Help with first RV

[musikal]

I've been lurking a couple of years. Our family is looking into getting a used RV. We live in Houston so there are tons of RV dealers - PPL is 30 mins away.

We are a family of 5. The RV would be used for long road trips as well as weekend camping trips. We won't be living in it or even spending most of our time in it once we've arrived- it's basically replacing a tent, not a house! We drive to Texas to Michigan every year- 3 day drive. We'd like something comfortable on the road when driving 8 hours. We were originally looking at just getting a pop up but my kids love the idea of being able to go to the bathroom, move around, sleep late in the morning, etc, while on the road. We live in the south so need good AC. We're looking at the smaller units under 30 feet so it can fit into state parks.

I need sleep for 5 but would also like seating for 7 with seat belts when driving.

The problem is there are SO MANY choices! How do you know which are better? Are there particular brands that should be avoided? Am I better off with one of the Sprinters or a standard class C? I like the look of something like the Via and the Reyo but read about troubles with the overhead beds. I can't find any rentals with these types of units.

Is Winnebego better Forest River? What about Thor? What about Itasca? In the 50K and under category I could get a

2009 Prism Diesl http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/classc/2009-Prism-Diesel-33237.htm

2008 Itasca Navion http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/classc/2008-Itasca-Navion-35372.htm

2010 Freedom Elite http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/classc/2010-Freedom-Elite-34304.htm

Or for 20K less get a 2002 Jayco http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/classc/2002-Jayco-Greyhawk-35083.htm

Other dealers have Thor Ace which looks nice but I read lots of horror stories-

What should I look for first??

Thanks,
Sarah

[2112]

I looked at the Prism last month. It wasn't very well maintained. Look at the generator. It has been leaking oil for some time. The clear coat is peeling. The undercarriage and frame extension is rusting. The door didn't latch well. There were broken and missing storage compartment latches. And the list goes on.
If it has a sticker on the windshield that says Rockport something on it it's the same one. I'm pretty sure it's the same one.

I didn't walk away, I ran.

I believe this is the one that had 900lbs of payload.

[ThomBoles]

We just recently purchased our first RV. It's just 2 of us and pretty much walked past anything with a bunkhouse (which I think you should be considering). For us it was wasted space. That said we found a used 2010 Winnebago Vista 32K which is a bunkhouse unit. The previous owner (who we bought from) had converted the bunk area to storage plus a Splendide washer/dryer.

This model has a larger dining area because it *could* sleep 8. A queen bed in back, 2 bunk beds, 2 on the dining table, 2 on the sofa. There is not a dropdown bunk up front but the newer models may have that. I don't think I'd ever consider putting that many people in it at once but that's just me.

There are at least 2 seatbelts on the dinette and at least 2 on the sofa (maybe 3) plus the driver and co-pilot seats so you'd be comfortable to travel as a larger family I'd assume.

It's 33 feet long so a bit longer than it sounds you want but from all I've read will fit into most parks. Just throwing that out as an option because you're going to need to make a list of wants / likes / must haves with 5+ people so this could tick many of the boxes that you're going to have as must haves.

that's my $0.02 for you. I'm sure there will be others with their opinions.

[DrewE]

Another thing to consider when looking at units is how accessible things are with any slides in. Some designs make it very hard if not impossible to get at certain cabinets, spaces, etc. without putting the slides out--occasionally even things you obviously might want access to while traveling such as the bathroom or fridge.

Also look for the weight sticker, which is often in the back of a cabinet somewhere inside, and consider carefully whether you'll have enough carrying capacity for all the people and their stuff and water, etc. Some class C's in particular are quite poor in this regard; others are better.

If you have any RV shows in the area, it might be worth going one day mainly to rubberneck and see what sorts of things are available. At least around me, the RV shows are composed nearly exclusively of trailers, which isn't quite so useful when shopping for a motorhome, but it can still give some general ideas of useful (and useless) features, etc.

For used RVs, the condition of the particular unit and how well the maintenance has been kept up with and performed is more important than the particular brand, in my opinion. I'd rather have a budget model in great shape than a top of the line one with inadequate maintenance and the resulting (often structural) problems.

A motorhome makes a wonderful way to travel.

[DutchmenSport]

My mistake. Family of 5. Don't know why I was thinking 7? Still, when scoping out the unit, take all family members that will be using the RV, not only for "space planning" but it also lets them feels a sense of ownership and responsibility too.

[Jayco-noslide]

Almost too many issues to address. 5 is a lot of people so 1st priority is something that will sleep everyone. We love our motor home but really big difference in price between a new MH and say a pull behind trailer or pop-up if that's an issue. Personally, all things being equal I would go with Winnebago. We've toured the factory. Our 2003 Itasca(Winnebago) 30 ft. Class C would sleep 5 if there were a bed over the cab instead of our entertainment center but it would be 2 in a great queen bed, 2 over the cab and 1 on the couch or dinette. I think you can get way more for your dollar with a regular Class C than the newer European style. Incedentally, I think "RV" means recreational vehicle which covers all campers. Sounds like you're looking at "motor homes".

[garyemunson]

Since you are in the market for used, BE SURE to carefully examine any unit for water damage. Have it inspected by a competent 3rd party if you aren't sure if you could spot water issues. A lot easier to fix ANY mechanical problem than water damage.

[NCWriter]

I think a Sprinter RV (like ours with seat belts for only four), usually in the mid-20 feet range, could be too tight for a family of five. I'd probably go bigger, as you said, in the 30' range.

(Not to hijack into a side topic but you mentioned the kids anticipating sleeping late, going to the bathroom, and walking around while you are on the road. If I understood correctly that you meant while the RV is underway on the highway, you may want to guide them into re-thinking that vision. Just on a practical basis, the slides come in and most beds aren't really available then. But more important, everybody in an RV is so much safer belted in and it's easier for the driver to concentrate.)

[NanciL]

Don't touch anything made by Forest River!

We bought a new one this past year and it is complete junk.
I have fixed all the minor and some major things, ( I think), but we have had seven different pipe connections come apart at seven different times.
And be alert; most of the various makes( new ones) you see on the road today are made by Forest River.

Jack L

[DutchmenSport]

The FIRST thing you need to do is settle on a floor plan that works for you. After finding the floor plan you need to actually go and physically see the camper. Then compare that same floor plan (in person) with other manufacturers models.

When you physically go see the various units, your perception changes immediately, if all you've done is look at photos and floor plans on-line. They are always appear bigger in your mind than they actually are. Once inside, they all of a sudden get small. You need to take all 7 of your family members with you when visit the units. You need to actually figure out where each person will sleep by making the beds and then have each one (all laying down), go the bathroom and back. This WILL happen. How awkward is it for each one to get out of bed.

Next, imagine it's raining and you are all inside the camper. How difficult is it to to prepare a meal. Go ahead, have everyone seated at the table, in their bed space, on the couches, you might even take a board game with you and set it on the table for them to mock-up a game. Now? Without the table, how much space do you have prepare meals?

And don't forget about watching a television. When it rains, everyone will want to be able to see the television.

Check out cabinets, storage space, and imagine packing clothes and flood for all 7 people. Where will it all go. If you have to store stuff on the floor or on the beds or couches, it will drive you insane the first time you are caught in the rain.

That's why you REALLY need to go and physically look at each unit and spend time with it, with ALL your family members. Work out the logistics, right there in the show room if you have to. It's time well spent. It drives RV salesmen batty. They want you to settle on anything just so they can make a sale. But, it's YOUR money and YOUR life ... take your time.

If you go through this exercise with every model you've listed above, you'll figure out the "quality" of the RV pretty fast on your own.

The "quality" of any used RV, of any type, is not so important when purchasing used. What is VITAL when buying used, is how well the previous owner maintained it!

Also note, with a motor home of any type, you have to consider not only the RV part of the RV, but you also have to consider the engine, drive train, and chassis, miles on the odometer, absolutely everything, just like purchasing a car or truck.

Another thing, since this IS a motor home, where WILL every one be buckled in at when driving? By physically going and seeing the unit and taking EVERYONE involved with your family with you, THEN you will know for sure if everyone can be buckled in or not.

I'm not saying it's impossible, but you did ask what to do first. This is my list of what you should do "first."

Good luck!