Barty
Anchorage, Alaska
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Great post. We appreciated all of your detailed information. We have been looking a a Winnebago, Sightseer model, 30'. Plan to be on the road five to six months a year. Any comments?
Bart
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JohnnyT
On The Road
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Joined: 07/15/2003
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Bart, I think you ought to start a thread and ask about the 30 foot Winnebago, Sightseer your looking at.. Doing that will give you the best opportunity to get some meaningful input...
Johnny
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adVentureMan
Memphis, TN, USA
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Joined: 02/27/2001
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I am too sleepy to read the posts on this interesting topic (it's 0430) and I don't have a motorhome, but thought I'd pass this along.
There is a terrific Pre-Delivery Inspection checklist on the link at the bottom of my post. I used it when I inspected my FW, but it was written by a motorhome purchaser. It's a TERRIFIC checklist. I spent 3 hrs going over my FW and found a couple of pages of faults. Most were very minor, but still would have resulted in the FW going back to the dealer within a month or two for who knows how long.
So, if I were going to get a new/used rig of any kind, I'd print a copy of that checklist first.
Enjoy. Maybe someday there will be a big ol' diesel pusher in my future!
Doug and Kathy
2008 Chevy 2500HD extended cab Duramax/Allison 4WD
2013 Cougar 327RES
"Nuestra casa con buena vistas"
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garyde
Santa Barbara,California
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Depends on your age, and your family. My wife and I before we were married had old holiday camper on the back of a truck. When our family came along we tented and then bought our 1st class A , a used Holiday Rambler (slept 6) We traveled a lot in that unit. Then I wanted a diesel pusher, more torque, quiet up front, slide outs, so we bought a Monaco. And it will change again as the kids grow up and out.
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Jeanne M
Southern California
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This is by far the most comprehensive article for RV buyers...for new buyers or even the experienced!
We've just purchased our 2nd Class A (1st DP) but have not yet taken possession of it. That's 8 weeks away. In the meantime we have our homework to study, thanks to Johnny T and many others, to make sure that as few things as possible go wrong 'after' we've driven off the lot!
I've only been a member here for a week or so, but the information I've gained from this forum is priceless.
Thank you all for your help and generosity of knowledge! I am grateful and glad to be a member of this wonderful site!
Kenny & Jeanne
Jeanne & Kenny
2005 Itasca Horizon 36GD, Freightliner Evolution Chassis, Cat 350
1992 Honda Accord
And Bailey, our furry traveling companion
Good Sam, TT/Naco,PA,RPI,AOR,C2C,FMCA #F151328
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Coger
Littleton Colorado
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JohnnyT
Great job. I have been looking for information like this for a few months now. Will consider your information very seriously. Keep the helpful work.
Brad
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retiredarkie
Livingston, TX
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Joined: 04/08/2004
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You talk about insulation in this post. Which RVs do you consider the best insulated and suitable for fulltiming?
We are preparing to buy our first RV and have narrowed our choices down to Winnebago Vectra, Mandalay, and Phaeton. In reading the forum, I've noticed how knowledgable you are. Would appreciate your opinion.
Thanks.
Pat Billings (retiredarkie)
Retiredarkie
2004 Winnebago Vectra 40AD
2004 Saturn Vue
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JohnnyT
On The Road
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Pat, Unfortunately, most manufacturers do not list the insulation values in their information sheets... The only one I can talk about with confidence is the Travel Supreme.. The Travel Supreme has R19 fiberglass battening in the roof and in the floor.. The walls are R10 with a combination of fiberglass and Styrofoam... It is also important to opt for the dual pane windows...
With that amount of insulation the coach stays very comfortable even in very cold weather... I believe that the floor insulation is where many manufacturers fall short...
JohnnyT
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retiredarkie
Livingston, TX
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Johnny T,
Thanks for your response. We noticed the styrofoam when we toured the Tiffin factory and were not impressed. The entry level Travel Supreme Envoy did not appear to be finished very well and offered few of the options we want. Unfortunately, the next step Travel Supreme is out of our budget.
We hesitate to buy used because neither of us is knowledgeable enough to feel comfortable. But we've learned SO MUCH on the forum thanks to you and others.
Thanks again for your reply.
Pat
P. S. Dual paned windows are on our must have list.
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Kirk
Livingston, Texas.
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In reading this guide, I would consider it to be excellent as far as it goes, but it has a serious omission. That is weight ratings. Those are critical to the safety and the satisfaction of the buyer. You must do the education part and that also means the different weight ratings. GVWR, GCWR and CCC must be checked and understood.
The other area is what is your lifestyle. I know people who fulltime in a small class C and have plenty of space, and I also konw others who have a four slide, 43' motorhome and who do not have enough room. Your own physical size is an important part of this.
But the key thing about this whole post is the point that there is no easy way to be sure that you will get what you want and need. If you depend upon any sales person to guide you, you will probably own the RV that pays him the greatest commission. It is neither wise or reasonable to expect to locate a sales person who is so honest that they will dig out what you need and then see that you get quality at a good price.
Good travelin! ........Kirk
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Fulltimer for 11 years,
URL: www.adventure.1tree.net
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