Pros and Cons of 42' - RV-Dreams Community Forum

rwarner22 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Pros and Cons of 42'

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

The opposite of houses, your rolling home is a depreciating asset, and on top of that, you can expect that the larger and more complicated it is, the annual maintenance and repair costs will be higher.

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would say by all means get a RV for as much as you can afford, however that does not mean you will always be a happy camper with the first one you buy. Just remember also costs to replace those big tires and whatnot. We have never not been able to get our 36 rig into campgrounds, but have seen some big MH's that have a very hard time.
southwestjudy

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

My wife, Jo, and I have been considering a 42 foot Phaeton as well. We have test driven both a 40 and a 42. While I knew I would have no trouble with driving one, my wife was the one that was uncertain.

After driving the 40 footer, she said that it would not be uncomfortable for her to drive. Then when we drove the 42 footer with the tag axle, Jo said that she thought the 42 was more stable to drive than the 40 footer. Apparently the tag axle adds that stability.

Two things that have concerned me about the Phaetons was the length and the inaccessibility of getting to the engine.

While we are sure that we could find areas where we could park, there might be fewer large spaces to choose from. One National Forest campground area that we go to somewhat regularly has two campgrounds fairly close together. In one, about half of the campsites would have accomodated either length and in the other, there were about 4 of 12 that would have allowed a big unit to park within.

Having been a former 18 wheeler driver, I would like to have access to the engine, if for no other reason than to be able to change fuel filters myself. The Phaetons, without a side radiator, makes it more difficult to get to the engine.

For us, the only other major concern with the Phaetons is the cost. Because of that and the current economy, we are reconsidering the fifth wheel and tow vehicle again. This time though, we are looking at a 36 foot instead of the 38 foot Mobile Suites.

Whatever choice you make, enjoy.

Terry

thebearII · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are glad we bought the biggest 5th wheel (37 footer) we could afford. The extra space is great.

My concern with 42 footer would be access to some older RV resorts and campgrounds. Most of the newer resorts (15 years or newer) have been designed to accept the big bus motorcoaches. Every place we have camped would accomodate a 42 footer.

The other concern is based on something that happened to a friends 40ft MH with a tag axle. He pulled out of a tight driveway and had to go over the curb. Somehow this caused the tag axle to go out of alignment to the point where he could barely gain any speed because the tires were dragging badly. Never heard what the fix was, my friend got rid of that MH right after it was fixed and went to a 30ft Class C.

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

I read the other day where Jim and Ellie just spent $1000.00 for their first Service call. Now they have a Phaeton 40 footer... with the cost of the first service appointment and maybe another oil change down the road and a few tire changes...you have squeezed me out of this market. I guess if you got the money...I would say go for it.

Joe and Sherri

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've got to agree with Fred on this. A house is often an investment. A motorhome isn't really worth much when you're done with it (if you can sell it at all). Having said that, I think the rig you're looking at is beautiful. If it has everything you want, the price is right, and you can afford the maintenance, etc... then go for it!

Colleen

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

As you'd come to expect from this forum you are getting sage advice... Here's a re-cap with embellishments (we are talking moho vs 5er)

Buy as much as you need with the quality you want and can no-debt afford (need, want, no-debt are the key words)
It is a depreciating thing (I won't even call them an asset, especially now) From a budgeting perspective, treat it as a sunk-cost out of the gate.
The big boys (35+ footers - especially the 40+) have positively no resell now - a pro or con depending which side of the sale you are on
Don't expect resell anytime soon w/ economy still increasingly going south. I've had big dealers tell me FICO scores of 800+ with 40-50% down will NOT get a loan on the big rigs. That should tell you something about the general state of RV industry risk.
Consensus says there is no "ease of driving/ease of maneuvering" difference between a 40, 42, or 45.
A tag makes all the difference in terms of driving comfort, feel, and stopping power - weight distribution and reduced loading reasons
A 40 chassis (they have no tag) is by definition fully maxed out (and beyond) in terms of weightso you are starting at a disadvantage
A 42 compensates for loading w/tag but you lose mega space (an entire basement bay) so why not go 45 since they are equally easy to drive and equally limiting
The longest typical CG break point tends to be at 40 and below. So a 42 is as limited in CG choice as a 45 so why compromise your cargo/living space on a 42
Do keep in mind that in these freight train stratospheric lengths of 42/45 that CG choices tend be more expensive as they are more limited
Maintenance costs differ primarily on gas vs diesel and then somewhat on FRED vs DP, not on length so a 35DP will cost maintain roughly the same as a 45DP
The bigger rigs tend to have more fancy stuff that tends to make for more maintenance which is sometimes offset by the fact that the bigger rigs use better components which last longer
The RV industry is already vastly different now than 6 months ago, just wait a few more months. Carefully consider the company you are buying. Parts and serviceability are the immediate concern.
Pick a survivor. You'll want a survivor as they will at least have a parts inventory as many suppliers will also start going under along with the host of manufacturers.
Resell will also play favor toward survivors in a couple more years. A non-survivor rig will likely market mostly to DIY mechanics. The rest of the buyers will seek survivor rigs. You can guess the price difference on resell.

Don't take these as negative, but reality.

The most important thing is to do it and seize the opportunities of today (like low buy cost) and the unexpected cost of waiting too long (like medical mishaps).

Carpe Diem...

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have waited a bit to chime in. Right now we are at the FMCA Western Area Rally in Indio, CA and dealers are here with motorhomes to sell. Most of what they have to sell are used motorhomes, very few new ones are evident. In past rallies the majority were new motorhomes. Looking at "show prices" they are pricing low, they want these motorhomes sold. I have no idea how well they are doing at finding buyers.

RVDude said a tag axle gives you more carrying capacity and that is true, for the entire motorhome. But I personally talked to a guy with a Monaco Signature that had a maxed out front axle with nothing in the bays except a full water tank and no storage where he could use the 4,000+ pounds of capacity in the rear from his tax axle. Weight distribution does matter so watch out. I suspect Tiffin is better here but just having a tag axle is no guarantee of realistic carrying capacity.

We have a non-tag 40' DP with 1,800 lbs of reserve carrying capacity, divided almost evenly between front and back axles. (That means we could add 1,800 lbs of stuff and still be legal). We think it drives fine.

A single friend just traded his 35' gas motorhome for a 43' Allegro Bus because after a few years of full-timing he realized it was the right RV for him. You have to make your own decision.

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill is spot on regarding weight distribution. A tag does not guarantee increased CCC. My attempt to oversimplify left out the very critical detail of why you must weigh each wheel - weight distribution is all over the map on these rigs!

Thanks Bill!

kpoppa · RV-Dreams Community Member

Just one quick thought. With the economy as it is, and the motorhome industry hurting as much or more that the rest of the economy, I would suggest looking at and 'almost new' 1 or 2 year old coach. Many times it may be possible to buy a $1/2 million dollar coach or less than $300k.

As some one else suggested, If you ain't paying cash, then don't buy it. You have to remember just what the value of this depreciating asset really is.