Which one to choose?!

[HRDWRK]

Hello everybody:

My wife and I trying to buy a used class c with few years and some mileage on them since the new ones are out of our range. I have been reading a lot (A LOT!) about used RVs, chevy vs ford and etc.
I have found these two that I like to make a decision about one of them but I am having a hard time since they are both the same price. I would appreciate your input.
Beside the factor of driving each and see how each feels (this is the first RV for us by the way) what would be a better choice given if everything else would be the same:
1= 2008 chateau 28A with chevy engine (V8 I a guessing) and 22000 miles on the clock and few extra options.
2= 2008 coachhman freelander 2600 with Ford V10 and 52000 miles on the clock.

Just the mileage alone could be a deciding factor? I have read that chevy based class cs ride softer but the drive train (mainly engine) is not as stout as ford, but from the other end I have read that fords based class c have front end issues? I guess beefing up (rebuilding) a front end is a lot easier ad cost effective than repairing/replacing a transmission but form the other end we talking about 30,000 miles difference in mileage.

Thanks

[eichacsj]

If the 2008 chateau 28A does not have a 8.1 or 6.0 with a turbo I would not go with that one. A standard 6.0 would be under powered. The ford v10 in that case is a better power choice.

[tatest]

HRDWRK wrote:
Thanks for all the inputs. Although this would be my first RV, but I now my way around cars and trucks fairly well.
Is there anything else that I need to be careful about beside the drive train? How can roof be inspected? For some reasons (may be not very smart reasons!) I am concern about roofs and leaks. Does anybody know on this model years if the roofs very one piece? Does any of these brand has better quality than the other?

Thanks again.

You are looking at only two brands, and in both cases, entry-priced model lines. They should be equivalent quality, but in the model years 2001-2007 I was looking at, the entry brands from FourWinds (FourWinds 5000, Chateau Sport, and Dutchmen Express) seemed to be better finished than Coachmen Freedom (and later Freelander) entry lines.

Both brands/model lines have a one-piece roofing fabric cover over the roof, which is constructed of a lot of pieces (framing or trusses and light plywood sheeting). Roof leaks have little to do with the covering material, whether fabric or fiberglass sheeting, or a whole fiberglass cap. Leaks happen at front, back and side seams where the roof attaches to walls, and at all the openings for vents, air conditioner, lighting, antennae. Leaks are prevented by maintaining the sealing materials at these seams and openings. Many owners like to tape over these seams with high quality tapes like Eternabond, so existence of tape might not mean a problem, rather an effort to prevent problems.

There are other mass-produced brands with similar construction, some with somewhat different construction (like Winnebago's use of a sandwich structure rather than trussed roof) and yet other low-production brands using radically different construction (including one-piece molded shells) but that's not what you've been looking at. You are comparing two similarly built entry-price mass production C motorhomes.

[mockturtle]

My 2 cents worth: If you are having to choose between two RVs it means you haven't found the right one yet. 🙂

[Bordercollie]

The fridge, roof AC, converter/charger, house and starting batteries, fresh water pump and awning fabric on our rig, bought new in 2003, lasted around ten years. Health issues etc., curtailed use and mileage is only about 10,000.
Engine/drive train is fine. Tires are safe for about 5 years may then become unsafe due to sidewall cracks just from sitting parked. Water damage can be very expensive to repair. Rigs in sunny dry climates will often be in better condition overall except for fading graphics and exterior finishes. Consider all costs including probable major repairs and replacements including tires every five years when deciding on buying a used vs new rig. Paying an RV service and pro truck mechanic to inspect a used rig and give you a written estimate for repairs/replacements may cost you over $100 but could be well worth it. Don't buy on impulse, make sure that the length, floor plan storage space and sleeping arrangements will be OK for you and yours.

[AJR]

In general any interior surface that does not look right (think uniform) or is soft when pressed or stepped on is a bad sign. Bad like, water damaged what you cannot see.

A mobile RV service person would be my choice for inspecting a rig.

[midnightsadie]

have a pro inspect the rv of your choice,cars and truck experience here won,t help.

[tenbear]

I have a 28A and like it. It now has about 45K miles and has been pretty well trouble free. I get about 9 mpg, right now it is 9.09 mpg pulling a car.

I don't know anything about the other.

[HRDWRK]

Thanks for all the inputs. Although this would be my first RV, but I now my way around cars and trucks fairly well.
Is there anything else that I need to be careful about beside the drive train? How can roof be inspected? For some reasons (may be not very smart reasons!) I am concern about roofs and leaks. Does anybody know on this model years if the roofs very one piece? Does any of these brand has better quality than the other?

Thanks again.

[j-d]

Personally, I, like Tom, think the 28A is a decent entry level coach. I particularly like the interior floor plan and the outside storage. The ones I've looked at happened to be on Chevy chassis.

[darsben]

midnightsadie wrote:
buy neither rv, till you have a inspection done. there was a couple on here just a week back bought a used rv , and found out AFTER words it was junk. . tires look great BUT tires rot ,if there over five years old they gotta go, no matter how much tread are on them. #one thing before you buy is the inspection, and you hire your own inspector not the inspection sheet a dealer has. remember a sales person wants ONE THING ,your money.

You are wrong the want TWO THINGS
1 Your money
2 you the heII out of their store

[tatest]

My preference, based on shopping brands in this price range 2004-5, and continued visits to RV shows to look at who was building what how, would be the Chateau. In this entry price range, the FourWinds factory seemed to be putting RVs together better than Coachmen, particularly when Coachmen was starting to struggle and repositioning its model lines in the market.

But which floorpan works for you should be the key factor. I'm in a RV club that has been active for 20 years, with 30-40 families passing through at various stages of their lives. Everybody I know in the club who traded or sold a RV to get a different one did so because it did not fit their needs, either the living space did not work for them or their lifestyle and RV use was changing. Two families traded out three RVs in five years because the floorpan that looked right at the dealership did not work right for them at the campground. Finding the right floorpan can thus be an expensive lesson.

This is something where you have to get in the thing and act out day to day living, to have a chance of getting it right the first time, and someone else can't tell you what is best for you, because what is best for you might be different from my needs. Some people put high priority on kitchen usability, others on living room space, or maybe living areas separated to accommodate different sleep schedules. Wardrobe, bathroom, dressing areas matter more to people who need personal privacy, or have extended dressing rituals; others don't care, this is not a big part of their lives.

Both models are in the rental market, so the best way to try one out is to rent it and live in it for at least a week, with all the people who will be occupying whatever you plan to buy.

Chassis issues? I prefer the Ford, that was my choice when buying a one-ton passenger van as a daily driver and road trip platform, but for as little as a motorhome usually gets used, I could probably live with the Chevy as well. My Chevy passenger van issues don't really apply to the cab-chassis. However, if you plan to tow, the platform you want is Ford E-450, to get the V-10 and the gearing for 5000 pounds towing capacity. The Chevy does not get there without the Duramax, and you won't be finding that diesel in many used class C's, particularly entry models built for rental markets.

[midnightsadie]

buy neither rv, till you have a inspection done. there was a couple on here just a week back bought a used rv , and found out AFTER words it was junk. . tires look great BUT tires rot ,if there over five years old they gotta go, no matter how much tread are on them. #one thing before you buy is the inspection, and you hire your own inspector not the inspection sheet a dealer has. remember a sales person wants ONE THING ,your money.

[IAMICHABOD]

Go with the Chevy,smoother,quieter, no front end problems that can be very expensive,larger drivers area,a bit better mileage,mine averages between 9.1 and 9.7, among other things.

The floor plan is also one thing to look at too,if it makes you happy then that is factored in also.

I have more than 100000 miles on a former Rental and not one problem as far as engine or transmission... but then I am a bit biased as you can see with the clickys in my signature...:B

[toedtoes]

Looking at the floorplans, I think the chateau is a nicer setup. The queen bed is walkaround so you can easily make the bed, you gain a couch, and the refer is more convenient to the kitchen area - rather than being pushed out further with the slide of the freelander. With the chateau, you can watch tv from the sofa, with the freelander, you have to sit at the dinette (I know some folks who have installed a tv in the overhead bunk so they can watch from both the dinette and the couch). With only about 1 foot longer, the chateau seems to give you more for the space.

On the flipside, the freelander has slightly larger tanks.

Mileage is tough - too little mileage could mean ongoing issues that have kept the RV parked instead of being used. But too much mileage and you're hitting some maintenance issues sooner. It takes a good inspection to determine if one is better than the other.

Every chassis make has its problems and people tend to have their own opinions of which is better. If you're handy with a wrench, that can make a difference as to which one is better for you.