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Class A 'Best Bones'

Xaviar
Explorer
Explorer
Hey RV Friends!

My wife and I are planning to go spend a couple of years full timing, just to get a break from the world. With that said, we enjoy remodeling homes -- so we figured we'd give it a shot in an RV.

I'm trying to figure out which Class A's have the best 'bones' so I can go search for something that's a bit dated that we can basically gut and refinish so the lay out matches our needs and wants + style.

I'd love to hear from some owners on what you think has the least outside work or will have passed the test of time if we were to go cheap (I'm thinking under 25k -- but we're certainly flexible).

We spent a good bit of time shopping with an expectation of spending ~150k only to realize you really can't get anything that is particularly personalized for two people. Such a waste of space! Not to mention whomever designs the interior seems like they've been at it since the 60's.
26 REPLIES 26

gbopp
Explorer
Explorer
Bill.Satellite wrote:
Get an older Prevost and you will be good to go. Steel, stainless, aluminum and fiberglass caps.

Excellent idea..

Xaviar
Explorer
Explorer
Mile High wrote:
I don't understand your statement that MH are wasted space for 2 people - we found quite the opposite- the higher end you went the more tailored they are for 2 people. The entry levels are typically the bunk houses, sleep 10, etc.

I would never predicate a 2 year journey on having to gut and rebuild a motorhome unless you really just have nothing else to do. A) It would take me 10 years to finish that kind of project, B) when I was done I would have a MH that only I liked and I could never sell it because no one else liked it 🙂


The layouts are wasted space for two people, in my personal opinion of the majority of the 'entry level' ones.

Just because we intend to be on the road consistently for two years, doesn't mean I'd stop using it. We just have some other ideas/thoughts/plans after that -- where it would likely be more casual. Or who knows! Maybe we'll love it and do it forever.

Mile_High
Explorer
Explorer
I don't understand your statement that MH are wasted space for 2 people - we found quite the opposite- the higher end you went the more tailored they are for 2 people. The entry levels are typically the bunk houses, sleep 10, etc.

I would never predicate a 2 year journey on having to gut and rebuild a motorhome unless you really just have nothing else to do. A) It would take me 10 years to finish that kind of project, B) when I was done I would have a MH that only I liked and I could never sell it because no one else liked it 🙂
2013 Winnebago Itasca Meridian 42E
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara Towed

Xaviar
Explorer
Explorer
Bruce Brown wrote:
On the rubber roof, there is true EPDM rubber then there are the synethic types - big difference between them. I have a TT with a rubber roof and our MH has BriteTek, which some (wrongly) confuse with rubber.

EPDM isn't my favorite, we're on our 3rd MH with BriteTek, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

Also keep in mind just because it says "fiberglass" doesn't mean it's quality material, some is about paper thin. Also keep in mind, like rubber, fiberglass will break down somewhat over time too. I also dabble in older tractors. I recently shipped a cab roof from one of my parts tractors to Louisiana. The roof I had was metal, it was replacing a fiberglass roof that had deteriorated past it's useful life.

Also "rubber" is a lot easier to replace. I did a new roof on our TT a few years ago, I did a buddies 5th Wheel last fall. I can't do a new full fiberglass roof in my garage, that's a factory job.

IMO I'd be more concerned in the roof condition than the material.


We've had a couple (all be it salesmen) tell us that the rubber roofs can get holes just as easily as being somewhere where a bird lands on it with some prey and is having lunch. Given the height and areas we'd go to in a motorhome -- that seems like a pretty high likelihood (though I suppose it could easily have been a perfect scare tactic as to 'why this is better').

Are you saying one of those two types of 'rubber' are better than the other?


I suppose the walls and roof (as well as mechanical parts) are my biggest concern over all as for what will last. Remodeling I can do all day long.

Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Moderator
On the rubber roof, there is true EPDM rubber then there are the synethic types - big difference between them. I have a TT with a rubber roof and our MH has BriteTek, which some (wrongly) confuse with rubber.

EPDM isn't my favorite, we're on our 3rd MH with BriteTek, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

Also keep in mind just because it says "fiberglass" doesn't mean it's quality material, some is about paper thin. Also keep in mind, like rubber, fiberglass will break down somewhat over time too. I also dabble in older tractors. I recently shipped a cab roof from one of my parts tractors to Louisiana. The roof I had was metal, it was replacing a fiberglass roof that had deteriorated past it's useful life.

Also "rubber" is a lot easier to replace. I did a new roof on our TT a few years ago, I did a buddies 5th Wheel last fall. I can't do a new full fiberglass roof in my garage, that's a factory job.

IMO I'd be more concerned in the roof condition than the material.
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Explorer II
Get an older Prevost and you will be good to go. Steel, stainless, aluminum and fiberglass caps. No delamination, no reason for any leaks, secure, easy to update and remodel as much of the interior is done with household hardware.
Love my '88 and I just keep doing updates (OK, any some repairs). I just changed the 1994 dated headlights to modern LED projector style. Very happy.
What I post is my 2 cents and nothing more. Please don't read anything into my post that's not there. If you disagree, that's OK.
Can't we all just get along?

Xaviar
Explorer
Explorer
Bruce Brown wrote:
I am a big fan of hung wall construction as opposed to laminated. If it's laminated it can delaminate.

Those using hung wall are Newmar, Holiday Rambler/Monaco, and Travel Supreme/Entregra. There may be a few others, I can't think of one.

Of course a full bus would be great, I don't think that would fit your budget.


Watching if something is laminated or if it has a rubber roof has really been what we've tried to concentrate on. We've had several folks tell us a rubber roof can easily become problematic and leak and requires a good bit of an upkeep.

Rubber roof seems to have been an easier one to nail down, I wasn't familiar with the laminated setup until very recently so it's something new to us in general.

Xaviar
Explorer
Explorer
gbopp wrote:
You want something that didn't leak and was well maintained. Don't just concentrate on the make/chassis.

It doesn't really matter how well something was built 10+ years ago if it leaked and is rotting away under the walls and floor.

Are you looking for gas or diesel? They both have their pros and cons.


I think it'll really depend on what we land on. I've gone over several pros/cons list and gone out on some weekend trips in both and don't really have a preference from what it seems so far.

We do plan to pretty much loop the states a couple of times depending on weather and how much we enjoy things. We intend to move pretty often + want to take our jeep for offroading which is what left us stuck on the Class A.

mike_brez
Explorer
Explorer
1998 36 foot Country Coach Magna #5499 Single slide
Gillig chassis with a series 40
02 Ford F250 7.3 with a few mods
2015 Wrangler JKU

fulltimin
Nomad
Nomad
If you would like to see what water will do to a motor home that has a laminated wall, and has leaked over time....take a look at this link.

After the first couple of pages, it gets a little gross.....Lol...

Link to destruction.
If you want to do something, you will find a way.
If you don't, you will find an excuse.

-------------------------------------------------

Good judgement comes from experience.
A lot of experience, comes from bad judgement.

Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Moderator
I am a big fan of hung wall construction as opposed to laminated. If it's laminated it can delaminate.

Those using hung wall are Newmar, Holiday Rambler/Monaco, and Travel Supreme/Entregra. There may be a few others, I can't think of one.

Of course a full bus would be great, I don't think that would fit your budget.
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910

gbopp
Explorer
Explorer
You want something that didn't leak and was well maintained. Don't just concentrate on the make/chassis.

It doesn't really matter how well something was built 10+ years ago if it leaked and is rotting away under the walls and floor.

Are you looking for gas or diesel? They both have their pros and cons.