Should I buy a class C or class A?

[Gotyer6]

I bought a HTT that I love and pull it with a 14 pax van. Bought it about 5 years ago when it was just me, my wife and the dog. I got the van because it tows much better than my wife's Jeep and was perfect for my needs at the time.
Now, we have two boys (3 1/2 and 1 1/2) and I'm realizing that I need to dump the van/trailer combo and go with something that is self contained. I'm hoping that I can somehow sell the van and trailer together and throw a little more money in to buy either a class C or class A. I'm thinking under $20,000.
I'd like the option to tow efficiently and double digit gas mileage is always preferred.

Any suggestions?

[lizbard]

Another thing to think of, check with the RV parks where you think you might go and ask if they have a age of coach restriction. Some parks - sometimes "family" friendly ones ask what year your coach is when you make your reservation or check in. Some of them restrict to 10 yr old coaches, some may take an older one depending on how it looks. It may sound elitist, but it is like if you were to drive into some European countries when we were overseas. You had to stop at the border and if your vehicle was very beat up, looked like it might break down while you are in their country, you would be denied passage into their country. I think Holland was one of the countries. We were in Germany in the early 70's so they might have changed.

Good luck on your search. That is part of the fun. Rent a couple knowing they might be entry level, but it will still give you an idea of the size and what works for you. Then have some fun outside and inside toys and games for the kids and explore. Nature is a great educator.

[wbwood]

People mentioned the sprinter units besides them being smaller, they are usually more expensive as well. They normally are Mercedes based. I still think for your price point you will normally get more bank for your buck with a class c. Unless you run across a one of kind deal somewhere.

[wbwood]

lizbard wrote:
I have bad knees and ankles and all the C's I tried, all had a step, never found one without it. With our health, we seem to need to get to the bathroom a lot more often. The C's also had weird configurations that just didn't work.

One thing someone told me was when I was looking at a RV, stand in front of the sink, stove, etc. and imagine I am fixing a meal. Is everything easy to reach, etc. Is the bed going to be easy to make? Basically, instead of just looking, make believe it is yours and will it work with your lifestyle or not?

You must not be looking at the right Class C's. as the other posted, we have less steps to get into the coach. It sits lower to the ground than Class A's. as far as from the cab to the rest of the coach, there's a small incline but not a step. Maybe a total of a 2" rise at the most over about 6" or so. The rest of the floor is flat. The toilet in ours is a little higher than some. But our bed is a queen bed walk around. We have a full wall wardrobe with 3 huge drawers and about 4-6 smaller ones. But still big. Our kitchen is has the fridge with the stove next to it with the sink next to the stove with about 5-6' of counter space beyond that. All in one spot right there.

[wintersun]

Some motorhomes are used year round and will have a lot more miles on the odometer and I would expect that the average 10 year old Class A MH has more miles on it than a 10 year old Class C motorhome. The reason this is important is that the selling price of used motorhomes is mostly based on how old it is and not the mileage. A 20 year old motorhome with less than 20,000 miles on the odometer sells in my area for under $10,000. Its value is based on its age.

With an older unit you are more likely going to need to put money into engine maintenance to bring it into good working order and may need to replace the fridge or AC in a year or two but you put out a lot less upfront and if it is a vacation vehicle then if something breaks it is a problem but less so then if you were living in it full time.

Many RV manufacturers went out of business in 2007-2008 and their motohomes plumeted in value as a result. Friends took a 30% hit on their 4 year old Class A when they went to sell it because its manufacturer was no longer in business. Bad deal for them but a good deal for the buyer.

[mlts22]

I second the class "A" and "C" rentals. The one "A" I've been looking at (although would be a budget stretch) is the Winnebago Via. For something that large, getting mid-teens in MPG numbers is pretty good.

[the_bear_II]

One way to see which would work best for you is to rent a Class A and try it for a weekend and then rent a Class C to try it.

We prefer a TT or 5th wheel. Main reasons are:
Less expensive
More useable living space (no driving area to take up room)
More variety of floorplans to choose from

Unlike in previous years, now you can get TTs and 5th wheels with automatic levelers, electric tongue jacks, auto awnings...etc to make them just as easy as a MH to setup camp.

[Golden_HVAC]

If you are really interested in higher MPG, you might consier one of the Sprinter based RV's. However they tend to be underpowered, and the transmissions on my work vans tend to go out around 120,000 miles. The company I worked for owned about 8 of the Sprinter work vans, all the transmissions went out before they reached 135,000 miles.

For a lower cost unit, to purchase, insure, and drive, including things like yearly oil changes, and fuel filters once every couple of years, consider a gas engine RV, and it will only get around 7 - 10 MPG. So you drive it what? 5000 miles a year? 7 MPG is 700 gallons of gas, 10 MPG is 500, something like a sprinter will still be getting 14 MPG or 350 gallons of more expensive fuel. So you spend $2,800 a year on one, or 2,000 at 10 MPG, or 1,550 at 14 MPG on diesel.

The sprinter will have limite space inside, and will cost more to insure, oil changes, yearly fuel filters, and more expensive to take to any dealership for anything.

The Ford or GMC van based RV or class A will have the same engine as the pickups, and will cost a reasonable amount to get a oil change, insurance should be a lot less if you are only getting normal coverage, and the unit cost is much lower. (insurance for a $35,000 RV will be more than a 15,000 RV that is a couple years older).

What I have is a 97 Fleetwood Bounder, 30E, that has a huge bathroom, no slide outs, and gets around 7 MPG. The last trip I was towing my very light 1,500 pound Manx buggy, got 8.8 MPG using 92 octane gas, and driving 55 MPH. Going slower really helps. It is 30'11" long and has a unusually large 100 gallon fresh water tank, so camping out in the boondocks for a week is possible, even with daily showers.

I used to have a class C, but it could not even tow a small trailer (back in 1985, the chassis was not steel frame on the GMC's like in the 90's). So I had to move up to a class A to have more towing ability, and a larger engine.

Any class C from Ford will have the V10 engine with about 300 HP that is 97 or newer. All are fuel injected from about 88 and newer, but 88 - 96 used the very reliable 460" V8. They have full frames, and depending on how the rear of the chassis was extended might be able to tow a good sized load.

Good luck, I need to sign off and go camping!

Fred.

[PapPappy]

One of the other advantages for the "C", is that most are equipped for a larger group of people. Ours will supposedly hold 8 people, but I think we would feel comfortable with 5-6. The "A" is usually configured for less people....though there are Bunk models out there(though probably not in your price range).
With young children, you may want to use the galley table bed for them, since it's got the ends, and you can make some sort of safety rail to keep them from falling out. (many of the "A" units just have a table and chairs)

The steps that people are mentioning shouldn't bother a young family. We're older, so it's one of those things WE notice.

The suggestion about "trying it out" is excellent....since that is the only way you will really know. We can all look at photos and floor plans, but standing there is the true test:)

Mileage is going to run 6-9 mpg...unless you get one of the Sprinter chassis models, but they are really going to be a bit small for a growing family. Great for a couple, or maybe 3 people, but start getting tight as the group grows.

Good luck with your search.

[Gotyer6]

lizbard wrote:
I have bad knees and ankles and all the C's I tried, all had a step, never found one without it. With our health, we seem to need to get to the bathroom a lot more often. The C's also had weird configurations that just didn't work.

One thing someone told me was when I was looking at a RV, stand in front of the sink, stove, etc. and imagine I am fixing a meal. Is everything easy to reach, etc. Is the bed going to be easy to make? Basically, instead of just looking, make believe it is yours and will it work with your lifestyle or not?

Good point, thanks.

[lizbard]

I have bad knees and ankles and all the C's I tried, all had a step, never found one without it. With our health, we seem to need to get to the bathroom a lot more often. The C's also had weird configurations that just didn't work.

One thing someone told me was when I was looking at a RV, stand in front of the sink, stove, etc. and imagine I am fixing a meal. Is everything easy to reach, etc. Is the bed going to be easy to make? Basically, instead of just looking, make believe it is yours and will it work with your lifestyle or not?

[I_am_still_wayn]

A Class C from a rental fleet would be a great option for you and your budget. Search the forum, there are many good threads about the process and buyers have had excellent experiences.

[JaxDad]

lizbard wrote:
I checked Class A's, B's and C's and found the Class B's and C's were not comfortable for me, but the DH and I are over 50. I did not like having to take a big step up or down to go from cab to coach and vice versa.

Our Class A 2002 Winnebago Brave 35' on a Workhorse chassis is great. There is no step from the front to the coach so DW can keep an eye on them buckled into car seats on the couch. You might need to figure out a gate to keep the kids from falling down the stairs when you are stationary.

I don't like steps either, bad knee & hip after an accident, but the floor of my C is flat, and it's 2 steps closer to the ground than an A is.

I go in & out of the m/h a bunch more times than I do between cab and coach!

[lizbard]

I checked Class A's, B's and C's and found the Class B's and C's were not comfortable for me, but the DH and I are over 50. I did not like having to take a big step up or down to go from cab to coach and vice versa. We both have vision problems, especially if we have taken off the glasses.

With the children being that age, they will have to be buckled into car seats in the back and your DW will have to be with them instead of with you in the front.

Our Class A 2002 Winnebago Brave 35' on a Workhorse chassis is great. There is no step from the front to the coach so DW can keep an eye on them buckled into car seats on the couch. You might need to figure out a gate to keep the kids from falling down the stairs when you are stationary. It will be easier with potty training since you can pull over at a rest area or parking lot and not have to worry about them running away from you when you are trying to get them to the potty.

Take DW with you to a RV store. Check around and see. Also, go to a family RV park and talk to people with young kids to get an idea of what is easier, etc.

If wife wonders if she can drive a class A, it is not hard, just need to find a parking lot and practice. I never drove one until we bought ours in 2009. Practice makes perfect.

Let us know what you decided, found, etc. If it is possible, rent an A and a C and see what works better.

[Gotyer6]

Yeah, that gas mileage kills me. On occasion, I see people claim 12 MPG. If it's out there, I'd like to see it.