Fall RV Shows in the Midwest??

[JudyJB]

I am planning on retiring and full-timing in a motorhome in a year or two.

I have been searching the internet and have found a couple of motorhomes that seem to meet my needs--Class C, around 27-28 feet long, large slide, recliner or other chair, sofa or u-shaped dinnette instead of regular dinette, good storage inside that I don't have to stand on a chair to get to, etc. I'm not going to tow anything, at least at first, so I want something a bit smaller, but I want to be able to sleep my son and his family once in a while.

One is a Jayco Greyhawk 26DS and the other is a Thor Four Winds 25C.

Now, my problem is that I have called all over Michigan and no one actually has a Jayco in stock, nor do they expect to get one in stock because they mostly sell the 30'+ models. I called the factory in Indiana, and will go down there one weekend in September and get a tour plus they will have a model available for me to look at if I give them a week's notice. The Thor is a little easier to find, but I think I really like the Jayco better, sight unseen, because it actually has a linen closet and a pullout pantry. It even looks from the pictures like it has actual light switches on the wall where I can reach them! And, it has the option of an on-demand water heater.

I think I am really still not done looking, so do any of you know of any really big RV shows in the Midwest in the next 6 months? I am willing to go anywhere in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and possibly even Kentucky, Illinois, or Pennsylvania, maybe even a bit farther. It's really hard to find something that has a separate recliner and something other than an uncomfortable dinetter, so I think I should keep looking, especially considering I won't be buying for at least a year. Just can't help dreaming and planning, though.

Thanks

[Acadianmom]

I did a search for rv shows in Michigan and there is one in Detroit October 5-9. I don't know how big it is and it probably won't have the exact rv you want to look at. You might find something you like better. I'm not in the market for an rv but usually don't miss the local one just to see what's out there. The rv shows around here are usually in the spring. From what I can tell it looks like the manufactures change the floor plans a little bit every year. You can probably order one with just what you want but you won't get it at a bargain I bet.

Martha

[Bethers]

There is a BIG rv show in Hershey, PA in Sept - and lots of other shows you can find all fall and winter. I believe the RV show Chicago has is in Jan (but could have changed since I went to it). If you come to the gtg here in PA in Sept, the rv show starts that week - and we could all go with you What better than a gtg with your forum sisters and looking at rv's?

[Birdie]

Judy, don't wait for the RV shows. Start going to dealers and looking at what they have on the lot in the Class C 25-30 foot range. That will give you an idea of the models that will fit what you are looking to get into.

I have been looking at 26-28 foot models since April. I have sit down in a lot of rigs and know pretty much the plus and minus of a bunch of RV's both Class A and Class C. I am looking at both new and used. I won't buy new because even a good deal is just way to expensive. I am primarily looking for a 2 or 3 year old rig that is preferably a one owner. Remember RV salesmen are pretty similar to car salesmen and they will tell you what ever they think you want to hear. That is why you have to look, sit down, reach up, reach back into the cabinet, lay down on the bed and open all the closet and storage doors. Then you research on line. Make a list of your have to haves and your who cares and the throw aways. Either memorize them, or write them down and look at them before you go in (I carry that in my pocket) then photo the rigs you look at. It is best to photo the front, the model and then the exterior/interior that way when you look back at them you can remember which ones they are. That last statement, Judy, is based on if you look at a lot of rigs. Colleen and I have had a lot of fun searching for my next new to me RV. We drove about 200 miles one day (actually we did that two different times) and I introduced her to a great lunch spot and she introduced me to the IKEA store. Colleen and I have probably looked at close to 150 rigs in three months. I have looked at probably an additional 20. I have a list of about 20 sites on line that when I want to research a particular model, I go and start searching.

I like to look at the new models, even though I know I won't buy one, as it gives you an idea of how a manufacturer changes from year to year. Sometimes they don't seem to understand that if you full-time, some things are more important that if you part time. That would be things like storage and refrigerator. The interior cabinet height will be fairly standard. Some newer models have the sliding pantry that comes out with the door. Some of the older models have the racks that slide out.

So I encourage you to go to the RV dealerships and look. It is really easy to find one or two primary manufacturers at one dealership. They will have the new models. Then they have the trade ins. If you have a friend that RV's take her or him with you. Even someone who doesn't RV can make it fun by seeing 'the neat things'. You need to see if the manufacturer is making the quality things that you are looking for. It is hard to evaluate that without doing the eyeball and touching, walking on it inspection.

Okay, that's my very own opinion. And I am sticking to it. Will probably start looking again when it cools off a little bit.

[Queen]

Judy, we're in the same boat, very interested in Roadtreks and possibly Born Free's but there's not a dealer that has more than one within 200 miles. We're hoping to hit the Chicago show this year (although we heard it was a bit small last year).

[BirdbyBird]

Born Free.... Trouble is once you actually get to see the quality of some....it ruins your ability to look past some of the "cr@%p" that you find in similar rigs.

What Birdie says! and check out the small details as in the latches and door guides on and in the cabinets and drawers. A particular rig may still be a good deal but you will know that you will soon be replacing some plastic parts. Note where the brilliant engineers have placed all the magic "switches" for the city water tanks/fresh water tank, drain valves, pumps.....better to be surprised now than later.....

And as for dinettes and comfortable chairs....again as long as you are looking at used, you can still feel good about your great deal/find and then make some interior changes. Comfortable recliners are not that hard to find. Just be sure to always check what is under the benches of the dinette, couch, etc. Some of them have storage and areas that are easily converted if the original "furniture" is taken out and other floor plans have tucked their fresh water tank there or heating duck work, etc. The joy of the hunt is in the imagination and the dreaming.....have fun!

[Queen]

Born Free.... Trouble is once you actually get to see the quality of some....it ruins your ability to look past some of the "cr@%p" that you find in similar rigs. ...

My folks owned many different configurations of RV's over the years (A's, C's, Fivers, TT's), they were happiest in a class C. I also saw many of those quality issues you mentioned, that's why Born free (used!) is on the list; my father could fix ANYTHING, I can't so it will be a big plus if there's quality workmanship from the get go.

[Acadianmom]

Born Free was on my list the last time I was looking for a used motorhome but I don't see many Born Free's in the South. I lucked out and found a Coach House. It is very well made and I haven't had too many problems in 5 years. But, I don't think anyone could full time in one. Well, I take that back. If you can full time in a Roadtrek you could full time in a Coach House. You just don't have very much storage.

Martha

[JudyJB]

Martha, the one in Detroit is the one I went to last year. They had a ton of trailers, but not many motorhomes and most of those were huge Class As or 5th wheels.

I will try again this year there, however, because I think I am looking for different things.

[JudyJB]

Beth, the PA gettogether sounds like something I might really be interested in, especially if I could get some of you to go with me to the RV show. WOuld some of you really do that????? Were you all planning to go anywhere?

Problem is that I work, so I would have to take a coulple of days off, maybe Thursday and Friday. Since it is an 8 hour drive from Michigan, I would not get there uuntil Thursday night, so I'd have only Friday and Saturday to see the show and then have to drive home again on Sunday morning.

There seem to be hotels nearby, so I could socialize with you during the day, at least, and get to know you. I have no one around me who has a motorhome and certainly no women friends who do this full-time, so I really could use some help, but I don't want to be too much of a bother.

Birdie, I am incredibly impressed with your stamina in climbling around 150 motorhomes!!

[Ladyhawk]

Don't know about shows, but I love, love, love my Greyhawk. I was going back and forth between the Four Winds and Jayco, but just loved the quality of Jayco. I have the 31'. Two years later and I still love it. Did I mention how much I love it?

[JudyJB]

AMy, do you pull a toad? One of my concerns is getting something small enough for me to be able to handle, so I can do some sightseeing it in without having another vehicle back there.

Or is there really very little difference between haulting around 31 feet and 27 feet??

One advantage to traveling alone, as I have always told people, is that you get to use all the towels in hotels. I can see with motorhomes that another advantage is that you don't need quite as much space as a couple would becuase you don't have as much to store and you don't have to worry about tripping over someone.

I do want to be able to sleep 6, however, for when my son and his family come along. I have one son and family in Ohio and another in Californai, so this will mean I'll be going back and forth at least once a year.

[Acadianmom]

I have had 4 motorhomes and my favorite floor plan was the 27' Class C that had twin beds in the back, mid split bath and front sofa and dinette. When I had that one I camped with my Sister and her 2 boys and it made a big difference having a separate bedroom. When I got enough of them I could go to my room. It wasn't too hard to park but there were some places I wouldn't stop because of the parking. I had to watch sloping drives or the rear end would drag. I would think that would be even more of a problem with a 30' motorhome.

Another thing you want is a big engine. I have had one that was underpowered and you don't want that. I think most Class C now are built on Ford E-450's or what ever the Chev equivalent is.

I use to get aggravated with the RV shows because they would have all the big fancy rigs and just a few Class C's and B's. I have to say that the one I went to this year had a lot more C's and at least 6 B's.

Martha

[dayspring39]

I have a 27 ft Jayco Eagle and I love it... I lived in it for 5 months this past winter... bought it in October... if you go to the section on show off your RV you can see pictures of it... it is on the second page... 'Kathleen's new to her Jayco'... it is a 98 but looks brand new... I found it by calling the Camping world in Indianapolis... a little town south of Indianapolis... the salesman was excellent and extremely honest... that is hard to find... he has been in the business for 30 some odd years... we talked over the phone and he said he had one that was exactly what I was telling him I needed... he took my 90 Fleetwood Flair sight unseen and gave me an excellent price for it...
If you would like his name and number I can give it to you...
Best of luck in your search...
Kathleen

[Ladyhawk]

AMy, do you pull a toad? One of my concerns is getting something small enough for me to be able to handle, so I can do some sightseeing it in without having another vehicle back there.

Or is there really very little difference between haulting around 31 feet and 27 feet??

One advantage to traveling alone, as I have always told people, is that you get to use all the towels in hotels. I can see with motorhomes that another advantage is that you don't need quite as much space as a couple would becuase you don't have as much to store and you don't have to worry about tripping over someone.

I do want to be able to sleep 6, however, for when my son and his family come along. I have one son and family in Ohio and another in Californai, so this will mean I'll be going back and forth at least once a year.

I don't tow, but wishI did. When I can afford it, I'll definitely get that done. I haven't had any problems driving something this big, but am limited to where I can go, so a tow vechicle would be nice. I don't full-time, but the space is nice and I like having the extra room when my parents come along on trips. I give them the bed and sleep in the overhead because the other beds are too short for me. The inside/outside storage is great on this particular unit. My personal opinion is go large and have a toad. Although, if it were just me, without child and pets, I might think otherwise, but it's the perfect size for extra family.