excited wife

[richardwise]

After 3 trips in our new to us class c 28' MH, DW declared if we intend to part time in a MH soon as she makes arrangements to retire, as I am, we need something bigger. I had mentioned this a few times, with no response, and caught me off guard. we started looking for a larger class c, but she found her perfect MH- a new Winnebago 27N. A far cry from another used class c. Must say I like it better than anything else we looked at. I wasn't considering a class A, being crippled from an accident a few years ago (right hip fused and right knee not able to bend) I could not climb into the driver's seat of a few we had looked at. But the 27N has a lower engine cover and a power seat and I was able to get behind the wheel. Have not seen her this excited for quite a while! When we got home, she called her accountant to make retirement arrangements. Only problem, this thing is big. Huge. Did I mention BIG. Never even ridden in anything this big before. I know it is the same length as my class c, and the same width, but it looks twice as big. How long will it take to get over this? We are really looking forward to starting a new phase in our lives, and I don't want to do anything stupid while trying to drive this coach.

[timmac]

richardwise wrote:
After 3 trips in our new to us class c 28' MH, DW declared if we intend to part time in a MH soon as she makes arrangements to retire, as I am, we need something bigger. I had mentioned this a few times, with no response, and caught me off guard. we started looking for a larger class c, but she found her perfect MH- a new Winnebago 27N. A far cry from another used class c. Must say I like it better than anything else we looked at. I wasn't considering a class A, being crippled from an accident a few years ago (right hip fused and right knee not able to bend) I could not climb into the driver's seat of a few we had looked at. But the 27N has a lower engine cover and a power seat and I was able to get behind the wheel. Have not seen her this excited for quite a while! When we got home, she called her accountant to make retirement arrangements. Only problem, this thing is big. Huge. Did I mention BIG. Never even ridden in anything this big before. I know it is the same length as my class c, and the same width, but it looks twice as big. How long will it take to get over this? We are really looking forward to starting a new phase in our lives, and I don't want to do anything stupid while trying to drive this coach.

My last motorhome was 26ft no slides, moved up to a 33ft with 2 slides, the extra 7ft length drives no different, you should move up larger especially if your going to spend some time in it, you will out grow 27ft fast..

[D_E_Bishop]

TucsonJim wrote:

D.E.Bishop wrote:
First of all congratulations on the upcoming change of life style, we've been that way since 1998, it's great.

Second, I happen to have the brochure on the 27N next to me on the desk. We started looking at them last year at the Pomona Show. Nice rigs. Then the DW saw the VIA and fell for that. Went back to the show this year and looked at the VIA again and have changed our minds again. Cs are out, VIAs and Views are out the Thor VEGAS is out and we are back to larger more comfortable rigs with more features.

We loved the layout and décor of the VIA and the outrageously good mileage, but as it ends up we changed our minds about that and buying one for a couple of years of intense travel and then going back to a bigger A.

Two things changed our minds,(read that as the DW changed her mind and, therefore, our collective minds) first while we love our 27' Bounder, it is small and the VIA is even smaller. After 13 weeks on the road a couple of years ago, we found it was really small. The slides and extra room of a 30T is very inviting. The second thing was what a salesman said, "The VIA is $50K more than a Bounder Classic 30T(I have that brochure next to me too) and that will buy a lot of fuel.

My points are, aren't our wives wonderful creatures, changing their minds in midstream and surprising us. After 51 years+, I should have known she would change her mind, right.

Then there is the size thing, yes you will forget about the size by the time you hook up the first night out. It is so much fun to drive, those captains chairs do something to your perspective on life and travel.

And last, as other s have said, you'll be looking for bigger within a few weeks or maybe months but the odds are you'll be getting bigger. I said for years that I wouldn't want a 40' DP, but I would love to have the income to buy one. I've changed my mind, I'd go bigger than 30' if going full time.

Good luck and happy travels and let us know how long it takes you to yearn for bigger.

Okay Mr. Bishop - I'm coming to your DW's defense here:

"aren't our wives wonderful creatures, changing their minds in midstream and surprising us. After 51 years+, I should have known she would change her mind, right."

Then you follow it up with:

"I've changed my mind, I'd go bigger than 30' if going full time."

So who keeps changing their mind???? :W

TJ, you've got me there, but in my defense, I always thought 30 to 32' was max, now I'd go with a 40', IF I had the means to purchase and maintain one. She always wanted smaller than our 27D, then we rented a 30' Winnie in AK, then she wanted bigger, then she saw the ACE 27.1, then smaller, the 25' VIA, smaller yet, then a 24' View, even smaller, now after reviewing conveniences, a 30' Bounder. I think she wins in the mind changing department.

In her defense, she was saying smaller hoping to get better mileage, then along came DGKs and we need more room, now she wants to be gone for three to six months at a time for the next 2 or 3 years and knows we need more space not less.

Like I said, God Bless Her, she puts up with my messing with things in the MoHo rather than sitting in the house watching TV in the evenings.

[deandec]

Our first was/is a 38' DP.

The fear factor occurred and faded during the test drive before purchase.

It has been a good decision for the past almost 12 years.

[retiredtraveler]

My wife and I started out with a 27 foot class A gasser with no slides. We bought it dirt cheap just to see if we liked the MH experience. After one season we decided we did like the MH life and this spring we traded it for a 38 foot DP with one slide. Since we have recently retired we will be taking our first extended trip (2-3 months) in a few weeks. So far this rig suits us just fine. The ride in the DP is so much nicer and the extra 11 feet does not bother me at all. Both were 8'6" wide so that is not an issue.
I do believe at some point we may go to a 40-45 footer with more slides.
We plan to do A LOT of traveling in the next few years.
Happy trails to you.
Keld

[MRUSA]

I started with a 40 footer, just traded for a 45 after 10 years. Saved a lot of money by skipping the 20's and 30's. unless you have a special need to get into small places, bigger is generally better. There are probably 10 or 20 people moving up for every one who downsizes.

[slickest1]

My advice would be to test drive a few different coaches. Try the one your looking at and then some a little bigger. That way you won't be saying I wish I would have looked at bigger ones. Congrats on the retirement and good luck.

[donee]

Congradulations on the upcoming retirement.
We can sort of relate to the changing MH s
We found a "C" that we thought was perfect for the two of us.
After a couple of trips, we kind of kicked the idea around about a bigger rig.
Stopped at a local dealer to "look at what they have". Wrong thing to do.
Found a 30' Class A with 2400 miles on it and plastic on the floor and furniture.
Needless to say it's now ours.
Getting used to driving it isn't hard. As was suggested prior, take it for some short trips to get used to the way it handles.
Good luck and happy camping

[Executive45]

We went from a 27' Winnie to a 40' Tourmaster. I took it for a test drive around Houston. After 4 hours, I was an "expert". You will be too...as far as size goes, we found the 40' was too small after a few months of full timing. Others will disagree, of course...we have some acquaintances that full time in a truck camper and love it. We simply like the amenities our coach has to offer. We prefer the luxury over simplicity. That's what makes RVing so great. Go with what makes you feel the best....a 27' coach can certainly go more places than my 45', so points for you. I can take a 45 minute shower without losing any hot water, so points for me...decide what's best for you and go for it. It may seem huge now, but with a few hours of seat time, it'll simply be a big van....:B....Dennis

[kjburns]

I agree with the previous post about a 40 footer. That's where I started, cold, with no experience. It's not that hard to drive something that big. True, there is a learning curve, but nothing drastic.

Even the first 40 footer got a bit claustrophobic on a longer trip. It had a couple of small slide outs, so I upgraded to something with more width inside.

[Thunder_Mountai]

Congratulations! From my experience with the same woman for 45 years, when she gets excited about something, just stand back and go with the flow!!!!!!!!! That is not a big RV. You'll get used to it very quickly. Go have fun. Life is too short. REMEMBER KEEP MOVING FAST ENOUGH TO STAY AHEAD OF THE FIRST SHOVEL FULL OF DIRT. BECAUSE WHEN THEY HIT YOU WITH IT, IT IS ALL OVER.

[sask66]

Richardwise,
Wife and I just took delivery of a 2013 Vista 27n. We took two trips of 1500 miles each on the rig and it has been a treat. We had an Aspect class C and the Vista was different to drive, as to the size and handling, but it didn't take long to adjust to the new ride. It is just the right size for us, inside and outside. We are enjoying it and hope you will also.

[Dadio24]

jsmart wrote:
We also went from a 29' class C to a 32' Itasca Sunrise class A, for most of the same reasons above. Would have been nice to have bought the class A first, although after 30 yrs of marriage, I still haven't acquired the skill of reading my dear wife's mind. (probably don't want to anyway). Welcome to the site, and welcome to class A rv'ing. (I've got 6 more years to go before retirement, DW is already there).

X2 the Sunrise was a big change fro me. Took about 15 minutes in I-35 in Dallas on the test drive and I was experienced...by the need to survive...very easy after that. Congrats on Retirment...I am +/- 2653 days away.

[jsmart]

We also went from a 29' class C to a 32' Itasca Sunrise class A, for most of the same reasons above. Would have been nice to have bought the class A first, although after 30 yrs of marriage, I still haven't acquired the skill of reading my dear wife's mind. (probably don't want to anyway). Welcome to the site, and welcome to class A rv'ing. (I've got 6 more years to go before retirement, DW is already there).

[Ivylog]

As 67Cutlas said buy your third MH first... but this will be #2 already and after only three trips. A 27' for even part time is too small... what are you thinking??????? Please, buy more MH than you think you need on the 2nd try orther wise there will be a 3rd and 4th. Took me three tries and I STARTED at 36' and we are part time too. DO NOT let the size scare you as it does not take long to get used to something BIG.