Thinking going back to MH

[sayoung]

We are thinking going back from our 5er to a nice class A. My question is with a budget of 80k I know its a mid 2000's so what would be a short list of brands to look at
.?

[rsn48]

My suggestion is to spend 75K on the beast leaving you with 5K for repairs and upgrades. I just bought a 1994 very clean Winnebago Adventurer 32 feet. I bought Winnebago as back up support, numbers of owners, and third party support is just about the highest of all brands.

But when I purchased my new - to me - RV I left lots of money in the kitty for new tires, upgrades and replacements of dated looking but working equipment, swap over to LED's, maybe a new fridge, etc. If you don't spend all your money, you will have extra to make improvements which you will enjoy in your future travels.

[sayoung]

Thanks everyone. So much info. Only a diesel will be considered as we had a gasser but that was 20 yrs ago so no real comparison onlymyDuraMax has spoiled me towing.
Never thought about the side mount radiator & we have looked at a few with rear radiators & Iwas all ways wondering HOW do you work on these
We are retired now but probably won't full time as I have other hobbies ,this is DW's idea so its just a go ahead and write the check thing, ya'll know life will be easier to just roll with it. I am happier with a 5er than any of our other rigs but admit this one is our 1st new one. & not used by others . I may have to bump up the budget a bit.

[dahkota]

Do you want a gas or diesel? Do you want 30' or 45' or somewhere in between? Will you only be at full hook up parks or do you plan to boondock a lot? Willl you be using it 30 nights per year or 365?

[Tom_Barb]

You should be able to do one of These in your budget

[2gypsies1]

Since you're in Texas you might check out this site for gas or diesels:

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/classa/class-a-motorhomes.php

[RFCN2]

How are you going to use it? Full time, vacation, weekender, snow/sun bird? You also did not say if you wanted gas or diesel. I will assume diesel pusher if you are going from a fifth wheel to a motorhome.

The more time you spend in a motorhome the more CCCs you need and the heavier duty the systems should be.

For $80,000 you could get a Foretravel or Country Coach which are good to full time in. They have very heavy duty systems. Monaco and American Coach (owned by Fleetwood) are in the same approx category as Foretravel and Country Coach (now owned by Winnebago). I also really like some of the Bluebirds. And Beavers are a good brand that was bought by Monaco.

Medium grade motorhomes are Winnebago/Itasca, Newmar, Tiffen, and Fleetwood in the years you are looking. Many of the coaches from these makers will have back radiators instead of side ones like the better brands. (Not all models, but many.) Personally I would not want a motorhome with a back radiator, too hard to work on. Most of the first category will have aqua hot, really good insulation, bigger motors, more CCCs, basement storage roll out trays, really good cabinetry, solid countertops, and some of the first category will even come with a chassis made for the motorhome instead of a fire truck or delivery truck. And a few of the first category will have semi-monocoque chassis, which are far superior to just rail chassis and the house built on them.

But if you are going to vacation or snow/sun bird you can live with the not so heavy motorhomes which means the second category. Newmar, Tiffen, & Fleetwood, + Winny do make a few higher end coaches like the Dutch Star which are OK for full time. Tiffen has the Zephyr. And Fleetwood has the Revolution. Those are going to be OK to live in for a good part of the year.

If it were me spending the $80,000 I would look for an 03-04 Country Coach Intrigue, Magna, or Affinity. Likely you could only get the Intrigue for that amount, but those are just beautiful coaches. The absolute best materials were used in them and go down the road smoothly. If you can find a Foretravel in that price range that is just as good and made in TX where you are from.

[gbopp]

Condition is the important factor when buying a used RV.
Look at everything that interests you. A well maintained Winnebago or Fleetwood may be a better buy than a rough Newmar or Tiffin.

Take your time and look, don't be in a hurry to buy. And, ask lots of questions when you narrow down your choice.

[mike_brez]

Foretravel,Country Coach

[mc_cc]

sch911 wrote:
Newmar, Monaco, Tiffin

Agree.

[rk911]

sch911 wrote:
Newmar, Monaco, Tiffin

Winnebago/Itasca

[sch911]

Newmar, Monaco, Tiffin