craig7h
Branson MO area
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Joined: 03/23/2002
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A couple years back DW and I decided we needed to down size from our 35' fifth wheel. We decided to go the class A MH route, as it made more sence for us.
We looked at many sizes and models we ended up with a 29ft gas. After a few short and a couple long trips we found out that we screwed up. Not moving to an "A" but a two short A. We lost so much storage that it made semi long trips harder to plan for. We ended up going to a 37' A with tons of both inside and outside storage. Now being gone for months at a time is really enjoyable.
So my answer to your question moving to a class A was the best move ever. From storage to set up. Start looking for larger unit and work down. Think where you might be a few years down the road.
Good Luck
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RetiredRealtorRick
Gulf Shores, AL
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Joined: 04/17/2020
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Just wondering, since you mentioned "I've grown increasingly worse with seasonal depression issues", what exactly is it in NW Ohio that forces you to remain there? Maybe it's time for a permanent change? I know, not really helping to answer your initial question, but just a thought. I made that decision decades ago, leaving SE Michigan behind, and have never regretted it for a minute.
. . . never confuse education with intelligence, nor motion with progress
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Horsedoc
Dixie --- N. Georgia
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Joined: 09/30/2002
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I have no idea what Lou was trying to say, but will tell you to come on down and enjoy. Several hundred smaller, family oriented CGs here in N Georgia, NC, SC area from the Blue Ridge Mtns to Macon and the Fall line.
Our tastes run to diesels because sometime we might get a wild hare idea and head west for a few weeks. Diesels are more dependable in my mind as we have had 3 and loved them all.
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1995brave
San Antonio, TX
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Joined: 01/24/2006
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Remember if you get a Class A or C you will probably have to rent a car at your destination or get a toad to get around.
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Chum lee
Albuquerque, NM
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Joined: 08/03/2015
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If you are considering a Class A with slides, make sure you are aware of what the floor plan looks like "inside" with the slides "retracted." Some floor plans are usable, some are not. When you are in travel mode, many popular rest areas are too tight to safely fully extend your slides. (without the danger of another oversize vehicle damaging them) IMO, it's good to KNOW that, now, before you sign on the dotted line.
Chum lee
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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I'm old school. No slides for me.
What will we do when fuel reaches $6 per gallon?
I'd really love to move to an electric RV.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
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ferndaleflyer
everywhere
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Joined: 03/31/2011
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I started around 1970 with a 18ft trailer and moved up over the years to a 36ft trailer. Then had one of those "B" things a short time then 2 class Cs. Class A, I have never had a gas one but went big and got a 45ft 4 slide Monaco right off the bat. Huge costly mistake, worst was how useless the interior was if slides were not out. Awful. Then got a 40 ft Winnebago Luxor and there was lots we liked about it but it had no slides. I really liked the basement AC. Our current A is a 36ft Monaco with 1 long slide and we really like it. It drives with the agility of a Honda Civic with the power of a Corvette (Big Cummins Motor). My advice would be to avoid the entry level models where everything about them is built cheap from small motors to partical board cabinets for example. I could have bought one of those for 1/2 what the Monaco and Winnebago Luxor cost. Do lots of research, LOTS!
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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Joined: 01/03/2004
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Chum lee wrote:If you are considering a Class A with slides, make sure you are aware of what the floor plan looks like "inside" with the slides "retracted." Some floor plans are usable, some are not. When you are in travel mode, many popular rest areas are too tight to safely fully extend your slides. (without the danger of another oversize vehicle damaging them) IMO, it's good to KNOW that, now, before you sign on the dotted line. And access when parked on the street and can't open the street side slides. Some areas don't allow you to park in the wrong direction.
Just another of the many items on a PDI.
2009 Holiday Rambler 42' Scepter with ISL 400 Cummins
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Bob
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Joined: 05/06/2013
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pianotuna wrote:I'm old school. No slides for me.
What will we do when fuel reaches $6 per gallon?
I'd really love to move to an electric RV.
What?? Where do you come up with this stuff? Only if it’s powered by a truck load of used “telecom jars” or SiO2 batteries though I presume? Lol
Good entertainment for the rest of us if nothing else, I suppose…
* This post was
edited 08/07/23 09:23am by Grit dog *
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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OP, best of luck in your search.
And leave it to the folks here to turn your very well worded, complete, with context even, questions into something about how far they think you should drive per day, or the plethora of other off the wall and off topic responses.
As to your question, you appear to have all the tools and experience to competently pick out your next RV. Moreso than the majority of folks here do, or at least can articulate anyway.
Your plan appears well thought out.
Only thing I can add is my very limited experience w gas class A’s in that our friends just upgraded from their old crusty but trusty 2000ish gas A that they’d had for several years now to a low mile like new 2014 34’ ? gas A with a full wall drivers side slide and a bedroom slide opposite side.
For what they paid, $45k, to me it seems like a great value or bang for the buck. Inside is HUGE and VERY well appointed and the underside storage goes on for days. Easily more storage than one “should” use. There’s so much storage it would be real easy for someone who wasn’t conscientious to overload it. Not a bad thing just speaks to the amount of room.
I do t remember the brand, doesn’t matter, really. Starts with a M. But that age/size/cost/amenities seems like the sweet spot to me.
All that said, no one knows your budget, so recommendations are tough since that is one of, if not THE primary factor.
In general though, you appear to see the great value in used and sometimes older and used, unlike many people, so you’re totally prepared and qualified to make this decision without much or any help from the rvnet peanut gallery.
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