Hello all-As some of you may have read my posted topics, I am in the market for a used Class C (although if I don't find a comfortable one I may begin looking for A models). In my So Cal area there are very very few Chevy's available, except for new models. It appears, on the used front,(CL, RV trader, dealer lots) it is about a 99% Ford market.I am a larger guy at 6' 280lbs. I find the Fords just barely comfortable, bordering on uncomfortable. The models with leather and power driver's seat are too cramped in that they do not slide back far enough (no power seats appear to slide back farther). The seats aren't very wide either and the armrest makes for a cramped seat so I have to swivel it up out of the way to find comfort.The showers aren't very large either. I know it is a compromise, but in the size range I am looking at, (28-31) there all appear to be small for me. I believe this will not matter in both Ford or Chevy. Are there models with larger showers? If so, which ones?Will I find the Chevy's more comfortable in the driver's seat (leg room, seat width, slide back, etc?Since I need the added bunks for my two kids, perhaps I need to look at a Class with bunk beds? Will A's give me a larger shower? I know they provide very large seating for driver, as I sat in one and it felt VERY comfortable!!Thanks

sprinter has more room than needed , just find one and you,ll have more leg room than you need .

I think you are probably better off with a bunkhouse class-A. Very few Cs have a large shower (Coachmen does, but not in their bunkhouse model) and it seams that all the larger Cs have a slideout just behind the driver's seat which limits space to move the seat back.

There are also some class As that have very limited space between the slide and driver seat. Try the seat with the slide in first.

I was trying with the slide in (for travel). It appears the A bunk house models are all 2010 and later models. Any older than 2010 with bunk houses? The C works well for what we want to do, but I don't want to deal with a cramped driver seat, especially when going on longer runs. I want to be sure when I do end up finding a rig it is what works for both sleeping (Class C) and for driving comfort (Class A).Why is deciding so difficult!!!

You'll certainly find the Chevy's driver's position roomier and more comfortable. Your front seat passenger will, too. My '01 Chevy van had somewhat hard & narrow OEM seats tho'. I really haven't noticed them in later models. Personally, I find the Chevy pickup cab used on my Tiger C-minus to be very, _very_ comfortable, in terms of space, position, and seating on both sides. But it's too small for your use, and full-sized C's on trucks are rarer and costy.Jim, "The trouble with bucket seats is that folks have different sized buckets."

Ford vs Chevy Chassis for larger divers | Good Sam Community

midnightsadie
Explorer II
Jan 26, 2014
sprinter has more room than needed , just find one and you,ll have more leg room than you need .
carringb
Explorer
Jan 26, 2014
I think you are probably better off with a bunkhouse class-A. Very few Cs have a large shower (Coachmen does, but not in their bunkhouse model) and it seams that all the larger Cs have a slideout just behind the driver's seat which limits space to move the seat back.
bsinmich
Explorer
Jan 26, 2014
There are also some class As that have very limited space between the slide and driver seat. Try the seat with the slide in first.
Baja_Man
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
I was trying with the slide in (for travel). It appears the A bunk house models are all 2010 and later models. Any older than 2010 with bunk houses? The C works well for what we want to do, but I don't want to deal with a cramped driver seat, especially when going on longer runs.
I want to be sure when I do end up finding a rig it is what works for both sleeping (Class C) and for driving comfort (Class A).

Why is deciding so difficult!!!
Handbasket
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
You'll certainly find the Chevy's driver's position roomier and more comfortable. Your front seat passenger will, too. My '01 Chevy van had somewhat hard & narrow OEM seats tho'. I really haven't noticed them in later models.

Personally, I find the Chevy pickup cab used on my Tiger C-minus to be very, _very_ comfortable, in terms of space, position, and seating on both sides. But it's too small for your use, and full-sized C's on trucks are rarer and costy.

Jim, "The trouble with bucket seats is that folks have different sized buckets."
snowdance
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
There is much more room in the Chevy cut-off cab than the Ford. However another big thing you need to watch for is how the coach builder built the coach. Many have a wall, dinnette back or some thing that will not let you lean one or both seats back or slide it back. So when looking for a rig no matter what make, pull slides in if you have them. And set it up for travel. Then climb in the seats and see what happens. If you can not tilt the back way past your comfort place. or slide it full back pass on the rig. We often use them for recliners as we often stay in Motorhome sites. They are set up backward from trailer sites and you drive in forward often with a great view out the front. They are also nice spots for setting and reading ect.

We came across a rig we loved when we were looking for one. But when every thing was ready for a test drive. I could not get into the drivers seat. The seat was all the way forward and had to lean forward because the wall of the slide. Then I knew why the great price. We went with one we love and we can slide both seats full back and lean them full back. Which is nice for us as we both drive it. The other can lean back and nap.
ron_dittmer
Explorer II
Jan 27, 2014
We saw a 32' (very short) diesel pusher, 3 or 4 years ago in a rest area. I asked the owners about it and they were very kind to show us around. It did not have bunk beds for the kids but it was an exceptionally nice rig with real house sized amenities. If you decide to let your kids sleep on a conversion bed or the living room floor, you might want to consider a short diesel pusher for all the room it offers a man of your size. You might be able to take the rig somewhere to get installed, one of these suspending large beds over the driver area.

A very short diesel pusher has a lot going for it compared to a long B+. But for kids, nothing beats a C with the cab-over bed. Have you looked at the cabs of super-Cs with the commercial chassis like this? They may offer the driver room you seek, but might be a challenge getting in and out from the outside.
dicknellen
Explorer II
Jan 27, 2014
what snowdance said X2. My current 2006 C Ford chassis does not have a slide and it is great. I'm 6'2" and about 40 or so pounds less than you. Dick
mlts22
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
The latest Euro-style vans (Sprinters, ProMasters, and Transits) have no doghouse to speak of. You might take a look at the Winnebago Trend which is built on the cutaway ProMaster chassis. One floorplan has one queen sized drop-down bed, one corner queen, and a bed underneath the drop-down, so it can sleep a good amount of people.

The shower is OK, nothing to write home about, but par for the course.

Caveat: It is a small rig, and might be too cramped for a family of four.
Mich_F
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
I don't think you should limit your search to motor homes with bunk beds. The typical C in the size you're looking for has a huge cabover bed, dinette/bed, sofa/bed and a queen size or so bed in the rear, which equals plenty of sleeping spaces.
As far as the room in the cab, I'm 6'4", old (equals far from nimble) weigh ~ 200, but not that long ago weighed 276 and I really don't have a problem in the E350 or E450 class C's.
It's not like I'm getting up that frequently to run to the back of the MH.

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