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.

We just recently moved up from a 24ft class B back into a 34ft class A. Everybody has their own reasons. What works for one may not work for another. Rather than go to a shorter class C we went straight to an A. We decided that the length was not an issue with an rv but the width was. Since most C models are as wide as most A models we saw little reason to settle for less room in a class C.We now also tow a toad for local area transport and base camp in the A well away from built up areas.. We much prefer driving a small car in the local area over the class B. The reason is that to go somewhere if driving a class B requires moving your "house" and even a small B cannot be parked everywhere a car can. Yes you can tow a toad with most B models but that rather defeats the purpose.To be fair, it also depends on your style of camping you intend to do. In the B we moved every day or two and parked almost anywhere, so shopped and saw the attractions on the way in and out of an area. Our style of camping now is to stay in one area for longer periods 2-4 weeks at a time. We really enjoyed the B for that time in our lives, but since we now "settle" for longer periods the class A suits us better. We did enjoy the fast set up/tear down of the B. We did not enjoy being very cramped up with very limited storage and personal "space" and no ability for one of us to go somewhere without taking the house and family (think wife shopping and you wanting to watch football).The wife is scheduled for a private, professional driving lesson for the new A so she can be comfortable driving and doing all set up/tear down like she did with the B. We also obviously enjoyed the fuel economy. Two last things to watch for: our B had no insulation at all. Keeping it warm or cool was a real problem. Humidity was also a problem. Ours had a heat pump and we ran it whenever we could and opened windows whenever possible. A B is a big steel can that does not "breathe". I would also be wary of diesel models, mercedes sprinters in particular. The new ones have many, many reports of owners (including us) of lots of "check engine lites" almost all associated with the emission control systems and MB dealers that work on them are hard to find. If I were to buy another B it would be a gasser. Hope this helps.

I think it all depends on if YOU have downsized in your mind or family size (kids move out??) or the like. For me we have had a great experience with both our class C Toyota and Class A. The C works best for quick day trips... It's a lot of fun for a day out and it's a mobile bathroom, bed, etc. The A is better for long trips. For full timing (which we don't do), there is NO doubt I'd go with an A or Fiver.

I was in the same position as george in that I had a Class B size MH's for many years when I worked. I was going to buy another when I retired but when I looked at the prices of new B's and the capacities I found the C's were a better value. After further research I found short A's had much better capacities (FW, grey and black) better suspensions, more storage, leveling systems same MPG's, and similar price. So I went from a B directly to an A. I don't know what size your current A is but if it is over 35 ft and you down size to a 28-32 ft A I think that would work better than going back to a B.

Gjac wrote:I was in the same position as george in that I had a Class B size MH's for many years when I worked. I was going to buy another when I retired but when I looked at the prices of new B's and the capacities I found the C's were a better value. After further research I found short A's had much better capacities (FW, grey and black) better suspensions, more storage, leveling systems same MPG's, and similar price. So I went from a B directly to an A. I don't know what size your current A is but if it is over 35 ft and you down size to a 28-32 ft A I think that would work better than going back to a B.All the points above are also very valid. We found especially the small black tank a real problem

I suspect that since you posted this in the Class A forum, that most folks will respond that they prefer the A (because they have an A, they're more likely to read the Class A forum).As someone who has a small Class C, I think all the above points are valid. However, I think it really depends on WHY you and your wife are considering downsizing?Do you not want to tow? Do you want to be able to go places that you can't easily take your A? Do you want the different floor plan configurations offered? Do you want an RV that your wife would feel more comfortable driving? Do you just want a change?There are many reasons that downsizing makes sense and there are many reasons that downsizing doesn't make sense. What is best for you will be dependent upon the reasons.Along with WHY you want to downsize, you need to look at WHY you like your current A. Do you like having your own space? Do you like having lots of storage? Do you like the "home" feel of the furniture and cabinetry?

Question for... | Good Sam Community

kmb1966
Explorer
Dec 20, 2016
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
Dec 20, 2016
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!
T_bone1
Explorer II
Dec 19, 2016
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 !!
hpdrver
Explorer
Dec 19, 2016
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.
gvisnic
Explorer
Dec 19, 2016
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
Dec 19, 2016
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
BigRabbitMan
Explorer
Dec 19, 2016
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.
tropical36
Explorer
Dec 18, 2016
And then there's the......... Ultimate Coach for those who have everything
tropical36
Explorer
Dec 18, 2016
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......
T_bone1
Explorer II
Dec 17, 2016
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.