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

[old_guy]

do your home work, esp on floor planes and the little things count also. go to utube and watch videos on the different motor homes, there is a lot of info on that site. they even show you how to drive them. I was so surprised at the detail of driving a large MH. don't get into a hurry to buy, esp when you say you want to buy one time and get ready for retirement. I know a couple who came down from Alaska and in one year they bought four different TT's and had a time getting the right one for their needs.

[midnightsadie]

we have a sprinter mad by liesure travel van its a 2007 bought new and still love it .just two of us and theres plenty of room we stay at roosevelt lake some winters ,we also get 20mpg if that helps, our,s is the 5cyc engine the V6 gets about 15mpg .

[Vulcan_Rider]

This pretty much comes down to personal preference.....and what you can reasonably afford.

I suggest keeping it below 30 feet.

I like the class C's; more bang for the buck.
Many of the newer ones even have multiple slide-outs for a more roomy feel.

Having said that, my personal taste is to NOT have slideouts (which tend to be problematic in my mind) but a C without them is really only appropriate if you do most of your "living" outside under the awning or in the lake or forest. In my opinion, only one person at a time can move around in one.

Regardless of what you get, A or C, new or used, it will be a maintenance "headache". Pretty much no way around that.......except maybe renting for a few weeks a year.....which I think is a REALLY good option for "newbies".

[Community Alumni]

Look for a used 30' Winnebago from a private seller so you won't have to pay sales tax.

Since you are practically a few miles from CA, you should be able to find a nice unit from a private seller not too far from you.

Good luck!