03Ultra
Central Massachusetts
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Joined: 07/20/2004
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We bought our first MH with the idea that we wanted to try the lifestyle and the wife would not do a tent (we did that a lot when we were younger and she felt it wasn't like being in a hotel), and I didn't want to buy a trailer because I felt I could drive, park and store the MH with more ease. We decided to buy new rather than used because I wanted manufacturer support - which turned out to be critical.
We bought an entry level gas unit with a floor plan we liked, with the idea that we would make notes about what we wanted different in a new model if we ever had to trade. Our list was short but had a few major considerations.
First, the front television was mounted low and could not operate when the MH was running. After I resolved that issue I found that while we were in motion even running the volume full blast made it difficult for people at the dinette to hear it. When we were parked if the sofabed was coverted you couldn't see over it from the dinette. I am a little technical so I managed to fix the sound issue, but we decided that the next unit would need a TV up high so it can be seen easily from the living area while underway and when the sofabed is extended at night. We also decided to find a setup where the TV either had an external speaker setup or had the ability to locate the DVD/VCR in a cabinet in the middle of the living area (so we could install a stereo with it and run sound out of it). If you are traveling with children from 2 to 17, this is a huge consideration.
Second, we decided that we needed leveling jacks. If you don't have them and you are not level, you have to make sure you park with the sleeping quarters so that your head is higher than your feet or it is nearly impossible to get any rest. The fridge doesn't like to be very far out of level, although I am not quite sure why. The tanks like to be level when you dump them. Also, when people do get up in the middle of the night, it's nice to have a little stability.
Advice to anyone... if you have a problem with your coach and think you can fix it yourself, read on. We found a leak in one of the bedroom windows the first time out. I figured I'd fix it when we returned, but as soon as I got back from vacation work had a trip in store for me. I decided to call the dealer and have them fix it. A year later there were two more problems with water leaks and I decided that I'd have the dealer, on a service visit, redo all of them. The problem was documented on service reports. At year 5 when the warranty had expired I noticed a bubble on the side of the unit that was about 3 feet by 2 feet, starting at the window where the first leak was. Close inspection showed that there were problems near the other windows, also. I learned a lot about delamination over the next few days. The dealer did not have the ability to repair or replace the walls and since it was out of warranty it seemed I was stuck. The dealer called the manufacturer and found a contact person for me to speak to. I called and explained that the problem appeared to be caused by water leaks which were addressed by the dealer when the unit was brand new. They contacted the service dept and verified the story, then offered to replace both walls if I would bring them the coach at my own expense. I jumped at the chance. They kept the unit for 6 weeks but I got it back all repaired. They also went through the unit and fixed some smaller things. Moral - even if you can fix it, if it is under warranty bring it to the dealer and get the service dept to put what is wrong on a slip that you keep. It saved me thousands of dollars.
We are now in our second coach. We did manage to address both of the major items on the list.
2003 Harley Ultra Classic
2004 Itasca 36M Workhorse
2018 Toyota Tundra
2021 Toyota Highlander
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SJPHARMD
MARYVILLE,TN
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Joined: 10/18/2003
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Great job Johnny.Your great post will definatley keep a few buyers from ending up with a coach they dont like
2003 39 FT FLEETWOOD EXPEDTION 300 CUMMINS DP. 6 SP ALLISON TOAD 2002 JEEP WRANGLER 1999 HARLEY HERITAGE SOFTAIL THAT SOMETIMES TRAILER MYSELF SCOTT , WIFE SUSAN , 13 YR SON MATTHEW ,9 YR DAUGHTER BETH
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mrwacky
Pahrump, Nevada, USA
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Joined: 09/10/2003
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I have a friend who bought from the Boerne Newmar dealer. He claims they had the best deal around.
2005 Montana Big Sky 3670RL
DWIGHT AND BETSY LILLY
In loving memory SIX FERRETS--FUZZY, SILLY, PUMPKY, BABY, RANDY & RUDY (deceased)
Boo Boo, Yogi, and Sadie our two poms and Papillion rebels
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ndent
White Salmon, WA
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Joined: 07/25/2004
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Excellent article, JohnnyT. I am in the midst of extensive Class A analysis, after agonizing over -- but finally dismissing after much research -- Fifth Wheels. I have met several salesmen who say that I should just "have fun with it" (the purchase) and not worry about so many details". Yea, right. I have spent my corporate life analyzing things. Heck, i even took seven years of dating before I married my wife, and that's lasted 32 years now. Perhaps I can be as lucky with my first-time choice of RV's.
One of the things I have found very helpful in determining your first point (Budget), was to prepare a very detailed spreadsheet adding monthly cost estimates as I discovered them from reading, forums and other analysis. Add to this the pre-determined, one-time, "must have" purchases. At the bottom of the chart you will see the difference between your net income and your total expenses (the same as with a household budget). If you are complete and accurate, and allow a few points for inflation, there will be fewer negative surprises down the road!
I have noticed that everyone else in this thread has been too tactful to ask you, so I guess I will . . . "What were your final 3 Class A choices, and which one did you select?" Nick
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352
Oxfofd, Fl
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Joined: 04/20/2004
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veryyyyyyyyyyyy goodddddddddddddddddddddddddddd
The manatees of Halls river Homosassa Springs Fl
1985 Chevy Silverado c10. 454 stroker / 495 CI = 675 HP. 650lb of torque. Turb0 400 tranny. 3000 stall converter. Aluminum heads. 3 inch exhaust flowmasters. 2 inch headers. Heat and air. Tubed.
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BaldyD1
Central Florida area
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Joined: 12/01/2003
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Have not read all of the replies to this post, but those I have read did not touch on some important safety issues.
Do believe that this post offers more information to the first time buyer than anything I have seen/read before. The only area where I presume to offer additions is in the research area of drivability and highway control & safety.
I believe that any and all manufacturer's MHs being considered for purchase should be driven on a long test drive that includes quick to emergency lane changes and other quick maneuvers that are regularly required in todays traffic on highways. The quick maneuvers must be done in a safe area on clear roads/highways/large open parking lots.
The topic of driving is mentioned under research by the statement "test drove most of them." and as one of the checklist items under TAKING DELIVERY. I would say that driving the MH prior to ordering and/or purchase is paramount for determining how the MH will handle and if the buyer will be comfortable behind the steering wheel and should be expanded in the RESEARCH paragraph and the TAKING DELIVERY checklist.
As mentioned on this forum many times, people purchase a MH and find the drivability to be poor and the safety to be suspect and then set about correcting the problems that probably would have been found in a long test drive.
Drive the same model that is being ordered and the actual MH you are buying prior to signing the final sales contract!
If my suggestions and ideas are incorrect or detrimental to MH purchaser's, please inform me where I'm wrong/off base/fouled up.
Speedy, Jackie & Dusty {Shih-Tzu/Maltese}
2006 Kountry Star KSDP 3912
2005 Saturn Vue (dinghy)
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Janjanjan
Nashville, TN
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Joined: 09/29/2003
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I think this is a great discussion. We've been looking at MHs for 4 years and renting them on trips for 6 years. Previously we camped in a pop-up for 20 years. We're close to retirement when we're willing to actually buy an MH. We know ourselves and we don't often trade stuff in as long as it is serviceable for all kinds of reasons. So we need the first choice to be the right choice. Several of the points you made are items that we've given a great deal of thought to.
There is one sticking point that is making us question our decision process. Can we reasonably expect to do the kind of camping that makes us want a MH, in the kind of MH that we like? We've always avoided private campgrounds and love Natl Forests, state and federal parks. Our biggest concern is that the 36-37 footer that we want won't actually be able to handle those sites.
Any advice from more experienced folks?
Janet
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JohnnyT
On The Road
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Joined: 07/15/2003
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Nick, the three were the Travel Supreme, Newmar Mountain Aire, and the Monaco Windsor.. We picked the Travel Supreme because it best matched our needs and wants.
JohnnyT
2004 40DS02 Travel Supreme ISL 400
Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford F150
M&G Brake & Break Away
Blue Ox Aventa LX Tow bar
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J Walker
Oakton, Va
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Joined: 06/12/2003
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Johnny T
Great post. It came a little late for me, but luck and some knowledge gleaned from my first class A saved me and I am a happy camper. I would add that with all of the points and questions you outline, you will have a very hard time finding a salesman who can give most or all answers. I can stump them myself. On the negotiation, it is my experience that the dealer will negotiate when he feels like it. The approximate 25% reduction from MSRP can be had only when the dealer is in the mood. For MHs on the lot, one that has been there a long time or a end of the year model could quickly get approximately 25% off. Anytime the dealer decides to move merchandise for any reason you can get 25% off even if it is special order. Other times you would think that very near MSRP is all they will consider. It gors without saying that you walk away if they won't make a reasonabe offer near 25% off of MSRP. As a final point, I think that all of your points are great things to strive for in the process of purchasing, but I don't think that you can ever full achieve complete results.
Jim Walker
2014 Thor Palazzo 33.2, 6.7 Cummins, 2100 Allison
2009 Malibu
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SIX PENCE
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
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Joined: 09/29/2002
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We sold our house in Dec. 02 and took possession of a 2003 Dutch Star 40' DP and love it. We are definitely full timers, having spent 2 years of 8 or 9 months a year doing heavy travel in a 34' Airstream trailer pulled by an F 350 diesel, crew cab dually. Between the two we have been in every state, all but 2 Canadian provinces and from Prudhoe Bay Alaska to 200 miles below Puerto Valarta, Mx. We find as time goes by we do less hop skip and jumping and more extended stays. We own an RV lot in Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay near most of our 6 children and in summer spend extended periods there. We also own a lot in an RV resort in West Palm Beach, Fl. where we spend time in the winter. If we want to travel elsewhere summer or winter we can rent one of the sites. Now to the motorhome.
The delivering dealer is not a factor as you seldom have a problem in his area and have to use the closest dealer. We find our living expenses average about $1,000 less full timing than owning a house so we bank $1,000 a month toward the purchase of a 2006 Dutch Star DP. Our present MH has 2 slides, we will go to 3 or 4 as we want more space for extended stays. We do not want to own a motorhome that is not under original warranty with RV labor rates at $75 to $100 per hour. We are active Escapees so we schedule a visit at the Newmar factory for warranty work the week before the Indiana Escapade. We hope we can get a floor plan that will provide more kitchen and dining space as we like to have two couples for dinner at times and want a table that seats 6. The Newmar Country Star 5th wheeler has great kitchen layouts and we have contacted Newmar to see if they can put these in a MH. Get a catalog and option sheet from your local dealer and get a price, then contact dealers anywhere you are willing to go and buy from the one with the best price.
For us the MH has more space and storage space than we need. We were accustomed to limited space having lived on a 36' sailboat for the greater part of 7 years.
Now we are rolling instead of sailing. The only downside to any MH is the quality of any of them, even a Prevost or a Blue Bird does not compare with a quality sailboat.
Capt. Bob & Pat (Alaska,Mexico, lower 48 & all of Canada)
Guard Dog, Curly the Cairn & Toby the Lahsa
Dutch Star DP 4097 2003
2005 Sport Trac
Datastorm Motosat (Locator #1974)(Internet & TV
"A moving target is harder to hit."
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