Looking for a Class A DP without paint checking

[Lexx]

We have triplet 6 yr old boys so we need something that will accommodate everyone. My wife prefers the models with the bunk beds. That's basically a Fleetwood Discovery 40g. But that's only a single rear axle and I'd prefer a tax axle coach.

Also with so many people, I'd prefer something with at least 60-75 gal of grey water holding tank.

I've been reading that the 2004-2008 models have paint checking. I thought some brands like Foretravel and Newmar did not. But I've inquired Foretravel and Newmar from those years and yep, some have the paint checking issue. That makes it tough because I'd really prefer a mid to high end coach brand but at an affordable sub-$160k price point.

I did find a 2011 Newmar Mountan Aire but the dealer won't go below $191k.

My list of requirements are in no particular order:
1) Either bunk beds or two couches that can fold out to sleep 3 kids. I'd prefer to not have to go to the trouble of lowering the kitchen table. A jacknife sofa is ok but I'd really prefer a sofabed.

2) 1.5 bathrooms if possible since little boys tend to hold it till the very last minute.

3) Residential type refrigerator preferred over a NorCold.

4) Stackable washer dryers rather than the combo unit.

5) No paint checking and not prone to future paint checking.

6) Full body paint if possible.

7) Hydronic water heater so if we have full hookups, we can take longer showers.

😎 tag axle

9) tv in the main compartment that is viewable by all i.e. not just the tv above the driver and co-driver's seat.

10. obviously the coach must be in good condition with a good maintenance history.

I found a 2008 Travel Supreme with only 30k mi, but the owner has been storing it outside next to their house.

So far the search has been long and fruitless.

[Lexx]

My wife is still stuck on the Fleetwood Discovery 40G due to the bunk beds. I keep telling her that the Fleetwood is at least a couple of steps down from a Newmar MountainAire or even Ventana. When I look at the photos there are some clear differences in the quality of the interiors and exterior paint, not to mention the mechanical specs, not the least of which is the Discovery does not come with a hydronic water heater, nor is it a tag axle coach.

[tropical36]

The choices for a tag axle coach, with bunks, is limited and this 430BH, just may be the only choice.... FOREST RIVER CHARLESTON

[mdanielson55]

lexx I have on 08 holiday rambler imperial 44 ft with tag bath and a half new Michelins two banks of jell batteries stack washer inside kept no delamination or checking rear cameras plus plus no. is 903-707-2130 live in tyler tx don't get rid of truck. your ford should have a button to push so you can tow behind a coach I have a blue ox tow bar grey 50gal black 50 gal 100 gal fresh large residential reefer hydro hot 3 heater,heatpump, air conditioners 4 SLIDES 2 COUCHES,

[tenspeedret360]

Good morning. Just to throw a comment out there, Ive been recently looking to change over to something new, but don't want to give up my diesel...Ive looked at many high end (just floor plans) of the super C's, and what drives me away, is the bunk beds...maybe a floorplan in a renegade or another maker might help you out.
Best of luck in your search...

[midnightsadie]

is it possible to custom make one ,so everything is just right.

[Lexx]

Mr.Mark wrote:
Lexx, I'm remembering now about your medical issue.

I've seen some mighty nice 5th wheels that rival a class A. I know that your truck cost quite a bit of money so I think I would lean towards a 5th wheel unless you also need a big truck without a camper.

Safe travels,
MM.

So far the only Fiver that we've seen that has the kind of quality of a good Class A DP is the DRV Mobile Suites. But those are really meant to accommodate two people unless you get into the 45 ft long models. And I'd really rather keep it at 40 ft or less if I'm towing a trailer.

Other than that the Grand Design Momentum toy haulers have good fresh and grey tank capacities (actually more than most Class A's at 157/104/52). GD has great customer service according to owners. But the quality of the interiors remains substantially inferior to a good Class A. I think that's why my wife is drawn to the DP's.

At the end of the day, I'm still leaning towards the toy hauler but I'm going to do my due diligence to research the Class A's to make my wife happy. And that's the biggest trick in the book ha ha!!!

[Mr_Mark1]

Lexx, I'm remembering now about your medical issue.

I've seen some mighty nice 5th wheels that rival a class A. I know that your truck cost quite a bit of money so I think I would lean towards a 5th wheel unless you also need a big truck without a camper.

Safe travels,
MM.

[Lexx]

jim1521 wrote:
Lexx, I've done a SIGNIFICANT amount of research into the paint checking problem. The best I can find out is that pretty much EVERY Class A builder was susceptible to this from 2003-3008. Now that doesn't mean that EVERY vehicle had the problem; it just means that every vehicle has the POTENTIAL to have the problem. THERE IS NO FIX OTHER THAN TO REPLACE THE WALLS. A couple of people came up with some homemade remedies, but they didn't really work out. The problem lied in the fiberglass itself. The checking problem itself was only cosmetic; there was no structural integrity problems.

Jim, that's exactly what I've been seeing. Is there any concern with the 2009 models? I'm worried that some manufacturers may have had left over fiberglass stock and used it for their 2009 builds.

While the paint checking is not a structural problem, not only will it impact future resale value, it just looks terrible.

[jim1521]

Lexx, I've done a SIGNIFICANT amount of research into the paint checking problem. The best I can find out is that pretty much EVERY Class A builder was susceptible to this from 2003-3008. Now that doesn't mean that EVERY vehicle had the problem; it just means that every vehicle has the POTENTIAL to have the problem. THERE IS NO FIX OTHER THAN TO REPLACE THE WALLS. A couple of people came up with some homemade remedies, but they didn't really work out. The problem lied in the fiberglass itself. The checking problem itself was only cosmetic; there was no structural integrity problems.

[Lexx]

ncrowley wrote:
Newmar definitely had the paint checking during those years. The checking is worse in dark paint and coaches that have been stored outside. You may be able to find one with lighter paint that has been stored inside where the checking is minimum.

When I searched the forum for posts on paint checking, some people posted that because Newmar had hung sidewalls, it was not subject to paint checking. But I've found that coaches from the years affected, indeed suffer from paint checking.

It's too bad because there are a lot of good value coaches in those years that have really good mechanicals and build quality that I'd consider if it were not for the risk of paint checking from extended exposure to high heat.

[ncrowley]

Newmar definitely had the paint checking during those years. The checking is worse in dark paint and coaches that have been stored outside. You may be able to find one with lighter paint that has been stored inside where the checking is minimum.

[drmopar]

With the young boys, go with the Toy Hauler. Bikes, BBQ's, stuff, you want the Toy Hauler. It is camping, so keep in mind the Boys will be outside playing riding Bikes around a lot plus they will want their friends going with you. Soon, Dirt Bikes?-Golf cart? No additional engine service with a 5th. You already have the truck. With no kids, a DP would be good. I looked at the same problem as you, and went with the Toy Hauler.

[Lwiddis]

Dry camping and ten minute continuous and daily showers for one camper and navy showers for five others doesn’t match up.

[Lexx]

Mile High wrote:
Looks like your list of requirements are "right on". I would agree the hydronic heat is a plus, or even a must for full time, but I wasn't aware a big advantage was the endless shower. Did you run out of hot water with your old one? Mine is an LP tank and I guess we've never actually ran out of hot water so I never would have thought of hydronic as a plus for that specific reason.

The trailer I'm considering has a 12 gal hot water heater. So at 1.5 GPM flow assuming a 50:50 mix of hot to cold, that would yield about 16 min of hot/warm water. With 5 people and my need to take a 10 min shower for medical reasons, we'd run out of hot water pretty quickly.

Hence my requirement for both a large or endless capacity hot water heater, and equally important if we dry camp, a good sized grey tank.

The Grand Design Momentum 328 has a 104 gal grey tank capacity. Most class A's have no more than about 75 gal, except the older Foretravels have about 145 gal but that's listed as a combined grey/black.