First Time Buyer...Updated 03/06/2006

Boomerang66 wrote:
I am a 1st time buyer that needs some advise. So far I have done several rentals of a 24' Class C. I found the Winnebago View very easy to drive and park almost anywhere. After 2 weeks the View was getting a bit confining and we plan to use our new RV for up to four months at a time.

So far I have been leaning to buying a used diesel pusher. I am concerned that most of the newer models are about 40' long. I like the layout of the Winnebago Journey 37H as I want the TV to be a eye level rather than above the cockpit.

My question is how limiting is it drive a larger RV of up to 40' in length? Will I have difficulty finding places to park in the State and Federal parks? Is it much of an advantage to find a 35' model?

Which manufactures should I consider? I want to get a model no older than 2006. Fleetwood and Winnebago have some nice layouts, are these RV's well built?

Any other advise that anyone can offer would be most welcome.

I don't have an RV yet, but as no one more qualified has answered this, I'll take a whack at it. I've heard most national parks are set up for up to 26 footers, and 30 would be stretching it. The sites at Bryce and Grand Canyon were comfortable fits for our 20' Dodge Ram pickup, not much more.

A friend with a 40-ft rig says he LOVES the roominess, and parks outside the actual national park and rides in on his scooter or his toad. If you really want to fit everywhere, you may want to consider the Winnebago Via; at 26 ft, it's slightly roomier than the View, but will fit comfortably in most national park RV sites. If you really want to push it, Damon has a 31.5' Avanti.

I don't know why no one makes a 30' with a full-length bed slideout, making it equivalent to a 36' rig; you could do it with a Murphy bed. Or a 45' with the same setup, making it equivalent to a 51' rig; you could make it 2 bedrooms! :)

David