Almost embarrassed to ask....

[Sorrswa]

Hubby and I, both retired are excited to purchase our first MH soon. We've been looking at TT's, 5th wheels and MH's for over a year. We've decided a motorhome is for us, but now comes the hardest part....which one? We continue to find ourselves drawn to the Phaeton, but have heard some concerns about customer service declining.

Then there's the Entegra line which is the other one we like. Both have our favorite floor plan, etc. but chassis's are different. Spartan or Freightliner? How's a newbie to know. I feel like I'm over thinking this at times...,but it's a big investment for us.

Salespeople really aren't all that helpful, as their MH is best. I found this site and thought " ah ha!" Opinions galore, but not profit driven! We read and read, but would appreciate your experiences if you have the time to share.

So...Tiffin, Entegra, or Fleetwood ( or other recommendations for 40 footers). Please share your thoughts.
Thanks you:)

[pianotuna]

Hi Bumpy,

Interesting stats. Compiled by whom? LOL leaks are inevitable I suspect--no matter the type of RV

[WeBeFulltimers]

wbwood wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Bumpy,

I'm at 103,000 kilometers (61,000 miles) and 9.5 years. No leaks. Class A is no assurance of zero roof leaks. I have the roof inspected every two years, for potential issues. No Eternabond needed yet. Just Dicor once.

it's a fact, since I read it on the internet, that 99.87% of all Class Cs after 10.7 years of age and 75,000 miles have a 93% probability of leaking.
so just be patient. 🙂
bumpy

Well it was o the Internet and has to be true. Lol

Kidding aside, could it be the way the units were made back then? Perhaps the new front end caps on most of them now are differently made.

On a side note, a friend with a 2010 travel trailer was camping and it started raining. She said water started pouring in around the vents and somewhere else around in the bedroom. This travel trailer is stored at the campground that she goes to all the time. I uses it can happe to even the best of them.

Just because your friend's TT is a 2010 model, that alone does not make it one of "the best of them".

[WandaLust2]

A 40 footer? There are a lot of places you will not fit with a rig that long. What about MPG with the cost of fuel these days? Just something to think about before spending your money......

[wbwood]

Bumpyroad wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Bumpy,

I'm at 103,000 kilometers (61,000 miles) and 9.5 years. No leaks. Class A is no assurance of zero roof leaks. I have the roof inspected every two years, for potential issues. No Eternabond needed yet. Just Dicor once.

it's a fact, since I read it on the internet, that 99.87% of all Class Cs after 10.7 years of age and 75,000 miles have a 93% probability of leaking.
so just be patient. 🙂
bumpy

Well it was o the Internet and has to be true. Lol

Kidding aside, could it be the way the units were made back then? Perhaps the new front end caps on most of them now are differently made.

On a side note, a friend with a 2010 travel trailer was camping and it started raining. She said water started pouring in around the vents and somewhere else around in the bedroom. This travel trailer is stored at the campground that she goes to all the time. I uses it can happe to even the best of them.

[Bumpyroad]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Bumpy,

I'm at 103,000 kilometers (61,000 miles) and 9.5 years. No leaks. Class A is no assurance of zero roof leaks. I have the roof inspected every two years, for potential issues. No Eternabond needed yet. Just Dicor once.

it's a fact, since I read it on the internet, that 99.87% of all Class Cs after 10.7 years of age and 75,000 miles have a 93% probability of leaking.
so just be patient. 🙂
bumpy

[ncrowley]

I would recommend that you purchase used, if possible. I was told to try and stick with Newmar, Country Coach and Tiffin. I purchased a Newmar and I have been pleased so far although I have not had it long enough to talk about long term maintenance. However, I cannot say enough good things about Newmar customer support. It has been great to purchase from a manufacturer that is still in business.

[pianotuna]

Hi Bumpy,

I'm at 103,000 kilometers (61,000 miles) and 9.5 years. No leaks. Class A is no assurance of zero roof leaks. I have the roof inspected every two years, for potential issues. No Eternabond needed yet. Just Dicor once.

Don't get me wrong--I think Class A's are quite wonderful. But, there is no question that wonderful comes at a higher price tag, one that is beyond my resources.

Bumpyroad wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Since you have had a boat I'd not rule out a class C. Much cheaper to maintain. Less storage of course.

and the overhead either has leaked, is leaking, or will leak. take your pick.
bumpy

[bsinmich]

DW & I just spent an entire week at Algonac State Park in MI w/ electric only. We had a full tank of water to start and ended up with 1/4 at the end of the week. We got our showers for the ti9me and used all our own facilities. We do not use the CG public baths. We did not have to d up tanks or refill the water during the week. That is something you can't do with a 35 gal. fresh water tank and 15 gal of black & grey. That is the advantage of a larger MH.

[bsinmich]

Bumpyroad wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Since you have had a boat I'd not rule out a class C. Much cheaper to maintain. Less storage of course.

and the overhead either has leaked, is leaking, or will leak. take your pick.
bumpy

For once I agree 110% with Bumpy

[2gypsies1]

Newmar is a very stable company and one of few that has not gone bankrupt or sold out. Good luck in your search!

[Harvey51]

When driving a small unit is best. When settled into a campsite, a big one is best. Think about how it will fit into your favourite campsites and your driveway. If you will have guests travelling with you, you need more space. If other campers will visit you, will you all sit outside or in?

Test driving was a real eye opener for us. Talking to people with motorhomes was very motivating - everyone we spoke to loved their unit. We found that even slight acquaintances were pleased to show us their motorhomes and tell us how they used them. A lot depends on how much you will camp - you probably won't want to spend a whole lot of money for less than a month per year of camping and you won't "need" a new or fancy unit in that case, either.

[2chiefsRus]

Sorrswa wrote:
The suggestions you all are posting are appreciated ( and amusing Jim Shoe with your Budweiser comment LOL). We're off today to check out a few dealers a couple of hours away. Will also keep our eyes open for used, not to old models. Are inspectors of MH's easy to find? Are there specific certifications we should look for??

Inspectors can be easy to find but finding a GOOD one can be a little harder.... Are you in Mount Vernon, VA? Might also want to consider going to an RV show in Hershey, PA RV Shows in general are a good way to compare different brands nearly side by side. Lazy Days near Tampa, FL also have a huge selection. Never purchased there myself so can't speak to that experience but have shopped there a few times.

[Sorrswa]

The suggestions you all are posting are appreciated ( and amusing Jim Shoe with your Budweiser comment LOL). We're off today to check out a few dealers a couple of hours away. Will also keep our eyes open for used, not to old models. Are inspectors of MH's easy to find? Are there specific certifications we should look for??

[Community Alumni]

Thats_Ok wrote:

gemsworld wrote:
Stay away from Fleetwood.

Not sure why gemsworld says stay away from Fleetwood...
Damn nice looking MH in my humble uninformed opinion.

Beauty is only skin deep.

[Jim_Shoe]

I doubt that you'll find more than a couple of folks on here that have had more than one or two brands. If we like our first choice, we'd probably buy another, if not, we'd probably try number two. If you didn't like either one, you might just give up all together. So you're not likely to find somebody on here that can recommend more than one or two.
OTOH, I wouldn't mind traveling in one of the horse trailers for the Budweiser Clydesdales. Those stalls look pretty comfy. 🙂