Any helpful hints when looking to buy? As I approach retirement, I'm looking at something to tour around in.
Anybody own a Class A or Class C RV?
- Thread starter Original Mountaineer1
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Get a 5th wheel and a heavy duty truck for towing. That way you are more mobile when you are travelling.
I have a 34' Class A.
There are pros and cons with anything. I'm not sure what you are looking for exactly, but one advantage for a Class C is that there is generally a driver's side door. Some Class A's have that as well, but not many so it's a little bit of an inconvenience getting in and out of it. From what I've seen the floor plans in Class A's seem to be a bit better laid out and more spacious.
The Class C's have the bunk over the cab area for an added bed, but there are some Class A's that are adding that now. The bunk is motorized and you can lower it for the bunk, but then raise it back out of the way when driving. You can lock it out with a key too, so it makes a nice place to put valuables.
There is always the 5th wheel option, but if you don't already have a truck capable of towing it, you'll end up most likely spending more on the truck and camper than you would just buying a motorhome. And you can always get a tow bar or tow dolly for your motorhome to pull a "dinghy" car with you.
I got the Class A because I didn't already have the truck. I couldn't afford to buy the truck just for towing a camper, which meant that it would end up being my daily commuter too, which means I'm paying for the bad mileage, the wear on the tires, the higher insurance and all of that all year round. With the Class A, I'm only doing that during the times that I'm using the camper.
As with everything, it comes down to budget and exactly what you want to do and how much you'll use it and everything.
if you want to consider a travel trailer I have a 2012 Puma 32or 33 Ft and a 2006 Ford f-350 diesel ext cab,
That is my biggest issue right now. I have a truck that pull a travel trailer (no 5th wheels) under 7000 pounds. I like the versatility and functionality of the 5th wheels but I don't want the bigger truck. I may change my mind but right now I am thinking that a small Class A or a big Class C is the better option
I really like the 5th wheel option but as you said, the truck capable of towing one is not cheap and I just bought a truck this fall (only tows 7900). Other than towing the 5th wheel, I really have no use for a big pickup.
Yeah, realistically, you're probably going to want at least a 30' 5th wheel if you go that route, which means that you'd really want a dually diesel to pull it. So you're probably looking at $50k-$60k, just for the truck, and another $30k-$40k for the 5th wheel. For comparison, I just bought my 34' Class A used. (I bought it fall of 2015 and it is a 2014 model) for a little over $50k. Mines gas though, not diesel. If you want a diesel pusher you're not likely to find one for less than $90k-$100k or more.
Mine is decent but not super fancy. I don't have corian or granite counters or anything like that. But I do have a pretty large slide in the living room area and another one for the bedroom. Dual AC units, 6.5KW generator (because of the two AC units), bathroom, shower, sink, fridge, microwave, power steps, 2 TV's, awning, and all of that stuff.
Where do you live? If I were you, I'd go ahead and start looking at Camping World sales centers and just look around at what they have and think about floor plans and what you like and what you don't like. My wife wanted the kitchen area on the side of the awning, so she could at least look out and see us and talk to us through the window from there if she wanted. As you go look at things you'll start to see little things like that and start getting a preference.
The new f150 will pull 10500 & are not to hateful on gas or maintenance & the new line of 5th wheels is very light .