Does buying that 45' rig do it for you?

[klebs]

Bear with me, this is going to take some verbiage to explain. The DW and I attended a presentation at Hershey this year and one guy explained the RV manufacturers' statistic that most new RV'ers tend to buy in the mid-30-ft. length range, and most will go through 3 coaches in the first 5 years trying to get it right. We're planning on that as well, although we'd like to get it right the first time.

Now, much advice has been given about buying used over buying new; fewer teething problems with build quality and less drive-off-depreciation. We looked around and can't really find that many class A coaches in the 36-38' range that are, say, 3-4 years old, although there are a few. What we do see is a lot of 40-45' behemoths up for resale in this same age category. That makes me wonder.

My question is: Do many newbies buy that huge coach on the premise of "bigger is better", and then, realizing afterwards that it's harder to drive, can't get into as many campgrounds, is more expensive, burns more fuel and is just, in general, more work to maintain, they ditch the big bus for something smaller? That's the only reason I can think of for the glut of large coaches on the used market and the absence of 35-36-footers. Anybody have any thoughts?

[DanTheRVMan]

Mr.Mark wrote:
Thank you Don. I need to get 'computerized' as I'm a little short in that area. Most everything is controlled by ipads. Learning everyday.

Mark

That is one really nice MH

[Mr_Mark1]

Thank you Effy. I have seen some Prevost coaches that were way over the top. We told the decorator to keep it 'low-key' and I think we accomplished that. 🙂

MM.

[Effy]

Mr.Mark wrote:
Thank you Don. I need to get 'computerized' as I'm a little short in that area. Most everything is controlled by ipads. Learning everyday.

Mark

Very tastefully done Mark. I love the interior. You know how over the top some can be. I thought yours was very nicely done. Enjoy.

[Mr_Mark1]

Thank you Don. I need to get 'computerized' as I'm a little short in that area. Most everything is controlled by ipads. Learning everyday.

Mark

[DSDP_Don]

Mr.Mark......I got tired of waiting, so have many others....so here she is!

[RayChez]

Mr.Mark wrote:

RayChez wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:
My brother just bought a new 2014 Tiffin Allegro RED, 36 ft., 4 slide coach. Tiffin, as I'm sure others, make coaches in that length. He has a king bed and stackable washer and dryer.

Buying new does cost more but if it's the exact thing that you are looking for, you will keep it longer and be happier with it so the cost smooths out.

Good luck,
MM.

OH! by the way Mr Marks, when are you going to show us your new coach. I would love to see her.

I cannot get my pic to show up here in my sig, I've tried 100 times. The best way to see a lot of pics of our coach is on the Liberty Coach website (www.libertycoach.com). Select 'available coaches' and at the far right, select 'past coaches'. Ours is coach #787. They took better pics than I ever could.

Thanks for asking.

MM.

She is a beauty Mr Marks.

[DanTheRVMan]

the silverback wrote:
I want a 86 footer with 9 slides!!!

IF it becomes a 32 footer when it is time to park sign me up. :B :B :B

[Mr_Mark1]

RayChez wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:
My brother just bought a new 2014 Tiffin Allegro RED, 36 ft., 4 slide coach. Tiffin, as I'm sure others, make coaches in that length. He has a king bed and stackable washer and dryer.

Buying new does cost more but if it's the exact thing that you are looking for, you will keep it longer and be happier with it so the cost smooths out.

Good luck,
MM.

OH! by the way Mr Marks, when are you going to show us your new coach. I would love to see her.

I cannot get my pic to show up here in my sig, I've tried 100 times. The best way to see a lot of pics of our coach is on the Liberty Coach website (www.libertycoach.com). Select 'available coaches' and at the far right, select 'past coaches'. Ours is coach #787. They took better pics than I ever could.

Thanks for asking.

MM.

[msmith1199]

crasster wrote:
I'm one who likes a good small RV.

While I appreciate the large it is my preference to be able to have an easy and enjoyable drive. We travel far and hard though. Sometimes 500-600 miles in one day. Once, 900 miles (not by choice but emergency). It's good to feel like you are in an oversized pickup with those kind of miles.

Although my DP is only a 35 footer, I've done several 700+ mile days in it and I found it was much easier and I was much more comfortable than putting on that many miles in one day in a car. This last summer I drove a car cross-country for my parents, and there wasn't a day that I didn't wish I was driving my motorhome instead. Nothing like the comfort of a motorhome (and having access to a clean bathroom) on long cross-country trips.

[the_silverback]

I want a 86 footer with 9 slides!!!

[Trap]

Stefonius wrote:

holstein13 wrote:
Here's why you see so many 45 used for sale. The person who can afford a 45 foot motor home has more disposable income than someone who can only afford a 38 footer. Yes, I'm generalizing and realize that plenty of people with plenty of money choose smaller motorhomes, but, in general, the people with the 45 footers have more money.

People with more money tend to want newer motorhomes and are more apt to trade them in for something else later or they may simply sell them and buy a condo in Maui when they feel like it.

I think you hit the nail on the head, Holstein13. It's the same reason why there are so many high-end cars sitting on used car lots at only 2-3 years old. Some people who can afford "new" want to keep buying "new". They drive off in the latest and greatest model and leave their old unit behind for the dealer to resell.

Those of us who can't afford a 45' DP on a bus chassis rated for a million miles wonder why there are so many of them for sale used.

Meanwhile, the used 30'-36' coaches in our price range are either beat to death by previous owners who kept them forever, or they're in good shape and they disappear instantly as soon as the 'for sale' sign goes up.

You may also find that many of the 45' coaches we're the last coach a lot of folks buy. Health and old age may force the sale of a lot of these coaches

[RayChez]

Mr.Mark wrote:
My brother just bought a new 2014 Tiffin Allegro RED, 36 ft., 4 slide coach. Tiffin, as I'm sure others, make coaches in that length. He has a king bed and stackable washer and dryer.

Buying new does cost more but if it's the exact thing that you are looking for, you will keep it longer and be happier with it so the cost smooths out.

Good luck,
MM.

OH! by the way Mr Marks, when are you going to show us your new coach. I would love to see her.

[Mr_Mark1]

My brother just bought a new 2014 Tiffin Allegro RED, 36 ft., 4 slide coach. Tiffin, as I'm sure others, make coaches in that length. He has a king bed and stackable washer and dryer.

Buying new does cost more but if it's the exact thing that you are looking for, you will keep it longer and be happier with it so the cost smooths out.

Good luck,
MM.

[Stefonius]

holstein13 wrote:
Here's why you see so many 45 used for sale. The person who can afford a 45 foot motor home has more disposable income than someone who can only afford a 38 footer. Yes, I'm generalizing and realize that plenty of people with plenty of money choose smaller motorhomes, but, in general, the people with the 45 footers have more money.

People with more money tend to want newer motorhomes and are more apt to trade them in for something else later or they may simply sell them and buy a condo in Maui when they feel like it.

I think you hit the nail on the head, Holstein13. It's the same reason why there are so many high-end cars sitting on used car lots at only 2-3 years old. Some people who can afford "new" want to keep buying "new". They drive off in the latest and greatest model and leave their old unit behind for the dealer to resell.

Those of us who can't afford a 45' DP on a bus chassis rated for a million miles wonder why there are so many of them for sale used.

Meanwhile, the used 30'-36' coaches in our price range are either beat to death by previous owners who kept them forever, or they're in good shape and they disappear instantly as soon as the 'for sale' sign goes up.