Your First Class A

[Sonny54]

Alright: Put yourself in my newbie shoes for a moment, if you will. You and your wife plan on going full time sometime in 2017. You want a dependable first RV, at least 34' long. You don't want to spend over $50k.

What are you buying, and where are you buying it? And what features are must-haves?

[Mile_High]

Ours has 2 bathrooms, which is probably common for over 40'. We only part time, but we wanted that because we usually travel with our daughter. Now that we have it, I think it would be a must have for full timing with a spouse.

[JimInMich]

What ever you look at, check the age of the tires. Tires can be a big unforeseen expense.

[RFCN2]

Sonny54 - In general you can break down motorhomes into three categories, vacation, snowbird, full time. Full time means you are going to use things a lot and they need to be built to take that level of use. Prices of new motorhomes go up when you go from vacationing to full time, a lot. So do used ones but the climb in price is not so steep.

So if you are going to live in it full time make sure you get a rig built to take that use.

In general diesel motorhomes either pushers or front motor are built heavier than gas rigs. But these days gas motors go a very long time.

You also should consider your use when full time. Are you going to go around the country mostly or are you going to stay in one place for months at a time and then move on. If you are going to move a lot you want something you really like to drive. Many standard truck chassis ride like UPS trucks or worse. Many diesel pushers are quite luxurious when driving.

We do not full time, but the motorhome in my signature line would be considered a full time capable rig.

[Stormy_Eyes]

Sonny54 wrote:
Great advice. Thanks everyone! And the pplmotorhomes link is excellent!

ppl is a very helpful website. In fact, when I was in the market, I flew to Houston to look at a few decently priced rigs (with ppl appearance ratings of very good or better ) that looked pretty attractive on the web. Once I toured them, I knew why they were still on the lot; each one had problems evident even to a newbie (smoke odor, mildew odor, water intrusion stains, for example). I had not called ahead, so I do not know if ppl would have told me of these issues had I called and asked. None of the multiple units on ppl's lot below $70k appealed to me once I toured that day. So I went to other dealers and found our Itasca. Though their inventory quality left much to be desired that day, I am grateful to ppl for their pricing transperancy (especially the list of "sold prices") and for giving me a reason to go to TX to rv shop.

[Sonny54]

Great advice. Thanks everyone! And the pplmotorhomes link is excellent!

[Busskipper]

Sonny54 wrote:
Alright: Put yourself in my newbie shoes for a moment, if you will. You and your wife plan on going full time sometime in 2017. You want a dependable first RV, at least 34' long. You don't want to spend over $50k.

What are you buying, and where are you buying it? And what features are must-haves?

Sonny54 wrote:
Ivylog: We live in a two bedroom condo (wanna buy it?), and spend all our time together, usually out on our deck (weather permitting.)

Anyway, we want at least 34'. Longer, the better. For whatever it's worth, we're on the same page about becoming full timers.

Here is a good place to look - PPL

Johnny "T"'s on this as clicky
Read this - you will learn a lot.

I'm in the group "BIGGER is BETTER" - but - let me make my suggestion, don't go overboard on your purchase (a 10-15 year old gas model first to see what you need) - IMHO - you will find after a few months all the things you need in your new house - most of them will not be in the one you choose first - lots of things to consider - Dinning - Booth or Chairs (or if you are like us neither - we enjoy lap plates, both home and in the Coach) TV location - front over your head or Mid Station so it's eye level and watched from the two most comfortable (I Hope) chairs, pilot and co-pilot. Small shower or full sized - Queen or King - Large closet or small - washer dryer - dishwasher - heat - A/C - insulated windows - well insulated Coach...........Long - Long list.......

As you can see lot's to consider.

Take your time - come up with your ideas - share with the forum - get input - make new list - Take your time, really work on the LIST of NEEDS.

BOL,

On Edit;
Something like this under budget but, clean and will likely work for the most part.

[Stormy_Eyes]

Having only rented a crummy Class C several years ago, we umped in with both feet as you contemplate. We sold the house, bought the 33' used rv mentioned in previous post, and have been happily fulltiming for 10 months. We had a 4 bedrooms house, and adjusted to smaller space just fine. As a newbie, I did not want to sink a ton of $ into my first rig; we had lots to learn. Some say buy "the one" once, but I would not have known it was "the one" . As a newbie, we decided to buy a solid, budget friendly one and trade up later if needed. Of course I have not been through the selling experience yet, but remember in one year an expensive new rig probably would have depreciated by more than my user MH cost. Some say buy bigger than you think you need. For our first one, we bought as almost as small as we thought would do, knowing we could move up. So far neither of us feel compelled to buy bigger. There is more than one way to handle it; you will have to decide what is right for you.

So far we have not run out of storage or carrying capacity (two people, no pets). Are you planning to tow? If so factor that into your capacity and budget. we are not towing as of now. I drive and spouse follows in chase car. As a newbie, the having a friendly car behind is rather nice, and we generally do short drives then stay awhile. For us, getting set to tow would be pretty expensive as needed a different car and all the equipment, and it might put us choose to our rear axle capacity. Though we could afford it, for now we are happy enough with our current arrangement. If you wish to tow, it will probably influence you buying decision. If you are lucky, you may find a private sale with toad included or at least tow bar.

[J-Rooster]

2gypsies wrote:
To get ideas and what your budget will purchase, look at this site for both diesel and gas. Bottom line.... if full-timing stay within your budget and don't go into debt. Also, have enough set aside for repairs/maintenance/updating/tires.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/diesel/diesel-motorhomes.php

Sonny, I really like what 2gypsies is suggesting! I another fun website to browse www.DimartiniRV.com I like looking and comparing RV's and before you pull the trigger make sure there is records on how the coach was maintained!

[doxiemom11]

When we started, we purchased a 10 year old class A, 36 ft, 2 slides. With our budget we were able to purchase a higher quality than if we had purchased a newer one. It's been 6 1/2 years since we purchased, 5 1/2 since we went full-time and we are still happy with our choice. It had 39,000 miles and we like the floor plan - it still looked like new in and out. I wouldn't be afraid to purchased a higher quality little older unit that has been taken care of.

[qtla9111]

Class A, gas, at least 34 ft, slideouts 2007 or newer, under 50K.

RvTrader.com search.

[Ivylog]

I was not trying to be critical as FT can be too big an adjustment for some. I would not worry about driving a big rig out on the road although some handle better than others. It's in tight places like CG that make it interesting. Having a good spotter that knows to stay where you can see her in your mirror is important. Practing in a vacant parking lot with rubber cones will help as they will not hurt the MH.

[Sonny54]

Ivylog: We live in a two bedroom condo (wanna buy it?), and spend all our time together, usually out on our deck (weather permitting.)

Anyway, we want at least 34'. Longer, the better. For whatever it's worth, we're on the same page about becoming full timers.

[Ivylog]

OP, during a.normal work week how many hours/day are you in the same room with your wife...not including the bedroom?
This is too true a saying about FT: Twice the husband on 1/2 the income and in 1/10th the space.
Good Luck.
PS: A 34' MH works out to a little over 200 sq ft of usable area without slides. Are you sure you know the size and floorplan you need?

[2gypsies1]

To get ideas and what your budget will purchase, look at this site for both diesel and gas. Bottom line.... if full-timing stay within your budget and don't go into debt. Also, have enough set aside for repairs/maintenance/updating/tires.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/diesel/diesel-motorhomes.php