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

[JohnnyT]

This post is intended to be helpful to the first time buyer of a motor home. For those of you who don't fall into that category or believe this post is incomplete or off the mark, do us all a favor, and enlighten us. If all you have to offer is criticism with no corresponding constructive comments, no one besides yourself will benefit from the experience. So please improve or expand on this post in a constructive way.

The issue at hand is how to select the coach that best matches your wants and needs and offers the most promise of not being a perpetual headache.

I think there is an order to thinking through selecting a motor home that best maps to your wants, needs, and pocketbook. There are a lot of issues to get at and understand. Going about the process out of sequence will circumvent some critical steps and increases the potential that in the end you will not be as satisfied with what you buy as you could have been. I've heard it said that nothing can be seen until seen in a form that you're looking for. You give yourself the edge by determining your wants and needs first, letting them guide you to the make and model of motor home. Focus on deal making after your prioritized wants and needs have lead you to the type, make and model, and level of fit and finish that best fit your pocketbook.

BUDGET
I believe the first step for most will be to establish a framework relative to cost: decide how much you want to spend, how much you can spend, and how much you are willing to spend. For the most part you can count on spending more that you initially thought. Knowing what the max you can spend is a place to start.

While the initial cost is a lot more than the tip of the iceberg, the cost of ownership and operation bear some thought as well. Gain some insight into annual insurance cost, maintenance, and storage fees. Start making a list of items that will be purchased to support the RV. Don't forget the dingy and associated costs if you're planning on dragging one around, tow bar, braking system, car insurance and registration. Think about chemicals, hoses, adaptors, critical spares, tools, as well as outdoor furniture, grill, mats, and kitchen gadgets, cleaning supplies, hooks, and toilet paper holder! Then add on the operating costs: fuel, camping fees, charges for radio, television, and telephone, etc.

I personally think it's a mistake to go into the process thinking you can always trade in or up. It's a costly strategy. Try to get it right the first time. For many, the choice will boil down to compromising what they want to fit with what they can afford. All the more reason to spend the time and energy to figure out what you want and need and then prioritize your selections to get what you can afford.

Once you have established a framework for purchase budget and ownership cost, use that frame work to construct the best coach that will fit into it. At this point in time you may have a gross idea of size diesel pusher or gas... new versus used. You may even have a specific manufacturer you're interested in. These choices, especially the make and model, ought to flow from your wants and needs.

WANTS AND NEEDS
Go to work figuring out what you want in terms of livability and travel-ability. A good place to start is deciding if you're going to be a parker or a driver. Most motor homes are better suited to one or the other. Coaches with lots of slides are terrific when parked, but coaches with fewer slides may seem roomier when driving down the road with the slides in. Things to think about if you're a driver include how much room there is to move around with the sliders closed, and access to such things as storage areas and facilities like the washer/dryer.

The next and crucial step is to figure out what you think you want for power train, chassis, floor plan, features, amenities, and gadgets. Look at a lot of coaches, even trailers, and see what combinations seem to fit your lifestyle the best. As you get immersed in the process, I think you will find some of your original thoughts will change. The following checklist will give you some things to consider. Keep in mind that the right coach is out there; it just takes hard work to find it.

Will you spend more waking hours driving or parked?
What features need to be accessible while driving?
How many people do you need to sleep?
Is a queen-sized bed appropriate?
How long will you be using the coach at a stretch?
(weekends versus long trips)
How much storage will you require?
How fussy are you about the quality of workmanship in furnishings?
How much counter space do you want in the kitchen?
How often will you use an oven or washer/dryer?
Will a dinette or table and chairs suit you best?
How much privacy do you want for the bathroom?
Does anyone require upgraded seats or bed?
Will you tolerate losing speed on hills?
Are you concerned about miles per gallon or emissions controls?
How far do you want to be able to travel between fuel stops?
How much capacity do you want for water, black, and grey tanks?
Do you require pass-through storage for long items?
Do you want basement doors that open in a specific direction?
(to the side or up like a bus)
How important is soundproofing or insulation?
How important is entertainment, inside or outside?
How many televisions, and where?
Speakers or refrigerator in basement to use when camped?
Can you find the features you want in a used coach?

Livability... Casual Use to Full Timing

RESEARCH
Buying a motor home is easy... the hard part is selecting the one that will best fit your needs. Do a lot of looking and as much research as you can. Take notes about what you like and dislike in each coach you see. Do not accept that what you want is not available. After our first month of looking, we had a floor plan we liked but everything else was wrong. We almost bought that floor plan because we were beginning to think what we wanted was not available or economically attainable. Any fool can buy a motor home; the trick is not to be foolhardy about the process of selecting the one. Some people are smarter than we are; it took us months of intensive research, giving up every week end visiting dealers, hours of reading magazines, exploring all the internet sales sites, and forum surfing. In the end, we looked at 26 different models from 12 different manufacturers, and test drove most of them. We also visited a multitude of factories and found people to discuss ideas and assumptions. One thing to keep in mind, make sure that you adopt your own ideas and make your own priorities for features and functions. Others will have valuable insights, but those insights and perspectives will reflect their own priorities. As you listen, try to understand not only what they think is important, but also why. Get as many variant opinions as you can in arriving at your own conclusions. What's perfect for one can be a horrible mismatch for another.

There is no substitute for spending time in a prospective coach, visualizing daily routines in terms of workability and comfort and convenience... sit in every seating position, open and close everything that will do so, adjust anything that has an adjustment, especially the driver's and passenger's seats. Lie down on the bed, open up any convertible couches and test them for comfort. Walk through meal preparation and maneuvering around in the coach with a full complement of people and pets, both with sliders in and out. Go through the exercise both indoors and outdoors. Open the sliders and the awnings at the same time to check angles and clearances. Think through loading and unloading: is there enough space and is it easily accessible? See how cords and hoses roll in and out.

Do not expect that what you will get is any better than what you see in the showroom. So many times I got that response to an inquiry about a noticeable defect in terms of fit, finish, or operation. As you are deciding on the coach and examining the details of fit and finish, do not limit you looking to the interior. Look hard in all the equipment bays and in the engine compartment. A lot of unnecessary breakdowns are set up when the coach is mated to the chassis, look for hoses and wiring too close to heat source or that will rub, abrade, or get pinched, look for lapses in sealing seams. In other words, fit and finish has two flavors: cosmetic and functional. If what you can see looks slipshod, then what you can not see is not going to be any better.

Choosing Gasoline or Diesel Powered?

SELECTING THE DEALER
It seems that a lot of dissatisfaction that people experience lies at the doorstep of the dealer they choose. In other cases, I think some buyers have unrealistic expectations about how the dealer will react to their concerns and problems. Thorough vetting out of the dealer is of utmost importance. Talk to as many people as you can who have done business with the dealer. Also have some very frank discussions with your perspective dealer, starting with the salesperson, and then a review of your expectations with the salesperson and the sales manager together. Be specific, give examples, and require specific responses. Do not accept "You're in good hands All-State" responses.

TAKING DELIVERY
When you go to pick up your coach from the dealer have a thorough checklist of items to check. Do the inspection systematically. There are several lists already created that you can use as a starter. Here are a few thoughts.

„« Do not schedule your pick up of your new motor home on a Friday or a day before a holiday. That way the pressure to get it done will be lessened and there will be time for corrections to be made. Have extra time built into your schedule. Have a place to stay so there is no need to rush the inspection if you're picking up your coach remotely from where you live.

„« Make sure that all the documentation and manuals are present. Do an inventory and do not forget to get a list of all the serial and model numbers for all the warrantee registration. It's the job of the dealer to provide that.

„« Operate and test everything. Make sure you can do it yourself... and then do it, and have your companion do it. We got the in motion satellite and the home entertainment system; I am still the only one who can operate them...

„« Take notes of what you see that bothers you or questions that come to mind. If you don't get satisfactory answers to your question, just ask them again and again until you're satisfied. You have paid a lot of money for those answers.

„« Question anything you do not understand. Make sure you and spouse do not leave with any unanswered question... Nothing worse than to discover something and then hear the words, "I was wondering about that."


„« Do not assume anything has been checked or is working properly. Check them yourself, especially fluids and tire pressures... which means bring a suitable tire gauge. It would also be useful to have one of those indoor/ outdoor thermometers with a remote sensor to check air conditioner and heat performance, including the dash air.

„« If at all possible, go through the manuals and documentation before you do your acceptance inspection. Just take a couple of hours off in a corner; you will be amazed at the questions that will pop up. It's better to do that before you do your walk through.

„« Use one of the many cookbook PDA lists that are around. The best one I found was at http://www.rversonline.org/ArtFactoryPickup.html There is also a special section on air brakes on the rversonline site.

„« Do a test drive that will approximate how you will drive your motor home.

„« Go into the process expecting to have glitches and some your expectations not to be met. Focus on resolutions instead of recriminations. Don't let someone else's ignorance spoil what should be a very special day!!

OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
From my own experience and what insights I have gained from private discussions with a number of first time buyers, the really tough issue is nailing down your wants, needs, and priorities and then overlaying the price one will have to pay. In our case we spent more than we originally set out to spend, but less than I could have. Deciding which manufacturer was not the starting point, it was the place to end...

Here are some of our answers to the questions I posed above:

Will you be a driver or a parker... In our case we are drivers. We tend to drive a lot and never stay in one place for very long while others will pick a destination, go there and plant themselves for a period of time, then return home. We wanted the maximum of space in the coach when the sliders were closed which was a governing factor in determining floor plan and the number of sliders. We also wanted certain key storage areas accessible and wanted access to the washer/dryer with the sliders closed. We wanted to maximize the kitchen counter space and be able to use the seating area and table while underway or for those times we stop in route. So we opted for a dinette which has the advantage being able to convert into a sleeping position (albeit for a short person). We also preferred not to deal with the chairs while underway which have a tendency to want to move around if not securely strapped down.

In terms of the bathroom, we wanted the toilet area separate from the shower and sink. We wanted to be able to separate the bathroom from the bedroom and the living area for those times when there would be others on board besides my wife and me.

We also chose to eliminate the up-front TV for increased visibility and to avoid a source for bumping heads. We wanted it placed elsewhere in the coach and at eye level so we wouldn't crane our necks up to watch.

We needed a floor plan that would comfortably sleep 5.

How far do you want to be able to travel between fuel stops... how much capacity do you want for water, black, and grey tanks... These are good issues to raise on forums; you will get a wide variety of answers. We arbitrarily decided we wanted a 1000 miles for fuel, and 3 to 5 days capacity for water and holding tanks.

It helps to be reasonable and recognize that it's better to start with the minimum you are willing to settle for and then the maximum you're willing to pay for. Be conservative in your estimates.

We wanted to have pass-through storage in the basement as well as sliding drawers, which eliminated some coaches including one that had our favorite floor plan in it. While you're thinking about storage, keep in mind there are different options for the type of doors used on basement storage. Aside from the conventional, there are bus style doors that cantilever up and out of the way, as well as side opening doors. Our coach has all three types.

We put a premium on insulation and the soundproofing of the coach when parked, so we paid attention to the specs and tested the noise level in the coach in terms of isolating the inside from the outside. We were focused on not being disturbed and not disturbing our neighbors. We wanted the coach to be as quiet as possible on the road as well as when parked.

We opted not to buy used, although there are many compelling reason to do so: initial cost and the potential that new coach bugs would be worked out. Part of our criteria was to bypass anything that had not had continual use, since disuse often accelerates the deterioration of such things as seals, hoses, belts and the like. In the end, we concluded we were unlikely to find a match for our wants and needs in a used coach and focused on going the new coach route. Once we decided we wanted a new coach, we soon discovered that it was going to require us to order one to get exactly what we wanted and would fit into our budget.

So we began to reduce the number of potential manufacturers from 12 down to 3 since the others did not offer what we wanted or their level of fit and finish wasn't acceptable to me. Having said that, I believe that with minor exceptions many of the manufacturers we deselected would have worked for us, had their offerings been a match to our wants and needs.

We placed a priority on which manufacturers would give us the most flexibility to make minor alterations to their standard fare; that got the list down to 2. In the end, we chose the one that gave us the most flexibility. Their reputation for warrantee support was also a determining factor, but any of the final three would have given terrific support based on their reputation.

In our case, we did not place a high premium on after sale dealer support. This is not a course I would recommend for every one but our situation was such that we were comfortable in taking on the responsibility of managing our service needs. It did take some work to establish a network of support once we bought. We have been fortunate to have had only one coach related issue, which was very minor. Other problems we have had were with the generator and our satellite system, where we dealt directly with the manufacturers with satisfactory results. We found both the coach manufacturer and the manufacturers of the specific components were very helpful in answering any questions that popped up.

When our coach was being built, I visited the factory to follow progress on the construction, timing the visit so I would be able to inspect what I was expecting in terms of wiring, plumbing, and interior construction. I was able to see our coach and other coaches down the line so I inspected each step of the build process.

This post will raise more questions than it answers which in part was the intent, and the offer up a process to get the answers...

If you interest is in Buying A Used Motorhome Here are Some Thoughts For First Time Buyers

Good luck in your odyssey it's a worthwhile journey.

JohnnyT

[smselos]

Good evening everyone. New member, my family and I (6 of us total) are looking at Class A RV's with bunkbeds (4 kids, need more beds). Looking to purchase in the next 3-6 months...so much to research. Looking forward to reading posts here to get more details on possible options

[Tuzlo]

We're looking at stepping up to a class A from our fifth wheel. Does anybody know anything about ALFA SEE YA Class A's?

[Bill_Satellite]

No. I would suggest that you start a new topic as this thread with as many details as possible has run its course.

[jandkbradford]

We are considering moving from a 5th wheel to a Class A. Looking at used 39 to 41 foot diesel. While looking at some used Class A's on RV.Net some Class A's indicated the power plants were 350 to 370 HP. Looking at Class A's in RV parks they have 400 and 450 HP. My question is, are Class A's with under 400 HP for the size I considering are considered under powered?

Thankyou
JandK

[PatAng2016]

Thank you JohnnyT for the enlightenment. We are just starting the process as first time buyers. We have looked at a few private party RV's for sale and visited our first dealership yesterday. Yesterday we looked at everything from 5th wheel to class A diesel. New and used. It is all very overwelming. Our goal is full time, slowing down, parking somewhere till we a bored 2 days-4 weeks then moving on.

[Daverubino]

dllfo2 wrote:
JohnnyT,

I would recommend videotaping the dealer "presentation" on the day you
"buy it"...put another way, we knew the MH we wanted (and could afford) and we had hashed out about 95% of the deal. THEN we scheduled a morning visit (Fleetwood/Pace Arrow dealer) and started discussing and taping the whole thing. After we bought it, we had our usual number of problems and the dealer tried to get out of some of them because "we did not operate the _____ the way we were told to..." I pulled the video tape out (inside our motorhome of course) and played it. The interesting thing was...(1) we won every arguement and (2) pretty soon he quit trying to get out of it.

Another side to videotaping was that we could watch it over and over
until we understood the systems. One specific item was the Air Bag
suspension. When I asked the dealer if we had it...he said no. After
a problem came up...he argued that we overinflated or something. You
guessed it...

Being retired, we are looking into buying another MH. I want a good
quality one and plan on finding which brand, which model and which
dealer to go to. Then, when I find just the right one, I want to pay
an expert to go through it, finding most problems at that time.

This is getting long, thank you so much for all your time and effort
on your post.
Regards,
Dave

I second the video tape idea! Especially being new to RVs, there was so much to cover and the video is good reference for any questions or missed items. I've looked back at mine several times!

[setraveler]

Be very careful when buying to consider what is use for RV, vacations, weekending, pad living on seasonal basis, perm residence, etc. Then look at where most driving will be, terrain, etc. Fuel and maintaining engines, tune ups, and how complicated is the entire unit to maintain.


We sold out 32 ft that was perfect for us and not into pad or long term living, handled well in traffic or even in towns, good one highway and was gas as really no savings for diesel, more so when maintaining as generator was also gas. Regardless of what seems "Just what we need", you must first draw up a list of us4es, mileage, budgets, and new vse used as far as potential operating costs, AKA costs more to repair diesel vse most gas. Remember what sounds great, might not be needed and more operating systems of all kinds, more potential for repairs and options are money makers for dealers. HOw ling will you keep unit, what is annual routine upkeep, what is weather protections for use and storage.

If used are there operation, parts etc manuals for ALL the systems. What is maintenance and failures records for ALL units. What is your operation budget? Take as much time preparing to define use as you do in looking... and try not to go "Oh I love it" around sales folks... We will replace our 32 with same size as easier to use, allowed in most Parks, and like a boat, smaller is less expensive to buy/use.

[EZDriver]

I just purchased my first Motorcoach, a Tiffin Allegro Bus 39RP in Phoenix. I drove it back to my home on Long Island as the shakedown cruise, 3000+ miles small fuel leak, new front shocks and a hydro problem on the auto stabilizers but other than that all good. I'm selling out here in New York and moving back to my beloved Texas ASAP. Since my bus will be my primary residence for the at least near future, how do I go about the change from New York to Texas? I've heard you can get a mail box at a UPS Store or other mailbox site and that becomes your new address? Anyone who has done it I would really appreciate the help.....

[gemert]

sylvanr wrote:
We have been researching Class A Motorhomes for a while. We have a budget of about $80,000. We are trying to decide whether to go used or new. There are pros and cons to either. Is it better to get an new entry level GAS Class A with a warranty or get a used DIESEL RV of a little higher quality but no warranty? Here are some of the RV's we are looking at and would love some feedback on. If you were listing them in order of "value," in what order would you place these?

1. NEW GAS 2016 Coachman Pursuit 31BD at $81,995
2. NEW GAS 2016 Jayco Alante 31AV for $84,995.

3. USED DIESEL 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 3807 $79,995
4. USED DIESEL 2007 Alfa See Ya 1004 $84,995

Newmar. I'm surprised by the lack of responses. This is usually one of the hottest topics! Let me go out on a limb here and draw some fire. A used, high end, DP in good shape is always, I say again, always better than a gas MH in the same price range. The reasons include, hydronic heating, air bags, higher build quality, power and longevity of diesel and just plain comfort. I should get some comments and discussion for you now. Good luck.

[sylvanr]

We have been researching Class A Motorhomes for a while. We have a budget of about $80,000. We are trying to decide whether to go used or new. There are pros and cons to either. Is it better to get an new entry level GAS Class A with a warranty or get a used DIESEL RV of a little higher quality but no warranty? Here are some of the RV's we are looking at and would love some feedback on. If you were listing them in order of "value," in what order would you place these?

1. NEW GAS 2016 Coachman Pursuit 31BD at $81,995
2. NEW GAS 2016 Jayco Alante 31AV for $84,995.

3. USED DIESEL 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 3807 $79,995
4. USED DIESEL 2007 Alfa See Ya 1004 $84,995

[GirlwithWeim]

Excellent info for a first time buyer who is feeling a bit hysterical about making the final decision! Being a single female, I travelled with a friend in a Class C motor home and loved it so now shopping for my own. Have narrowed it down to the Class A Axis RUV (gas) vs a diesel Class C (Four Winds Siesta). My concern is that the Class C seemed so much easier to drive on the highways, the Class A seemed to be blown by every passing truck or gust of wind. Having never driven anything this size, I'm wondering if that's just something you get used to or is it really difficult to drive. I plan to make it across the U.S and into Alaska so want to be safe. Also, any advice on negotiating the price on a new RV - how much off the MSRP is reasonable for RV's? I appreciated the advice on researching your dealer as I can see that I may require much support in the orientation phase - will plan several small trips in my area before jumping off on the "big road trip". Thank you for any and all advice.

[AbdRahim]

BaldyD1 wrote:
Have not read all of the replies to this post, but those I have read did not touch on some important safety issues.

Do believe that this post offers more information to the first time buyer than anything I have seen/read before. The only area where I presume to offer additions is in the research area of drivability and highway control & safety.

I believe that any and all manufacturer's MHs being considered for purchase should be driven on a long test drive that includes quick to emergency lane changes and other quick maneuvers that are regularly required in todays traffic on highways. The quick maneuvers must be done in a safe area on clear roads/highways/large open parking lots.

The topic of driving is mentioned under research by the statement "test drove most of them." and as one of the checklist items under TAKING DELIVERY. I would say that driving the MH prior to ordering and/or purchase is paramount for determining how the MH will handle and if the buyer will be comfortable behind the steering wheel and should be expanded in the RESEARCH paragraph and the TAKING DELIVERY checklist.

As mentioned on this forum many times, people purchase a MH and find the drivability to be poor and the safety to be suspect and then set about correcting the problems that probably would have been found in a long test drive.

Drive the same model that is being ordered and the actual MH you are buying prior to signing the final sales contract!

If my suggestions and ideas are incorrect or detrimental to MH purchaser's, please inform me where I'm wrong/off base/fouled up.

100% essential point. Had mine all picked out. went to the dealer, ready to pay. After test drive, I explained how to fix the problem and how the dealer could significantly increase sales of this unit. They did not even offer the fix for me if I would purchase it. Obviously, I did not; nor did the person who test drove it the day before. ?Thanks to the forums, I was well acquainted with that coach.

Never, ever buy any vehicle without driving it first!!

[AbdRahim]

Life is full of compromises. Thanks much for this article. I am a new firs time MH owner. Thought I had found the right Class A, until I drove it. Local dealer service was a major factor for me since I can only fix simple things and have zero patience. Therefore I had to settle for a Class C. Don't get me wrong. It is a great coach, but my preference still leans toward Class A. On balance some mods seem to have been simpler on the class C. I guess one cannot have everything in life all at once. It really helps to write things down and prioritize. I found a few Class .A's at distant dealers, many of which have propane and water plumbing in the slide out. To me bad idea, but maybe I am missing something.

Merry Christmas and happy camping to all.
Is it spring yet?

[Chef_Joey]

Thank you for this. Still digesting, as there is a great deal of info here, but it is very helpful. I currently own a 5th wheel and my wife and I are full time RV's, not retired just able to travel and work. Had the 5th wheel for a little less than a year and we're really starting to look at Motor Homes. Having to be very honest with myself on WHY I want to do this, so I'm just in the early stages of research. But I know this is not an easy choice and a Class A is a big investment, however we are considering not ever going back to a house in the near future. Anyway, a long winded way of saying, "Thank you" for your work on this.

[setraveler]

Here is results of google search, all kinds of data on it for filter. For air filter, just type in nr and hit google search, works for most part nrs
https://www.google.com/search?q=W8800470&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8