Motorhome Comparison Guide - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Bonlou10 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Motorhome Comparison Guide

Jake62 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bonnie,

Sent you a PM.

RonandBee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bonlou, we're also looking at the Phaeton's along with the 42QD Ellipse and the Meridian's, along with Thor's, all in the 40+ft range. May I ask what other models you looked at and why you made the choice that you did? We're looking at going full-time sometime after July 2015. Also, how long of a process was it for you, from deciding on the rig you wanted until signing the papers and keys in hand? Thanks!

Bonlou10 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hi RonandBee.

We did a lot of research and looked at a lot of units.

The first big decision was fifth wheel or coach.

Once we decided coach we looked back at ratings for the manufacturing companies in the range of newest years that we would be able to afford without having a mortgage. For us that was 2006-2009.

Tiffin, Winnebago and Newmar were the top 3 manufacturers in all 3 years in the categories of quality of workmanship, reliability and service.

We didn't want to go over 40 ft. Minimum 350 Cat and a freightliner chassis.

Inside we wanted a decent sized kitchen to work in, plenty of storage in the bedroom, and only 1 bathroom.

We preferred a table and credenza instead of a dinette booth and double recliners and a table across from a couch in the living room. Those 2 options were not necessary though as we knew we could fix them ourselves.

After that we just looked online at many units. Our original plan was to head out with our TT and truck and shop at our leisure but Fred found this unit on a visit to our local RV dealer where our TT was in Winter storage.

As far as the timing...We looked for over a year but didn't want to purchase until 2015 for tax reasons. I am sure it can be done in a much shorter time.

RonandBee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the info! We prefer the coach over a TT for several reasons. We are also looking at a new rig mainly for the warranty state-of-mind, and buying used you really don't know what the previous owner(s) might have jerry-rigged. Our situation is also a bit different. Other than myself and my wife, we also have my Sister-in-Law who is older and "slow", as in minor Autism. So we want something bigger and more room. The sleeping situation is our biggest concern. My wife likes the bunkhouse designs, as do I, for the sleeping arrangements, but I don't like the designs we've seen due to the floor designs and taking away from the living spaces. Besides, how often are you really in the sleeping area? Most of our time will be spent either outside or in the living area. We really like the Winnebago Ellipse 42QD but it's a bit pricey right now. By the time we're ready to buy in July/August I think we can get one within our price range. I know I want to go diesel for sure, and I have no preference with Caterpillar or Cummins, even though I've heard that Cummins is the way to go. As far as the timeframe, I was just wondering if it's like buying a car: you find the one you want, agree on a price, do the paperwork, drive away. I know there's more to the "drive away" part due to prepping the rig for delivery, PDI, etc., but I was just curious since this is our first RV purchase. But that's the reason for these forums, right, to educate ourselves? Hahaha Thanks for your info, I appreciate it!

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Interesting on Freightliner since in the old days, Newmar would configure the Freightliner chassis cheaper than the Spartan. Smaller engine, not as good a suspension, etc. That is why our 2004 Newmar is on a Spartan chassis, not because of Cummins/Cat, but because we have a bigger engine and better suspension. The home grown chassis on Monaco/Holiday Rambler, Country Coach and Alpine Coach are all good products, so I would not put chassis brand as a deal breaker on this level of DP.
Also realize that Cat made a big push to get manufacturers to use the C9 instead of the Cummins ISL around 2005 or so, by discounting hard. It a bit messy getting it working right with the Allison transmission, but eventually it all worked well. In the end, the Cat C9 did not have the real world torque to match the ISL and Cat stopped the heavy discounting, so everyone went back to Cummins. Then Cat screwed up on the 2010 emissions and got out of the over-the-road market, so it is mostly Cummins now, with some Mercedes in the low end and some Detroit Diesels in the high end.

Bonlou10 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Yes pretty much like buying a car as far as the paperwork to drive away.

Camper_Boy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Bonnie Lee,

we to are looking to switch to a motorhome...if you still are able to send the comparison, I would be interested. More information is always good. Talking to more people is a good way to whittle through the manufacturers. Thanks

Bonlou10 · RV-Dreams Community Member

I have already rehomed the guide. It is a great reference that helped us out a lot. We appreciated having an information source that wasn't full of personal opinions. Good luck with your search.

Tigergrad · RV-Dreams Community Member

I will have cash from home sale next month and will explore available class A motorhomes in Texas as there are a lot posted on craigslist there. I will be a full timer. I had Minnie Winnie a few years ago and liked it. Have some brands in mind: Winnebago, Itasca, Gulf Stream, Rexall, Newmar. Gas or Diesel either way if right deal. Looking at something below $50K

I will focus on private sellers.

Question: can anyone recommend an RV service place in the Dallas and/or Houston area that could inspect a MH for me? I would like to get the rig checked out by a pro before I close the deal.

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you are looking in Texas make sure you go over to Nacogdoches and look at some older Foretravels. They are such well built coaches that even those from the mid 90s are great values, run well, have loads of bells and whistles and would do you well.

Barb

jlb27537 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Tigergrad wrote:
I will have cash from home sale next month and will explore available class A motorhomes in Texas as there are a lot posted on craigslist there. I will be a full timer. I had Minnie Winnie a few years ago and liked it. Have some brands in mind: Winnebago, Itasca, Gulf Stream, Rexall, Newmar. Gas or Diesel either way if right deal. Looking at something below $50K
I will focus on private sellers.
Question: can anyone recommend an RV service place in the Dallas and/or Houston area that could inspect a MH for me? I would like to get the rig checked out by a pro before I close the deal.
I would remove Rexall from your list. You might want to look at PPL in Houston and New Braunfels. They only have consignment units and have the ability to do pre-purchase inspections, but it maybe only for their cosigned units. http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/