, most likely an older LeSabre or Equinox. We also need bunks (mainly for extra clothes storage, as the kids will be sleeping in the main cabin on the extra beds). I really like having extra reserve for pulling through the mountains with a diesel pusher, but dread the extra costs. I also would like to make one purchase, to be used with the kids and later in our retirement, and have it paid off before social security age; any choice will be purchased used. A about 38', C no longer than 32', and at least 2 slides, including bedroom.

The A's we're considering are the Allegro Red 38QB and Berkshire 39QB; there are many choices for C. It boils down to a simple question; can we live with a smaller unit, and smaller payments, or more room and comfort, but with the higher costs? To start, we are going to rent a C over a long weekend in the next few months.

Affording either is not the issue; proper planning will get us any of these units new. I'm trying to figure out which is best for a family of 4, then empty nesters later on.

[norfla71]

Towables are out for a few reasons:

As stated we are cramped in there, and do not want to stop every hour or 2 just to stretch our legs. It's bad enough being on the road for hours on end, without having to extend it due to a bad decision.

I won't pull without a 4x4 again. We are both getting less mobile, and getting into any rig capable of pulling a load (SUV included) is a climb, even with powered steps.

I don't need a truck anymore, so that would be another expense when not pulling (and associated headaches with owning a truck). Expense of replacing 10 tires V/S 6 maybe a wash, though. And, thought the payment maybe the same, the truck is about half the term, so that's a strike against a DP.

Most importantly, she put her foot down on this one and said no; the boss has made her ruling.

I should clarify the WD point; if we go A, then the WD is expected. However, no C I could find has space for one. Considering the price difference between platforms, laundry is not that much of an expense; I just hate replacing clothes all the time because the machines at most campsites are not kind to clothes.However, if the machine ever broke in the A, we could always dump it and use the space for storage, as laundry is much cheaper than replacing one.

[lj2654]

Find a bunk house DP used, same some money that way. Keep looking and you will find a good deal....

[GMandJM]

If a washer and dryer are a must, then doesn't that put C's out of the running? Are there any/many 32' or shorter class C's with a washer and dryer?

Too bad 5W are out of the equation. They have some really great floor plans that would work for both a family or empty nesters. The FR Cardinal 3800FL and 3825FL come to mind.

You're not all that far from Tampa. Maybe you can visit the Supershow there in Jan. We go every year figured that what we saw new then was what would be available pre-owned when we were ready in a few years.

That was the plan anyway. It worked out a little differently 😉

[C-Bears]

norfla71 wrote:
I'll try to address everyone's concerns as best I can:

We are done with towables; everyone is cramped inside the truck, even after an hour. Kids would be fine with Mega, Suburban, Expedition, etc, but wife and I can't sit for too long anymore without moving around. Motorhome gives us that freedom. Bonus; we don't have to get out to eat or use the facilities when pulling into rest stops and fighting all the bugs.

Initial costs are going to be crazy expensive, so will maintenance. However, we should come out ahead not long after purchase; plan on buying used, buying well and putting a large chunk down, maybe get out the door under $90k. For that kind of money, I would rather have a DP than a C.

Washer and dryer are a must and have yet to see a used coach without.

Sounds like you have experience with TT's. If you want maximum space, especially for 4 people, why not consider a fifth wheel. If you go with a 38' to 40' gently used fiver and dually you can have tons of room plus your washer/dryer.

When we stop at rest areas, or truck stops, we can enter our fiver and get to our frig, pantry, and bathroom. All without putting any of the slides out. A lot of the newer fivers are designed that way.

If your family gets "cramped" after an hour of riding then make a stop every hour or two. RVing is not a road race. We only try to do about 250 to 300 miles a day when traveling. To us RVing is more of a slow motion process to see and enjoy as much as we can.

Gently used 39' fiver = $40,000
Used 1-ton diesel dually crew cab = $40,000
TOTAL for 330-400 sq. ft. living space = $80,000 or under

[norfla71]

I'll try to address everyone's concerns as best I can:

We are done with towables; everyone is cramped inside the truck, even after an hour. Kids would be fine with Mega, Suburban, Expedition, etc, but wife and I can't sit for too long anymore without moving around. Motorhome gives us that freedom. Bonus; we don't have to get out to eat or use the facilities when pulling into rest stops and fighting all the bugs.

Initial costs are going to be crazy expensive, so will maintenance. However, we should come out ahead not long after purchase; plan on buying used, buying well and putting a large chunk down, maybe get out the door under $90k. For that kind of money, I would rather have a DP than a C.

Considering we will be towing, I think we will go through 2 or 3 Cs, which will be as much (or more) than an A.

Washer and dryer are a must and have yet to see a used coach without. Kids can sleep on couches, or one can use bottom bunk; top bunks convert to closet space in most coaches.

Everyone has a BH floor plan, even in the gasser line. CW up the road has a Berkshire, and I like the 1/2 bath. We met a couple who, the day prior, had purchased an Allegro red QB from a private seller, and we got to tour it. Both have their merits.

We plan on retiring early, in our 50's, due to health concerns. Even if life changes, I don't want to start the whole process again, just because I want something else; a lot of older folks get in financial trouble that way. Considering we may only have to take a 15 year loan out, we should be good even if we need to sell later on. We all know these are money pits, and I am choosing the best I can afford that I know my family can be happy with for as long as possible.

The check marks are leaning more towards a pusher at this point. Now, if we decide to just do this trip once, and part time in the future, a C will work, maybe buy a Fit or something small with decent room. However, it would have to be a really good deal, and really well cared for, to consider it.

[2gypsies1]

C's don't have as much carrying or towing capabilities. An Equinox is a heavy vehicle. Smaller tanks is definitely an issue with 4 people. If you get a long C then your overhang will be long which creates a driving issue.

Also, don't buy this with retirement in mind unless you're planning to retire soon. Otherwise, by the time you retire you may want something altogether different and newer.

[dahkota]

Problems with a C include smaller tanks and smaller cargo capacity. Though a C typically has more sleeping arrangements than an A.

[GMandJM]

Tiffin is a good brand and the Allegro Red 38QBA (which I presume you mean by QB) has a good floor plan for a family, IMHO. The bath is in the middle, so the kids wouldn't have to traipse through the bedroom to use it.

If you don't want the optional washer and dryer, that would give you another big closet.

I only know a few people with Berkshires, but they seem happy with them. Looking at the web site, I don't see a 39QB. The 38A and 38RB both have half baths which is a BIG plus.

Sounds like you plan to keep the coach awhile, so if possible I'd go with an A instead of a C.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

I would go with a used diesel pusher that has low miles and has been well maintained. I would go with a bunkhouse model. We have friends who purchased a Berkshire so they could take their grandkids with them and they loved it. You only need tires every 6 years. If you are mechanically inclined you can do the maintenance yourself. We take our DP to Speedco for oil changes and lube, once a year and it's about $250. If you plan on keeping it a DP engine will usually last longer. The 2 of us full time in our 33' Country Coach Allure with 2 slides. We have put over 100,000 miles on it since 2005.

[donn0128]

IMHO pushers are really expensive to operate and maintain, so budget wise they seem a bad choice. Heck, tires alone for my dually run from 1300 dollars up. And that's cheap in MH speak. There are not a lot of MHS with bunk rooms. Most are built for two. Might consider another fiver for room comfort and cost.