Looking for the top 5 mid sized Class A

[pequeajim]

My wife and I are going to be shopping for a mid size class A MH over the summer with plans to buy in the fall.

If there was a MH that matched, (in general), what we are looking for, it would be the Thor Palazzo, 33.2, or Tuscany XTE. The length makes it easier to drive, but I have not looked at one yet, so I am a little worried that we may feel cramped, (they do may a 36'). Of course, after traveling around in a Georgie Boy 2450, this is huge!

So my main criteria is as follows:

Diesel Pusher
Between 32-36'
At least two slides
Auto Levelers
Allison tranny
2 AC units, with heat pumps
Mid entry, (desirable, not a have to have)
Full Body Paint w/ Gel Coat Walls
Power front shade and privacy screen.

I am open to suggestions of some of the little things that I should be looking at, like cummings 300 vs 330, certain types of septic units, etc...

[luvlabs]

pequeajim wrote:

luvlabs wrote:
You might want to wait until the Hershey show this September. There's no substitute for sitting and "living" in the unit for awhile. I'm not sure why you would want a mid-entry diesel but none even come to mind. If you want mid-entry, stick to the gas units.

Whatever you do, don't just consider price or glitz. If I were you, I would, if possible, take plant tours of the top three of your picks before you buy.

BTW: Mid-entry was talking about how i get into the coach 🙂 Front entry doors can be a squeeze for big people.

A mid entry coach has a door no wider than a front entry coach. Unless you have something specially built, they are all about 30" wide. If you have trouble with the front door, try moving the passenger seat back and looking at models without a front TV. Those things will save you a few inches.

[coastie_family]

I have to say Newmar! We bought a used 2006 Newmar Ventana 3631 in January of this year. It only had 7,000 miles on it and had been stored inside all of its life. We LOVE it! There isn't one thing that I don't love about it! It is such a super ride and we love the auto levelers and the two AC's with heat pumps! The opposing slides make it so much larger!

You can't go wrong with Newmar! Awesome quality!

[John_S_]

I did nit see a price range, but Foretravel makes a 34 36, 38 and you can get mid entry too. I was just in a double slie 36 that was great and it was mid entry too.

[zman-az]

Itasca has a new model Solei coming out that is diesel and mid entry around your price range.

[Canadian_Rainbi]

Ours is a 2002 32' Horizon Itasca DP, two slides on the driver's side.

Its enough for us and our two dogs, we are in it 6 month every year as we winter in Mexico.

[mena661]

Tiffin or Newmar would be my pick. From your list, the Ventana (non-LE's) and the Phaeton would be my choice with the final going to the Ventana because I like the full wall slides. But, honestly, I'd be satisfied with either one.

[beany]

I wouldn't put a lot of serious consideration into a Fleetwood or Forest river. In my experience they are all about WOW factor and not quality

[pequeajim]

luvlabs wrote:
You might want to wait until the Hershey show this September. There's no substitute for sitting and "living" in the unit for awhile. I'm not sure why you would want a mid-entry diesel but none even come to mind. If you want mid-entry, stick to the gas units.

Whatever you do, don't just consider price or glitz. If I were you, I would, if possible, take plant tours of the top three of your picks before you buy.

BTW: Mid-entry was talking about how i get into the coach 🙂 Front entry doors can be a squeeze for big people.

[pequeajim]

Ok, well since I posted the original message, I have come up with a list of RVs to research a little more closely. I have also come to the realization that I am not looking to spend more than $200K, so, with this in mind, here is my top 5 list which will change several times over the “summer of research”…
(Not in any specific order of likability, and you can still offer suggestions)
- Tiffin (Allegro RED, or Phaeton)
- Newmar (Ventana)
- Fleetwood (Excursion)
- Thor Motorcoach (Plazzo)
- Forest River (Berkshire)
Like I said, this list will no doubt change around over the next couple of months, based on research, and your comments. Right now, I really like the Tiffins a bit more than the others, but that may change after I get out to actually see and touch the motorhomes on the list. I am looking forward to taking this journey of investigation with you all. Thanks for the help so far…

[pequeajim]

I like your username, (luvlabs)... Mine shoudl be luvgoldens

Yes, our plan is to do the research over the summer and (maybe) make a purchase at the Hershey show. Great place to buy an RV just for the reason you mentioned, you can sit and touch.

[luvlabs]

You might want to wait until the Hershey show this September. There's no substitute for sitting and "living" in the unit for awhile. I'm not sure why you would want a mid-entry diesel but none even come to mind. If you want mid-entry, stick to the gas units.

Whatever you do, don't just consider price or glitz. If I were you, I would, if possible, take plant tours of the top three of your picks before you buy.

[pequeajim]

Thanks everyone. You all have given me a lot to research tonight. I will check them all out and post my top 5 in terms of ehat appeals to me.

[michelb]

As others mentioned, I think for your criterias, you don't have a whole lot of selection but there are a few choices (more than I expected).

- Mid-entry DPs are very rare so that probably rules the majority of the DPs
- DPs 36' and under are quite rare so that rules out of lot of others as well

As a brand, I prefer Newmar and Tiffin but wouldn't necessarily rule out others. I do really like the Palazzo floorplans. One thing to keep in mind is many 36' mhs are actually longer than that so you need to decide if you like the "size of a 36' model" or if you want "something no longer than 36'"

You should also look at:

- Winnebago Forza 34T http://www.gowinnebago.com/products/2014/forza/floorplans/
- Newmar Ventana LE or Ventana 3433, 3436 or 3634 http://www.newmarcorp.com/motor-coaches/diesel/ventana-le/floorplan-options
- Tiffin Allegro RED 33AA, 34 QFA, 36 QSA http://www.tiffinmotorhomes.com/allegro-red/features/floor-plans
- Tiffin Phaeton 36GH or 36QSH http://www.tiffinmotorhomes.com/phaeton/features/floor-plans
- Fleetwood Bounder Classic Diesel 34B or 36R http://www.fleetwoodrv.com/bounderclassicdsl/floorplans/34B
- Fleetwood Excursion 33A, 33D, 35B, 35C http://www.fleetwoodrv.com/excursion/floorplans/33A
- Fleetwood Discovery 36J http://www.fleetwoodrv.com/discovery/floorplans/36J
- Thor Palazzo 33.1, 33.2, 33.3 or 36.1 http://palazzorv.com/floorplans.php

I'm sure there are others but I didn't know the websites offhand

[Aridon]

Newmar and Tiffin. Look no further.

If I absolutely had to pick a third in the price range it would be Winnie.