Class C Manufacturer Recommendations

[dtoste77]

My wife and I recently started doing our research and looking at some RV's. We eliminated travel trailers (due to lack of tow vehicle) and recently been doing a lot of research on Class A motorhomes, and will be looking at some this weekend.

With that said, I think we haven't given the Class C's a proper look. Being that it's our first RV, we're thinking it could be better on our budget. We expect to look at some of the following models:

Thor Freedom
Thor Four Winds
Thor Chateau
Minnie Winnie

These just happen to be the brands that are carried at the dealerships we're going to. We're looking for something about 30ft +/- a few feet. Must have at least one slide and must have dinette and sofa. We'd also be looking at models that fall between the $90-100k range (MSRP) I also have a few questions and hoping some of you may have some insight.

1- Are there any brands or models that are typically reccomended and others to stay away from? Winnie is always highly regarded with the A models, does the same go with the Cs?

2 - My research (and experience when helping my parents purchase their RV) shows that Class A RV's art typically marked up about 30-35%. Can I expect this same type of markup with a Class C?

3- Are there any significant differences that I can expect between a Class C and a Class A? For instance options like generators, leveling jacks, etc.

Any insight would be appreciated!

[lfcjasp]

rhbrma1960, I'm sorry you're having so much trouble with your Thor product...sounds like it's a lot newer than our 2012. We bought it in May 2013 and have used it a fair amount (compared to most RV owners) and have no real problems. We have had a cab over leak that we caught and had repaired quickly (insurance covered:)). We've really enjoyed this camper (a Four Winds) and hope to have it out a lot more next year...retired:)

[Islandman]

Look at used high-end Class C's like Coach House, quality is much better and since they cost the original owner a lot they are well taken care of by them. A five year old one will be in the half-price range or thereabouts. Craigslist,rvt.com and other places are where you will find them listed.

[rhbrma1960]

I have had a horrible experience with Thor. During the first year I owned my rv, The slide would break each time I used it. Thor sent parts to the dealer 6 times before they got involved. You would think if the dealer ordered the same parts from Thor for an RV in less than a year, they would want to check in to see what was going on. That is not how it works. We tried and tried to contact Thor on our own, but never could get a response until we retained an attorney. Then Thor started communicating with our attorney. We have since been told that Thor used to pay their factory workers by the hour. When they changed the pay to by the piece, the workers throw parts on the rv's as fast as they can so they can get more pay. Then the lack of quality control, you as the consumer can get an rv that is poorly put together. Our rv has been at the dealer waiting to be fixed since July 11th. We are going on 6 months on this repair. Dealer says Thor is not shipping them the parts. It is completely unacceptable. I am very disappointed in the quality, service and treatment I have received from Thor. I tried to use my rv at least once a month. If I had been one of these people who only used my rv a few time a year, we would have not known how messed up our unit was until the warranty was expired. I advise you to use your rv often during the first year so you can find out what is wrong with your unit in a timely manner. After this experience, I would never own another Thor product.

[Grandpa_Joe]

We purchased our Class C at RV direct.com in Albany NY, they were almost $13,000 less than the dealers in our area for the same configuration. We had to drive from CT and pick it up, 2 1/2 hour drive.

[j-d]

pianotuna wrote:
There are also some builders now using the Ford E-550 which has a great deal more carrying capacity.

F-F-F-550 yes. Ford tried an E-550 a few years ago. Some airport "bus" coaches and a few RV's got on it, but apparently it didn't generate the volume needed to keep it going. More capacity front and rear than E-450, 19.5" wheels... To me, the most interesting feature was it had a SINGLE I-Beam Front Axle! Not supposed to ride as well as Twin-I-Beam, but more rugged, much tighter turn circle, and goodbye to all that Caster Talk. The E-550 had front fender flares to accommodate the extra axle width.

[pianotuna]

There are also some builders now using the Ford E-550 which has a great deal more carrying capacity. If you want slides--then that would be the unit to consider. I am not sure of the brand name.

You may also want to let someone else pay the depreciation and buy a five year old RV.

[Bordercollie]

Lazy Days and other high end Class C's can cost 10K+ more than lesser brands. With the extra bucks you get bragging rights and higher resale value when you sell it. You also get better housebox quality, i.e. less problems to be fixed after sale. Look at Fleetwood products too. Most brands have different levels of quality and features in their lines. Be aware that most brands install the same brands of appliances, air conditioning, furnaces, etc. so the real differences are in quality control and cabinetry, upholstery, etc. Slides are nice but can have mechanical problems.

[dtoste77]

Anyone have first hand experience with the Coachmen Leprechaun 260ds? I like the floorplan but it looks as though the kitchen may not be usable with slides in. Anyone have experience with it?

[pianotuna]

Hi,

If I had the bucks this is the Class C I would buy.

http://www.lazydaze.com/

[Markiemark32]

dtoste77 wrote:
My wife and I recently started doing our research and looking at some RV's. We eliminated travel trailers (due to lack of tow vehicle) and recently been doing a lot of research on Class A motorhomes, and will be looking at some this weekend.

With that said, I think we haven't given the Class C's a proper look. Being that it's our first RV, we're thinking it could be better on our budget. We expect to look at some of the following models:

Thor Freedom
Thor Four Winds
Thor Chateau
Minnie Winnie

These just happen to be the brands that are carried at the dealerships we're going to. We're looking for something about 30ft +/- a few feet. Must have at least one slide and must have dinette and sofa. We'd also be looking at models that fall between the $90-100k range (MSRP) I also have a few questions and hoping some of you may have some insight.

1- Are there any brands or models that are typically reccomended and others to stay away from? Winnie is always highly regarded with the A models, does the same go with the Cs?

2 - My research (and experience when helping my parents purchase their RV) shows that Class A RV's art typically marked up about 30-35%. Can I expect this same type of markup with a Class C?

3- Are there any significant differences that I can expect between a Class C and a Class A? For instance options like generators, leveling jacks, etc.

Any insight would be appreciated!

Question 1; visit this thread and ron.dittmer explanantion of Class C's and quality mfg'ers.
Click here

Question 2 - Yes new Class C's and for most part all RV types have the mark-up pricing games.

Question 3 - Options no, setup & frames, yes.....

Keep searching many threads on Class C vs. Class A, many threads on opinions on best rigs, etc....

Good luck and get out there make lasting adventures.

Markiemark:C

PS: I have a Forest River product (Sunseeker), like the fit & finish inside, fiberglass roof, and I had great suppoort for Forest River on supportting their product with customers, (have a had a few warranty work (accessory)).

[jjrbus]

I bought my first RV in 99 and did not have the benefit of the internet. I asked questions, lots of questions. Unfortunately all the wrong ones! The Gulfstream I bought was one of the worst MH ever produced and I got rid of it within a year!

If you are not familiar with GVWR, do a Google search. This will tell you how much payload you can carry. ie the difference between what the rig weights and what it is rated at, how much stuff you can carry including gasoline and water and people. How big a toad you can pull.

Wheel base ratio will be the next learning experience, If the RV is too long for the wheelbase, it will handle terrible, least bit of wind and I had to pull over with mine. No wonder it was so low miles it was horrible to drive!

I am grateful I bought a used one, I was able to get out of it without taking a big loss.
HTH Jim

[stew9483]

We purchased the Thor Chateau 31E and love it. That thing is loaded with options. It has automatic leveling, electric awning, generator, and lots more. Good luck on your search.

[DrewE]

If you don't have experience RVing, I would strongly recommend looking at used units first. There are many things that are really only learned by experience, and the depreciation on new RVs is quite steep, so figuring out what you really want and need can be very costly if you initially buy new.

Probably somewhere around 30% off MSRP is not uncommon for most class C's, as I understand it. It varies by brand and dealer and so forth.

Class A's typically are built on a bit heavier duty chassis than class C's, so often a class A will have a bit bigger tanks and additional features. As to basic equipment, though, there are not many differences. Leveling jacks are perhaps less common on class C's. Generators, appliances, and general systems are largely the same between lower-end class A's and class C's. (Fancy diesel pushers are in a rather different category altogether, of course.)

Frequently, many class A's are set up more for a couple while many class C's are set up for a family. This is not by any means a hard and fast rule; there are plenty of exceptions on either side.