full time options

[rmalik1]

Hi I'm from the 5th wheel & full time forums here and in the 5'ver group we talk about what makes a 5'ver good for full time etc
I've two questions;

1)Been thinking about looking into a class A (gas) in the $100,000.00 range Max (MSRP), don't think I could afford anything decent in a diesel pusher. Would trade in truck and 5'ver. What makes a good full time class A - what: frame, length,motor,construction etc. I'm knowledgeable on trailer construction, not class A's
2) Is there a rule as to how much or % to ask for off the price? In trailers max is about 33% of the going rate (not true at wholesalers).

Brand specific if u like and why, but general info is needed also.

TIA

[2gypsies1]

okgc wrote:

1)Been thinking about looking into a class A (gas) in the $100,000.00 range Max (MSRP), don't think I could afford anything decent in a diesel pusher.

You should be able to buy a new $100k MH for about $75,000. There are some awesome used DP motorhomes in that $75-100 range that would make a much better full time home than a new gas powered motorhome in same price range.

Totally agree. There are some high quality DP out there - used - that you could buy in your price range. Buying a used one will 'usually' have the kinks worked out.

We used a Travel Supreme 5th wheel for 8 years of our full-timing. Friends got us hooked on Jeeping so we switched to our Newmar motorhome.

Overall, they both worked for us but the motorhome had a big edge. It's such a comfortable ride and the basement storage is huge. We volunteered a lot along the way so we sat still for 6-8 weeks. There's no issue of just sitting with a diesel motorhome. Think of farm machinery that sits all winter. We especially loved the motorhome because we didn't have to drive that big truck around for siteseeing.

[AllegroD]

Floorplan. Floorplan. Floorplan. I doubt you can count on a specific amount off of a used MH. There are too many factors. The seller may have priced it right, instead of high, with no intent to haggle.

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

Fiesta wrote:
If you move around a lot a "A" is faster and easier to set up. If you stay longer (several days to weeks) a 5th wheel is good. A's maybe more luxurious, 5ers more space. 5ers are cheaper but you gotta have a $40-60k PU. A's usually pull 4 wheeler. But the best you can afford, we've wasted $70k upgrading 3 times.

We agree with Fiesta here = it all depends on how you intend to roll. We had a 5er and truck for 3+ years and then in 2003 bought a 36ft Fleetwood with two slides workhorse gas.

We found a huge difference in how quick and easy she is to level from within, and as we travel (we don't stay put for more than a few days at a time in one area and usually less). We also don't chose to toad, we get to areas we are interested in and then bike or walk a lot, sometimes use public transportation to access into a busy city area, we wouldn't want to battle driving into anyway, and twice have rented a car dirt cheap for a few days = $9/day LV to travel out to Pahrump, Hoover Dam etc and once in Anaheim to whiz around for a look see at some must see attractions: Santa Monica & Pier, Rodeo Drive Baby, Hollywood Hills etc etc.

In addition I love that I can peel some potatoes or veg up front as we move down the road somewhat as well many other things I would do in a SnB.

To each their own but for us we've loved our A class Gas RV - hubby would love,love,love a DP but when I look at the price differences and the cost of maintenance/repairs etc (we are not mechanically inclined in the slightest), it has stalled us until now from going that route. However, we are going to give it two years as FT'ers instead of extended timers as we currently are, and reassess then. Who knows, especially if diesel prices stay down a few years this go around - instead of as in the past they lower it long enough for everyone to convert and then shoot them back up!

Think how you intend to travel and what's important to you and visualize day to day in the different types of rigs. For sure some of these fivers nowadays are stunning when sited for a week or more in one place, but it's just not how we personally roll.

[WyoTraveler]

donn0128 wrote:

Fiesta wrote:
If you move around a lot a "A" is faster and easier to set up. If you stay longer (several days to weeks) a 5th wheel is good. A's maybe more luxurious, 5ers more space. 5ers are cheaper but you gotta have a $40-60k PU. A's usually pull 4 wheeler. But the best you can afford, we've wasted $70k upgrading 3 times.

I find this absolutely impossible to believe. You still have to connect water, power, and sewer. You still have to unhook the toad. You still have to back in and level! Tell me, what exactly is faster or easier?

I have had both. 5vers are getting more advanced for leveling. Hard to always level a 5ver without unhooking. I can unhook my jeep faster than I could unhook or hook from a 5ver. Overnight spots is where the MH is fast. Pull into a pull through spot, push the leveling button, and open the slides. You do have to step out to connect the power. However, if I am just pulling into a truck stop overnight never have to step out of the MH. My 5ver had recliners, all had to be strapped back to back. My 5ver had dining chairs, all had to be strapped down. My MH front seats swivel around quickly, and dining chairs don't have to be strapped down.

[Raist11]

donn0128 wrote:

Fiesta wrote:
If you move around a lot a "A" is faster and easier to set up. If you stay longer (several days to weeks) a 5th wheel is good. A's maybe more luxurious, 5ers more space. 5ers are cheaper but you gotta have a $40-60k PU. A's usually pull 4 wheeler. But the best you can afford, we've wasted $70k upgrading 3 times.

I find this absolutely impossible to believe. You still have to connect water, power, and sewer. You still have to unhook the toad. You still have to back in and level! Tell me, what exactly is faster or easier?

I find it impossible to believe that you find it impossible to believe. Yes, you may have used a 5'ver for a long time and find it easy. I know people that find rock wall climbing easy. That doesn't mean that rock wall climbing is just as easy as stair climbing.
(slight exaggerations admitted)

EDIT: I should clarify, I'm not saying having a 5'ver is comparable to rockwall climbing. But really, with many class A's backing in and leveling is all done from the driver's seat. Then stand up and flip switches and you're quite good for the night.

[Busskipper]

donn0128 wrote:

Fiesta wrote:
If you move around a lot a "A" is faster and easier to set up. If you stay longer (several days to weeks) a 5th wheel is good. A's maybe more luxurious, 5ers more space. 5ers are cheaper but you gotta have a $40-60k PU. A's usually pull 4 wheeler. But the best you can afford, we've wasted $70k upgrading 3 times.

I find this absolutely impossible to believe. You still have to connect water, power, and sewer. You still have to unhook the toad. You still have to back in and level! Tell me, what exactly is faster or easier?

Not to start a fight but this is the Class"A" Forum.

Most of us old *arts in the class "A" group, have found that it is just easier to keep heading down the road while the DW is managing the house, now every once in while it will be raining when we arrive at our destination - I've found it much easier to just back in - park - level - have a adult beverage - and hook up in the morning, or when the sun comes out.

:S

[donn0128]

Fiesta wrote:
If you move around a lot a "A" is faster and easier to set up. If you stay longer (several days to weeks) a 5th wheel is good. A's maybe more luxurious, 5ers more space. 5ers are cheaper but you gotta have a $40-60k PU. A's usually pull 4 wheeler. But the best you can afford, we've wasted $70k upgrading 3 times.

I find this absolutely impossible to believe. You still have to connect water, power, and sewer. You still have to unhook the toad. You still have to back in and level! Tell me, what exactly is faster or easier?

[dahkota]

Funny, according to some people, we couldn't possibly be fulltiming in our 34' new gas coach. After a year and 18K miles, I couldn't disagree more. Same for the many other short gas coach fulltimers we have met over the last year. Anyway...

Here are the top things we looked for before we bought our coach:
layout: we wanted a comfortable layout that could be used with the slides in and had plenty of storage. We wanted a couch for two to lounge comfortably, a tv not in an awkward viewing position, a king size bed, and a shower a tall person could stand up in.
length: with our camping style, we wanted a shorter class A. We like state and federal parks and boondocking. Many with large coaches will state they have no problem finding spots for a 40'+ coach; they either reserve way in advance or do not go anywhere we do. Many of the campgrounds we frequent don't even have roads that will accommodate a 40' rig. Know in advance how you will be camping and buy accordingly.
weight capacity: we wanted a rig that had plenty of cargo capacity. Before we purchased, we looked at the only diesel in our preferred length and the cargo capacity was significantly less than what we got. We wouldn't go with any less than what we have, around 2500 lbs. And we still have space and weight to store more.
water: we wanted large enough tanks to boondock for a while with the ability to gravity feed the tank.
tow capacity: we wanted a 5K hitch to tow our Jeep which weighs about 4K.

If we had to do it all over again, after fulltiming for a year and going 18K miles, including Alaska, we would still buy the coach we have. It fits us perfectly. There is only one thing we would change with this coach - get rid of the carpet.

We are very happy with the Ford engine. It has pulled us up and down grades up to 12% (some of them mud and/or gravel). While it may get loud sometimes, we spend more time with the engine off than we do with it on and on highways, it is no louder than an F250 diesel (our previous vehicle).

When we purchased, in August of last year, the new model year was coming out. Dealers were making deals to get older inventory off the lots. Fleetwood was offering a rebate. We emailed a dozen dealers and took the second lowest offer - 35% off of MSRP. The first lowest offer was from a dealer with a very bad reputation for warranty work. The offers we received varied as much as $28K ($95K - $123K) for the same rig with the exact same options.

Good luck in your search. We went from an F250 diesel and a tt, to a class A. We didn't think we would love the class A as much as we do. Now we would never go back.

[WyoTraveler]

Some very good points have been made. I only go out for 5 to 6 months at a time. Although it would be nice to have a longer MH it is hard for me to justify the extra 10' to haul around an extra bathroom. Especially for 2 retired people. However, you would get more under storage in that extra length. Instead of an extra bathroom, and king sized bed in an area I spend very little time I would like an office or hobby area to justify the extra length. 3 slides minimum is a very good point. Getting to my bathroom and to the bedroom while on the road with the slides in is a must.

[rr2254545]

With any class A you need to budget a car to get around at your destination - most prefer a car that will tow 4 down

Buy bigger than you think you need as over time a small RV will be confining and not have enough storage space

Even for a half timer like me I bought too small the first time

[Busskipper]

Executive wrote:
Part of your decision should be defining full timing. There are many definitions of FT RVr. There are those that consider full timing as staying in the north for 6 months and then traveling south for the other six months. There are those that travel the member circuit, Thousand Trails, C2C etc. staying 3 weeks at a campground and then moving to the next and possibly back to the original CG. There are also those that feel FT is simply getting an annual site in a CG and living there. Finally, there are those like us who travel extensively, staying a week here or at the most two weeks in a CG. I put about 15,000 miles on my coach each year. If you're going to be a traveling FTmer then a Class A coach is for you. If you're going to be stationary most of the time then a Fiver makes more sense.

That said, you asked a question. Below are my suggestions...in no particular order. Look for hardwood cabinets, held together with screws not staples, look for steel frame construction, at least three slides and a tag if possible. Smallest coach for full timing, IMO would be 40' although 42' or more is preferable. The tag will give you more CCC as will the extra length. This is extremely important for full timing. Many do FT with smaller coaches and I understand that but for comfort the larger coaches can't be beat. Also, we found the larger coaches have better build quality and more features to make your journey more enjoyable. I would only consider a diesel, used from any of the list below.

Go to PPL Motorhome's website and search for coaches and floorplans. Narrow down your search to two or three brands then go from there. Be sure to look at the SOLD listings on PPL as well. Good luck with your search....Dennis

Remember, each mfg has top of the line luxury coaches all the way to entry level. The higher up the food chain you can go the more features and comfort items you'll find. The build quality increases as you go up as well.

I would start looking at these first:

Monaco
Country Coach
American Coach
Newmar

Then:

Winnebago
Tiffin
Fleetwood

More pricey:
Newell
Prevost
Bluebird

As usual Dennis has given a well thought out and readable reply,
only thing I might add is the Travel Supreme (slight bias) my only add/change would be to work hard on the likes and dislikes that you will require in the Coach - Full Time means FULL TIME - so this thing really needs to be what you will enjoy Living In, a Big Coach is still a very small house with a VERY BIG Yard.





Enjoy the process and take your time,

[ncrowley]

I would purchase a used diesel pusher rather than a new gas for going full time. You will be able to carry more and have a more comfortable ride.

[Fiesta]

If you move around a lot a "A" is faster and easier to set up. If you stay longer (several days to weeks) a 5th wheel is good. A's maybe more luxurious, 5ers more space. 5ers are cheaper but you gotta have a $40-60k PU. A's usually pull 4 wheeler. But the best you can afford, we've wasted $70k upgrading 3 times.

[okgc]

1)Been thinking about looking into a class A (gas) in the $100,000.00 range Max (MSRP), don't think I could afford anything decent in a diesel pusher.

You should be able to buy a new $100k MH for about $75,000. There are some awesome used DP motorhomes in that $75-100 range that would make a much better full time home than a new gas powered motorhome in same price range.