Need advice: Shopping for a Class A...
Hello everyone, My apologies up front for asking something that’s probably been asked before, and for my wordiness. My wife and I have decided that we want to make the leap from a travel traile...
Forum Discussion
Good advice offered by many others before this post, but allow me to add some of my thoughts based on going through what you are facing.
There are a lot of good used, quality coaches available in the snowbird sections of our country. In the case of the OP that would be FL as the closest. Frequently we see folks who die, and their spouse doesn't want or can't keep a coach for various reasons. We also see those who spend winters in the sunshine moving to park models or more permanent arrangements which floods the market with coaches.
Don't fall in love with any unit without experiencing the floorplan in both the open and closed modes. We too often find out after the fact that access or comfort is reduced or eliminated when a coach is closed up rather than being opened. A coach whose access to the bathroom is difficult when closed up is a PITA when we travel and will just reduce your satisfaction in your coach.
I find that access and ease of use to many systems is important to me. The wet bay layout, battery access, etc. have been places that I've found I don't pay enough attention to until I've faced trying to hook or unhook something that my aging body can't easily accomplish. Just accessing and checking the water in our coach batteries can be difficult, to say nothing of actually adding water when needed. Many little things we overlook or ignore before buying become constant sources of irritation after we become the proud owners and have to deal with them.
Be very aware of how and where you find the money to close your deal. Dealer financing is rarely a good deal. With the bigger dealers financing and other add on items will be a place where they enhance their bottom line at your expense. Don't be sucked into the salesman's pitch of low monthly payments unless you make sure that the real pay back figure is in line with what you can achieve by arranging your own financing prior to sitting down and signing the paperwork. Bottom line, read everything and understand what you are agreeing to. Don't be afraid or get pressured into making a bad decision. Get your calculator out and confirm any figure you question in the least. $150K isn't chump change for most of us and we need to be as smart as the salesman who is just as interested in his profit as he is in making you happy. In many cases, even more.
Beyond all of that, buy what you like and get out there an enjoy life to the best of your ability.
There are a lot of good used, quality coaches available in the snowbird sections of our country. In the case of the OP that would be FL as the closest. Frequently we see folks who die, and their spouse doesn't want or can't keep a coach for various reasons. We also see those who spend winters in the sunshine moving to park models or more permanent arrangements which floods the market with coaches.
Don't fall in love with any unit without experiencing the floorplan in both the open and closed modes. We too often find out after the fact that access or comfort is reduced or eliminated when a coach is closed up rather than being opened. A coach whose access to the bathroom is difficult when closed up is a PITA when we travel and will just reduce your satisfaction in your coach.
I find that access and ease of use to many systems is important to me. The wet bay layout, battery access, etc. have been places that I've found I don't pay enough attention to until I've faced trying to hook or unhook something that my aging body can't easily accomplish. Just accessing and checking the water in our coach batteries can be difficult, to say nothing of actually adding water when needed. Many little things we overlook or ignore before buying become constant sources of irritation after we become the proud owners and have to deal with them.
Be very aware of how and where you find the money to close your deal. Dealer financing is rarely a good deal. With the bigger dealers financing and other add on items will be a place where they enhance their bottom line at your expense. Don't be sucked into the salesman's pitch of low monthly payments unless you make sure that the real pay back figure is in line with what you can achieve by arranging your own financing prior to sitting down and signing the paperwork. Bottom line, read everything and understand what you are agreeing to. Don't be afraid or get pressured into making a bad decision. Get your calculator out and confirm any figure you question in the least. $150K isn't chump change for most of us and we need to be as smart as the salesman who is just as interested in his profit as he is in making you happy. In many cases, even more.
Beyond all of that, buy what you like and get out there an enjoy life to the best of your ability.
