New to RV world, starting to shop.

[TahoeDreaming]

Good day everyone!

My wife and I had an opportunity to rent a small RV a few weeks ago to try it out. We really had a nice time. We had rented a Winnebago View (Mercedes Sprinter) and found it to be maneuverable and with good power. We stopped by a few local dealers in the area to look at a slightly different model, the VIA (small class A sprinter), but both locations were politely steering us towards a traditional class A gas model. In comparing the RV/Dollar, we agree that the Gas chassis is a good option.

I am researching and learning, but would certainly appreciate any perspective from experienced owners. Some bullets below;

• We are both in our 40's and plan to keep the RV until retirement age, at that point we would consider more of a full time unit
• We enjoy an RV that won't run into problems getting into smaller campsites around Tahoe and Northern CA, one salesman recommended we stay under 32 feet
• We will mostly be going as a couple. Occasionally we will have teenage children with us
• Diesel pushers are awesome, but at this point, don't believe the additional cost of purchase and operation makes sense. Post retirement, with longer trips, absolutely
• Living in Nevada, we would not pay any sales tax on a private sale on a used unit. A new or used RV dealer purchase would have 7.8% (a significant sum) and we can't fully claim the sales tax deduction (if extended to 2015) due to income

Would love any advice from the forum with regard to model/size/used vs. new

[TahoeDreaming]

Interestingly, a 2013 tiffin allegro breeze just popped up via private seller. It is a 32 foot pusher and they seem to have a good reputation. Where is the best place to get a private party value? 5500 miles on the rig.

[J-Rooster]

I recommend that first off set a price that fits your budget and stick to it. Next when you narrow your search down to 3 coaches pick the coach that has the best floor plan that suit your needs. Don't pick another coach because it has a nicer paint job. I'm in retirement and the wife and I have a 36' Winnebago Class A that we drive back in forth to Arizona during the winter. So far since we owned this 36' coach we have not be able to get into only one campground, and it was a Forest Service Campground up in the North Cascade Mtn. range. I've been RVing since 1976.

[zman-az]

Flat tow is the way to go, just do a search on here and you will see most agree over a trailer or dolly. I flat tow a 2003 Wrangler and a 2011 Grand Cherokee. Much easier to flat tow then trailer, but no way I can flat tow that Jeep (slightly modified 95 Wrangler)in my sig picture. Trailer seems to pull easier and I can backup if needed, but I only use it to tow the 95 Jeep. Flat tow you can remove vehicle and no trailer to store or have in the way when in tight campgrounds.

[TahoeDreaming]

zman-az wrote:
My wife and I are still in our 40's and on our second MH, first was not enough. Went from a 26' Class A gas to a 34' DP. Kids just got out of high school and we had no plans of them ever tagging along. Found out we were wrong and they would occasionally tag along with us but the Class A we had was to small. Before we bought I was pretty set on the Sprinter chassis but the extra cost and the towing limitations just did not make sense. Gas milage was great but I made up for it in the reduced price of a gasser.

So a couple of notes here.
1. Don't kid yourself. You may plan on keeping it for 10 years or more, but I doubt that will happen, I had the same thought when I bought our first one.
2. Make sure your wife test drives, mine hates the class A but loves class C. I still went with a Class A and after the DP conversion the wife drives more. DP are just much more enjoyable to drive but come with a price tag.
3. I would look at a Class C with the overhead bunk. It will be much more comfortable when kids are along. Its not only their bed, but their place to put all their personal belongings. Class C's for the most part are cheaper and it seems to me there are more of them out there to choose from. Should also be easier to work on.
4. Class A or C, I recommend getting one with levelers, level blocks will get old real fast.
5. I would definitely test drive a Class A gas and DP along with the C before you make a purchase.

Thanks for the great advice! Quick question- I see in your picture that you choose to pull a trailer versus flat tow. How much trouble does that give you when you go to a park?

[zman-az]

My wife and I are still in our 40's and on our second MH, first was not enough. Went from a 26' Class A gas to a 34' DP. Kids just got out of high school and we had no plans of them ever tagging along. Found out we were wrong and they would occasionally tag along with us but the Class A we had was to small. Before we bought I was pretty set on the Sprinter chassis but the extra cost and the towing limitations just did not make sense. Gas milage was great but I made up for it in the reduced price of a gasser.

So a couple of notes here.
1. Don't kid yourself. You may plan on keeping it for 10 years or more, but I doubt that will happen, I had the same thought when I bought our first one.
2. Make sure your wife test drives, mine hates the class A but loves class C. I still went with a Class A and after the DP conversion the wife drives more. DP are just much more enjoyable to drive but come with a price tag.
3. I would look at a Class C with the overhead bunk. It will be much more comfortable when kids are along. Its not only their bed, but their place to put all their personal belongings. Class C's for the most part are cheaper and it seems to me there are more of them out there to choose from. Should also be easier to work on.
4. Class A or C, I recommend getting one with levelers, level blocks will get old real fast.
5. I would definitely test drive a Class A gas and DP along with the C before you make a purchase.

[jlrobison2]

Ckeck out

http://www.rvtrader.com/National-Rvs-For-Sale----Rv-Trader/search-results?make=National%7C7782234&sort=geo_distance%3Aasc&vrsn=hybrid&

[jlrobison2]

http://www.rvt.com/National-RV-National-Rv-TropiCal-2000-Hemet-CA-ID6435713-UX111084?utm_source=oodle&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=oodle&utm_campaign=oodle

Check this MH out .. I think you would like it .Great LUCK

[RedJeep]

Figure out how much storage/cabinet space you might need. Consider if leveling jacks are important to you. Finally, put some thought into the size of water and holding tanks.

RVs are always smallest when packing and largest when parking. 🙂

[zach477]

I just bought my first RV....and I'll be diving right in to full timing in about a month...but that's another story...

Ready every topic in this and other forums, watch every youtube video you can find, and visit every RV dealer near you (more than once). By the time you've done all of this, you'll be able to ask the sales person/private seller the right questions. If you can stump them, or teach them something, you're ready. 😉

Then inspect EVERYTHING. Then have someone else inspect it.

I got pretty obsessive when it came to research, and I'm still asking these guys newbie questions, haha, but at least I know the questions im supposed to ask.

If you know all, or most, of the "issues" or "problems" you'll run into, you'll have a better idea of what will be right for you. That's my two cents.

[JFC]

I agree with Tropical36, I doubt your first coach will be the one you'll want for the next 20 years. Buy a quality used gas A well below your budget and consider it your learning coach to know what you really want. We rented a C for a couple of weeks and decided we liked the RV way of travel. Our first coach was a 6 year old 33 foot gas A well below our budget. I had some reservations about a larger coach. That one lasted a year before we wanted more room and I found how easy it was to drive. We traded up to a 2 year old 36 foot DP with two slides. Three years later we were taking longer trips and wanted more room, which resulted in our current 40 foot DP with four slides, and we've enjoyed this one for the last 8 years and have no plans to replace it. As a matter of fact I just had it converted to all electric. Most important, enjoy which ever one you decide on, it's a fantastic hobby.

[tropical36]

TahoeDreaming wrote:
Good day everyone!

My wife and I had an opportunity to rent a small RV a few weeks ago to try it out. We really had a nice time. We had rented a Winnebago View (Mercedes Sprinter) and found it to be maneuverable and with good power. We stopped by a few local dealers in the area to look at a slightly different model, the VIA (small class A sprinter), but both locations were politely steering us towards a traditional class A gas model. In comparing the RV/Dollar, we agree that the Gas chassis is a good option.

I am researching and learning, but would certainly appreciate any perspective from experienced owners. Some bullets below;

• We are both in our 40's and plan to keep the RV until retirement age, at that point we would consider more of a full time unit
• We enjoy an RV that won't run into problems getting into smaller campsites around Tahoe and Northern CA, one salesman recommended we stay under 32 feet
• We will mostly be going as a couple. Occasionally we will have teenage children with us
• Diesel pushers are awesome, but at this point, don't believe the additional cost of purchase and operation makes sense. Post retirement, with longer trips, absolutely
• Living in Nevada, we would not pay any sales tax on a private sale on a used unit. A new or used RV dealer purchase would have 7.8% (a significant sum) and we can't fully claim the sales tax deduction (if extended to 2015) due to income

Would love any advice from the forum with regard to model/size/used vs. new

With your first statement and considering that retirement could be 10 - 20yrs away, I'd go with a used upper end gas model, not spending a lot of money and with the thought of another used one or two before retirement. By that time, you'll be well versed in what you really want, without spending for costly lessons along the way.

[fitznj]

Before you make a final decision - rent a few campers. It's all about the floor-plan........... You will be surprised how a floor-plan that works in summer becomes unbearable in winter.

We have had 3 TTs and our current floor-plan is perfect for the type of camping that we do. Sometimes it's simple things, I prefer the living area at the back because we reverse into sites and this floor plan gives you more privacy. I like a separate bed-room, so one can sleep while the other watches TV, I like 2 exit doors, gives an airy feel.....

You won't find these nuances until you try different floor-plans.

Gerry

[TahoeDreaming]

Thanks for the advice and help! We thought about smaller RV's or class B conversions, but my wife really prefers a bit of space and a more "proper" bathroom.

I am very mechanically inclined and do all of my own service work on a couple of our cars, another reason I prefer gas vs diesel. I also have some experience driving trucks (class b with trailer), so I think the transition to a larger chassis would be acceptable.

Any feedback on covered vs open storage?

[10forty2]

Do your time at as many RV shows and at as many RV sales lots as you can stand so you can see many different floor plans in person. Ultimately, that's what is going to matter. You will spend a lot more time sitting/sleeping in them than you do driving down the road. Once you feel like you know what you want to look for, THEN start looking for private sales and go over them with a fine-toothed comb to make sure there are no "Ah-Ha" moments once you seal the deal.

Diesel or Gas? Your choice....there are pluses and minuses for each, depending on your projected usage. Diesels are typically going to cost more, but tend to be more on the high-end of quality builds overall...not always the case, but typically. BUT...there are many, many NICE gasoline coaches and the Triton V10 is a great engine. My personal opinion....if you're not going to travel over 10K/year, you'd be better off with a gas engine.

Again, do your time looking at the interior layouts and figure out your preferences....and honestly.....once you have what you THINK you want, you'll find other things that you WISH you had....just a fact of RV life! LOL! Good Luck with your search!