Newbie Class A Questions

[6ofus]

Hello all

I was hoping you could add some insight to our research on Class A’s.

DH and I have been doing a lot of research on Class C’s. Every time I post a question in the Class C forum, there is always someone who suggests we look into a Class A. We know nothing about Class A’s….nothing.:? The little research that we have done on Class A’s has us wondering and I was hoping someone could help us with the following fears that we have read:

Safety - - We’ve read Class C’s are far safer than A’s. Some examples that we have read: A’s do not have air bags. Class C’s are significantly safer in front impacts in the event of an accident. Controls are harder to reach in the A’s. Class A’s are intimidating to drive. Class C’s are less likely to roll than a Class A.

Serviceability - - This is a big deal for us because my hubby can do regular maintenance on a truck. We’ve read/heard that Class A’s are very hard to service. IF we were to break down in a C, it’s easy to find someone to help since the C is just like any other Ford truck. We are under the impression that this is not true for a Class A. We’ve also read that servicing a Class A is extremely expensive as opposed to a Class C, that the engine is inside and heats up the driving area.

I know these are crazy questions to some. I once heard someone say that if you Google a symptom you have, you’ll read that you are dying of cancer. I think I Googled to much on a Class A LOL.

Any input is appreciated!

[Dennis12]

Iv'e had both a and c. would never go back to a c

[Dance_Chick]

Have a friend who owned a Class A. They were a long way from home when a good friend's husband died. My friend (the female) would not drive the Class A, so her husband had to drive almost non-stop to get them home. They decided to get a Class C so she could also drive. They didn't want to be in that situation again where hubby had to almost kill himself to get home quickly. Well, in no time at all, they were back in a Class A. They HATED the Class C. I imagine they took some financial hits along the way.

[wannavolunteerF]

My parents had a class C and I drove it on their last long trip before they sold it. I found the overhang distracting when driving and the cab area wasn't really part of the living quarters while stopped. Every class C they owned had different levels in the floor, which made moving around tricky.

I knew I wanted a MH, and ended up buying a Class A. It is actually easier to drive than the Class C. Different but easier. I sit up high enough I can see easily whether it is looking up for overhead obstructions, looking down the road or looking before pulling out at an intersection. My floor is level, which is a real bonus for my knees and my lack of coordination (I have been known to trip over a shadow).

Now I will say, I bought MH to eventually fulltime in. If I were just going for weekends, the Class C might fit my needs (and budget), but since I wanted something to be able to full time I knew the Class A was for me.

[pryoclastic]

Rick Jay wrote:
The bottom line though, is that in a collision, mass is your friend.

Supporting documentation:

https://kfor.com/2018/06/29/two-edmond-teenagers-killed-in-logan-county-crash/

[Rick_Jay]

6ofus,

I'll address one of your points regarding safety. "A’s do not have air bags."

That's because they don't need them. The purpose of an airbag is to slow the impact of the human with whatever is coming up to hit them inside the vehicle. The more mass the vehicle your driving has, the slower this process will occur. In a passenger vehicle, you are very close to the windshield and A pillars of the vehicle. Very close. In order to minimize the impact, the airbags deploy. However, once they deploy, FORGET about having any control over your vehicle. You just had an explosion in your face.

On a Class A, as was pointed out, first of all you're probably 4-5 times more massive than the vehicle that's likely to hit you. If both vehicles are travelling 50 mph in opposite directions before the collision, immediately after the collision, your vehicle will be slowed to about 30 mph (going in the same direction) and the passenger car will now be going 30 mph (in the OPPOSITE direction of their travel). That is, your vehicle slowed a bit, in that same time, the passenger vehicle came to a stop and is now going the 30 mph the opposite way. (OK...I'm making a lot of assumptions & approximations about the vehicles and the collision, but mostly the numbers are indicative of the outcome.) A bit graphic here, but understand that there are 3 collisions that occur. The vehicles collide, the bodies inside collide with the interior of the vehicle, and then the internal organs collide with skeletal system. Since their vehicle went through that rapid deceleration/stop/reversal, the bodies inside are getting bashed around as first their bodies have to change direction and then their internal organs have to change direction. Nasty. Sorry to be so graphic.

Also, in the Class A you're up above them. In other words, in a front end collision, one of your main chassis beams will be just about at the passenger car drivers head level. Their roof might hit your vehicle where your feet are. Your head is safe from the impact. Since your vehicle is not subject to the same rapid deceleration and reversal of the other vehicle, there's no need for an airbag. Also, AFTER the collision, you're vehicle is still travelling at 30 mph, you want to be able to control it. You DO NOT want to have an airbag explode in your face and then the next second try to control the vehicle. In a passenger vehicle, the airbag is really there as a last defense with the expectation that the vehicle will be stopped after the collision and not require operator control.

THAT is why airbags are not included, nor wanted, on a Class A motorhome.

The bottom line though, is that in a collision, mass is your friend. Drive safe, make sure passengers are belted during most travel, be alert, watch for the other guy and you'll be fine. I feel MUCH safer driving our motorhome than any passenger vehicle. It's good to be the king! LOL 🙂

Remember that posting in the class A Forum you'll most likely get a preponderance of "Pro-A" posts. In the Class C Forum you'll most likely get a majority of "pro-C" posts. But that's OK. You're getting real world experience from those of us who have "been there, done that". Keep the questions coming.

Good Luck,

~Rick

[pryoclastic]

Out of all of the options out there I always knew I wanted a class A coach. Since I prefer to wrench on Ford's the chassis had to be a Ford.

When I discovered, while researching class A's, that Winnebago Inc. makes all electrical schematics, plumbing and construction diagrams, paint codes, part indexs, you name it .. everything available at no charge online I knew our coach was going to be a Winnebago.

Now the proud owner of a 95 Vectra RA that I found in PHX on Craigslist. When purchased 47k on the chassis. Banks power pack yadda yadda yadda. Could not be happier.

😉

Do your research. Go rent a coach and spend a weekend no more than a hour away from where you live. Figure out how to use it. Preflight and departure checklists are a must. Watch youtube videos. (My wife and I really enjoyed the longlonghoneymoon.com youtube channel) It all has to feel right otherwise it will not be fun.

Good luck.

[K_Charles]

You said your DH can work on a truck, an A has an engine, transmission and rear end the same as a truck. They both have brake and a front end. If he can work on a C he can work on an A.

[magicbus]

tropical36 wrote:
The A is king, with too many reasons why, to even list and especially if a DP!
C's remind me of an after thought, while in the middle of construction.
Even if just for the looks alone, I'd buy an A.

But then there are other more practical reasons, like how you will use your RV.

Dave

[tropical36]

The A is king, with too many reasons why, to even list and especially if a DP!
C's remind me of an after thought, while in the middle of construction.
Even if just for the looks alone, I'd buy an A.

[Mommalu]

You don't buy a motorhome for safety anymore than you do for mpg's. With that said most A's are greater than 16,000 pounds, one of the bigger vehicles on the road. Accidents will more likely be with a far smaller vehicle, 5000 pounds often far less. As long as you and your loved ones are belted in your quite safe unless you are in an accident with a same size or larger vehicle and if two 16000 pound vehicles meet head on an air bag won't matter, just the laws of physics.
As for maintenance I us a local garage that work on cars and oversized vehicles. Far cheaper than most dealers and not nearly the wait time to get it in.
Have fun finding your next adventure!

[IB853347201]

We started our MH journey in a class C in 1998. In 2006 we moved up to a class A. We are now in our 2nd class A.
No comparison. Class C's are tougher to drive, ride like delivery trucks, and have less space and features.
I only wish we had switched to a Class A sooner.
If you are worried about maintaining a diesel, go for a higher end gasser. Maintenance about the same as a Ckass C.

[donn0128]

Most of that is pure hog wash. As tend to be bigger, wider, easier to get into and out of. Cs are cut away vans up front. So many folks find them more familiar to drive. Personally I find Cs more cramped up front. Driving an A is pretty easy once you drive it for five miutes. Cs also tend to be loaded to the max with minimal stuff. Cs are harder to work on. Access to the motor can be a real pain. Your forced to work outside and inside. Class As usually can all be worked on from inside. Heck, back in the day I was adjusting the timing while DW was driving down the road in our class A. Class Cs seem to be more geared to families with kids. Class As are usually geared more to two adults. Neither is cheap to buy own, or maintain. Thats one reason we sold our A after a short time and went with a TT.

[StuckinTracy]

Welcome to the forum. We started out in a 24' class C. Took a trip from California to Omaha Ne. Came home and put it on the lot. It was too light and we got blown all over the road due to the winds on the plains. My wife drove about 50 miles and gave it back, she couldn't handle it with the wind. My main issue with it was the overhang would catch a reflection from the center dashed line at night. Was almost hypnotic to the point I wouldn't drive at night. We went to a 33' class A, then a 40' diesel, then a 38' fifth wheel. We got rid of the 5th wheel because I was never comfortable with something that big pushing me. I'm back in the market for another class A. You get a lot more room and storage. Depending on the size, you'll get a lot more carrying capacity than an equivalently sized C, plus generally larger tanks, propane, fuel, water, and waste.
Good luck on what ever you decide.