axg1040
Virginia Beach
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Joined: 06/02/2011
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I recently was contacted by an owner of a 2008 Tiffin Allegro 32BA on a Workhorse Chassis who was wanting to trade RVs. We have been trading emails for a few weeks now.
They want to downsize and want our 2006 27' Lazy Daze Class C.
It would be a trade and we would obviously put in some money as the value on our rig is a bit lower than theirs. I understand all the tax savings and their rig is in excellent shape, as is ours. What is holding us back is two things.
We are very comfortable driving our Class C and are not sure we can handle a Class A. Is it that much different? We love their layout and all the room.....plus a real bed.
It is also on a Workhorse chassis. Yes...the brake recall was done. I do not have a Workhorse certified location that is close. I would assume a good qualified mechanic could work on the engine and chassis. I love the fact that I can take my Class C to just about any mechanic for simple chassis/engine work.
They are taking their Tiffin to Red Bay (Tiffin Factory) this weekend to get a few small things addressed. They have not had any issues with the wet bay sagging deal or roof radius cracks but are having the factory check those while they are there.
Just wondering how many people out there have gone from a Class C to an A and do not regret it. Also....anybody ever trade like this?? Good or bad idea??
Thanks
2006 Lazy Daze 27'rear bath model.
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jimmyb123
Latham, NY
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Joined: 02/12/2009
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Hello,
We went from a 1998 Gulfstream Class C to a '04 Itasca Meredian, Class A diesel and never looked back.
I do all the driving and the drive of the A is much easier than the C.
With the C I felt it was a fight while traveling. With the sway and bounce from the trucks and winds, etc. I was exhausted when I got to my destination.
With the A I get none of that.
I will agree with you about the maintenance. The C was easier and a little cheaper for materials.
I do have a local guy who comes and takes care of all the maintenance issues with the A and it's much cheaper than paying the garages.
With the C, my wife did like having the bed over the cockpit and the fact that she could drive it. The A intimidates her. She will not drive it.
We went with the A once the kids got to be 18 and 17 yrs old. We wanted more storage room, easier drive, more cockpit area, more power, fiberglass roof, bigger tanks, more amenities and the A has a better view looking out while sitting high in the cockpit.
Also, the A, diesel engine will last you much longer than the gas C before you need a rebuild.
I think you will get about the same gas mileage.
We plan on keeping ours for a min of 10 years. Good luck to you.
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gbopp
The Keystone State
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Joined: 08/03/2008
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I don't think driving a Class A is difficult. Why not go drive theirs and see for yourself.
Do you know the person who wants to trade?
Are you ready to change RV's? Make sure it's your choice and not what someone else wants. If you are not comfortable with the deal don't do it. If a dealer called you and wanted you to trade in your C for an A would you do it?
If you really like the A, go for it. If you are unsure, don't. You are the one putting out money.
This is just my opinion, but it sounds like you are being talked into doing something you don't want to do.
Let us know what you decide.
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bsinmich
Holland, MI
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Joined: 11/18/2000
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I think y ou weill find that many of us here started in a Class C and moved up t o an A. The first thing you will notice is that thee is sky above the road ahead. I could not go back to the restricted view of a C now. There are times when I would like the extra sun shad but most times Ilike the view. Most A's are widebody coaches as well as most C's today. You do sit a little higher in an A and I like that. We have had 2 of each and I don'twant to go back to anything smaller.
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Workhorse W22, 2008 Saturn Vue, Falcon 5250, & US Gear Unified Tow Brake
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teddycp
Saint Louis metro, O'fallon, IL.
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Joined: 03/01/2008
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We traded our B+/C for an A for a number of reasons and have found pro's and con's. On the pro side: Newer year, lower mileage, newer V10 with more power, for me easier to drive as it feels way more stable even though both have had similar suspension upgrades, rear bed room, old unit had entertainment center over cab so we had just a jacknife bed. Picked up 7' in length, gained a ton of storage and interior room, 2TV's, great front view, bigger awning, DW loves having an oven in addition to the micro. On the con side: no front doors, harder to park, maintainence and tires are somewhat more expensive.
To summerize, we are very happy with the A and glad we made the switch.
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John&Joey
Some Location
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Joined: 05/20/2007
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I'm in the same boat as them. I would like to trade our A for something more nimble also. My take is yes, an A is more to drive, and yes it is harder to get them worked on.
Not any mechanic is willing to lay on their belly inside the rig working on hard to reach parts with chairs in the way. Just call your local Chevy dealer and tell them you have a class A and you need a complete tune up on it. Give them the info on the tiffin and see what they have to say.
I broke down on the road once and the very first guy that I called said "I hate working on those things." That was an early eye opener for me. Then when I asked the local mechanic if he would swap out the air filter, he said "naw, that's just too hard too get too and I wouldn't feel right charging that much." He was pretty overweight and wasn't very agile though.
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WyoTraveler
Powell, WY
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Joined: 11/22/2011
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The big down side of my 34 ft Pace Arrow was getting work done. Also getting it smogged. Most small garages just tell you they don't have room to work on them or don't have the equipment.
The upside to a class A is I love the view when driving. You are above the other traffic. You can see further down the road over the vehicle in front. since you drive a class C you know the basics of a large vehicle and how they handle, being in the outside lane when turning left, watching the area behind the rear wheels when you make a sharp turn so it doesn't hit something opposite of the turn, and keeping a large distance behind the vehicle in front. After a short time it is a piece of cake driving any RV, just requires practice. Just make sure it is your choice.
If I were full timing again I wouldn't consider anything else than a class A in the 34 to 36 ft range. Short trips and vacations? I prefer my 19 ft TT or wouldn't mind a class C (never owned a class C). 5Vers? I hated them. I hated to pull them, I hated to camp in them and was glad to sell my 32RL Alpenlite, although it was a great 5Ver if you liked 5Vers. I had a commerical license for years so it was no problem driving anything.
2012 Jay Flight 19RD TT/W thermal package
R19 walls, R22 roof, R24 floor
2008 F-250 Ford FX4 6.8L V10/4.10 rear axle
Curt class V hitch
Reese Trunion WD with dual cam
AC6CV/7 ex-W8RUR since 1954
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axg1040
Virginia Beach
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Joined: 06/02/2011
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Let me fill in some blanks that I should have mentioned in my original post.
We are not full timers. We do 2-3 week long trips and a few long weekend trips a year.
Nobody is forcing us to trade. I should have mentioned I made the comment in another forum I really like the Tiffin Breeze. I had also mentioned we were thinking we may "upgrade" after this summer to something bigger. A forum member contacted me and we traded a few emails. As it turns out they are in SC and we are in VA. The husband is getting older and wants to downsize. They had owned a Lazy Daze in the past and loved it. Hard to find on the east coast. I can attest to that as we flew to TX to buy ours and drive it home.
The 32Ba is only 6" longer maybe 1/2 foot wider and 2 foot taller than our LD. I need to check with the garage I use to see if they can even get it in and are willing to work on it. It is on the Workhorse chassis and that concerns me some with parts or places that will work on it. Some say the Workhorse chassis rides better than the Ford. Not sure about that.
We have discussed maybe meeting 1/2 way in NC to see both coachs together. Just may do that. Please keep the comments comming. Thanks
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ryanallie1
Magalia, Calif
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Joined: 04/12/2005
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Hi All.
Here is our take on owning a Class A Motorhome. We have been RV'ers for 45 years already. We have had both TT's and 5er's. But we have never owned a Class C Motorhome, as they are on the most part just to small for us, as I am very tall. And in all of the Class C's we have looked at, I couldn't fit good into any of thier Showers, no head room, I'm Tall, not a Big Lard Butt. Class A Motorhomes offers a much better view. You do sit up quite a bit higher also, so you can most of the time always see far enought down the road and be ready for just about anything. Yhe view out of a Class A Motorhome is just Breathtaking, and you can see so much more all around you. Class A Motorhomes have a lot more Stroage Space, and over-all a lot more living space also. Also with most Class A Motorhomes, all of your Tanks are Larger also. Great for if you like to do some Boondocking. I to have been an OTR Trucker for many years also, so drinving anything doesn't bother me one bit. If you can drive a Class C Motorhoome, you sure can drive a Class A Motorhome. A few feet differance isn't going to make any noticable differance anyways. Trust us, you will over-come and you will adapt very quickly. You also have a lot more comfort in a Class A Motorhoe than a Class C Motorhome. We got tired of Towing an RV and having to use a HD PSD Truck to get around in. A Class C Motorhome and a Class A Motorhome has about the same advantages, as far as being able to get up and use the Bathroom , or to get somethig from the Kitchen, or to just move around and strech your legs. You sure won't feel as confined in a Class A Motorhome as you would with a Class C Motorhome. We sure don't like the over-head bed in a Class C Motorhome, makes you feel closed in to much. And talk about leg room, a Class A Motorhome has so much more leg room up front while traveling. I have always done all on my own work on every RV we have ever had. But as far as finding a place that will work on Class A Motorhomes, its not that hard to find places, maybe further apart, but almost any place that works on large tucks will work on Motorhomes also. And their rates are about the same as any larger truck would be. I would advise staying away from RV specific "RV Repair Places" You'll pay more, and often you won't even have a real RV Tech working on your Motorhome anyways. The more work that you can do yourself, the more money you will save on repairs to your Motorhome, the more money you will keep in your own pockets. No matter if it is a Class C Motorhome or a Class A Motorhome. Owning and Learnig to use a Multi-Meter is a must have for any RV, period, but espically for Motorized RV's. We bet once you drive a Class A Motorhome, and really seee the differance between what you already have, and what you might get, its fantastic. We will never go back to any other type of RV, ever again. Good Luck. Happy Travels. Dan & Jill
1998-33.5 Rexhall, Rexair SL. 460 EFI. F-53. HWH Levelers. 5.5G Gen. Convection/Microwave. 12 Cu Ft Side by Side. Water Purifier. Water Softner. 2 A/C's. Alarm Systems. 2 Honda EU2000i W/Kit. Toad CR-V W/SMI System. FMCA #F414397 Nam-Vet, 66-67-68,& 70-71
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