maxheller
Summerville
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Hi all,
Great information on this thread.
I am now also considering buying a 23A Thor Majestic from CA. I just wonder about how the pricing relates to the JD Power RV values. I understand that in this current market, CA may be able to sell their RVs for much above the average retail JD Power RV value. What I do not understand is why the 23A shows up a much lower lower value compared to a comparable Thor Four Winds unit. I understand that the two are similar. Any thoughts or ideas? Are there other sources for the RV values I should be looking at?
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI & Space Coast, FL USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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maxheller wrote:Hi all,
Great information on this thread.
I am now also considering buying a 23A Thor Majestic from CA. I just wonder about how the pricing relates to the JD Power RV values. I understand that in this current market, CA may be able to sell their RVs for much above the average retail JD Power RV value. What I do not understand is why the 23A shows up a much lower lower value compared to a comparable Thor Four Winds unit. I understand that the two are similar. Any thoughts or ideas? Are there other sources for the RV values I should be looking at?
I can't help with finding the value; but after looking at and buying a '23 Chateau 22E, my dealer explained that there are several iterations of the same thing, and in most cases, it just boils down to the options added to the unit by the ordering dealer; or little details that many buyers won't notice at first. The obvious difference between a Majestic and my Chateau (based on photos): I have wall switches for the lights - heck, I have wall switches for a dozen different things....LOL! But not running all that extra wire saves money. In a Majestic, you reach up to the ceiling to turn on lights (or into a cargo bay, assuming there's a light in there at all). I have extra storage "footlockers" and shelves in the cabover bed area. I have USB charge points and a "phone catcher net". Our very first Class C was destined to be a rental - and it served us perfectly for 10 years, so I can assure you that the rental RVs are just fine (but the little creature comforts that come in the higher-priced floorplans ARE nice!)
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI & Space Coast, FL USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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Well, I should add: regarding RV values, I look at RVTrader.com But ALWAYS ask for the out-the-door price, because some dealers add on a lot of "fees"
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SJ-Chris
San Jose, Ca
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maxheller wrote:Hi all,
Great information on this thread.
I am now also considering buying a 23A Thor Majestic from CA. I just wonder about how the pricing relates to the JD Power RV values. I understand that in this current market, CA may be able to sell their RVs for much above the average retail JD Power RV value. What I do not understand is why the 23A shows up a much lower lower value compared to a comparable Thor Four Winds unit. I understand that the two are similar. Any thoughts or ideas? Are there other sources for the RV values I should be looking at?
I've got two CA RVs and they have served me well for my purposes. You need to keep in mind that CA has these RVs custom built to their (rental fleet) specifications. They are built without all the bells and whistles that end up breaking from use/misuse. They keep their RVs very simple. Examples: No Electric steps, no slide outs, no awnings (unless you pay to have one added), solar (none), no TV/DVD, just one coach battery, no inverter, no (or limited) USB ports, no backup camera, no ladder to the roof. Because of this, I would expect them to sell for less than a standard "consumer" Class C RV.
One thing to point out... I DO believe that CA is also smart enough to know over the years the items that break most commonly and they have those items built extra strong/etc from the factory so that they last longer.
If you have any questions....fire away! If you are contemplating buying one from CA, feel free to message me for a tip.
Happy Camping!
Chris
San Jose, CA
Own two 2015 Thor Majestic 28a Class C RVs
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BlindBadger
USA
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Just wanted to say thanks to everyone in this thread. You guys provided a lot of reassurance (and great advice on what to look for/inspect) as my wife and 4yo get ready to fly down to CA in PHX to check out and pickup a 23A to drive back to Spokane, WA (a nice long trip to really test everything, hah).
We've rented one of that model before from the spokane rental location back in 2021 and my wife loved it (especially the layout). I was less impressed with the rental as several screws that held up curtains and other things were all stripped out or just not installed at all (dangling or found on the floor) and I ended up doing those minor repairs before the wife loaded up the rig for camping (I blame the local shop more than the larger organization in this case). A lot of the trim and other items showed signs of pretty major wear as well. However, all the mechanical stuff worked solidly for the week we used it (driving it across the state and back).
It sounds like all of that won't be an issue and would be fixed/taken care of during the refurbishment process and hearing all of you happy campers who have gotten CA units really eases my mind since I'm flying down there and won't get to see the unit before I'm there to pick it up (I did plan on grabbing the extra warranties just to make sure...another peace of mind purchase that it sounds like I won't have to use too much, if at all). The salesman has been very pleasant to work with so far...very accommodating and responsive.
I'll post up our experience once we take posession of it in a couple of weeks and hopefully add to the positive experiences (or give details of anything negative if it comes up).
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IAMICHABOD
Sunny So Cal
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Joined: 12/12/2011
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BlindBadger,Welcome to the Forum and the Former Rental Owners Club.I will add you to the list of Happy Owners,you will be #145 ![[image]](https://www.picgifs.com/emoticons/smileys-and-emoticons/thumbs/smileys-thumbs-951446.gif)
Yes please come on back and share your experiences good or bad, it will be of help to all the others that are looking to buy.
Again welcome and I hope all will go as planed and you will have a great camping season.
2006 TIOGA 26Q CHEVY 6.0 WORKHORSE VORTEC
Former El Monte RV Rental
Retired Teamster Local 692
Buying A Rental Class C
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BlindBadger
USA
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In the past week, I've tried to contact several different inspection companies and a lot of them are just...gone (even ones recommended by my CA salesman as people who have come before). One I contacted wanted me to bring the RV to them and leave it with them for a week for the inspection!
From the recommendation in this thread, I contacted RV eagle late last week and it's been a challenge to get information on an inspection from him (or at least a date so I can let the salesman know when to expect him). I called him once and he asked me to text him the info. When I did, he didn't respond until midnight two nights later (asking for the date I'll be picking up the RV). I let him know the dates and let him know that I'd like the inspection done ahead of time so I can get CA to fix things before I arrive (it's currently day two again from the last response I got from him).
With the date I fly down to pick it up coming closer, I'm starting to question if I should find someone else. I'm sure he does a good job (two good experience in this thread), but the lack of communication is not inspiring confidence. Anybody have any other recommendations for RV inspection in the Phoenix/Mesa area? (ideally someone who has helped them with a CA RV inspection or can go to that location?)
Worst case scenario, I do have an inspection checklist for myself based on the information in this thread and may just have to rely on the past experiences in the thread for everything else being fine.
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vw2112
St louis
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Just read through all 168 pages and i have most of the answers i needed before i head into Dallas to pick up my CA 23A. I've already purchased a lot of stuff for the RV as i know how many things i needed to get to make it the way i want after i get it back to Missouri. Just returned from 4 years traveling around the south pacific, Asia, Australia, and half of Europe. The plan was to get some land and build a container home on it and go back to the work force but now i found out its about an 8 month project for container homes. I decided to buy a jeep wrangler and an RV and just live in the RV and find some sort of part time job to keep me from being bored and spending a lot of money on amazon like ive been doing. got some job offers driving a big truck again but its a seasonal concrete job here and after like October its not gonna be so busy and id probably head south to avoid winter as much as possible.
I have some things i couldn't find out about the RV but i can just look at the heater controls to see what model the unit has on it before i order the replacement. Seems like i can install the thing in the parking lot in Dallas if i need to but will probably get it back to here before i start replacing shocks and so on. gonna be returning to this page a lot it seems to follow the writeups of replacing things that others have so nicely posted.
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cencerrita
Florida
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vw2112 wrote:Just read through all 168 pages and i have most of the answers i needed before i head into Dallas to pick up my CA 23A. I've already purchased a lot of stuff for the RV as i know how many things i needed to get to make it the way i want after i get it back to Missouri. Just returned from 4 years traveling around the south pacific, Asia, Australia, and half of Europe. The plan was to get some land and build a container home on it and go back to the work force but now i found out its about an 8 month project for container homes. I decided to buy a jeep wrangler and an RV and just live in the RV and find some sort of part time job to keep me from being bored and spending a lot of money on amazon like ive been doing. got some job offers driving a big truck again but its a seasonal concrete job here and after like October its not gonna be so busy and id probably head south to avoid winter as much as possible.
I have some things i couldn't find out about the RV but i can just look at the heater controls to see what model the unit has on it before i order the replacement. Seems like i can install the thing in the parking lot in Dallas if i need to but will probably get it back to here before i start replacing shocks and so on. gonna be returning to this page a lot it seems to follow the writeups of replacing things that others have so nicely posted.
Have a great time and enjoy. If you need somewhere cheap to go in the Winter the BLM long term visitor pass Arizona and
New Mexico - 2023
• New Mexico pass is a good deal if you want to stay somewhere warm during the winter months.
• $6.5 convenience fee by Reservations America when buying a pass.
• Pass cost for residents $180
• Pass cost for non-residents $225 which is still a good buy.
• Annual Day use $40 except Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
• There is a fee of $4 night up to maximum $12 for each camping night booked via Reserveamerica.com the daily basic camp fees however tend to be quite cheap
have a good one
www.cencerrita.comNow living in Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. See our web site for US travels and books www.cencerrita.com
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IAMICHABOD
Sunny So Cal
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vw2112 Welcome to the Forum.I will add you to the ever growing list of the
Former Rental Owners Club you will be #146 ![[image]](https://www.picgifs.com/emoticons/smileys-and-emoticons/thumbs/smileys-thumbs-217948.gif)
Congratulations on getting thru all 168 pages!
I have archived many of the mods that other owners have made,if there are any specific ones you want to know about I may be able to help without you having to search all these pages. Just ask or send me a PM I will be happy to help.
Again Welcome and good luck on your purchase and when it is done please come on back and share your experiences with us.
Have a Great Camping Season.
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