looking for advice on buying a motorhome !

[gate9869]

Hey guys I am considering buying a used motorhome. I have started looking and I found there is a wide variety. I know nothing about them so I figured I would see if anyone on here has some advice. I am interested in a super class c or a class a diesel. I like the Gulf stream endure, super nova, jayco senaca, as well as several class a. We want something that has preferably 3 slides, laundry, under storage, and can pull my boat through the mountains. We plan to use this to travel the us during the winter ( no more than 2 -3 weeks at a time) and for the lake in the summer. We would like something that will accommodate all our needs. I don't want to buy something and wish next year we would of went with something else for lack of experience with motorhomes. With that said I am clueless when it comes to which brands are better, more reliable, and will hold its value. Any info into this will be much appreciated !! Thanks !!

[TxJole]

If your out for long trips and r going to use it enough to justify, get a pusher. I wish I would have, sold class c coachman to get into a class a Monaco 42', had second thoughts and talked a good friend into it. The thing just about drives itself.

[gate9869]

If your out for long trips and r going to use it enough to justify, get a pusher. I wish I would have, sold class c coachman to get into a class a Monaco 42', had second thoughts and talked a good friend into it. The thing just about drives itself.

So are the pros of the class a over the diesel class c that it drives a lot better ?? We do plan on using it to go long distances ! Which class a make/model are good to look at ?

[196 die hard]

I sell RVs for a living. From my experience and from what all of my customers tell me, I would buy nothing but a Winnebago. From that point you have to decide between a Pusher, Ford or Chevy.
We do not sell new Motor-homes only used ones we get on trade. We see the least amount of problems with the Winnebago line. Here is some advise.
1. Pay a certified mechanic to do a thorough inspection of the engine and drive train components.
2. Make sure to get up on the roof and look for signs of water damage, leaks in the seals or any cracking or tearing of the rubber. Look closely around the vents, AC and antenna.
3. get inside and look around the walls and ceiling area for any signs of weakness or staining from water coming in. Water is the killer of all RVs. We see lots of people trying to trade us units with covered up water damage. It totally devalues an RV. It costs thousands to fix this stuff at 100-125 per hour shop rates.
4. Drive it hard on a test drive.
5. Make sure all the leveling jacks work and work well.

Good luck

[AirTool]

....4. Drive it hard on a test drive.

I like that recommendation. If it can't handle test drive, stop there. Maybe even pull your boat with it.

[TxJole]

A pusher tows better. Winnebago is top of the list, Monaco, Lazydaze, Born Free. Stay away from Coachman. Find a good RV forum and read, those old retired men can give u more info then you will ever need or want.

[TxJole]

Forgot I have a friend I ride RZR's with that just got a new Thor he loves, he came from a ford chassis to a pusher.

[NCH2oSki]

The roof leaks on all of them, I honestly don't know how the industry survives with what I've seen my parents experience. They have bought 3 and all three have leaked and had terrible water intrusion problems.

[gate9869]

Leaking roof does not sound fun ... I have been reading a few rv forums but im sure its a lot like boats... everyone has their own opinion. Trying to just get a feel for what the quality brands are ie: Nautique, Malibu, MC I would rather buy something of good quality than end up with something that is good price but not going to last as long.

[jonsquatch]

There are 3 types of RV's, those that have leaked, those that are leaking, and those that will leak. If you don't keep constant vigil they can be a real pain. They can also be great fun. It can be a tough trying to find a class A diesel pusher with the towing capacity you want that also meets your needs. I have been looking at super C's as well to replace my current C that can't tow the Nautique. The Gulf Stream has a fairly low reputation and can be had a little cheaper, I tend to like the Jayco Seneca and Four Winds Dutchmen the best so far from looking but will likely end up with whatever the best deal is once I sell my current C. I haven't seen a washer in a super C yet but you could add one if you find one with enough open space or a cabinet you don't really need. If you have a lot of questions check out the http://www.rv.net/forum/ they are ususally pretty helpfull if you dont ask questions about tires or gas mileage.

[gate9869]

Ok thanks !! Ya super c is what I am leaning towards... The ones I have found seems like the gulf stream is a little more 100-115 range and the jayco is around 80-90 range. Are you saying the Gulf Stream doesn't have a good reputation for being a good product ? Like I said I have no clue what brands are good lol I Do like the Jayco lots of room and should pull my boat fine !! I also have looked at some of the bigger super c with the Freightliner front ends that can def tow it haha but it seems like those are not as nice inside but you can tow a lot more. Which for me I don't need a 40,000 pound hitch I would rather have more slides and nicer interior. ( at least the ones I can afford)

[jonsquatch]

Yeah, if you look back round 2005 those Endura's caught some flack, but there are almost as many people who like them than don't. Gulf Stream branded the super C's as Conquest a few years ago but finding information about them is pretty hard, it didn't seem like they were focusing on them at all just trying to rebrand all there motorhomes before they quit making them. They started cutting way back in 2010 and I think stopped all together last year, and are only trailers now, of course they could re-enter the market. They did get a better reputation right towards the end but its hard to put a lot of stock in it. They are going for some huge numbers in the newer ones, but I thinks that might have more to do with scarcity and maybe people not knowing why?

GM stopped making the Kodiak in 2009 so you should see all the current super C's (2011+) are on the Freightliner chassis unless you get the diesel powered Ford on the F550.

Four Winds is a part of the Thor conglomerate and you can get it or the Chateau but they look the same to me. They also own Dutchmen but after the 2010 combination of their brands to form Thor Motor Coach I believe those are the only 2 Super C's you can get now.

Jayco hasn't really changed much and still make the super C. I haven't heard more than their fair share of complaints. The last couple of years have really shaken up the RV market even if they try not to let on. Many brands are really in a big holding pattern waiting to see if they can get back in the game if the market recovers.

In general most of the smaller mainstream super C's seem to have just about average interiors for the class C market and well below what you can get in the class A market but better than what you sometimes get when you start to get into the bigger capacity and custom super C's which can seem more like trucks that also have a bed.

If you are looking to buy new then you might be limited to what's available in your market. Before the economy took a hit my area used to be well known for RV's, its still not bad. You could probably take a look at over 100 new RV's today but there might not be any Super C's. I don't know about you but I don't like the idea of ordering one site unseen. I know I am looking in the older used market myself, its hard to justify that expense for something like this new when I already have one I like, it would just make it easier to camp at the lake than taking 2 vehicles my wife doesn't like to drive.

So for me I am really taking the which ones the best brand with a grain of salt and looking long and hard at the 3 or 4 I have local and deciding if they meet my needs and pass my inspection. If you don't know what you are looking for get anything you are considering inspected. Also on the topic of slides, I would love it if I could find one with no slides. Those leaks, slides are the worst contributor of them, and those motors are moving parts are a great source of weight, maintenance and problems and the lake I most want to camp at has many spots that aren't wide enough to allow me to park a rig with slides on both sides to open. While they make it nicer when parked it can make it less comfortable on the road. Make sure you test drive whatever you are thinking about and make sure that you have enough seats that the people you want to transport can legally sit in.

[AirTool]

I quit reading all the details but I was thinking....one year we "rented" an RV for an 8 day vacation. It was cheap to rent.
Maybe when you get close to deciding, you can see if there is something close to what you want available for renting....and rent it for your first outing.

[swankster]

For you guys that own them. What's the draw...more flexibility....better than camping.....cheep than renting a house or hotel??? I've heard of people selling them because it is cheaper to put gas in the car and pay for a hotel, but they are not pulling a boat.

[AirTool]

For you guys that own them. What's the draw...more flexibility....better than camping.....cheep than renting a house or hotel??? I've heard of people selling them because it is cheaper to put gas in the car and pay for a hotel, but they are not pulling a boat.

It's the adult version of the Clown Car at Ringling Brothers....where 12 clowns get out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUrmRL6ImDE