Downsizing?

[Jayco-noslide]

Not sure if this should be in Class C or Vans, B+'s etc. Just curious how many of you have gone from a MH or 5th wheel in the 30 to 35 ft. range to 1 of the newer European style motor homes around 23 ft. or so. The ones either on a Sprinter chassis or with the Mercedes diesel engine or Dodge V-6. These seem to be getting popular and they are certainly cleverly designed but man they are small. Some have a slide, some not. The mileage, and driveability seem tempting. Do you tow a dinghy or just drive the RV? How do you like it and how hard to downsize? One thing that bothers me the most is the cost ($$ per cubic ft. of space). We paid $23,000 for a 2003 30 ft. Class C and seems like you can't touch one of these small ones under $50,000 even used? I know I would love to drive one but that we would feel super cramped and lack tank size, refrig. space, etc.

[Happytraveler]

We had a 21 ft. Trailer for 15 years and then to a 30 ft. Motorhome and then from there a 35 ft. Motorhome. I don't think will downsize.
My brother in-law has a 40 ft. motorhome and a Van type motorhome with a Mercedes engine. They use the motorhome for longer trips and the Van for 3 or 4 day trips on the coast.

[ron_dittmer]

We up-sized to a 23'-8" long rig. We had a short list of No-Compromise.
- must fit in our garage (it just fits)
- must have a dinette that we can keep setup all the time
- must have a main floor permanent double bed
- must be self contained with every feature practical & useful....we were "done" with novelty items
- almost a NO Compromise was "We didn't want a slide out"

We got so much more in a small package. You can see many pictures of our Phoenix Cruiser 2350 by CLICKING HERE.

New ones are not cheap, running around $100k. Used ones are not cheap either. If you are a bargain hunter, don't search for a PC. Phoenix USA HERE makes many different lengths and floor plans, as short as 21 feet. But all are pricey. Our model 2350 is offered on the E350, E450, and Sprinter so the price goes up and up. If looking at used ones, I would say to start around a 2004, but make sure it has the integrated spare tire wall introduced mid-year 2004 and retained to this day. Standard in 2007 is a twin battery compartment and whole-house inverter which every owner loves immensely. The general rule is..."the newer the better".

[tatest]

I have friends in my RV club who went from a 34-foot 5th wheel (towed by an undersized Tundra with a slider hitch) to a Jayco Melbourne 24K. They travel extensively and wanted to get away from their daily setup and teardown routines, some hitch problems, and have something more maneuverable that she might drive too. They've sort of moved beyond trips with grandchildren and think they can live in a smaller space.

So far they like it, but do miss their living room recliners facing the big screen TV; they are big on sitting inside at night to watch DVD movies, as it is so hot here much of the year when the campgrounds are open.

Things they've discussed since taking it out a few times include the lack of lounge seating, how to do something to make that folding rear bed more comfortable, lack of wardrobe space, lack of external storage (carried a lot of junk in that fiver), no room to get around when in road configuration, and tiny bathroom. He also worries that the bottom of the RV is not fully enclosed like his fiver was, leaving chassis wiring and plumbing exposed, and about how much he can run his generator without using up all his propane.

Now they are asking about my car towing experience, because they've always had their truck to get around and now need to unhook to go do something outside the campground, as they no longer ride bicycles.

They are not new to RVing, this is their fourth new RV in the 12 years I've had mine. Most of their trades were because the living space wasn't working right for them, once was because of quality issues.

This living space issue is something you have to work out for yourself.

As for the cost, while the Sprinter and the diesel-optioned Transit chassis are somewhat more expensive than the E-350/450 was, most of what you are seeing is inflation. For buying vehicles, the dollar is worth a little more than half of what it was worth 15 years ago. Keep in mind that most of these "Euro" style motorhomes, except for a few on the Ram Promaster, are trimmed out premium level rather than basic or rental grade, so that you should compare pricing of something like a Melbourne to the price of a Greyhawk Prestige, rather than a Redhawk or a Thor Freedom Elite.

[stripit]

Had a 36 ft 5th wheel and a MDT International truck, was wonderful for full time living but when we stopped that we didn't need so much living space. Sold it as a combo and went looking for something smaller. Found a used 2007 29 ft C and love it. Right size for us 2 plus the dog and so easy to drive and park. Fuel economy went up, and we even tow a Cadillac as our towed.

[Bordercollie]

Buying a short rig for maneuverability reasons and adding a toad seems illogical. Driving a rig with toad should reduce mpg. Occasionally needing to disconnect a C, to run into town for tomato paste, etc. seems a small price to pay. It is good to maintain a check-off list that includes tomato paste and other items that are essential to you including prescriptions and OTC items, tools, adhesives, bailing wire, duct tape, etc. All that said, a typical 27 footer, with rear bedroom, may not fit in your driveway.

[patov6]

Hello,
As I get older, I also become more pragmatic. I switched from a 35-foot travel trailer to a Tioga Ranger 25G and I am very satisfied with the change. Less space, but everything much simpler.

[rv4jimnme]

Not sure if this should be in Class C or Vans, B+'s etc. Just curious how many of you have gone from a MH or 5th wheel in the 30 to 35 ft. range to 1 of the newer European style motor homes around 23 ft. or so. The ones either on a Sprinter chassis or with the Mercedes diesel engine or Dodge V-6. These seem to be getting popular and they are certainly cleverly designed but man they are small. Some have a slide, some not. The mileage, and driveability seem tempting. Do you tow a dinghy or just drive the RV? How do you like it and how hard to downsize? One thing that bothers me the most is the cost ($$ per cubic ft. of space). We paid $23,000 for a 2003 30 ft. Class C and seems like you can't touch one of these small ones under $50,000 even used? I know I would love to drive one but that we would feel super cramped and lack tank size, refrig. space, etc.

We full timed for years in a 1 and 1/2 bath Pace Arrow 36 foot, we then traded down to a small gas Tioga 23 foot Cheap and nice but I could not tolerate the corner bed in back, when you have a corner bed they are spacious but you have to enter from the bottom pull yourself up and then to me it feels claustrophobic...doggies liked it! The other issue on the older Little Tiogas is that the top bunk has no head room meaning if you manage to get up there you cannot sit upright to get down or up you have to crawl on belly so that is better for grandkids. No slide but did not feel it needed one perfect little kitchen and frig. So older gas one was cheap and nice to drive but...hubbie wanted Diesel....Yes you are looking at about 30,000 difference in some cases? But the engine fairly "purrs" however we are on a huge learning curve what makes it go...

Now we have traded for a Mercedes Tioga Ranger 24 foot with one slide in living room. It has head room in top bunk but still a challenge to get up there. The drivability is awesome! and the rear bed is actually a dinette when folded down has side access to get into. Even tho this bed is smaller its nice (one person bed) . It's a 2011 and our first Diesel and we have yet to make first trip. Gas Mileage in any motorhome is not important to me But one thing I love is I can gas it myself without taking out half the gas station barriers..ha for long trips but someone posted our Rig gets 15 miles to the gallon and with seat belts in back it hopefully will be some times a day trip vehicle with grandkids to the beach or park. I am so looking forward to this and leaving behind all the **** that gets packed into a larger motorhome. We are considering towing a lite car but have not made up our minds yet..If you want further news send me a message and I can tell you how its going..Marlene

[mountainsam]

We travel more than camp so the smaller units make since for us. Plus we get good fuel milage and can go about anywhere. Since we paid less than 62K we can justify a night or two in a hotel if we would prefer. The best trips we ever had where back in the 80's with our custom van. Since then we have had 2 TT's and a 5th wheel. We haven't had our 23' Gemini out yet except a overnight shakedown but I think it will fit the bill for us.

[OldRadios]

Had a TT years ago. When we went back into it we bought a class B. Liked the gas mileage and it was great for me and the dog but just too small for the wife and I on any longer trips. Decided we didn't want anything that did not have a full time bed as a bed you have make up and take down is not just a pain but it limits what you can do if you have different sleeping schedules. I like to stay up later and get up earlier.

Wound up with a class C that is 27' with a queen bedroom and can still fit in most of the campsites we like. Anything bigger would not work for us.

[bobm253]

Went from a 30 ft coachmen class c to a 24 ft lexington. Very happy with the downsize. MPG went from 6.5 to a solid 11. Easy to drive and can fit in almost every campsite. Still have dry bathroom, sufficient sleeping space and a dinette and couch. Really like this unit.

[Cobra21]

Perfect! Nice rig.
Brian

[Travelin2]

We had a class Class A but found it too limiting as to where it could go handily. We thought the B vans were the way to go so we bought a Pleasureway Excel on a Ford E350. We found it a very well built rig but just too small. Moving about was difficult for two. We never bumped our heads that much in our life. The shower was a nightmare. We sold it but still wanted a smaller sized rv because we liked the maneuverability. We wound up buying a Coachmen 2350. We know what Goldilocks felt like now when she found the one that was "just right".

[John_S_]

I sold my 42 foot Foretravel and ordered a 26 foot Born Free. I ordered t on a pickup chassis a dodge 5500 so it will be 29 foot overall. I looked at the sprinters and their 11k rating was too much of a compromise to use as a motorhome. Towing was reduced as was carrying capacity. I decided to downsize after 16 years and 360,000 miles. The mile per gallon was not important but the ease of use and where I can go was the deciding factor. I looked at earthroamer but could not see myself getting that far off the beaten trail and they were not comfortable enough inside so I compromised and got the Born Free on the 4x4 chassis with dual alternators fuel tanks and solar.

[Trackrig]

Why do you want to downsize?

I think they're way over priced for what you get. You mentioned fuel milage. It will probably be an improvement over a Class C, but unless you're doing 30,000 miles or more a year, how much are you really going to save?

Increased insurance cost on a new and more expensive rig over your Class C will eat up any fuel savings.

I still wouldn't travel without a toad - wouldn't be able to put up with disconnecting everything to go to the store for a can of tomato paste (had to go for one in the Jeep yesterday).

Bill