Your opinion on a few rigs, please!

[TarheelBornGal]

Hi Emily, me again. Liked the Ace floorplans, at first, then noticed the slides. The only one I'd consider is the 30 ft because it's the only one where the stove wasn't in the slide. One reason we chose the Admiral was because the dinette and couch slides out, nothing with hoses (propane or water) moves when the slides do. This might not be a big factor, might be bigger in my mind than actuality but I didn't want anything that could kink moving around.

Is your Admiral the 30SFS? I think it is actually 31' something, correct? Do you have any issues with getting into sites at state/national parks? My husband wants us to stay with 30' at the very maximum because he has seen at least some places that have a 30' minimum. There are SO many 31' motorhomes that I haven't even looked at as a result. Finding what we want in 30' or less is a challenge, to say the least!

I had read that one should avoid having the refridge in a slider (as the ACE 29.2 has) because it can't be vented through the roof, but I hadn't heard that the stove shouldn't be (as in the ACE 29.1).

Thanks,
Emily

[carold]

In our Class C, the sink was on a slide and no problems. In this one the refrigerator is on a slide, no problems yet we traded in the C when it was 4 years and 60,000 miles old, so don't know if it developed any problems later. Have fun shopping. carold

[TarheelBornGal]

My husband and I were avid sailors. We even sold them on weekends. It's been 25 years so I've forgotten much of the lingo. I'm surprised you aren't pulling a small sailboat.

Thanks Nancy! We do enjoy sailing but we are not what I'd call "avid sailors". We more enjoyed being able to travel from place to place on our boat (a Catalina 30 -- built a lot more for comfort than for speed) and "living aboard" on long weekends and vacations than the sailing aspects of it. We actually motored more than we sailed since it seemed like wherever we wanted to go, the wind was on our nose! We owned our boat for a few years, and it was fun, but we also love cycling, hiking, and kayaking, and we'll be traveling to a lot more places in the motorhome where we can indulge those interests than sailing. Motorhomes require enough maintenance as it is without adding a sailboat (more maintenance, more cost) to the mix. And we really don't want to add the complexities of towing to our very first motorhome experience as we'd like to be able to back into sites and to limit our total length. So we are looking for a rig that will allow us to take our bikes and take-apart kayak along.

Have fun looking for your next RV. I just wish we were back in the US so we could actually be looking at them in person rather than just online!

Emily

[Bethers]

Here's my thought on slides - I wouldn't want one where you HAVE to open it to get to anything important. There are times when you just want to stop and make a sandwich, or go potty - and if the slide has to be out to do that - would be a deal breaker for me.

As to length - you will actually find some National Parks were 25 or 26 feet is the maximum. Generally speaking if you stay to 28 feet you'll probably be good in most of them. Not true the National Forest cg's - where some are as short as 20-22 feet! And many that have the majority of sites smaller, have a few that handle larger rigs. That said, those sites usually fill up quickly - and when you can't reserve them, you want to stop earlier in the day to make sure you get one. I do think staying under 30 feet would be good if you want those types of cg's. And getting slides can give you more space.

That said, I've stayed in a couple that have really long sites, but you wouldn't be able to open slides - or multiple slides - so another reason to know you could live for a couple days without opening the slides for anything important, if necessary.

Keep looking - there are so many different layouts, etc - in so many different lengths.

As to C versus A - I have driven both, I prefer driving the C. And I discovered there are Class A's on Chevy chassis that I was unable to drive at all - my height with the seat up all the way, meant I banged my knee every time I moved my foot from accelerator to brake. No acceptable. That said, that is very personal. Make sure BOTH you and hubby can drive whatever you eventually decide on.

And enjoy the searching!

[Acadianmom]

I'm not in the market for anything but if I got something with a slide I would try to get the sofa and dinette in the slide, not any of the kitchen. I know someone with a kitchen slide that got a kink in the sink drain and it took 2 or 3 tries to get it fixed.

Martha

[TarheelBornGal]

Great info, ladies! On another forum there is a thread about the ACE 29.2, and all there are saying they have no problem with the fridge being in a slideout, but I've read other sites stating that that could cause problems with the venting. Also, the ACE 29.1, which I like, has a real problem with the slide in as it limits access to the kitchen almost completely, and the stove can't even be open. Not sure that is a great design. As much as I like that motorhome for a lot of other reasons, I may have to pass on it based on that.

Since we do want to stay kind of "short", I think a slide or two are going to be needed for comfortable full-time living, most likely.

Beth, how tall are you? I am only 5'2", so driveability may be a factor in a Class A. No idea. Seems like most of them I've looked at online have been on the Ford chassis -- not sure how much difference that makes. They still seem intimidating to me, but I do like the space inside. I have a feeling we will end up in a Class C, but who knows until we are able to get into some and see how they drive and "feel".

So many considerations, but that makes "the hunt" more fun, right?

Emily

[Bethers]

I'm 5' even - and can drive some Class A's - was, in particular, the design used in the Chevy based Class A's that I looked at. But, you never know from one rig to another - drive it - make sure you can sit and be comfortable. Because of the deep seats in my C - I either need a pillow or something behind me - have added something that gives me the back support - as otherwise, my legs hit funny in the front and it gets my sciatic nerve - but have had that trouble in various cars and trucks forever, and is an easy fix. That hitting my knee - there was no fix. I had a bruise without getting out of the parking space!

[BirdbyBird]

Just to throw another fantasy idea onto your plate...the creative RV design place just south of Columbus,Ohio, completed some renovations for me recently.. Besides renovations and upgrades to some fancy fancy rigs ( mine not being one of the Fancy ones....). They also build custom designed RV's on a sprinter chassis..... They sit down with you and you tell them what storage spaces you want....what sort of sleeping space,etc. when I asked him about pricing he said depending upon the "quality" of the special features that some add.....that they can build just what the customer wants in the same price range for an RV off the lot on a sprinter chassis.....

[teachergal]

Have you looked at Lazy Daze?

http://www.lazydaze.com/ - they are nice coaches and might fit the bill, not sure about outdoor storage though.

Also there are at least 2 manufacturers who are making 30' class As....The Winnebago Via (and Itasca makes an identical rig with a different name - Winnebago & Itasca are basically the same company I think) and I saw one called an Avanti - I think it's by Thor but I could be wrong. No idea what the storage is like on any of them but might be worth a look.

I have a 24ft Class B and have only found 2 places I can't take it - Going to the Sun Road in Glacier NP and Baxter State Park in Maine. I decided on the Class B for a lot the reasons you have mentioned - I want to go to the State Parks/National Parks/National Forests and I don't want to tow something. When I'm out camping the RV is my only vehicle so I want to be able to take it anywhere and park it anywhere. Mine barely fits in a standard parking space - if I can back in and put the overhang over the curb it fits, otherwise it sticks out. I LOVE my van more than anything, but I don't think it would be good to full time in especially with 3 (you, your husband, and dog). I'm quite happy with just me!

My dad has gotten his 36ft Class A into many parks where the limit was 35' - some of those were a bad idea but with careful maneuvering he got himself out.

[TarheelBornGal]

Just to throw another fantasy idea onto your plate...the creative RV design place just south of Columbus,Ohio, completed some renovations for me recently.. Besides renovations and upgrades to some fancy fancy rigs ( mine not being one of the Fancy ones....). They also build custom designed RV's on a sprinter chassis..... They sit down with you and you tell them what storage spaces you want....what sort of sleeping space,etc. when I asked him about pricing he said depending upon the "quality" of the special features that some add.....that they can build just what the customer wants in the same price range for an RV off the lot on a sprinter chassis.....

Is this like a Sportsmobile, Class B concept? If so, this was the very first thing I looked at - a Sportsmobile on a Sprinter chassis. The Sportsmobile folks could take a stripped down Sprinter van and build a custom unit with bike storage and a platform bed above. But the largest unit was only 24' long and very basic. Fine for weekending but not enough storage or amenities for full-time living. Expensive too. Very cool concept, though.

Just wondering if there is such a thing as a larger Sprinter? Even so, might be above our price range...

Emily

[JudyJB]

Everyone has their own opinions, so here is mine, based on my VERY limited experience"

I'm about 6 months ahead of you since I just bought a 31'8" Class C with two slides (one on each slide). I started out looking at smaller Cs, but ended up going larger and wider because I am planning to live in it and wanted the space for when my grandkids came with me. If you will never have company, your needs will be different than mine, however.

I am very short and tried driving one Class A, which was just not right for me. I still need a booster gel seat with my Class C, but at least I can put the seat forward enough to reach the pedals without the steering wheel cutting off my breathing. The cab is smaller so I can reach things more easily.

I've only taken two trips, both under 80 miles away, but I am getting much more comfortable driving, and have even gone into a McDonalds, hardware store, and grocery store, all in very small towns. (Shopping centers will be a breeze after these!) In fact, I have done almost all my driving in small towns because that was the shortest way to go where I wanted to go, and have found it easier than I thought it would be. (Exception was when GPS took me through downtown Mansfield, OH, during rush hour. Mansfield is a nightmare because it is an old town with narrow streets and old railroad bridges which are arched and not very tall. I drove under one with 6" to "spare." Scary.)

I have made a ton of reservations in state and national parks for the upcoming year and found only one where they had no spaces for units over 30 feet. I even called one Florida state park where the only thing available was for a 30' or shorter motorhome, but they told me they always have some leeway and as long as I was not bringing a car, I would be fine and they would not throw me out!!! I have made reservations for the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Rocky Mountain National Park, and others with no problems on length or width, but then again, I am making reservations long in advance, so I have been able to get a long enough space when they are limited. (The main campground at the Grand Canyon DOES have 30' restrictions, but the full-hookup RV park next to it did not. I would have preferred the more wooded sites of the Mather Campground, but will manage with the more crowded, less natural RV park.")

[TarheelBornGal]

Have you looked at Lazy Daze?

http://www.lazydaze.com/ - they are nice coaches and might fit the bill, not sure about outdoor storage though.

Also there are at least 2 manufacturers who are making 30' class As....The Winnebago Via (and Itasca makes an identical rig with a different name - Winnebago & Itasca are basically the same company I think) and I saw one called an Avanti - I think it's by Thor but I could be wrong. No idea what the storage is like on any of them but might be worth a look.

I have a 24ft Class B and have only found 2 places I can't take it - Going to the Sun Road in Glacier NP and Baxter State Park in Maine. I decided on the Class B for a lot the reasons you have mentioned - I want to go to the State Parks/National Parks/National Forests and I don't want to tow something. When I'm out camping the RV is my only vehicle so I want to be able to take it anywhere and park it anywhere. Mine barely fits in a standard parking space - if I can back in and put the overhang over the curb it fits, otherwise it sticks out. I LOVE my van more than anything, but I don't think it would be good to full time in especially with 3 (you, your husband, and dog). I'm quite happy with just me!

My dad has gotten his 36ft Class A into many parks where the limit was 35' - some of those were a bad idea but with careful maneuvering he got himself out.

Lazy Daze are great quality motorhomes, and we've been looking at them for years. But the only model with an island bed is 31' and unfortunately has almost no outside storage so no good way to carry our bikes without a four-bike hitch off the back or a toad. And the 31' island bed has no option for a cabover bed (entertainment center only), so we'd have a problem carrying our kayak too unless we had a toad with a kayak rack. These are complexities we really don't want at this time, so Lazy Daze is ruled out for now.

Class B's are too small for the three of us full-timing. We love each other but we'd kill each other in such a small rig, not to mention the storage issues -- we'd have to tow a trailer, no question. We did consider it, but we want a real bathroom with separate shower and a full-time bed. We dealt with a tiny marine "wet bath" and sleeping in the v-berth in our Catalina 30 sailboat, and that was fine for weekends and short trips but would have gotten really old full-timing. If it were just me, I'd go Class B for sure -- sounds like it makes perfect sense for you!

We do know about the Going to the Sun road being a problem, but we will just have to rent a car (or ride up it on our bikes! ) when we go there; it's not worth buying a tiny rig just for that one limitation.

I have looked at all the Winnebago and Itasca models online but can't see one 30' or under with enough basement storage. We may have to go up to 31' or 32' as we're running really low on options. There are just a few left on our short list, and all are a compromise in one way or another -- most of the ones we've found that might work storage-wise have no slide-outs, and I really think we'd like at least one for the sofa or dinette or both just to provide a more spacious feel, especially for those rainy days when we're stuck inside. We could probably live without one, but I think we'd be happier with a bit more width since we're looking at (relatively) short rigs for full-timing. Most full-timers seem to be in 36-40' rigs with toads. We think we can live more minimally than that, but we have our limits too.

Thanks for the suggestions, and I don't mean to poo-pooh them all; I have been researching like a fiend since it's been raining here a lot, so I have plenty of time to surf the web. I swear I don't think there's anything left I haven't uncovered, but I keep hoping I'll find the PERFECT rig just lurking somewhere I missed, so suggestions are certainly welcome!

Thanks!
Emily

[JudyJB]

Emily, I am 5' 1" and could not reach the sun visors or some of the controls on the 35' Class A I test drove. The steering wheel cut into my stomach, in addition, to both the brake and the accelerator being far to the right and hard to reach. I admit I did not test drive more than the one vehicle, but I decided at that point I really like being in an automotive cab.

I am having problems with the manual awning, but am planning on getting a taller stepstool with something to grab onto--you know the kind that have a sort of handle on the front. I also am having problems pulling the cabover bed down, but as soon as I find the strap I packed away (one of my lost items) and fasten it, that should not be a problem. I have a short stool and a grabber, also, except the grabber also has disappeared! Obviously, I need to do some organizing.

Even though I am single, one big reason for getting two slides was having a large wardrobe in the bedroom and a bed that I could get into and out of easily with my replaced knees. My kitchen sink and stove are both on my living room slide, so that does worry me a bit about kinked hoses. I also had then tear the big dining booth out so I could put in my recliner, and I needed the front slide for that also.

I agonized for more than a year on all of this and really appreciated the help from the kind ladies on this forum!

[TarheelBornGal]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Judy! It sounds like we may be able to go up to < 32' instead of sticking with less than 30', if we need to. We won't be towing, so it is good to know that even a lot of places with 30' limits will let you come in with your motorhome. That would open up a lot more possible rigs to us, so I do appreciate that information and will pass it along to my husband.

I am still game to try test driving a Class A if we thought one was perfect for our needs, but I'm only 5'2" so have no idea if I'll even be able to. I have a feeling I'll be a lot more comfortable driving a Class C, and I know my husband does not want to do all the driving.

Thanks,
Emily

[JudyJB]

I will say that the cab of my Class C is tight--meaning I have to put the seat back and move the armrest back to get out of my seat and back to the main part of the RV.

Why don't you try going online and checking out reservations on some places you want to go. Most of the national parks and a lot of states have online sites that have photos of the individual sites, along with dimensions. I have also gone onto Google Earth and looked at the specific sites I wanted to reserve before I made reservations.

Here is the site for federal sites: http://www.recreation.gov/

And one for the Florida State Parks: http://floridastateparks.reserveamerica ... pgroundMap

Warning about Florida, however. Most parks in prime locations literally fill up a couple of seconds after they open 11 months before you want a reservation. I have been using a work fast connection and did manage to get reservations almost everywhere I wanted for next winter, but it was a real challenge!! Even got one oceanfront site for two weeks north of Dayton!