Motorhome prices not making sense???

[JudyJB]

When I get frustrated or bored with work or life in general, I start looking online for new and used motorhome prices. I am thinking about a Class C in a couple of years, and I like the idea of a sofa and chair, instead of a dinette. I tried some of the dinettes at an RV show and found them terribly uncomfortable. I have a bad back so I need a recliner of some sort to take pressure off at least part of the day. I'm looking at units with one slide.

The other day, I was also looking at Roadtreks, although one of those would probably be too small for me to live in full-time as I plan to do. They seem very expensive for the size and don't seem to be on sale discounted at all. Even the used ones 3-4 years old on other sites, they seem to be at least $70,000 and up. WHy are they so expensive?

OK, here is my question. I am looking right now at the Generalrv.com site. There is a new 2011 2011 Thor Motor Coach Four Winds 25C on sale for $69,995 and I really like the U-shape couch and chair I could replace with something that reclines. However, they also have a New 2010 Coachmen RV Freelander 31SSF for $59,995. It is 31 feet long and has a sofa, dinette, regular bedroom, and chair. I know it is a year older, but why the difference in price? There are some other Fleetwood models not discounted at all. There are also several Winnebagos not discounted and close to a $100,000.

In other words, how do I know what I would be getting, just comparing floorplans? Seems like size ought to cost more somehow. How do I know if something is a good deal or the "will fall apart very quickly because it is made poorly" brand?

[Acadianmom]

For some reason the small motorhomes that they build into a van cost as much as a Class A. It must be cheaper and easier to build a box on one of the cutaway chassis. I have read that you can buy a motorhome at a 25% to 30% discount off the list price. I don't know, my last 3 have been used. I bought a 4 year old 23' Coach House that lists for about $100,000 for $50,000. I saw it sit on a lot for at least 6 months if not longer and I guess no one wanted one like it. It's small and no slide. I could have bought a new Coachman for not much more. It fits me and is built much better than some of the Class C's I looked at. You just have to research, research, research and be at the right place at the right time. I have had 2 Winnebagos and I wouldn't have another one. There are people that think the sun rises and sets on Winnebagos. You will find people that love or hate about any brand. There has been so much up and down in the industry with companies going broke or being bought out. A brand that is good one year might not be as good another.

I also would take a sofa over a dinette. Have you tried one of the U-shaped sofas? The ones I have seen are not really sofas but are built like dinette seats.

Another thing to watch out for in the Class C's is that the overhead bed over the cab can develop bad leaks. Some are now being made with a molded fiberglass nose cone. I would think that would be better than the ones with all the seams.

Martha

[Pooker]

It's fun to look, isn't it? Well, I might be one of those rare folks who have owned both a Four Winds AND a Coachman. I would definitely opt for the Coachman, just from a quality and repair standpoint.

Both had a nice luxurious look inside, but when digging deeper - like drawer slides, how drawers were put together and what materials used - stuff like that, the Four Winds people put all the money into fooling the eye. We loved the Coachman. Yes, we had repairs. Comes with the territory as rigs age. But the Four Winds had so many things that broke down due to poor quality: every drawer slide/stopper broke; the kitchen faucet had to be replaced on the first long trip; the sofa(bed) was very uncomfortable and never opened up right; the plastic safety latch for the sliding mirror doors broke while driving - that made for some startling banging sounds!

Just my opinion, people. Have a Winnie now and love, love, love it. Almost as much as the Coachman.

Pooker

[JudyJB]

Thanks. That is just the information I need. They all look the same to me at this point.

It sounds like hidden things like drawer slides would be a good indicator of quality. Ditto for comfortable sofa beds. Are there any other things I need to look for? I'd love more input.

I don't care about getting top-of-the-line kitchen cabinets, for example, but I DO want things to work--like doors that stay closed and drawers that work.

[Excel]

Just thought I'd leave a comment from my own experience....I have a 26' Class C Born Free RV. It's a '99 but I bought it used 7 years ago. With all the traveling I've done the only real problem I've had is with the automatic levelers (which I'm glad I have). One leveler in the back got stuck & had to be replaced. Any of the other repairs I've made have been either because of my own making (backed into a metal gate during a severe wind storm near the Grand Canyon) or because I decided to up-grade. I would never purchase a RV that didn't have solid cab over construction because of leakage. Also, would never have a window on the front of the cabover as that's what the wind hits when you're driving & the vibration can often times break the seal around the window. My choice was made based on quality because I didn't want to be 'fixing' stuff & being at the mercy of RV mechanics/repair shops....I am totally happy with my choice. When making your own choice, don't be looking at the colors/patterns of the bed covers or window curtains....the Mfgrs. do all that decorating to mislead the novice RV buyer....You need to look beyond all that & do your homework via the web.....great source of info out there. Remember it's your $$$$$ so spend it to your own advantage...Good luck....

[Bethers]

And I bought on the less expensive end of the spectrum - and haven't had any of the problems that they say I should expect. My rv is 12 years old now and I probably will see some - but - my roof leak is from scratching I did to it on an overhang. I have the overcab area with the front window - it's never leaked. I would prefer to not have that window, but it was there. The things I've replaced - fridge and microwave - would have been the same ones in more expensive coaches. Oh, replaced the tv also. The tv and microwave were both still working - I upgraded. The other area I've had trouble - my generator - and that's an issue with generators with LOW usage in a used model. I was a newbie to the rv world and like most new thought that was a good thing. I thought wrong.

All this said, yes, the Class B's are more expensive - all those little fridges, etc, cost more for them to build on the van chassis - or so they claim.

Whatever price and size rig you go with, think about having a "kitty" for repairs - as there will be some - somewhere down the line. Just like in a house - well, it is a house. I figured with the money I saved buying a less expensive, used C I had more in that kitty- and mostly didn't need it. Well, amend that - used it on the standard maintenance and upgrades, etc (standard like replacing tires when it was time, etc, upgrades like replacing the tv, switching out the microwave to another I wanted). Oh, and fixing the roof over and over. Don't run under pointed signs

[Colliemom]

Judy,

Although I have a TT and not a motorhome, some things are the same in both. Whereas the MH has an engine, more tires, generator and other things that a TT doesn't have, when it boils down to the floor plans, they are the same. All have either sofa or dinetttes that make beds and some have beds and others don't depending on the rigs size. We all have our fridges, micros, ovens, cabinets, bathrooms etc.

I looked a few MH's while was looking for a rig, but my budget didn't allow for one at the time, and I wasn't sure I wanted one. So I went with the TT. Like you I research on line and then went to the dealers around here looking at different models and floor plans. When I look at them, I see the pretty colors and patterns in them, but also look beyond that. Do I like this floorplan, could I live with this. How big is the bathroom, if it's small, can I move around without banging a wall. In the glass encased showers, I looked to see if I could use them without banging against the sides. Some I didn't like cause the sink and shower were too close and I felt like I would always bump against the shower wall when using the sink. I open cupboard doors and wardrobe doors to see how solid the wood is. A good solid wood will open like a regular door, but thinner cheaper wood will kind of open with a shaky vibration. I look at drawer tracks and how the drawers are made. How easy they open and close. Check in the inside of cupboards to see how they are finished, no sharp edges inside anyplace. I check out areas where pipes and other venting materials are running to see how they are put through. Is it secure or just laying on a hole opening. If the manufacturer doesn't pay attention to little details, what else are they skimping on. I look at mouldings around the entrance door to see if it's tight. One TT I looked at, it was actually coming off. I lift the bed to see how easy it is to lift and the workmanship underneath. I look at the wood the mattress is laying on. Is it good quality plywood or just cheap fiberboard. I have found some with warped wood. In other words I go over everything with a fine tooth comb. If I like the floor plan, the interior colors, and the workmanship looks good, then maybe the dealer and I sit down and work out a deal. There are many on this site who have bought both new and used and then turned around and renovated them to suit their lifestyle, so don't turn down something you like just cause it has a dinette and you want a sofa or you want a nice lounger and it doesn't have a comfortable one.

ou are on the right track. Just a keep on doing your research, go out and look and inspect and may wind up looking at a rig that has caught your fancy more than once. But you will know when one calls "hom" that you have found your rig. Have fun.

Ever et up in this nect of the woods, we can always go to Camping World or the Internatinal RV World here and just look for the fun of it.

[ali1257]

We are starting to look for a newer rig...ours is a 1986 Sportscoach 37' Class A no slides...we are wanting a slide or two and thinking maybe a washer/dryer combo. Prices vary so much it is crazy making. We are not even sure where to look here in the San Antonio area. but we are beginning to look. Good luck in your search.

[Colliemom]

Ali,

Check out PPL Motorhomes website www.ppl.com. They are based in TX and you might find something of interest there.

[bluepinecones]

The pricing doesn't make good sense to me either. Seems logical that smaller should be a bit cheaper but that is not the case.
When I started looking, was sure I would never want anything other than a Class B and a max length of 22 feet; for sure not interested in anything very large. For a long time, I did not look beyond the Bs. However, the more I've looked and compared, am beginning to lean toward a small Class C. For about the same money and staying in the 22-24 ft range, the little Cs seem much more roomy.
I have fallen in love with 2 models made by Born Free but even used, they are pricey.
Good luck in your search.

[JudyJB]

Very good advice by all.

I am still a long way away from being able to buy, but I think the research is helpful. I need to do a better job of looking at the details. Unfortunately, I am a person who sees the forest and ignores the trees!

So next time I go to a show or look at anything, I will pull out drawers, snoop at the pipes and hoses, and look for rough edges and shaky doors, plus a lot of other things. I might have to take a friend to help find things I tend to ignore.