OP, best of luck in your search.
And leave it to the folks here to turn your very well worded, complete, with context even, questions into something about how far they think you should drive per day, or the plethora of other off the wall and off topic responses.
As to your question, you appear to have all the tools and experience to competently pick out your next RV. Moreso than the majority of folks here do, or at least can articulate anyway.
Your plan appears well thought out.
Only thing I can add is my very limited experience w gas class A’s in that our friends just upgraded from their old crusty but trusty 2000ish gas A that they’d had for several years now to a low mile like new 2014 34’ ? gas A with a full wall drivers side slide and a bedroom slide opposite side.
For what they paid, $45k, to me it seems like a great value or bang for the buck. Inside is HUGE and VERY well appointed and the underside storage goes on for days. Easily more storage than one “should” use. There’s so much storage it would be real easy for someone who wasn’t conscientious to overload it. Not a bad thing just speaks to the amount of room.
I do t remember the brand, doesn’t matter, really. Starts with a M. But that age/size/cost/amenities seems like the sweet spot to me.
All that said, no one knows your budget, so recommendations are tough since that is one of, if not THE primary factor.
In general though, you appear to see the great value in used and sometimes older and used, unlike many people, so you’re totally prepared and qualified to make this decision without much or any help from the rvnet peanut gallery.
