Anyone make a mistake buying first MH ?

[Dollar98]

Just curious.. No matter how much research you do , it seems there is no substitute for owning and using a MH.. Anyone buy one and then realize you made a mistake on the first one.. If so, how did you rectify it. I haven't felt this way yet and hope I don't.. With all that is involved, I could see it happening.. I believe the best advice I got was to buy an older one and then see what you really want by trial and error..

[brenda59]

All true hipower, and faint of heart never found such a good home as with me.LOL

[hipower]

Most of us can't say we bought the exact right coach the first time, but this lifestyle is a constant learning experience.

Part of the thinking that we erred initially is that often our needs change over the years and move away from what we own at the time. Most of the time changing needs push us to change motorhomes and we encounter the costs of said changes. Part of the deciding factors will always remain our changing needs, the other consistent factors will be availible funds and underestimating what we ultimately need.

Regardless of the path we travel to reach our perfect rig I believe we can all agree that motorhome ownership is not for the faint of heart. There are many suprises along the way.

[brenda59]

Yes, the motels are costly ( ones I would stay in). And you are right the comforts of home is super especially not having to use the nasty restrooms that are out there. I am still wanting one and am on the fence but it is scary with the cost of gas and repairs. Thanks to you all and happy camping.

[Rollnhome]

Hard four me to say cause I never maid a misstake

[mrlightrail]

You may consider that the cost of a motel will most likely equal the cost of extra fuel you will use on a Class A. Also, it's nice to have "home away from home" when you are on a long journey, as you won't be on the road ALL of the time, spending time at campgrounds, etc...

[shaneperch]

Just Jeff wrote:
Some get a little higher, but very few get more than 10-12. Checking into a Class B could get you a little bump above that, maybe.

I'm sure someone will post here soon that they get around 12 in their model...that could narrow your options a bit. I wouldn't expect it to be a 36' gasser with two slides, though.

I don't know if there is any class "A" motorhome that can get that high, My buses get around 8 miles per gallon, they are diesel pushers. my two have highway rear ends and get around 8-9 MPG to me that is astounding being so big and heavy. I am sure pushers are as heavy as my buses with all the stuff that is installed on them. buses only have seats.

[shaneperch]

I have made mistakes buying big vehicles. I love buses and have three ex transit buses. One has been converted to a living motorhome needs a new bathroom and Generator. but before my three buses I lost a few and mistakes are great opportunities to learn something. When you have your head in something like a bus or motorhome, your fear factor is lessened and also you have confidence and fortitude to take a vehicle across the country. the more you work on it yourself the more you can get your mind wrapped around the RV. I got my first bus, that huge engine the huge tranny then the air system I wondered why I got a bus, The "what ifs" would enter in then I learned all I could, so if a "What If" came up I would fix it, also the BIG "what ifs" can be totally avoided.

[Mainehawk]

Seems funny to continued a thread that has existed for 11 years :):)but......
We broke into the RV world just shy of 2 years ago with a purchase on eBay of all places. Flew from Maryland to Ohio and drove it home. Bought a 95 Fleetwood Southwind 33L. Was she perfect...not by a longshot, but it was well within our budget so that was the kicker. Our hardest lesson was in finding a place locally that knew what the hell they were talking about or what they were doing. After more than a couple of grand in the inspections and initial manditory "fixes", I was questioning our choice.
I've put as much into the vehicle getting it back to great (new roof, all new tires, services gen, furnace, heaters, slowly upgrading all lights to LED, etc, etc. We have absolutely no regrets. It's used at a minimum of every three weeks going SOMEWHERE (even though its the DW driving it because I'm deployed). She's already looking at upgrading to a dual slider for more interior room, but she loves "Grandma's Bus" as the kiddies call it.
If I had to do it again, I would have researched further and gone to look at more of them, but over-all, we did just fine.

[Just_Jeff]

Some get a little higher, but very few get more than 10-12. Checking into a Class B could get you a little bump above that, maybe.

I'm sure someone will post here soon that they get around 12 in their model...that could narrow your options a bit. I wouldn't expect it to be a 36' gasser with two slides, though.

[brenda59]

Oh my,8-10 mpg!!! I was nervous about a class A to start with, I guess I better scale back "our wants". I love the camping lifestyle and have been camping for 30 yrs in a TT and I see those motorhomes pull into the campgrounds and it makes me want to try one but retirement don't come with everything so I guess we better be thankful that we can camp at all with the cost of gas as it is. We set out on a trip out west pulling a 26 ft TT with a 08 Ford 150 and only got 10 MPG, less mileage than that would scare anyone off from a motorhome. Thanks soooo much for telling us what to expect in MPG. I think I will stick to my TT for local and hit the motels for long distance.Thanks again.

[Just_Jeff]

I have a new V10 in a 31.5 with two slides and I get about 8mpg driving 65.

An older 36' gasser with two slides getting 12-15mpg? I'd probably laugh at him and walk away. Maybe tell the manager first.

[mrlightrail]

Brenda, That salesman is selling you snake oil. A 36' gasser will get about 9-10 at best, maybe 11 going downhill with a tailwind.

Fuel mileage between gas and diesel are about the same. Diesel has more torque, and generally is found on heavier chassis.

[brenda59]

We are also considering a motorhome but I have different fears. I don't want to buy diesel but am afraid of gas mileage with gas. We are looking at a 1999 Winnebago Chieftain 36ft with two slides it has a gas engine. Does anyone know what kind of gas mileage it would get. The salesman says 12-15 MPG but I don't put too much stock in him since I'm sure we have rookie wrote all over us. Thanks in advance.

[mrlightrail]

I can't say I made a mistake the first time around, just made it easier for me to learn about RV'ing faster.

I bought a 76 Holiday Rambler Class C on a Chevy chassis for 900.00. There began my education. First, discovered that the tires had dry rot, and the size was no longer being made...Much fun trying to replace em.

Restroom/shower ripped out by a previous owner, so I had to buy a small Thetford toilet so I would not have to go outside and risk getting my weiner bit by a rabid animal at 3 in the morning.

Getting into deep cleaning, I discovered, Lo, and behold, that one of the previous users was a doper...needles galore!

No genset, no holding tanks...I could write three pages of what DID NOT work..So, I'll say what did. The fridge (dorm sized 110v held in place by bungee cords, stove and oven, and the light bulbs.

I camped using this vehicle for two years. Engine/transmission was strong, only hassle was that I had to "prime" the carburetor with a shot of gas down it's throat first start, or it would NEVER start. I called that my Okie theft protection device.

I started to gut the interior, and planned on doing things right, but a week into the job, a guy saw my RV, and offered to trade me straight across for a 76 Pinto Wagon. Car had low miles, and I jumped at the chance. I figured, I'd probably die of AIDS by getting stuck by a undiscovered needle while refurbing the RV, so why not?

Well, it's been a year now since that trade,and the RV'ing bug has called me again.

I'm looking for a older class A RV this time. Too old and stiff to sleep in the overhead of a C, and the wife has threatened to push me over the edge if I snore. (I don't snore, BTW...:) But, I don't want her to wake herself up by her snores, and blame me.

Looking at nothing older than a 90, and with my budget, I just miiiight be able to get a 2000 or 01 if I find a motivated seller. Even saw a couple of dp's right at the top end of my budget, but that would leave me with very little in case I had to do any repairs.

So, I'll update when I find my dream coach! (25 mpg, genset in front of coach, sliders on the dog house so I can increase the noise level, drowning out the dw's grumbling. )

On a side note, I got a letter from a towing company in OKC about a month ago. Apparently the idiot I traded the RV to did not put the title in his name, and abandoned the RV in OKC, where it was towed, and since I was still the last registered owner,they offered me to buy it out of hock for 1500.00 or they would auction it off.

I go to the auction, and no one wanted it..They could not start it..
I bid 20 bucks, and win it back....a shot of gas down the carb, and I drove it out of the salvage yard. Promptly took it to the Salvation Army and donated it to them for a 3000.00 tax write off. 🙂

[kelmac]

No regrets on our first MH. We were kind of forced into it. We had a 5er and had to get rid of it because of the town ordinance. We got a 2003 Itasca Suncruiser 37J. 8.1 Vortec with an Allison Automatic. This unit had a bathtub in it and a great floorplan with the Cherry Trim inside. Very comfortable. Seeing as I have been in the automotive trade all my life,I knew what I was looking for. The8.1 and the Allison Trans was the perfect combo. So 2 the rest of you. Good Luck
Chris,Betty,And the three dogs Libby,Scotty,And Sparky.
2010Journey