Shortest Class C Recommendations

[wanderlust1966]

Hi,

I am hoping to buy a used Class C to full time in, and need recommendations. I feel like a Class B would be too cramped for me plus they are too expensive 😕

I want a short Class C (nothing over 24') so I will be able to park it easily. I am hoping for nothing older than 2004 but need it to be relatively inexpensive but with lower miles and reliable (I realize I maybe asking for too much lol). If I have to take out a small loan, I'm OK with that too. I want an oven and both a couch and dinette. I don't necessarily need a bedroom as I'm fine with sleeping in an overhead bunk.

I want to boondock a lot, so am hoping to outfit it with solar panels and a composting toilet (or even a portable toilet) and am assuming I'd need a generator and inverter?

Can anyone give me any suggestions? TIA!

[pnichols]

IMHO, here's about as close to affordable RV perfection as you can get for one or two adults if both of them can sleep in the overhead near-queen bed or if one of them can sleep in the fold-out sofa.

This RV can do it all with no toad needed, on or off the beaten path. Find one used or sell your home for a new one - invest the remaining cash - and explore/camp all over the place for the ultimate experiences just about anywhere in North America and/or South America - around cities or out in the middle of nowhere:
http://www.tigervehicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2017-Bengal.pdf?x88549

[pnichols]

Ron ... that little Starflyte was a real sweet rig!

What's your take on why U.S. builders no longer offer RV's like this? Why is it we have to go to Europe to find these great compact Class C type RVs?

About the closest thing to this you can still find, new, in the U.S. - without going to real a restrictive Class B - is some of the Tiger models, which are kindof in the TC catergory.

[ron_dittmer]

wanderlust1966 wrote:
ron, good to know because I am having a very difficult time finding anything under 23' 😕

Check out the 21 foot 1998-2005 Starflyte made by Coachman, later by Dynamax. My brother owns a 1998 and it is well made. My brother and his wife go everywhere with theirs and just love it. It fits in a regular parking spot....barely but it does fit. I just don't know if it's enough for full-timing in. Everything is there as far as features are concerned, but they are scaled-down such as sink, fridge, bath, holding tanks, etc. They are offered in 3 or 4 different floorplans, my brother's has a rear corner bed and a single bench dinette just like THIS ONE FOR SALE. You should be able to buy one in the $15,000-$18,000 range without too much trouble, but will likely require some travel to get one.

Our Phoenix Cruiser 2350 being 2.5 feet longer offers so much more than the Starflyte for full timing. But ours also costs so much more. My brother's Starflyte is more narrow as you can tell by the use of rear axle fender flairs making it even more nimble for city driving if city-time and visiting people is in your plans.

[wanderlust1966]

ron, good to know because I am having a very difficult time finding anything under 23' 😕

[ron_dittmer]

I can't speak from experience with a 31 footer, but our 23-8 rig gets easier to drive the second week we are out for the season. I always have to acclimate that first week.

One trip we went without our tow vehicle. It was a breeze after that first week, very comfortable getting around.

[wanderlust1966]

TY Border--lots of good advice there!

[Bordercollie]

When backing any length motorhome into a campsite, you need to get out and look over the space for rocks, posts, tree trunks and overhanging branches. A rear camera would help if you are alone. A rear window with a lenticular wide angle lens installed also helps. When pulling out, make sure the TV antenna is in stowed/down position and that all hoses, shore power and TV cables are disconnected and stowed. You can usually get a nearby camper to help you park. With practice you may lose your fear of backing up, back up slowly. My fear is changing lanes to the right on freeways, I will pass up an off ramp or merge rather than risk a quick lane change where car drivers won't let me in.

[wanderlust1966]

Photomike, You are correct! I just called and they said it is actually about 23' I guess I'd have to get in one, drive etc. to see if I'm comfortable with that......

[Photomike]

wanderlust1966 wrote:
This is through El Monte and it states "Length:21'" on their website. I can't imagine they would make a mistake like that??

It is not a mistake it is how some companies measure. Some manufacturers measure the entire unit (bumper to bumper), others measure from cab to bumper and I think others have a guy use toothpicks as they seem to be WAY off anything of reality.

[wanderlust1966]

This is through El Monte and it states "Length:21'" on their website. I can't imagine they would make a mistake like that??

[ron_dittmer]

wanderlust1966 wrote:
I owned a 31' Class C and drove it extensively. I have no interest in one longer than 23' The current 21' I'm looking at has a rear queen bed plus an overhead bunk which I would use for storage. It will just be me and I don't want or need a lot of room, but TY for your input.

Just make sure it actually measures 21 feet, bumper-to-bumper. I never seen a rear queen bed at that short a length with one exception....a Starflyte, and it's a double, not a queen.

[wanderlust1966]

I owned a 31' Class C and drove it extensively. I have no interest in one longer than 23' The current 21' I'm looking at has a rear queen bed plus an overhead bunk which I would use for storage. It will just be me and I don't want or need a lot of room, but TY for your input.

[Bordercollie]

All class c's are about the same width and height. A 27 footer fits into most RV park and state and federal camp sites. A 27 foot long rig, bumper to bumper, is only 3 feet longer than a 24 footer and handles much the same after you drive the 27 footer for a while. Our 2004 Tioga 26Q has negotiated some dirt roads with hairpin turns surprisingly well, but it is not equipped for really rough road travel. The 27 footers are a common length and may not be more expensive used than comparable used 24 footers. Our first used class C was a '79 vintage 23 footer with a large rear bathroom, little storage and cabinet space, sleeping in the overhead or uncomfortable jackknife convertible couch with just the two of us, we grew to hate it.

[wanderlust1966]

CharlesinGA, the Leprechaun I'm looking at is a 2013 and apparently El Monte does financing (hopefully at competitive rates). The Navion sounds in rough shape and I am not a handyman lol

[CharlesinGA]

There is an '06 View H (cab over bunk and jackknife couch, no rear fixed bed) on the View/Navion forum now for $29,500.

"5-cylinder Diesel engine (no DEF required). Solar. Wave 6 propane heater. 73,500 miles. Back-up camera. New comfortable jack-knife sofa. Engine well maintained. Coach is 11 years old and looks it! Dinette converted into desk. Great opportunity for a handyman to fix up and either use or resell at a higher price. Towed a Smartcar. Traveled with a poodle. Non- smoker. Laminate wood floors. I'm currently in SoCal.

This is owned by an older lady who traveled full time alone.

If you have any interest in the View/Navion line, it would be worth joining the Yahoo forums to learn about them.

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/View-Navion/info

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ViewNavionMods/info

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/View-NavionTech/info

It may be very difficult to obtain a loan on a rig in the age range you are looking at.

Charles