Life is full of compromise...

davelinde wrote:

Range... our first rig had a 300 mile range and that is frankly annoying - so I over-compensated and the next rig (HDT getting 9 with 200 gallons of diesel) could do 1800 -- what can I expect in a C with a small 4 down tow behind?

Ford has a 55 gallon tank. Generator cuts out at 1/4 tank, so personally I really try to never get close to that. I start looking at 200 miles, fill by 250. Can easily to 300+ but I'll be getting down around 1/4 tank. My recent 2500 mile trip with no toad (30' @ ~13k pounds) I averaged 7.77mpg.

davelinde wrote:
Storage space - our first rig quickly put on (literally) a ton of stuff and approached over weight ratings quickly. Our second rig had storage to spare for tools and toys. I can live with less of both but would like to have compressed air, basic repair tools, a pair of bicycles, golf clubs, maybe a smoker... at least a nice grill - will I make GVWR?

Very rig dependent. I've got 30' with no slides, and a very large rear storage area. Plus a large under bed area inside where I keep extra water and my tools. Full of stuff (family of 4 plus dog) I'm comfortably under GVWR and under both axle weights.

davelinde wrote:
Amenities - our first rig was basic and for our second we added the genset, big tanks, 3 TV's, sound system, ice maker, second fridge, screen porch... For a smaller rig I can give all of that up I think actually - but in the last decade I think RV have new amenities I may covet? What is the must have bling?

Can't help you there. My rig is older with no 'fluff'. I don't even have a TV. But I will say the onboard genset is a game changer. A/C and microwave anytime we want.

davelinde wrote:
Setup - both our rigs were labor intensive to site and setup. We are done with leveling manually... I'm thinking all class C will anchor and level with a push button? Plug in electric and decide about water/sewer later? We are assuming a 4 down tow behind for ease of local transport and ease to connect/disconnect the vehicle. I think if we can do that we don't miss the towable setup?

Levelers are an option. Can be installed on any unit for the most part, but at extra cost of course. I don't have them, got a quote of around $4k to have them installed. Decided lego's aren't so bad lol. To the other stuff, power is all we usually plug into when arriving, the water/sewer is optional as needed. I don't have a toad, but we travel more than camp these days so it wouldn't really make a difference for us. Maybe in a few years, I dunno.

davelinde wrote:
Comfort/ease of travel. With the 5er and 3/4 ton it was work to drive and nothing in the cab. When we had the HDT our cab had space to stand up, a coffee maker, fridge and was as easy to drive as set the cruise, engage the jake brake and let her go. While my wife refused to drive it, I found the HDT a joy. With a C I guess we have fridge and coffee close. DW says she will drive it. But do the new rigs have cruise with following distance and lane assist? Will a C get pushed around the rode like my pickup? I'm guessing I'll never get the ride and handling I had in the HDT?

Access to the house while driving was the #1 reason we moved from a TT to a motorhome last year. I don't regret it one bit. The motorhome is not going to drive as well as an HDT. Probably not as well as your pickup. They are box trucks, and handle like them lol. I don't think any of the C's have lane assist or adaptive cruise control, but am not sure about that. I'm sure it's on the way at some point.

No help on drivetrains or cost, I like the Ford V10 and buy everything well used...