love2tow
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Re: Considering used Coach. How old is too old?
I took a little time today to follow up on some of the suggestions. I didn't have much time to dig deep, but there are a lot of really cool units out there. I spent some time looking at some of the older bluebirds; those are really cool. Although I have actually expanded my search criteria instead of narrowing it down, it is exciting to see the many possibilities.408Views0likes0CommentsRe: Considering used Coach. How old is too old?
All of your responses have given me a lot to consider. I'm not a bells and whistles guy so I don't need all the latest things. But, I do appreciate good build quality and functionality. This search process is a lot of fun and I'm learning a little more every day. I stopped on my way home from work just to see a couple of units yesterday. They were all new or, at most, 3 years old. I saw a lot of the cost cutting issues that I realized with the travel trailer and was not too impressed. But then again, they were all "entry level" units. So many options... Thanks again to all of you.408Views0likes0CommentsRe: Considering used Coach. How old is too old?
I can't thank you enough for all of your posts and the information you have provided. You have opened up a whole new category of motor home for my family and me. I do not plan on rushing anything. I don't plan on purchasing anything for at least a year and a half. (Unless I win the lottery). That gives me quite a bit of time to research and find the right unit. Again, I really appreciate your responses so thank you368Views0likes0CommentsRe: Considering used Coach. How old is too old?
2gypsies wrote: In our full-timing lifestyle we talked with many who traveled constantly in older motorhomes. It all depends how it was taken care of and that you do the same. A 10-year old one isn't considered too old. Many do it with a 20-year old one. Friends of ours are still full-timing in a 2003 Dolphin. They've been to the Maritimes and to Alaska with it and it runs good. I think the key is to go with a 'quality' manufacturer. Damon would not be in the running. Some models of Tiffin and Holiday Ramblers would be good as would Newmar, Beaver, Country Coach, Alpine. They were high quality in their time and if the maintenance was done on them they would be awesome in older age. I don't know your budget and it would even be great if you could not get into debt with it. Check out this site for some ideas on prices. There's a 35' bunkhouse Winnebago for $41,000: http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/used_rvs_for_sale.htm THANK YOU for this website. The prices seem fair as well. I'm assuming this is around the price I can expect to pay and not the overly inflated price. And thanks for the info on some of the older units. I will do a little more research into those. Is it safe to assume that going the diesel route would be best if looking in that age range?237Views0likes0CommentsRe: Considering used Coach. How old is too old?
msturtz wrote: Hi, we made the switch from a towable to a motorhome. It is vastly easier to use if you do mostly weekend trips and some dry camping mixed in. We have 4 kids 25, 11, and two 3 year old twins one boy one girl. We have had two towable units and two motorhomes. We started with a Class C gas and ended up with a Class A diesel pusher. The first thing you need to be aware of is floor plans that will work for your family. The less setting up for travel the better. I have heard that the setup is a bit easier once you get used to it. I actually love the setup and takedown process, as well as the drive to and from the destination. Most of our camping is weekend or long weekend trips with 1 or 2 larger trips thrown in. But in any case, I think the kids will enjoy riding in a MH rather than a pickup truck. I have been looking at some of the floor plans and there are many that would work and some that wouldn't. Trying to decide if bunks are the way to go or if they are a waste of space. And we have all but decided on a class A. I like the C's and the A's but the payload of a large C concerns me. I pack very light for myself but my kids and wife come with A LOT of stuff. And I really like the Super C that is built on the Ford F550 (Thor) and the RAM (Nexus, I beleive) but those are out of my price range as new units and the used market is tiny.237Views0likes0CommentsConsidering used Coach. How old is too old?
Good afternoon, My wife and I are in the infancy stages of research toward an rv purchase. I'm trying to start by casting a wide search net and then narrow it down over the next year or so. Researching the brand new units seems straight forward minus the variations in build quality within the same companies... But used coaches are something I don't have much insight on. Coming from travel trailers, I'm very hesitant to buy a used unit. But I have read a bunch of threads on "New or Used Class A" etc... and have been able to get some good information but I still have a couple of questions. First, I see some coaches by Holiday Rambler, Tiffin, Damen, and others that I really like and seem to be in decent shape. But... they are from 2006-2008 or 8-10 years old. In theory, they are solidly in my price range, look to be in good shape and were pricey units when new. Am I going down a rabbit hole by looking at something this old? Even with good maintenance records and service history, age scares me when I haven't been the original owner. Second, what is financing like for a used coach? Is there a cutoff age where banks will not lend or will jack the interest rates up to crazy levels? My goal for my next unit is to keep it for a decent amount of time. I'm 33 and my wife is 34. We have two young kids. (A four year old daughter that LOVES camping and a 1 year old son who loves it but doesn't' know it yet.) We will not be able to upgrade coaches every couple of years so I need to make the right decision the first time. We are coming off of a terrible travel trailer experience (purchased new) so we are a bit timid about this entire process but know it is truly what we want to do. Thank you in advance for your assistance in our journey. Mark9.1KViews0likes51CommentsRe: From TT to ???
Thank you all for the feedback. It is much appreciated. Coming from 2 travel trailers, I am very tuned in to the weight issues. When I pulled with a 1/2 ton, it almost became an obsession to make sure I was well within my limits. Then having a 3/4 ton diesel made that much easier but then it was about balancing the loads :) I did a bunch of looking around last night and the only units that had more than 5000 lb towing capacities were a couple of class C's made by coachman and then Thor. And even then, they were only 7500 lbs. Then I get curious as to how they are getting 7500 lbs when almost all others have 5000. AND, I'm assuming that is with a 150 lb person driving with no gear, 1/4 tank of gas, etc... One style of unit I found intriguing was a Super C on a Ford F550 chassis with a diesel engine. I believe this was made by Thor as well. I haven't had the chance to dig into build quality on those units but it is something else to consider. Looking for that "perfect" unit is really a fun process. I appreciate the feedback you provided.212Views0likes0CommentsRe: From TT to ???
DutchmenSport wrote: Good luck in your search. I've read on these forums over and over, and it's all across the board, every band, make, model, design, and year has problems. But, if you really want a better quality (and don't mind the price)... well... there really is no comparison: Newmar, Tuscany, Prevost are probably the TOP contenders. (but who can afford them?) I've also noticed that problems seem to be everywhere and I'm okay with that. I guess that is part of the price of admission. The small issues I can handle. It's the big stuff that got me on my last TT. But, hopefully by starting early, I will be able to raise my chances of successful ownership. I'm really finding the towing capacities to be limiting so that might be the first hurdle.212Views0likes0CommentsFrom TT to ???
Good afternoon, After a two year battle with quality control issues on my Shadow Cruiser, my wife and I decided to get rid of it and start the research and purchase process all over again. We are looking at purchasing in two years but I am one to start my research early; although two years really isn't that early. With that said, we will be looking at a Class A or Class C in the 30ft or larger range. I was set on Class C because of the sleeping options but now many of the class A's come with a bunk over the driver/passanger seats so it's a non issue really. For me, it will come down to quality and what best fits my needs. So here are a couple of questions: What key structural elements should I be looking at on either type Am I pushing the size limits on a class C by going with 30 ft or larger? Why does it seem that THOR owns everything? What brands have folks had good luck with? ( I understand that maintenance is important and that all of them will have issues. I just don't want huge failures over and over again. I plan on hitting as many shows as possible over the next couple of years but I want to go in armed with info so I can teach the salesman a thing or two about their units. Finally, after reading many threads, I realize that the more info I can provide, the better idea you may have of my needs. Traveling with my wife, and two kids which will be 6 and 3 years old at that time Will tow UTV on trailer from time to time (total of 2800 lbs) will flat tow my Nissan Frontier or will buy a aluminum car hauler. (7500 lbs at most) no issues with storing the unit may have two furry kids (they are getting up there in the years) Price Range, I have no idea. I've seen a lot in the $70,000 - $90,000 range and that is doable. But this time, I'm going to find quality first and then see if I can swing the cost of the unit. Camping Habits: Mostly long weekend trips that are within 5 hours. Usually plan one big trip per year. Florida, Colorado, Arizona, etc..) Because of the kids, we don't stay in many "secluded" spots. Most are campgrounds with activities for the little ones. That will change once they come to appreciate the outdoors but for now, it's all about the pool and playground. That is what I have to start. I know I'm leaving out a bunch of stuff but this is a good start. Thanks all1.2KViews0likes5CommentsRe: Honda Ridgeline
Does the Ridgeline have a trans cooler option? Just something else I would think about. One thing my dad got through my head when I was younger is "Everything works until it doesn't. It's the doesn't part you need to worry about" This was his answer to many of the goofy ideas I may have had as a teenager. So to apply that knowledge, to this situation: Something is bound to go wrong eventually; that goes with any tow vehicle/trailer combination. But what does that look like? With a true 1/2 ton and a 21 ft trailer, it could be a blown tire, or stability issues on windy days. On a smaller vehicle, like the ridgline, those issues could be the transmission prematurely giving out leaving you stranded, stability issues in the slightest of winds, etc... Admittedly, I tend to overdo things. I usually have to much tool for the job. But it is about peace of mind for me. One more thought before I end my rambling. If you are getting back into camping, you obviously like it and it is something that hopefully relaxes you and gives you an escape from the everyday stress of life. I would hate to see the thing that is supposed to bring you that relaxation cause you more stress/anxiety due to equipment failure that could have been prevented.649Views0likes0Comments
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