New to Class A

[Pdogii]

Hi everyone:

My wife and I are nearing retirement. We have tent,pop-up, and fifth wheel experience. We are considering snow bird camping and are settling on 38 foot class A or fifth wheel. Both will require substantial funding so we are taking our time before deciding on the life style or purchasing an rv.

We plan on towing a Honda fit if we go the class a route. We would travel from new York to the Gulf states and do some mountain driving. The traveling crew will consist of me, my wife, and our boxer. We want a washer and dryer.

Are there 2014 or 2015 manufacturers or models to be wary of? Any you recommend based on our plans?

[eric99]

Pdogii wrote:
How would you compare the costs of ownership between a motor home and a fifth wheel/pick up combo? I'm interested in maintenance. Barring the driveline differences are equally equipped coach and trailer costs the same?

Considering driveline maintenance, my perception (based on doing my own suspension lube, filter and fluid changes) is that a diesel pick up would cost less than a class A
To maintain. Is this accurate?

I think the difference will depend on how many miles you're going to put on your pickup; which I assume would be a dually. If you're towing a 5th wheel you'll be using your pickup for trips out of the campground. When you're home I suspect you'll be using your dually as a means of everyday transportation (grocery store etc). You won't be using your DP for those trips so the miles on the DP will be significantly less.

When we first looked at RVs about 10 years ago we looked into a 5th wheel. The cost of the dually ($50-60K) and the cost of the 5th wheel put us in the $100k+ range. We'd also have to buy a new dually every 4+ years or so. The gas mileage on a dually is terrible for everyday transportation.

Sooooooo

We couldn't afford a high-end DP and we didn't want all of the misc expenses associated with the dually. So we opted for a 2000 DP Bounder 36' for about $65K and we towed a VW station wagon (29mpg)for everyday transportation. Worked for us and we're on our 3rd DP.

Hope this helps!

[VinCee]

There are better opinions out their with diesel owners, whether pick ups or RV but if you are comparing a diesel PU to a gas class A I would think your maintenance costs would be more with the TT/5er set up. But no matter how you look at the maintenance costs, any way you look at the comparisons shouldn't be that much of an issue, barring break down and major repair which is a remote possibility at best, there are other considerations more important when considering TV and tow behind vs. driven class A's. If you are a pick up type of person(s) then there are some great floor plan options and available living space that 5er's offer over A's. But do you want to drive a large PU around town when site seeing areas you traveled to? I don't see any comparison of a travel trailer to a fifth wheel or class A when it comes to quality of components, especially interior cabinets and finishing's. They are made to be more light weight for ease of towing and to provide a wider range of tow vehicles that can tow them. With a class A you will be towing a car, either on a dolly or four down if you want to have your own transportation with you. Some folks will use scooters on some type of hitch mount rack or rent cars in towns they are visiting. In my opinion class A's, especially diesels, offer the best of interior accoutrements such as all wood cabinets, Corian counters, tile floors, dual pane frameless windows and more. All of these things are more important than the maintenance issue in question.

[hurricane0226]

We have the Itasca 35B, and have had no problems at all, really good coach,

[Pdogii]

How would you compare the costs of ownership between a motor home and a fifth wheel/pick up combo? I'm interested in maintenance. Barring the driveline differences are equally equipped coach and trailer costs the same?

Considering driveline maintenance, my perception (based on doing my own suspension lube, filter and fluid changes) is that a diesel pick up would cost less than a class A
To maintain. Is this accurate?

[Cmore12]

Keep doing research so you don't replace in a couple years. eric99 is right. But some campsites get tough in the upper 30 footers. State Parks, small private, or big resorts will factor in size. After walking into 100+ used and more online, we aimed for a new Tiffin. (Previous maintenance is PARAMOUNT! Slide out seals are $1300 apiece; if the previous owner didn't maintain, you're hosed, etc.) Our 34' Allegro RED is dead quiet and pulls either a car, truck, or ski boat (when the grandkids are involved) with no problems. 4-down will save your hide.

[eric99]

If you can afford it go diesel pusher. We're on our third and like the quiet ride and suspension. The engine brake will help you on your downhill journeys. The engine will outlive the MH 🙂

Tow 4 down and skip the dolly. The dolly is a real PIA at campgrounds particularly if you have a back-in site. You'll have to move it by hand and it was pretty heavy for this 60 yr old bod. Our decision to go 4-down permanently came about when the DW accidently drove the Prius off the front end of the dolly. The wrecker operator was good and didn't laugh too much.

I'm not convinced a residential refer is the way to go. I think they were designed to be in a non-moving house. I just don't know if they will withstand the rigors (shakes, bumps, potholes, etc) of the road. Kind of reminds me of basement AC which you don't see any more.

If you're going to be in it for 6 months+ at a time get a 38-40ft. You'll appreciate the storage and room. I wouldn't get anything bigger than that as some campgrounds can't accommodate 42 ft+. We took a 5 month trip from NY to Alaska and back and the room was nice.

If you're buying used I'd recommend going through a dealer. They do have a reputation to maintain and you'll have recourse to the BBB and other things should you get a lemon. We've stayed with dealers on our 3 purchases and have been pleased. Might pay more but you'll have some reassurance. Just my opinion.

[dezolen]

Class A all the way. Could not justify the extra costs associated with DP. How many mountain passes are these people driving across? Most Rv's I have seen spend the majority of their life parked anyway after the initial travel the country urge passes.
Started with pull trailer then 5th wheel which I thought was the ultimate till I wanted to site see and found driving around in a 3/4-1 ton pickup was a pita.
Wife wanted a motorhome and I'm glad I listened.

[Pdogii]

KarenS144 wrote:



You & your wife aren't newbies to RVing so I apologize if I'm telling you what you already know.

Keep us posted on what you find.

Don't apologize...this is going to be the largest purchase we make so we are looking for the unvarnished truth...your post was very informative.

[VinCee]

I believe the Itasca has better accoutrements interior wise than the Winnie's. Sorta like Ford and Mercury.

[mustang652]

rr2254545 wrote:
....So no the Itasca is not a upscale Winnebago

Several years ago I was tld that the main reason for having both brands was so that Winnebago could have exclusive dealership selling rights in the same area or town.

[rr2254545]

Also do not believe everything you read on here the Winnebago and Itasca are exactly the same motor home produced on the same line. Only difference is the interior and exterior decoration

So no the Itasca is not a upscale Winnebago

[VinCee]

Pdogi, welcome to the forum and the fantastic world of RV'ing! Other than health reasons you'll never want to leave the lifestyle. On RV choice, you sure can't beat Tifffin (Allegro) or Newmar for their gas or DP's for quality, craftsmanship and backing up their product. However, not knowing your budget you will certainly pay for it, and like "ALL" RV's they too will have their share of problems, especially when bought new. A tad below would perhaps be Winnebago and their "up" line Ithasca. Great quality and innovation and Ithasca probably is on par with Newmar and Tiffin, but in my opinion not as stylish looking. I too would suggest avoiding Thor products. I've read just to many complaints about them across the board of their product line. I drive a 2011 Georgetown that I bought in 2012, one year old to the day. Because Georgetown is owned by Forest River, owned by Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffet I pledged I would never buy a GT or FR product. That was until what I saw I could get for my money. My wife and I love it. Heckuva lot of features standard that would cost more as an option on other makes. Fiberglass roofs, electric windshield privacy shade, electric awning, stainless steel tire inflaters to name a few. Georgtowns best selling model, the 378 compares to a Tiffin model in floor plan and amenities but about 60K less. From being on the Forest River Forum the FR3 has gotton pretty good reviews since FR came out with this model to compete head to head with the Winnebago Vista. Fleetwood is back in business after being gone because of bankruptcy for a couple of years and their price points are comparable to Georgetown with some real nice features and innovative interiors. Definitely worth a look. Regarding dealers in the Buffalo area I bought and traded my Allegro at Buffalo RV. They were good to work with on price, both on the GT and my trade in value. This year they have added Newmar to their stable along with Forest Rivers line up and Jayco Trailers Precept line of gas class A. Very nice rig and Jayco quality. Ballard's RV got out of the motorized RV business because of the cost to floor them, they did carry Newmar for many years. Colton RV in Wheatfield and Orchard Park I would caution on. Before I bought my GT I was in the process of negotiating a deal on a used Ithasca and my wife and I walked out because of how they massively low balled us on the Ithasca, and high balled me on my trade value until we wanted to talk deal on the Ithasca, and suddenly my trade was worth 14K less than originally quoted. They've been in business a long time but I have heard similar stories on their sales practices. Good luck on your hunt, don't overspend but get the floorplan that'll fit you and the misses and your pup best.

[DrewE]

rr2254545 wrote:

Pdogii wrote:

rr2254545 wrote:
For sure the 2015 Honda Fit is not towable, past years are ok

Thanks we have a 2013 manual. What eliminates the newer years?

They changed the transmission in 2015

I understand that the manual 2015's are still towable, but the CVT automatic ones are not. For 2013 and earlier (there were no 2014 Fits) both the automatic and manual transmission models can be towed four down.

[KarenS144]

Pdogii,

We blame our boxers for needing a larger motorhome! We started out in a B+ but soon learned that if one of us moved, we all had to move. LOL!

I was not looking for or even considering a washer & dryer when we started looking for our DP. I thought the most one could wash in one might be a pair of socks but they came with the Ventana. I discovered that I LOVE THEM!! I've only done a couple of loads but they held way more than I thought they could and it was nice not to have to lug dirty clothes to the laundry and be robbed by the small questionable washers & dryers that have been used for no telling what. I don't think I'd want to be without them now. Another appliance that I won't do without again is the residential fridge! Good grief. What was I thinking when I said I didn't need one?!? Having one has really spoiled us and having an ice maker is icing on the cake!

Our 28' Georgetown was on the F53 chassis and it did fine on I-70 in Colorado going over the Rockies. We did not set any speed records going up and I'm pretty sure a bicycle passed us but we made it. We tow a Jeep Wrangler. Had it not been so loud, so rough, so hard to keep on the road in winds or truck traffic or so hot, we may have kept it! It was a "low end" unit though and had 19.5" tires which played a big role in the handling part.

Gassers have the motor up front, pretty much between the seats and it generates a lot of heat. We added insulation to ours which helped slightly with the noise and heat but it was still pretty toasty. Perhaps, a better quality gasser has more sound/heat proofing? Dunno.

I am certainly no expert but I would think the longer the motorhome, the more it will weigh. I know there are 38' gassers but is the engine and chassis adequate to handle the weight? That's another reason we jumped to the DP. Loaded with 3/4 tank of fuel, full black & grey tanks, 1/3 tank of fresh water plus all the assorted things we think we need to drag along AND the boxers and their gear, we are still 3000lbs under our max weight.

Check around for RV shows and look at as many units as you can. I don't think you can go wrong with a Newmar or Tiffin. We were impressed with the quality of both. We looked at a Fleetwood Discovery too and it was nice but not the same quality as we saw in the Newmar & Tiffin. BUT neither was our G'town yet everything worked and it was a comfortable coach. You may not need tile floors and solid countertops! We don't but they came with our coach.

Internet shopping is a great way to narrow down what floor plans and options you like. It is also invaluable for pricing and seeing what is available for your budget. We've bought both new & used and have been happy with the results. After stalking for months on big & small online RV sale & dealer sites, we found our "pre-owned" (sounds better than used. 😉 ) Ventana on Craigslist!

You & your wife aren't newbies to RVing so I apologize if I'm telling you what you already know.

Keep us posted on what you find.