Executive
California/Arizona/South Dakota
Senior Member
Joined: 02/07/2008
View Profile
 Offline
|
Above post by B Bob is a good take on what you should be looking for, IMHO....We, too, decided on a higher end used coach over a lower end new one. The fit and finish are better, the insulation is superb, and the amenities are far above those in the lower end coaches... A DP is your best choice as the engine is in the rear so you never hear it while driving and the genset is in the front so you never hear it when you're in the bedroom. A heavier coach also gives you a smoother ride with no wind or trucker's rock to contend with.....a tag axle is also a plus but not necessary. You sacrifice some additional stability for extra storage space....good luck on your decision....Dennis
Dennis and Debi
Monaco Executive M-45PBQ Quad Slide
525HP Cummins ISM 6 Spd Allison
Chevy HHR W/ ReadyBrute
Full Timing and Living the Dream 
|
Gsmitty77
San Diego
Senior Member
Joined: 10/09/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
X's 3 what Bob and Dennis said.
-Do your homework and make a short list of manufacturers you would like a coach from.
-Make a list of what is important to the two of you Musts and Wants
-Go kick some tires, and evaluate with this list with you
IMO, drop years instead of quality, to reach your price point range. Usally, higher quality rigs retain their resell value - so paying up a bit more on the front end, usually is made up for on the back end. Plus, you get to enjoy the living in better qualit, as well as the safety of better quality...
Sounds like you have the advantage of taking your time, and doing some good research on this.
Best of luck, be safe, and have fun,
Smitty
|
folivier
Southeast Louisiana
Full Member
Joined: 04/15/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I would suggest a used Newell. Depending on age you can find them from 36' to 45'. Don't rule out not having slides until you experience one of these. Prices? Again depending on age, from $40k to under $100k with no slides. Add a slide or two and you're looking at $150k and up. What do you get? One of the best engineered and manufactured (over $1,000,000 new) custom made coaches. Most of these were well maintained (but still: due diligence) and the factory is still open, Newell has GREAT support, a 24/7/365 phone line to a service manager for questions or help. Check out www.newellclassic.com for more info, great forum!
|
John&Joey
Some Location
Senior Member
Joined: 05/20/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Don't rule out a truck/5'ver combo at this point. Once you're on the road you'll notice that most retired folk are in this type of a setup. It has many advantages, and a few drawbacks also.
If you still feel like you're a Class A type person  , then do limit your exposure to cost at the beginning. Being on the road FT is not all "Rainbows and Sunshine" like some state, or would like to think it will be. In a few years many drop out of the lifestyle once the adventure turns into a new daily chore.
Now if you still want to go all out then do get a DP, engine brake, 2 slides (big one on the driver side), dual pane windows, good bathroom layout, under 10 years old, from a maker like Newmar or Tiffin in about a 40 foot range. A Honda CRV makes for a good everyday toad. Wire it up for a brake also, since power means nothing if you can't stop. IMHO, that would make for a good setup to start out with to learn if you really like it or not.
* This post was
edited 07/29/10 05:25pm by John&Joey *
|
Clay L
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Senior Member
Joined: 07/01/2002
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
One thing I would do is learn about CCC (OCCC is the new term). This is Cargo Carrying Capacity - weight of the stuff you can take with you.
Definitions can be seen HERE and HERE
The CCC sticker/sheet can be found in a closet or cabinet unless someone has removed it.
Most full timers or long timers find they need about 3000 pounds for two people with more being better.
I have seen diesel pushers with a CCC of 360 pounds so don't assume that just because it is diesel that it will have plenty of CCC.
* This post was
edited 09/26/10 11:39am by Clay L *
Clay (WA5NMR), Lee (Wife), Katie (cat).
Full Timing in a 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N, Workhorse chassis, Honda Accord toad
|
|
|
Goldencrazy
madison wi
Senior Member
Joined: 06/21/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
We also do not full-time but do spend a lot of time traveling in our motorhome. From what I have seen and comments from friends with different views it is important to understand there is no one size fits all. If you have not spent a lot of time in a motorhome then bigger will be important from the perspective that even a 40 foot DP with four slides will be smaller than your home. For those of us who started out in tents and then tent campers, small class B and then C and now smaller Class A with two slides that feels very large we have a different perspective. We like the flexibility of the bit shorter Class A. When we decided to trade our BT Cruiser we still wanted to be able to park in our driveway or in kids driveway and basically not be deprived of things because of the size of our moho. Still we wanted comfort and the double slides gave us that. If however being full time with washer and dryer and lots of space and intending to stay in one spot for a month or more and being satisfied with being in a campground within 20 miles when visiting kids then definitely a nice 40 foot dp with a bunch of slides and amenities is your answer. I do suggest that you might like to rent a smaller moho for a weekend just to get the feel and then work your way up or at least as you shop start with smaller. Those lovely 40 footers pretty much snuff out the rest if that is where you start.
|
03FatBoy
Crossville, Tn.
Senior Member
Joined: 12/28/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
We're not actually full timers (have a stick house in Tn), but have been living in our 37 ft MH since 4/09. We wintered thru a tough winter in Kansas and have been surviving the heat this summer. If you can get away from the winters and the heat you don't have to worry too much about being cramped up as the outside area can be endless. We've had our trials and tribulations, but have overall enjoyed the time. The DW misses her sewing room, but has made do. We didn't have a large budget to start with, so bought a lower end DP and it has been very good to us. It doesn't have a lot of the bells and whistles, but like I said earlier all we determined we needed was a place to lay our heads and a place to get in out of the weather. The biggest recommendation I can make is find a floor plan that suits you. Remember to check tire age and maintenance records if buying used.
Melissa & Steve (MNC USNR retired)
FMCA F335327, GS
'05 HR Ambassador 36PDD, Saturn Vue Toad
8.3L Cummins w/ 6sp Allison
|
Jackha1949
Any Where USA
Senior Member
Joined: 07/16/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
We are getting ready to full-time and have been planning it for the last 4 1/2 years. We researched, research, and researched. Looked at all types of Class A motor homes and finally decided on a use diesel pusher. The four makes of MH we decided on were Tiffin, Winnebago, Newmar, and Holiday Rambler. Why? Because they seemed to be the best value for the prices on used rigs. Some of the "higher end" coaches like Newell are great but they have a lot of stuff you don't need like mirrored ceilings and such. Diesel pushers do cost more to maintain, however, with the proper maintenance they will last you a lot longer. Size is a matter of personal choice, we choose a 34' Journey as we like state and national parks were some of them are limited to 35', however, a lot are making new sites for the larger rigs. If you plan on traveling more than staying still or traveling a lot in the Rockies a DP is the way to go. If you buy used have an independent mechanic go over the rig from top to bottom all systems as well. Read lots of forums and blogs on full-timing and take to lots of motor home owners, even check out a Family Motor Coach Association rally and their website. We have started a blog on their sight and there are others owners who are starting out on the full-time life style. Having a rig with slides is a must and having one with two slides in the living area is really great. Good Luck on your quest. You can pm me if you have further questions. Jack & Peg
Jack & Peg
USN Ret AGC
K1ZMB
Sioux Falls, SD
05 Journey 34H
|
Phillerup
Usually Travelin' the USA
Senior Member
Joined: 10/15/2002
View Profile
|
Since the house you own is a lot bigger than you need, I would sell the house and put the money in the bank - a safe bank with a secure investment. Rent a storage building and keep things there that you just can't part with. Next I would buy a good used DP at a good value. I would not buy new. That way if things don't work out - you have not taken a HUGE financial hit.
I bet you find that you like to travel but maybe the fulltime thing is not for you --- or maybe so......My wife and I sold the big house and downsized to a smaller (much less expensive) lake house a few years ago. We can close it up quickly and leave when we want for a long period of time....we travel for several weeks at a time and love it. But after a few weeks, we are BIGTIME ready to get back home and get out of the RV and get back in our home. We cannot fulltime and we have found this out.
There are lots of retired RVers like us, but not very many who can do the fulltime thing. After about 3 months on the road - we get very antsy to head back home and park it. Dip your toe in the water at first without a big expense.
2003 Newmar DSDP 4005 dual slide king bed Spartan 350 Cummins 2004 Jeep Liberty 4X4 tow, SeaEagle boat in basement
|
sowego
northwest panhandle of Nebraska
Senior Member
Joined: 03/14/2006
View Profile
|
This a very serious personal decision only you will be able to answer and unfortunately -- until you've been out in a coach for a few months -- you won't have a clue as to how you'll adapt! You can worry about and research every detail to death - travel scenarios, the coach itself, campgrounds, etc.
If you can walk into a coach on a dealer's lot, sit in it, and actually play through living in it fulltime without feeling cramped then go for it!
My suggestion is to downsize your house, rent it out or sell and make a plan "B" if/when you find RVing will end.
I believe you will love the fulltime lifestyle if you are open minded and just relax to enjoy it without being OCD about stuff. If you are the least bit worried about all the small details, what might happen with cost, breakdowns, noise, set-up issues...it will be difficult for you to meld into the lifestyle. Absolutely do think it all through but realize at this point it is all not "real" yet, just a day dream.
It isn't like living in a permanent house but in some ways it's better. You will have constantly changing scenery outside your window, will step into a different world each day, and find that the limited space inside will force you to be more organized and efficient than you'd ever thought you could be! And, that's all a good thing! As we all reach our later years the need for things should be replaced with the ability to be a kid again and learn to be adventurous, have fun, get out of "work mode" and play with the flexibility we had when we were young. It does mean personal security will come to the front -- no longer will you have your familiar neighborhood to comfort you. In some situations you may become uncomfortable with so many strange people around. But -- you will open up a whole new world of making new friends!
You'll know what will work when you feel yourself relax and enjoy it...that one coach you walk into that feels like home. Just don't get overboard silly happy and pack everything you own into a motorhome. Live by the motto "less is more"! The fewer things you take along the more you will enjoy the lifestyle!
Now stop reading and go shopping then hit the road! You will love traveling to visit family and finding adventure along the way!
2002 Tiffin Phaeton
2005 Malibu Maxx toad
|
|
|
|
