I'm beginning to wonder about "not intended for full time living".  How does that affect the warranty if you live in it full time?
gypsy

We're in our second "Class A."  Our first was five years old when we traded it in after 3 yrs. of full-timing.  Our second is now 5 yrs. old and the only appliance problem we've had was with the refrigerator when the cooling unit failed after 3 yrs.  It was replaced by Dometic as they had just issued a recall.  We have replaced our water pump twice (2nd just last week).  But we feel this is due to the fact that we have a series of filters on our intake line which reduces water pressure tremendously.  So, we fill our water tank and get our usual water usage from the tank using the pump - and that includes using the washer, which runs almost daily if we have hookups.  I don't use my gas oven often as we find using the convection/microwave easier, but the stovetop gets daily use.  I've heard that some warranties have the "not for full-time use" clause, but have not met anyone who had problems with warranties or major porblems with appliances.

This is what we have

http://www.thegreatoutdoorsrv.com/Cherokee/26BH.htm

We are going to cut out that bottom bunk and make it  into a office space/desk/pc; DH thought of that this morning... but i guess its ok.

-- Edited by khan at 23:55, 2008-06-18

Some companies have denied warranties when they find out you are a full-timer.  The most famous was R-Vision (before Monaco bought them) which was written up in Good Sam's Highways magazine.  Also been told it happens with Jayco.

We don't fulltime and have expereinced failures with the microwave oven, refrigerator control circuit board and cooling unit and recently had to replace the air conditioner.

All of these with the exception of the microwave failed after several years of service and I considered normal life span. The microwave died after the second trip and was replaced by the factory, no charge.

We average about a week per month of use.

It seems to me travelling across country, being bounced and jumbled by the failing roads we seem to now have throughout the US, would take more of a toll on an appliance than constant use sitting in one spot.

I recently had to fix the refrigerator door due to poor road conditions coming south on I-5 from Bakersfield California. If I had been driving my 70's era Honda Civic I think it would have been swallowed up by a couple of the pot holes we hit. Sometimes there were 3 out of the 4 lanes with series of pot holes and cracks....no way to avoid them. The hinge on the door simply broke off, I'm sure after hitting this series of pot holes.

I agree this statement is probably included just to CYA... give 'em one more out in case they want to deny a claim.

gypsy97 wrote:

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Luvglass wrote:

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There are a number of makers who promote their full time capability, why take a chance?

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Can you share some of the makers who DO make their RV's for full-time use?  Thanks.
gypsy

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I know that Fred and Jo are on their way to Alaska so he may not be able to get back on to answer you soon.

From my experience here are a few 5th wheel RV manufacturers that promote their full-time capability, listed in no particular order:

Carriage
NuWa (HitchHiker)
Doubletree
Excel
Glendale (Titanium)
Escalade
New Horizons
Teton
Keystone (I think certain models only?)

There are others, but the memory is blank!  There are also many, in not most,  Class A motorhomes that are certified for full-time use.   Just ask, but not the salesman!  Check with the manufacturer on their website or call them.

The " not intended for full time living"  statement is included for a very good reason.  If they did not include that statement the unit would have to comply with different government standards than a recreational vehicle has to comply with.  This would cost the industry money.  It is much cheaper to print the statement in the literature.

If a company desired they could void a warranty should they find out that you are using the unit for full time living, but let's face it.  They all know we use their products this way.  Doing so would not be a real smart thing for them to do as there is a large market for full timing in RV's, but they could. 

That all being said, we have used an RV of some type for more than 30 years and we have yet to have an appliance, other than air conditioners, fail.  We have been lucky because we had a worse record than that in our stick-n-bricks with appliances.  So I don't worry about that.  Things fail and things wear out whether in a stick-n-bricks house of an RV.

JMO

wmalefyt wrote:

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I  know that Fred and Jo are on their way to Alaska so he may not be able to get back on to answer you soon.

From my experience here are a few 5th wheel RV manufacturers that promote their full-time capability, listed in no particular order:

Carriage
NuWa (HitchHiker)
Doubletree
Excel
Glendale (Titanium)
Escalade
New Horizons
Teton
Keystone (I think certain models only?)

There are others, but the memory is blank!  There are also many, in not most,  Class A motorhomes that are certified for full-time use.   Just ask, but not the salesman!  Check with the manufacturer on their website or call them.


I think Bill got just about all of them. We actually don't know very much about this whole RV thng, we had absolutely no experience with either camping or RV's and just read a lot, visited a bunch of factories and joined the RV Consumer Group. 

We actually were pretty settled on a Montana first, but were straight out told at the factory that the warranty didn't cover full time use. Not knowing anything we just went looking for a brand that was guaranteed. I really don't know how important it is, we have many friends that full time in Montanas and they are pretty happy. We just figured better safe than sorry.

As a side note, Bill is right, communications from up north does become quite spotty, we've been without internet for almost a week now. and forget cell phone usage. I hope it gets better when we finally get to Alaska. And it is a LONG drive!

Fred

 

I started reading the blog last night and thought the same thing.  It is written so well and in such detail that I felt like I was riding along.  The pictures are great!
gypsy

Ken & Sarah wrote:

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http://www.americanarv.com/

This is another unit built for fulltimers.

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Thanks so much for this link.  I read quite a bit of the info, and watched at least a couple hours of videos and I learned one thing:  as a solo, 67 yr old female who is adept at many things but not mechanical things, a 5th wheel is definitely not for me.  If I wasn't convinced, the video series on hooking up cinched it!  Are you aware of any other mfr that has videos of features, plus setting/hooking up? 

I don't know where else on the forum to say it, but I am irritated that most mfrs post nothing about price.  Some do, but the majority that I've seen do not.  I am retired and of limited means, plus I live a fairly basic lifestyle and have no desire to change, so if I'd prefer to skip over the relatively expensive models.  Of course, I could see right away from the video tour for the Americana that the quality of their product would mandate a higher cost, but I was so intrigued with the beauty of it I just had to keep watching.  Thanks again for the link.
gypsy

 

Thanks, it makes sense to look at more models to see what I would feel comfortable with.  Originally I thought I wanted a trailer - that would be easier to deal with than a 5th wheel, right?  The trouble is when I find the features I want (and don't want), I am looking at length.  About 10 or 11 yrs ago I drove a 21 ft  U-Haul with my mom's furniture, towing her car behind, from Sacramento CA to Springfield VA.  When I saw the size of that truck+car I didn't think I could do it, but about 30 miles up I-80 I realized that I could.  Things started to get tough once I hit the Maryland border and Springfield was a nightmare, but I managed.  I doubt I would want to do it again - the tow part.  So my thinking is a trailer would allow me to park it and use the vehicle to drive to grocery, local sights, etc.  A motorhome would probably suit my needs best but then I would have to tow something behind it.  I just gotta keep looking, reading, and attend some shows/visit some lots.  Thanks again.
gypsy

The Americana is truly beautiful and I would love to be able to own one.  But being a single and a senior one at that, I don't see how I could hitch and unhitch it by myself.  From the video I watched it seemed that you needed two people - one to back the truck up and the other to direct the driver into the proper position.  So I just figured I couldn't handle it on my own, and it narrows down my choices.  I think I would be able to deal with a trailer or a Class C, but I'm still in the early research stage and trying to soak up all the info I can.
gypsy

My husband and I work as a team when we hitch and unhitch, but I know I can do it all by myself. You just need to use your mirrors or I prefer to just turn around and look through the back window of the truck. You can easily see the hitch and it doesn't have to line up perfectly---there is a little bit of play there. I'm no spring chicken---I turned 50 this year and I feel quite confident I can do all I need to do by myself if need be. Not to mention the fact that most rver's will gladly lend you a hand if you need it! One more thing about Americana RV, when we picked up our unit they spent 3 days with us. We stayed right there on the service lot and they made sure we both knew how to operate everything. They even take you out for a test drive making sure you know how to turn corners, stop, back, etc. You go through the whole process of hitching and unhitching, setting up and leveling the unit. So, whatever you decide works best for you---make sure the sales people are willing to spend some time with you answering your questions and making sure you are comfortable with your unit before you drive off the lot.

Debbie

What makes a sticks and bricks a fulltime unit?? Things break and you have to have them fixed. I really do not see the point in saying this is a full time unit. Non of them will last a lifetime without the proper care. We all have the same Fridg, HVAC units, HWH, pumps. Converters, Batteries and many of the frames are made by the same Manufactures...I don't see a great bit of difference until you get to cabinets, counter tops, carpet, furniture...heck your socks probably will out last my Wal Mart brand but I can replace them. Take care of what you have and make it a fulltime unit...enjoy it and life...your not going to last forever either...worrying about it will just cut your life short. I saw a couple in a 1989 Terry the other day. It looked brand new! I bet the only thing original on that unit was the body and the trailer under it. I bet they replaced some stuff don't you. The thing is it was still going down the road and believe me a Terry is not a Fulltime unit.

Live and Dream or visa versa???

Speedy

It's all about quality in my opinion. 

Some manufacturers use screws and glue and some use staples!  That's a big difference, especially when you're using the RV full-time.  Potential buyers need to understand the level of quality they are buying as there are huge differences even if they all use the same frames and components.  Things like insulation or lack thereof is another big variable. 

When we go full-time it will be in an RV that is built for full-time.  To me that means it's glued and screwed, has lots of insulation and the manufacturer stands behind the quality with a good warranty.  Even beyond the warranty the quality manufacturers will continue to support their customers when the need arises.

Mike and I were walking around an RV dealer lot and went in the 2009 Montana Big Sky.  This unit was really dressed out and looked super.  Does anyone know if the Montana Big Sky is considered a fulltime unit?  If it isn't it sure should be.  I got the feel it took the Cambridge's place because I saw some of the same fit and finish.

The 2009 Big Sky Montana has many of the standard options of the Cambridge.   But no it doesn't have them all, and of course it doesn't cost as much as the Cambridge did.   We Loved our Cambridge and wish we hadn't sold it.   I don't think we will ever be able to get a 5th wheel with the options we had for less than a $100,000 dollars.   I will tell you we are looking very close at the Big Sky Montana for our next 5th wheel.   However full timing is a lot different than a stick and bricks.   But keep in mind you can hook up a go were its warm.   And the stick and brick can't do that.   Very few 5th wheel are rated for full timing.   You can always go with a Teton,  but then you will also have to have a BIG Truck,  the weigh can get over 22,000 lbs.   I also like the Double Tree 5er,  Mobile Suites, Elite Suites, either one would be good for a full timing unit.   But they will probably say not for full time use also.   We were full timing in our Cambridge and Keystone knew we were using it for full timing,  I know this for a fact,  we were at the Keystone service center twice and I told them we lived in ours.  Good Luck with your choice.   GBY....       

The Fleetwood Regal is rated for full time use and even comes with what they call their "Extreme" package.  That's double insulation ALL AROUND, enclosed underbelly, thermopane windows, and tank heaters. 

We do not live in extremely cold weather, that was the reason for going full time.  If you do want to do this you had better make sure you have a heated underbelly, if it is a fiver, along with thermal pane windows.
southwestjudy