New Motorhome Recommendations?

[Diver4242]

I'm getting close to retirement and have a job where I can live pretty much anywhere anyway (just need internet connection and be near an airport) and my wife is going to start travel nursing, so we are looking at options like summers up north (home) and winters in warmer climates while she is doing that.

I should have posted this last week, I meant to, but well sometimes life happens. I'm in Hershey today but only have a few hours this morning to go look at some motorhomes in the big show that is here this week. I have to leave the area around noon, so have from 9-noon. Meant to do a lot of research to prep, but the job got crazy.

So what I'm asking, can anyone recommend models to look at? What we want is something comfortable enough to live in, just the two of us and a small Bishon dog, something that's as fuel efficient as possible given it's a large vehicle, etc. I was looking at models like this a few years ago and remember Winnebago had some smaller, nice class A's, Thor had a very nice one, etc. I can't even remember which manufacturers are the better ones, been out of the game a while but really missing it and looking forward to this. I'll set my notifications up so I know if someone responds here, or email me at billhines with the number four appended to it at gmail dot com. I'll see if I can set up private messages to route to my email as well.

Thanks for any help!

[Carrie_S]

Yes, Floorplan for sure. Ask your wife what she wants! Happy wife, happy life. 🙂 I started looking at coaches and I've never owned one. Most looked like my old travel trailer which i didn't want. i wanted a bigger frig., and then I found the Opposing slides floorplan! OOOhh La La. Just like living at home. I ended up with a 40ft Holiday Rambler with 3 slides and 1 1/2 baths, double frig and corian and ceramic tile. I also wasn't sure about diesel or gas and ended up with diesel pusher. I didn't want to spend the extra money in the beginning, but weighed it all, spent the money and I couldn't be happier. The ride is amazing and a quality coach. Some people told me to not spend so much money up front in case i didn't like it. I'm so glad i didn't listen to them and didn't settle for less. Just keep looking and take your time. Good Luck

[Busskipper]

Take a look at this discussion Help Me decide read through and work on your list, of what you think you need.

BOL,

[J-Rooster]

Narrow your RV search down to 3 coaches. Of these 3 coaches pick the floor plan that suits your needs the best. Then you go with colors and engine and transmission. Finances, set a figure to your future retirement income that you can comfortably afford and stick to it. Good Luck in whatever you choose.

[John_S_]

smlranger wrote:
Wow, there is a lot to consider and if you get in a hurry, you can make an expensive mistake. Having owned towables and three motorhome and having recently retired, I would suggest the following considerations:

1. If money is no object and you don't mind losing a ton in depreciation, new might be for you.
2. Don't let the glitz, fu fu, and shiney neat stuff blind you at the RV show. Frankly, IMO, there are not a few manufacturers that produce poor quality RV's but they look nice. Many folks buy what looks nice and don't consider build quality, drivability, durability over time.
3. If you are going to travel/drive a lot, want to take along a lot of stuff and tow something, consider a diesel pusher. They ride better, handle better, carry more weight (usually), and are able to tow more weight than a gas powered motorhome. Diesels last a long time but they are generally more expensive to maintain.
4. If you are going to drive to a location for your DW to work a 13 week stint (like most traveling nurses) and not move, consider a 5th wheel trailer. As noted, you would also need a heavy duty truck (3/4 ton at least) to tow it. And, that big truck will be your daily driver while your are parked.
5. If you land on a motorhome, give serious consideration to a used high end coach. They are made more sturdily than many of the newer coaches. I have a 7 year old high end coach that cost $460K when new and I got it for just north of $170K. It was well maintained, well made, fully optioned and comfortable. I would put it up against most any of the new coaches now selling for $300K+ these days.
Brands like Foretravel, Country Coach, high end Monaco's, Travel Supreme and high end Newmar's are some to consider.

Good luck with your search.

X2


Also not many hybrids can be towed 4down or even on a dolly. You will need a trailer.

[Diver4242]

Wow, thanks for all of the great advice. You folks are amazing. I was in a hurry to post so I gave the misconception that I was running there today to buy something, that's definitely not the case 🙂 I was going to be in a hurry today because i wanted to look at some models but didn't have a lot of time to check them out, so I wanted some 'targeted' recommendations.

I saw a few nice ones in my little time. I liked the Tiffin Allegros and a few others. This will be a months-long project, of course in collaboration with my wife, I guess we'll travel around to a few of the big dealers and look for more shows in the PA/NJ area. Keep the advice coming though! We definitely don't want to go the 5th wheel route, I'd rather get a class A and toad either a small hybrid or electric type vehicle for short runs or even my BMW sport touring bike. The gas vs DP issue is a good one to consider as well.

[Rodz]

After several years with DP'S we went back to gas. I bought a Newmar Canyon Star 3610 and couldn't be happier with it. Bath and 1/2 and plenty of room for the 2 of us plus grand kids. It handles and rides great. It's about as high end as you can get in a gasser. Take a look. You won't be disappointed.

[Goldencrazy]

Yup Floorplan. It appears you will spending small time on the road so you can get a lot in upscale gas like Winnebago Adventure or Sightseer. You will want 35 ft or more and two slides front and one rear. You will save a lot of savings over a DP. An energy efficient toad is also nice as others have said if concerned about fuel efficiency. We had very intention of purchasing a Winnebago Forza and went with the Winnebago Sightseer 35 G because of layout. The way you inend to live on board washer/dryer will be nice. You can find a lot of value in a used DP in the 40 ft range. Get the space you need which means slides. You can do a lot of interior remodeling if you have good bones and the savings from pre-owned will be considerable. It sounds like you are too busy to shop and make good decisions. Wait for final decision until you have shopped a bunch.

[BobandShaz]

Take your time. FLOORPLAN !!!!!

[golfman_1]

x2 on previous post

[smlranger]

Wow, there is a lot to consider and if you get in a hurry, you can make an expensive mistake. Having owned towables and three motorhome and having recently retired, I would suggest the following considerations:

1. If money is no object and you don't mind losing a ton in depreciation, new might be for you.
2. Don't let the glitz, fu fu, and shiney neat stuff blind you at the RV show. Frankly, IMO, there are not a few manufacturers that produce poor quality RV's but they look nice. Many folks buy what looks nice and don't consider build quality, drivability, durability over time.
3. If you are going to travel/drive a lot, want to take along a lot of stuff and tow something, consider a diesel pusher. They ride better, handle better, carry more weight (usually), and are able to tow more weight than a gas powered motorhome. Diesels last a long time but they are generally more expensive to maintain.
4. If you are going to drive to a location for your DW to work a 13 week stint (like most traveling nurses) and not move, consider a 5th wheel trailer. As noted, you would also need a heavy duty truck (3/4 ton at least) to tow it. And, that big truck will be your daily driver while your are parked.
5. If you land on a motorhome, give serious consideration to a used high end coach. They are made more sturdily than many of the newer coaches. I have a 7 year old high end coach that cost $460K when new and I got it for just north of $170K. It was well maintained, well made, fully optioned and comfortable. I would put it up against most any of the new coaches now selling for $300K+ these days.
Brands like Foretravel, Country Coach, high end Monaco's, Travel Supreme and high end Newmar's are some to consider.

Good luck with your search.

[SkiingSixPack]

Take your time and make sure to buy your second RV, first! 🙂

Homes are location, location, location and RVs are floor plan your can live in, no water intrusion, and floor plan.

[wildtoad]

Agree to take your time and look at both motorhomes and fifth wheels for floor plans and storage capacities. Also, consider your transportation needs at your destination(s). Is a large truck what you want as a commuter? And of course what fits your budget.

[Mandalay_Parr]

I would recommend at least a 40 foot diesel pusher for comfort and features.
Definitely get a floor plan you like. That is most important.
Drive a few. Any of the name brands should be good.
Decide whether you order one the way you want it or buy off the lot.
Take your time and do it right. It's a big investment.

[John_S_]

If you are going to be sitting for a long time in each location a motorhome is not the thing. They are not fuel efficient ever but the tow car is.