Forum Discussion

eddd's avatar
eddd
Explorer
Aug 23, 2015

Questions before I take the plunge.

I'm at the initial stages of researching the idea of replacing my tow behind toy hauler with a Class C unit. The toy hauler fit the bill when I was living in another state and traveling long distances several time per year. I now would like to take advantage of nearby national and state camping areas, but a 26' trailer pulled by a full-size pickup w/8' bed needs lots of room. I've done the truck camper thing and don't want to go back there. I need to make getting ready to go camping/traveling much less of a hassle. Load a few things and drive off.

With that as a primer, here are a few other details. I travel alone when camping. I'm on the small side (5'8" 165 lbs) and pretty agile, but I will not consider any unit where I have to sleep on a scissor or pull out bed. I want a designated bed area, and the front over hang would be fine since never had any issue with sleeping in that area in my truck camper. That being said, a rear bed would be nicer, but I'm afraid it would require a unit around 30' long.

I'm not sure I want a unit that long. The overhang on units of that size just don't look like they would do well in some of the national forest areas available to me. So I'm thinking 20-27'. I will pull a trailer occasional when taking my race motorcycle to the track or when I need the dirt bikes or ATV.

I'm concerned about making a mistake because I just didn't anticipate problems/short-comes/negatives with a certain unit so that is where I'd like some input from those who have been there and done that.

I did look at a nice 1998 27' unit yesterday with a rear bath area and a huge slide. This is the only unit of this age group that has a slide that I've seen, and I've been checking Craig's List posting for in a 500 mile radius. Is a unit of this age with a slide pretty unusual, and are there any reasons to not consider an older unit with a slide?

Thanks for any help.
Class C
  • EMD360's avatar
    EMD360
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2015
    If you are agile enough I'd recommend a 24' or shorter RV with only a cabover and pull out couch. Lots of room without the bed and without the need for a slide out.
    Also shop for a 2005+ model with a budget of about $20-$25000. We don't have a slide and we are happy in our 22 footer with the cab over. We use the couch and the dinette when the grand kids travel with us. It is close quarters for all of us, but we also use the outdoors when we camp. :-)
    Our F350 has a 5000# hitch and could probably tow at least 3000# and stay below our total weight rating. I think F450's can tow more but they are harder to find in a shorter RV.
    Good luck, you came to a good place for the been there done that info.
  • Harvey51's avatar
    Harvey51
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2015
    Each to his own taste! We find our 20 footer very comfortable for two friendly people. ( Not so good when MIL joins us. ) And so very convenient to travel in. Check out the overhang in my signature photo.

    If I was single, I would be thinking even smaller - well under 8 feet wide and if possible low enough to put a kayak on top without risking my life.
  • mlts22's avatar
    mlts22
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2015
    There are a lot of corner queen bed "C"s which are about 24-25 feet long. Cruise America sells a small model which has a rear kitchen, cabover single bed, and dinette, which is as short as they come. For new models, Phoenix Cruiser offers a 21-22 footer that has a slide-out. Thor and Forest river have a 23-24 footer that has a bed slide... but the cost of that is having the mattress in two pieces. Jayco has a Red Hawk that has a rear slide bed as well.

    Even though this is an opinion item, I personally prefer slides, assuming you can get a topper awning with it. This is one of my biggest regrets with my current RV. It doesn't add that much room, but it is enough to make a difference.
  • Bordercollie's avatar
    Bordercollie
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2015
    Our 2004 Fleetwood 26Q is 27 feet long bumper to bumper. Most rigs are longer than the model number indicates. The 26Q has a rear bedroom with the RV queen size bed sideways, access on right side other side against the wall. Walkway at foot of bed for mirrored closet and TV etc., shelves. more cabinetry and drawers at the head of the bed and over it. We use a Trav Sac and don't need to make the bed. The basement storage/cargo bay is immense, lighted and with access on three sides. Also has a collapsible table in the bottom storage area. This model was discontinued a few years ago but other makers offer similar floor plans and used 26Q's are available. The 26Q also has overhead bed and convertible dinette bed, no slides. Driving and parking a 27 footer is not much different than a 24+ footer. They are all about the same width and height. Oh!, it has a spare wheel and tire mounted in the front of the cargo bay. Many current rigs don't come with a spare or provisions for mounting one. A spare comes in handy when the road service doesn't have a spare RV tire.
  • coolmom42's avatar
    coolmom42
    Explorer II
    Aug 24, 2015
    I expect to travel mostly by myself and am looking at C's under 24 feet. Many people here travel without a toad at that size.

    You can use the cabover for yourself routinely if you don't mind sleeping up there. You will generally have a choice of a sofa that makes a pull out bed, or a corner bed. Either one of those would work for an occasional guest.

    You could also consider a B with a bed that could be left made up in the back.
  • ReadyToGo's avatar
    ReadyToGo
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2015
    Our actual 25 Ft Winnie without a slide out has a rear bed. All a slide out gives you is floor space. Since there is only one of you that shouldn't be important. Also, a slide loose about 6 to 12 inches of store space for a closet.
  • tjfogelberg's avatar
    tjfogelberg
    Explorer
    Aug 23, 2015
    Our 27' Class C is easy to drive and park and works in state forest campgrounds with smaller sites. I laid a mattress topper over the factory installed mattress in the bunk over cab and it is extremely comfortable, roomy, and convenient. You have lots of options since you only need to sleep 1. No slides and I feel like I have plenty of room. Quick and easy to pack up and go. Lots of folks have slides and don't seem to have too many issues. Todd
    '99 Lazy Daze (Rear Bath model)
  • tatest's avatar
    tatest
    Explorer II
    Aug 23, 2015
    Almost all C's will have a long overhang, it is needed to get weight distribution where it needs to be for a dually with a largely empty box. Shorter C's are shorter wheelbase, an advantage in tight places. The exception are a few models built on single rear wheel chassis, which need to put the axle close to therear to get close to 50-50 weight distribution rather than up to 65% on the rear.

    If you will sleep in the overhead bed, you can find rear bath floorplans as short as 21 feet, Usually on Chevy 3500 or Ford E-350, some ex-rentals on F-250, and Winnebago even built one using the front-drive VW T-4 cab (Vista/Sunstar up to 2004).

    Dedicated bed on the floor, 24-27 feet, either in a rear corner alongside tiny bath, or crosswise in rear, open one side and one end, with a mid bath. Jayco, Winnebago, Coachmen, Forest River, Gulfstream, Fleetwood, FourWinds (3 brands) all did the corner bed with a 24 model number, I've seen the other one only from Fleetwood, 26-something actuall 27+ feet long.

    I would rather not have slides, the 12 year old C I've been using for the past 10 years has two of them that have been trouble free, but I find them an inconvenience relative to the value to me of the little bit of added space, now that I am alone and want to use the RV differently, e.g. always on the go rather than setting up a house for 2-6 people for a week or longer. Working now on downsizing which could be a van conversion under 22 feet, or a towable under 18 feet.

    An old Vista or Sunstar might work well for you, since they are were a foot narrower than conventional Cs, as well as having short overhang.
  • Vulcan_Rider's avatar
    Vulcan_Rider
    Explorer
    Aug 23, 2015
    I have a similar situation and settled on a 28' with a queen in the rear.
    It is a 2006 with no slides and is more than adequate for one or two people...maybe 3. I'm not sure that anything over 10 years old would be a good gamble.....especially not with slides.

    Got it for about $26K; thought it was in excellent shape.
    It was.....kind of. "Stuff" that wasn't obvious needed to be done.
    Tires was the biggest money outlay.

    I have a 5X8 enclosed on order. Before that, I could go almost any place....almost. Long back end swings wide and dips low. Will need to be a bit more careful with the trailer attached.

    Even though you have some experience, renting for a weekend might be well worth the money. A LOT of the rentals I've seen have been C's around 27'.
  • Hemi_RT's avatar
    Hemi_RT
    Explorer
    Aug 23, 2015
    Slides are nice as they do add room when out but you must remember that most slides do not totally seal, you may get some dust in especially along the bottom

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