Cloud Dancer
San Antonio and Livingston TX USA
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Joined: 06/08/2001
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Hello to the other captains. This is Capt Nunez, and I do NOT compromise on my sleeping arrangements. I waited until Newmar developed a bedroom slide big enough to accomodate a king-sized bed. The big Pillow Top mattress(optiona) is the GREAT!
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
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PriceCutts
Ottawa,On, Canada
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Joined: 08/20/2004
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Thank you so much for this encouraging article. We are in the process of selecting our first Class A MH and it is very overwhelming at times. When we started we knew nothing...had seen a few at the RV show but that was it. We don't even know anyone who owns one. So this article has certainly given us a new sense of confidence. ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
I had posted a message looking for advice (before I read this) and some of the responses caused me a sleepless night. Visions of having a $150k investment towed down the road...while I hitch hiked behind...were dancing through my head.![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/eek.gif "eek")
Which leads me to a new question...is there a web site that does any quality, performance, construction, pricing comparison, etc between homes? Sure would be helpful.
In any case thanks again for sharing this information.
Happy RVing
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Kingpin XX60
S.E. Mi. Blue Country
Full Member
Joined: 02/24/2004
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Excellent job with post Johnny T. Not trying to be critical but some of the things a person needs to know when selecting a coach such as driveline, creature comforts etc. can only be obtained through experience. You cannot possibly simulate every driving condition, hills, heat, city traffic, loaded drivibility, unloaded, handling in the wind, handling as trucks pass, visibility at toll booths etc. During a PDI
As I stated at the beginning of my post great information, but in my opinion half of what you wrote (wants / needs) can only be obtained through personal experience. Which puts the odds against the first time buyer. In closing I do agree with what you posted and would add that I would discuss with the dealer and the manufacturer, what the course of action would be in the event of a major unforseen componet failure. IE is the dealer going to deliver it to the factory? Is Manufacturer going to pick it up, what is their position on such issues. How many repair attempts is reasonable to endure and get the response in writing. Get everything in writing.....
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krazykaro
Sacramento, CA
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Joined: 08/27/2004
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Hi, a first time RV'er.... and we took our first trip this month to Canada..... we loved it. You appear we have the same motor home and I thought you may be able to answer a couple of questions.
first.... when driving we are not able to use electricity. but I understand we should be able to. there are a lot of buttons and we just haven't figured it out. The lights work but the back tv and plugs are not functional....
second... one of our jacks keeps sticking and won't go up without help. have you had that problem.
hope to hear from you.... Karol in Sacramento, CA
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qkarla
Portland, OR USA
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Joined: 08/26/2004
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Very well written post, JohnnyT.
We just purchased our first Class A today! We had done MONTHS of research, been inside at least 200 RVs (no exaggeration!) Been to at least 20 dealerships, countless websites, pretty much all the things you mentioned. We had a top and bottom price decided. As many have suggested, even though we knew exactly what we wanted (and had found it) we were willing to WALK AWAY if the dealer wouldn't meet our price. (Save the jumping up and down for joy until after you've signed the paperwork!) We had previously owned 2 trailers, so we did have some idea of the features we wanted, but I also agree that thinking things through, going through the motions of preparing a meal, where will both of you stand/be when dressing in the morning, can we watch TV comfortably, etc is great advice.
Must say I am surprised to hear of (and had never before) a charge for PDI. Had that in both of the previous campers and a charge was never even brought up... Also, those that think your list is too long or unrealistic- it all depends on how important these things are to you. We did not purchase what most would consider a luxury$$$ model, but I will (quite happily) say that we got EVERYTHING on our list in this unit! We are going to fulltime in about 6 weeks, so our list was very important to us. Had this been a 'weekender' purchase, I wouldn't have done nearly as much planning, plotting, searching, sweating, worrying, etc!
I'd also like to say thank you for the posts about price and negotiation. I know we paid less than we would have if we hadn't had this forum as a resource. It's great! Thanks!
K & D
2002 Pace Arrow 37A
+Crozb (10yrs-young, 1/2lab+1/2brittany = ALL retriever)
+Freddy (sweet-n-sour fat cat, 5yrs)
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jakenney
Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Joined: 09/10/2004
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Thanks for the information! We are just purchasing our first Motor Coach, a Holiday Rambler Endeavor-40ft,2000-DP. It only has 13,000 miles and the previous owner took exellent care of it! We are also considering an American Dream - but it is priced about $30,000 more than the Endeavor and we are just not sure if it is worth the increase in price. We have researched several RVs, and this one seems to suit all of our needs. Any comments, thoughts, ect. would be greatly appreciated.
Chuck and Judy
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dllfo2
Sacramento, CA USA
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Joined: 09/10/2004
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JohnnyT,
I would recommend videotaping the dealer "presentation" on the day you
"buy it"...put another way, we knew the MH we wanted (and could afford) and we had hashed out about 95% of the deal. THEN we scheduled a morning visit (Fleetwood/Pace Arrow dealer) and started discussing and taping the whole thing. After we bought it, we had our usual number of problems and the dealer tried to get out of some of them because "we did not operate the _____ the way we were told to..." I pulled the video tape out (inside our motorhome of course) and played it. The interesting thing was...(1) we won every arguement and (2) pretty soon he quit trying to get out of it.
Another side to videotaping was that we could watch it over and over
until we understood the systems. One specific item was the Air Bag
suspension. When I asked the dealer if we had it...he said no. After
a problem came up...he argued that we overinflated or something. You
guessed it...
Being retired, we are looking into buying another MH. I want a good
quality one and plan on finding which brand, which model and which
dealer to go to. Then, when I find just the right one, I want to pay
an expert to go through it, finding most problems at that time.
This is getting long, thank you so much for all your time and effort
on your post.
Regards,
Dave
* This post was
edited 09/10/04 06:49pm by dllfo2 *
2002 Monaco Diplomat 38PST
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CRoger
Port Orchard, WA, 98366, USA
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Joined: 09/15/2004
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What a great website and source of invaluable experience. I'm new to this site but not to RVing. I am interested and am trying to compare the merits in buying an older bus(Prevost, or?)for the same money as a newer class A pusher to replace our '79 P-30 28 footer. I have been unable to find anyone talking about miles per gallon. If durability and quality are comparable then running costs per mile are a pretty significant factor at over $2/gallon fuel. I get about 9 mpg with my 454. Can anyone give me a clue. Thanks, C. Roger
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arlosmith
South Bend In.
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Joined: 01/12/2004
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Johnny..
I don't see any posts of a rv'er that bought a 15 old motor home and 5 year old tow vehicle..Do you imagine there are few of those..It would be interesting to hear some of their stories,good or bad..(maybe they are too busy working on rigs to write)
These 250,000 rigs are beautiful but out of reach of most/many Rv'rs.
1985 35' coachmen 5'er. 1993 350D auto completely stock. 125k.
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Don A
High Springs, Fl.
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Joined: 04/08/2004
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I have a 2000 model bus with a cummins 330 and an allison mh3000 and have been averageing 9.9 for almost 3 years. We tow a jeep Cherokee and are not over loaded as with many coaches on the road. We are not full timers and probably will never be, but we do travel almost every month. Good luck on yor search.
Don
Don A
2000 Allegro bus/Eagle and Flag on back
2002 Jeep Cherokee/ Brake buddy
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