Thoughts on manufacturers

bobbyg123 wrote:
Since I'm in the market for a used Class C, out of necessity, I'm open to a variety of different manufacturers. Without wanting this to turn into a brand loyalty debate, what can you guys tell me about the different Class C makers?

I'm in the market for a 25-31' camper, and the makes I'm consistently running into here in the Pacific NW are Thor, Sunseeker, Minnie Winnie, Tioga, and Jayco.

Any input on these would be helpful.

If you are considering a small one close to the 25 foot length end of your criteria, make sure it's on the E450 chassis (Ford) or 4500 chassis (Chevy). The respective E350 and 3500 chassis are not heavy duty enough for a 25 footer.

Also don't overlook the subtle characteristics indicating superior design and construction that can minimize problems, enhance convenience, and make for easier maintenance and repair, such as:

- Is the chassis "clean" underneath ... with no sewer plumbing, generator frame or generator exhaust, coach steps, etc., hanging down lower than the bottom edges of the coach sidewalls (other than a trailer hitch in the rear)?
- Are the tire fender wells metal lined or only fiberglass or some other non-metal material?
- Are the cab access steps aluminum or steel instead of only fiberglass?
- Are the exterior storage cabinets steel lined or only fiberglass?
- Do the exterior storage cabinets have carpet lined floors instead of just a rubber material surface or a bare surface?
- Is the water pump easy to get at?
- Is all fresh water plumbing and the fresh water tank contained within interior areas that are exposed to the normally warm coach interior?
- Is there a full size spare tire and a place for it included in the design?
- Is the roof one piece aluminum or fiberglass?
- Does the roof material sidewall edges curl over the sidewalls instead of only butting up to the top edge of the sidewals within some sort of seam?
- Does the roof have a permanently and strongly mounted roof access ladder?
- Is the fresh water tank capacity at least 35 gallons, not including the capacity of the water heater?
- Is the grey water tank capacity at least 25 gallons?
- Is the black water tank capacity at least 40 gallons?
- Is the propane tank capacity at least 15 gallons (80% of which is actual propane capacity)?
- Does the as-designed factory battery compartment size have room for at least two 12V Group 31 batteries or at least two 6V golf cart size batteries?
- If the refrigerator is a 120V (on hookups) and propane (not on hookups) powered model, is it not installed in a slideout and is it's top vent exiting straight up out of the roof?
- Are the sewer tubes stored in their own compartment instead of in a square bumper-container in the rear?
- Is the rear bumper an actual steel one, or is it only a square bumper-container (see above)?
- Is there a convenient switch that disconnects the coach batteries from the coach's 12 volt system?
- Is there an engine starting boost switch on the cab dash to help start the engine from the coach batteries in case of engine start battery failure or weakness?
- Are the coach's 12 volt system fuses convenient to get at and protected from the elements?
- Is there enough real outside storage cabinet capacity or just "token" outside storage capacity?
- Is the built-in generator quiet enough and vibration-free enough to actually make pleasant use of for extended run periods?
- Can the driver see the water pump on/off light in the rear view mirror?
- Is the coach battery disconnect solenoid easy to get at?
- If the coach has a dinette, are the large areas under the dinette seats fully available for storage or is the propane furnace taking up some of the valuable storage space there?
- Does the coach have an operating automatic step?
- Do the roof vents have covers over them so they can be open in the rain for ventilation and to prevent high winds (when the vents are open) and the sun's UV rays from damaging them?
- Does the cabover NOT HAVE a forward facing window in it (you do not want a forward window up there)?
- When was the last time that the cabover clearance lights were carefully resealed?
- Are there several heating and air conditioning ducts ("distributed ducting)", or only a couple of heating outlets and only one centralized air conditioning duct in the ceiling?

As you can see from the parital list above, there are way more things to keep in mind and checkout when buying a Class C other than only interior layout. Many things contribute to long term happiness with Class C camping!