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goufgators
Explorer
Explorer
This is a question for those of you who have downsized from a Class A to a Class B or C. Are you satisfied with the downsize or are you sorry that you made the change. If you regret the downsize, why? If you are satisfied with the downsize, why was it a good move? I'm asking these questions because my wife and I are considering down sizing to a Class C and would like to have some info from those of you who have traveled down that road. Thanks, Larry.
2017 Winnebago Sunstar (gas)
2005 Honda CRV Toad
Invisi-brake
24 REPLIES 24

kmb1966
Explorer
Explorer
We have a Class A, and a class B (Roadtrek). Both have their advantages/disadvantages. If I had to give up one of them, it would be the Roadtrek Class B. I only say that because of the type of traveler we tend to be.
We aren't really 'campers'. We are actually tourists. The Class B is fine to travel from place to place, but if you hookup at a campground, you have to disconnect everything to go anywhere that is not walking distance. When we are simply traveling to a destination that is going to take several days to get there, we go in the Class B. But if we are going on vacation to stay somewhere and tour the area, we take the Class A and pull the car, so we can setup, hookup, leave the dog in the motorhome, and go see the sights. Boondocking (no hookups) is not our thing. Parking in a parking lot somewhere is becoming more and more difficult to do. Many places don't give permission due to security reasons. The Roadtrek was great for parking anywhere and staying over night but it is too difficult to obtain permission, and no one wants a knock at the door in the middle of the night telling you to leave the lot. So we always ask permission, and if we can't obtain permission, we don't even try to stay overnight.

goufgators
Explorer
Explorer
From the O.P.: Thanks to all for very good comments. For now, we've decided to keep our 'A' and table the plan to downsize. We might reopen the thought of downsizing later but for now we think it best to keep our Itasca 'A'. Again, thanks!
2017 Winnebago Sunstar (gas)
2005 Honda CRV Toad
Invisi-brake

T_bone1
Explorer II
Explorer II
tropical36 wrote:
T bone wrote:
Last June we decided to downsize from a 34 ft class a to a 31 ft class C "Coachmen Concord". Too small,then in November we went back to a 32' class A,actually 34'..We are much happier now..I find the A to be easier to drive and maneuver,can see more where I am wanting to go.In the C , I felt like I was sitting in a hole.. The kitchen and bathroom were waaay too small.Another thing,accessing the compartments was a real downer,I mean way down near the ground.If the slides were out you have to literally sit on the ground to get into them..Very little outside storage.

I don't suppose these lessons learned, came for free, either......
No they did not ,,but not as bad as you would think !!
2017 Georgetown 329S
2015 Toyota Tacoma toad

hpdrver
Explorer
Explorer
We downsized from a 34 ft. Class A to a Winnebago Via 25P which is perfect for us since we like camping in National Parks. It is a small class A that allows the front seats to swivel and gives us ore room with a sofa and large slide out.
Texas Two Step
2021 Coach House 272XLFR
2020 JL Jeep Wrangler

gvisnic
Explorer
Explorer
We had an older no slide class A around 30' and decided to go to a 31' class C with 2 slides. Liked the layout and the overhead bunk, but found that when parked the driver and passenger seats were not usable when camped because they did not have room to swivel and you had to step down into the cab area. When people rode in the back several complained of car sickness because they could not look forward and see the road. Also did not have much underneath storage and holding and gas tanks were small compared to an A. Sold it after one year and bought a 33' dual slide class A which we prefer.

CopilotCompanio
Explorer
Explorer
I've owned both & liked both. We could discuss the pros/cons ad infinitum without ever touching upon the real issue: fear of the unknown. Might I suggest that your wife does not have enough information to draw a conclusion at this juncture?

I would offer a quid-pro-quo arrangement. Tell her you will defer to her decision 100% AFTER she takes the lessons. After that, my good man, it may be necessary for you to "take one for the team"?

I hope you are earnestly able to turn the corner & move forward? Life's too short to quibble over the small stuff.

/CC
DH: Designated Curmudgeon
Lupé the Rescue Dog: Self-appointed Tattletale
DW: Copilot & Companion
No offense intended. Sarcasm is my strong suit.

BigRabbitMan
Explorer
Explorer
goufgators wrote:
From the OP: Several have inquired about the reason we anticipate downsizing from an A to a C. Primarily, it's because my wife will not drive the A and believes driving a C would be much easier. Due mostly to my age, I would like for her to be able to comfortably drive the MH to relieve me and in the event I could not continue driving due to a possible health reason. Two able drivers simply makes sense to me.


As has been mentioned, you may want to look at smaller class A coaches. I really like the rear engine and low, two step floor level of mine. I expect that your wife, with a couple of professional driving lessons, would be happy driving a class A. She just hasn't done it yet. Once someone has driven a class A, the scary part that is in the mind is gone. We were all scared before the first time we jumped off of the high dive at the pool. But once we did it, we loved it.

I have rented a class C and would never consider owning one. The tail swing is too long for many of them.
BigRabbitMan
Gas to Diesel Conversion project
76 FMC #1046, Gas Pusher became a Diesel Pusher
Discussion thread on this site
"You're never too old to learn something stupid."

tropical36
Explorer
Explorer
And then there's the......... Ultimate Coach for those who have everything
"We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey."

07 Revolution LE 40E_Spartan MM_06 400HP C9 CAT_Allison 3000.

Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER.

1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (Sold)

tropical36
Explorer
Explorer
T bone wrote:
Last June we decided to downsize from a 34 ft class a to a 31 ft class C "Coachmen Concord". Too small,then in November we went back to a 32' class A,actually 34'..We are much happier now..I find the A to be easier to drive and maneuver,can see more where I am wanting to go.In the C , I felt like I was sitting in a hole.. The kitchen and bathroom were waaay too small.Another thing,accessing the compartments was a real downer,I mean way down near the ground.If the slides were out you have to literally sit on the ground to get into them..Very little outside storage.

I don't suppose these lessons learned, came for free, either......
"We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey."

07 Revolution LE 40E_Spartan MM_06 400HP C9 CAT_Allison 3000.

Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER.

1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (Sold)

T_bone1
Explorer II
Explorer II
Last June we decided to downsize from a 34 ft class a to a 31 ft class C "Coachmen Concord". Too small,then in November we went back to a 32' class A,actually 34'..We are much happier now..I find the A to be easier to drive and maneuver,can see more where I am wanting to go.In the C , I felt like I was sitting in a hole.. The kitchen and bathroom were waaay too small.Another thing,accessing the compartments was a real downer,I mean way down near the ground.If the slides were out you have to literally sit on the ground to get into them..Very little outside storage.
2017 Georgetown 329S
2015 Toyota Tacoma toad

DrewE
Explorer II
Explorer II
tropical36 wrote:

I guess I'm not qualified to answer here, but we could never even entertain those kind of thoughts and most sure we'd be really sorry if we ever did such a thing.
Even though, we're far from young, I keep thinking that when I can't handle this rig any longer, we're done. I mean If I'm incapable of maneuvering it around like I do now, then I probably should be on the road with anything.
As for going places and taking the house, we found that the tear down and setup, was actually the PITA and not so much with driving it to places.
Not to mention, we like the bus look and must say, that a C looks like an after thought to us. B not so bad in that dept. but again, most of what we saw in CG's found the occupants outside most of the time. Maybe that's a good thing too, for liking the great outdoors, but not so good in a two day rain.
Anyway, that's my take on it and hopefully you won't have to spend more for these would be inconveniences.


I have a class C (though I never owned a class A to downsize from), so I'm equally unqualified to answer, but in the opposite direction.

In many respects, a class C and a class A of similar size and budget tier are rather similar in use. Setting up and tearing down is about the same, and how involved it is depends to a great degree on how involved you make it. Setting up camp for me generally means pulling into the camp site, checking how level I am and deploying leveling ramps if needed, plugging in the power cord if it's an electric site, and putting out the welcome mat. That takes maybe five or ten minutes, depending on how tricky it is to get into the site. I've seen other people who spend a lot of time and energy putting out the awning, patio rug, chairs, grill, pink flamingoes, flagpole, etc. etc.; and if that's what they like, more power to them.

In my opinion, very few RVs look particularly attractive, but that's my opinion. The old GMC motorhomes do look pretty neat, even still. As to sitting inside vs. outside, the interiors of class C's and (equivalent) class A's are not especially different, so sitting inside vs. outside is probably more a matter of what the owner's prefer than anything. (There are few if any class C's that would be as nice as a top of the line Prevost coach conversion, of course, just like few small hatchbacks approach the interior opulence of a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost.)

Driving a class C is a little bit different than a class A, but not really a great deal easier or harder. Both are tall, wide, rather ponderous vehicles requiring care in maneuvering and generous allowances of room for acceleration and braking. Many class C's do have particularly bad minimum turning radii and fairly long tail overhangs, which means that maneuvering in close quarters can be rather difficult. In general highway driving, I find the width probably the least comfortable part to deal with, particularly in construction zones where the Jersey barriers often seem terribly close, as they also would in a class A.

The driving compartment of some class A's certainly may look rather more intimidating than the cab of a class C; some seem to be designed with the aesthetic of a NASA mission control panel (with added honey oak accents).

2gypsies1
Explorer III
Explorer III
The only experience we've had with a 'C' is renting one. We found the front is narrow but the rear wider which is a jolt when trying to park. I guess with more time we would have felt comfortable with it but we really had a hard time judging distance side to side. Also, with an 'A' you are sitting up higher and can see upcoming traffic issues much better. Holding tank size might be a problem depending how you use it.

I wouldn't advise jumping down to a 'B' from an 'A' unless you just drive from place to place like you would a car. They are very confining - to us, anyway.

As stated above, give her private RV driving lessons with what you have first before changing.

You're correct that both people should be able to drive and do the hookups. We've made good use of that philosophy a few times with medical issues.

We have friends an he had a moderate stroke. They both wanted to continue RVing because they really enjoy it. She knew how to drive before the stroke and now she is the sole driver. Their travel habits haven't changed. If you were a single RVer a situation like that would just necessitate you quitting immediately. As it is, they still have the enjoyment of traveling.

Good luck!
Full-Timed for 16 Years
.... Back in S&B Again
Traveled 8 yr in a 40' 2004 Newmar Dutch Star Motorhome
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

tropical36
Explorer
Explorer
goufgators wrote:
This is a question for those of you who have downsized from a Class A to a Class B or C. Are you satisfied with the downsize or are you sorry that you made the change. If you regret the downsize, why? If you are satisfied with the downsize, why was it a good move? I'm asking these questions because my wife and I are considering down sizing to a Class C and would like to have some info from those of you who have traveled down that road. Thanks, Larry.

I guess I'm not qualified to answer here, but we could never even entertain those kind of thoughts and most sure we'd be really sorry if we ever did such a thing.
Even though, we're far from young, I keep thinking that when I can't handle this rig any longer, we're done. I mean If I'm incapable of maneuvering it around like I do now, then I probably should be on the road with anything.
As for going places and taking the house, we found that the tear down and setup, was actually the PITA and not so much with driving it to places.
Not to mention, we like the bus look and must say, that a C looks like an after thought to us. B not so bad in that dept. but again, most of what we saw in CG's found the occupants outside most of the time. Maybe that's a good thing too, for liking the great outdoors, but not so good in a two day rain.
Anyway, that's my take on it and hopefully you won't have to spend more for these would be inconveniences.
"We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey."

07 Revolution LE 40E_Spartan MM_06 400HP C9 CAT_Allison 3000.

Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER.

1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (Sold)

georgelesley
Explorer
Explorer
goufgators wrote:
From the OP: Several have inquired about the reason we anticipate downsizing from an A to a C. Primarily, it's because my wife will not drive the A and believes driving a C would be much easier. Due mostly to my age, I would like for her to be able to comfortably drive the MH to relieve me and in the event I could not continue driving due to a possible health reason. Two able drivers simply makes sense to me.


May I humbly suggest a private, not a group, driving lesson for your DW. It will make all the difference in the world. Also do the measurements. Most class C's are as wide as or nearly so as class A. The cab itself might be narrower but the body is built out to the same width as most class A's cost wise however we did find that class C's may be a bit cheaper for a given length. Some class B's get pretty wide behind the cab area as well.

The width is what in most cases is the scary and limiting factor. Think conjested traffic or construction zones. Give DW a driving lesson, both of you will feel better I promise.
George 20 yr USAF & Lesley