Help Newbies Choose a rig????

[Excel]

Just to add my 2 cents.....You've gotten some terrific information already. I totally agree on getting a '4 seasons' rig if at all possible as you will really benefit by that choice. Considering you don't do well in the heat & WA weather will be cold especially in the winter...so you will be better off both seasons & places you'll be parked at. I have a 26' Born Free Class C RV. It is custom made & built to last with quality materials & workmanship. I do not have any slides. It is not a 4 season coach but in my case & way of traveling, I don't need that. As much as I love my coach & it has been relatively trouble free for the 8 yrs. I've owned it, I could never live in it full time. In my opinion & experience I would definitely go with a Class A. As others have suggested, do your homework...look online...check out RV shows and dealers....take a camera or a smart phone that you can snap some pictures, leave comments on....make a list of the things you know you absolutely need to have so you won't be misled by the glitter & designs that may or may not hide imperfections or take your mind off what you're really needing. Don't let salespeople influence you as they usually are just interested in making a sale & less interested in filling your needs. Take a male person with you when you go 'shopping' if at all possible as they usually can pick out stuff you aren't aware of or don't know anything about....besides it'll help keep the sales person a little less likely to take advantage of you. You might send a PM to Sharon (here in CA) as she has a lot of experience & knows bunches about Class A RVs....Then when you see something you like....drive it....feel how it handles & whether you're comfortable behind the wheel....When you finally find the one you want, take a recorder with you to record all the conversation you'll have with the salesperson...i.e., how this works or that button is for, etc. It's easy to be so excited that all the information they'll give you is gone out of your head within 30 seconds..but a recorder will be there for you to check afterwards. Anyhow....that's my 2 cents...but really...make that list, take it with you & do lots & lots of 'shopping' and did I say....buy a coach made by a company that has a good reputation....quality is what you need not fancy trimmings......good luck !!!

[Redetotry]

See how you feel after you drive a class A, if you aren't comfortable go to a C or a B+ to start with. Seems like everyone learns on their first one so don't think of your first purchase as the last one, think of it as the beginning. After you get more experience driving, decide just how much you really like the life style. At that point you could try out another Class A and see if that suits you better. Just my two cents.

[Redwahine]

Thank you for all your 2 cents worth. I really value everyone's opinion.

[snowball]

Ok I wasn't going to reply cause didn't think I had anything that would help but perhaps I do..first off a few years ago we had a 24 footer TT that we pulled with a van then with a gas pickup when we pulled it with the pickup we got roughly 9-10 mpg when not towing we got as I remember 14-15 maybe so we decided that we needed a different pickup for when we went full time and had a larger (DH hoped TT) so we went to a diesel I don't remember the difference it made with the TT but when we started towing a 36 foot 5th wheel we got 11-13 depending (and it's fully loaded weight wise) not towing we get 18-20 depending..yes when you go diesel it's more costly but think you save on fuel even though its more expensive now than when we first got our diesel that was when it started going up...our fault I know..
It was always going to be a TT in my husbands eyes but the more we looked the more I heard a 5th wheel made more sense to me...and I persuaded him to go that route if we were going to full time and he wanted a happy camper we chose the one that we did for me because of the empty walls I wanted to have places to hang pictures of my gkids children and some art I didn't want to give up...we wanted the large back window which is a compromise you make I love to cook so complain due to lack of counter space but I also love to watch the birds out my back window and scenery when possible like I loved sitting in my chair looking out the window when we were in the desert not so much when we are parked in DD's huge drive way...I love my home can't imagine not having it ...would we have ever gotten a motor home don't know as we found and liked ...
sheila

[Carolinagal]

I wrote a long response this morning and lost it. I'm on my 2nd class .C, this has a slide ,but layout is similar . Bed in back , full bath. 21 ft , first time, 24 this time, drives like a dream. I m an outdoors person so space in here is fine for Maggie and I and visitors.

I stayed with Mh, because I feel safer and bad weather never gets me either. I've traveled for yrs by myself, Then with Liz SIL, she sold her sailboat and is r.v.ing full time. This traveling is the best life, so much to see , do and Sistahs all over to meet and visit

Take your time, imagine your self in each unit and how you could manage, the less you carry around the more fun you have.
Wishing you Good Luck and keep us posted and has been said you want opinions WE Got em

Welcome to the Forum, I'm really hoping to meet you, what experiences you've enjoyed and now on to new. With loads of friends here and everywhere rooting you on and minding your back, if you need us

Good Hunting
CArol

[Ladyhawk]

Probably chiming in a bit late, but I was told by my salesman that I had a 4 season rig, and knowing nothing about Rving, I believed him. It's not a 4 season rig, so I take great care during the winter (I've camped at about 7 degrees). I thought I had done all my research and that the salespeople wouldn't lie....??? But, I love my Class C. My dream a few years down the road is a 5th wheel, but I need a real income before that. By the way, my C is 31 feet and I haven't had any problems driving it. Very roomy, but not too big to handle.

[JudyJB]

Good points about "4-season" rigs. I was not told that, but was told mine had heated water tanks. I found out this meant they were heated ONLY if the furnace was turned on. I do not plan to spend much time in freezing weather so it does not matter a lot to me, but this is an important detail that might make a big difference to someone else.

So ask about the water and waste tanks and to what temperature and for how long they are protected.

[Echo]

Can't add very much here to this but.......

I've been looking at different rigs for a long time. I've always wanted a TT and pickup truck. I really wanted to get a 4 season rig. Not only are the tanks built into the floor of the unit for protection and to help avoid freezing but the 4 season rigs are better insulated. Makes you think of cold weather doesn't it? Well that extra insulation also helps in hot weather too. A 4 season rig while costing a little bit more will also save you money down the road on heating and cooling.

I'm living in an old TT right now and the insulation isn't worth a tinkers dang in this thing!!! I do not heat with the furnace I use electric heaters. I simply could not afford the cost of the propane it would take to keep warm in here.

Someday in the future after I win the lottery or Publishers Clearing House I will buy a top of the line class C and it will be a 4 season rig!!! And I will tow a 4 door Jeep!