Motorhome Test Drive Today

[JudyJB]

I took a few hours today because the weather was so nice to visit two RV dealers in the area. One had only a couple of class Cs, and none I was interested in. Second one did an excellent job of trying to sell me on a Georgetown 2011 Class A, but no signatures on the dotted line today! Did take a test drive, however, and learned some things.

When I first started my motorhome search a year ago, I started out thinking about smaller (24'-25') Class Cs with a corner bed. Then I realized I needed a recliner of some sort for my bad back and that getting into and out of a corner bed with my bionic knees might get old fast. So I started looking at 28'-29' models, wanting a couch and thinking I could replace the dinetter with a recliner or find something with a recliner and couch.

Then, recently I started looking at smaller Class As. Can you see my progression here????

Anyway, on the phone yesterday, the salesman said he had a smaller, 33' Class A that would be perfect for me, and he said I could take one that size for a test drive, so I went out to see it. It was in the showroom, AND IT LOOKED ENORMOUS!!! It really did have everything I wanted, except that the dinette, as most seem to be, is too tight for my tummy and too high for me to sit at it comfortably. It had a nice recliner and footstool that would be OK.

Anyway, the driver's seat would not raise, and it looked like it was built for a 6' 250 pound man, not my 5'1", pudgy frame. Very wide, and even the armrests were wrong, with my elbows stuck up in the air. Booster cushion would be definitely needed! And the steering wheel was also huge. Really weird was that brake was very small and on the right next to the accelerator. (There was some sort of vent opening in the middle, so it had been moved over.) Driving was OK, but I almost couldn't find the brake pedal getting off the expressway!! Not good.

Said goodbyes over the sales push to buy, but in the parking lot noticed that the brochure said this model was 35'6" long, NOT 33'. No wonder it looked so big.

So, I think I have finally exceeded my upper limit on size. I am going to an RV show next weekend, and I think I will stick to units more around 29'-31'. I think also, from my limited viewings, that the Class Cs have smaller driver's seats and most have 6-way seats and smaller steering wheels, so maybe I need to stick to Class Cs, even if they supposedly don't drive as well.

I keep learning and learning. Only 5 months to go, so I do need to keep looking hard.

[OutandAbout]

Judy, the Class C's are built on a van chassis. The cab section is the same as a full size van. As long as you are going to the RV show, why not check out another brand of class A and see if the driver's area is more comfortable for you. I would imagine they would be a little different from one manufacturer to another. Not trying to talk you out of a Class C. There might be a Class A smaller than 33 ft also. Have fun looking. Linda

[Birdie]

Way to go Judy! Glad to see you are out there kicking tires. Some models do have different sizes. The winnebago Vista has about 4 or 5 lengths...all are Vista's.

Consider taking your camera with you when you go looking again. First take a pic of the make and model of the RV then pics of the interior. Last pic is the rear of the rig so that when you view you know that is the end of that model. Now it is great when you have a friend to go with you that ooohhs and aaahhhs over the neat things that you might miss. I'd go if I were there...alas I am down here in South Central Texas enduring the marvelous Winter we are having....well except for the cold front that blew in this morning at about 6:45 a.m. at 35 to 40 mph. Temps dropped from 76 to 61 in about 1.5 hours. Anyway, you go girl.

Also remember that you have more livable space in a 30' Class A than in a 30' Class C. Everyone has their preference for driving either a C or an A. I found the big diesel pusher Class A at 42' easier to drive than my tiny 30'11" Class A. The 30' Class C was like driving a long dually pickup. I think the driving is something you learn and get used to doing. Remember that their are driving classes available...in your rig or some places in their rig. I'd say be prepared to take one of those classes it will serve you well.

Ask about a driver's seat exchange. In my Vista the driver's seat is also for a large male. I will be contacting Winnebago about a smaller sized driver's seat. Also I find reaching the sun visor a challenge. I am about 5'6" and have a long arm reach and long legs and it is a challenge. My first drive of the Vista had me looking down for the brake pedal. Now I love it being that close to the accelerator as I can keep my heel in the same place and pivot the toe foot area from pedal to pedal. I have yet to learn where the information for the various things are....the tow haul on my C was a light on the button and on the A it shows up in the dash panel. The dash panel is hard to see at the angle that I sit in the seat. Things I need to get used to dealing with.

Escapees Club has an RVer's Boot Camp that is great information for RVing first timers and you DO NOT need to be an Escapee member to take the class. It is 2 or 2.5 days in length. Covers a bunch of stuff that you wonder about. I imagine that lots of other places offer various seminars, too. Some of the ladies here will let you know about them.

Getting excited for your new adventure that is coming up shortly. Now go hit that basement!!!

[JudyJB]

I've been looking for a driver's class, Birdie, but most seem to be in places like Texas and require you to bring your own motorhome, which doesn't do me much good.

Excellent point about the camera. I did take pictures today, but taking one of the front and then inside and finally the rear end is fantastic! That would really help me keep track.

I want liveable space, but I also want sleeping space for my kids and grandkids, which is easier to get in a Class C. Anyway, I keep going back and forth, but at least today I learned that one wasn't THE ONE. I didn't know you cold exchange the seats, so I will check into that.

Problem with the brake is that I am a left-foot braker. I learned to drive on a manual transmission and drove them most of my life, and was taught to left-foot brake even on an automatic. I don't think I can break that habit. I can see where it would be convenient with using your right foot to brake. My left foot kept bumping into that vent as it searched for the brake pedal.

There is no way I could ever reach the visor in that vehicle either. I do drive a Town and Country minivan and keep a reacher handy for things I lose on the passenger's floor, so I suppose I could keep one handy. (Reachers are wonderful things for homes and cars. Use mine constantly.) I do like the cab space in the Class A, especially the map cabinets.

I will definitely have to do more driver's seat sitting next weekend at the RV show. Hopefully, an old friend will be coming with me.

[JudyJB]

I tackle vacuuming the basement tomorrow! Boy, I hate that basement. Got things to grade tonight.

[Bethers]

Judy, I never intended to get a Class A but at one show almost did - until I sat in the driver's seat and discovered I could NOT drive that one - well, not safely. So that solved my almost going broke that day I've discovered that most of the Class A's on a chevy chassis I cannot drive. Well, haven't tried one the last year or so - so always look - and you'll find which ones you might or might not be able to do.

Being by myself, I've learned to love my back corner bed - even making it isn't the headache it first was - but I don't put the sheets around the mattress - only around the very flexible 5 or so inch memory foam topper. And my comforter is a twin size - which I just throw over the bed when I get up - so the bed makes up really easily Doesnt mean I'm trying to tell you to look at these again. I think you'll be able to find something that works for you in the range you want - just don't let any salespeople tell you something will if you aren't sure. (And, yes, I hate most dinettes - but if you want to remove one - make sure you can. Sometimes there is something under one that makes it not possible to take one or both seats out. And that can be true in an A or C.

Have fun shopping.

[Paulette]

You might want to consider a stand alone dinette instead of the booth. And I am 5'2" and drive a 34' class a. Mine does have an electric moveable seat...goes forward, back and the seat lifts and tilts too. I'd keep sitting in the seats and not rule out a class a just yet. You will find 'the one'!

[JudyJB]

I am wondering if there is something psychological about feeling more comfortable driving a C because the front end is smaller and the cab is more confined?? In other words, even though you might not have the big windows, it SEEMS smaller and easier.

I will still consider the corner bed, Beth. You live in a Class B, don't you? And you don't feel horribly cramped??

About 25 years ago, my favorite aunt suggested I dump top sheets to make my bed easier to make, so I use a down comforter and a bottom sheet only. Much easier to straighten up in the morning. And I agree that a twin size would be perfect for a corner queen! Don't need all that stuff hanging down.

I will definitely be checking out the driver's seat now. Previously, I had been focusing on the floorplan and finishes.

[Gentleladybear]

If you are thinking of removing the dinette to put in a chair, check first to find out what is under those seats!! Some of them cannot be removed. That is where the wiring and duct work runs. So be sure to open up anything that you think you want to change and be sure you can do it.

Nan

[Bethers]

I'm in a C, not a B. And many would feel cramped in mine - I don't. It's perfect for ME - but I never say it will be for someone else. I find the 30 foots feel more cramped - as the corner bed makes mine feel more open to ME. lol

Driving an A is more uncomfortable to me with the windows being right next to things - like toll booths, etc. I would get used to it if I had one, but I do prefer the C. I remember in Baja, it was the people in A's who were most uncomfortable on the narrower roads - actually usually the people in the passenger seats

[longdog2]

It is very important to look at the layout and storage. The length is not always the determining factor in how much space you feel like you have. I've seen smaller units that "lived" a whole lot bigger than a larger unit just based on how they were laid out. On the other hand, going too big may be very intimidating if you don't have any experience and may be harder to find a spot for in some state parks. The view in class A's is great but that wide open feeling really intimidates some people.

[Pooker]

It's a really good thing that you are doing such a thorough homework search. We all have different wants, needs, likes and dislikes. I believe C's come in two different chassis - the van or the truck. Mine, like Beth's, is on a van chassis which means I have a horrible overhang in the back (because I'm longer than Beth). The longer wheel base on the truck one would shorten that overhang (but, then of course, you couldn't make the u-turns I always seem to need!). Having traveled in both A's and C's, I chose what was best for me when I had to start driving alone and that was a C. It was the width of the A that intimidated me. With the cab over on the C, I could sleep a couple of kids as well as a grown person or two on the sofa sleeper. Flitter is only 26' but if you go to 29' you can even get a separate bedroom in many of the models. Yup! I agree the ride in the A's is smoother and, at least in my case, quieter. I shake, rattle and roll bumping along on the rough highways that seem to be all over Southern Cal. and I get a tad more road noise, too, but I've gotten used to the noise - just turn up the music!

Good luck with whatever you decide! There is no such thing as a perfect RV and most often you will only find the things you don't like AFTER you have been in it awhile, but with enough shopping and research you can come pretty darn close to perfect!

Pooker

[JudyJB]

I like the idea of being able to sleep a couple or more small kids in the Class C overhang, also. I plan on getting one of those cargo nets to prevent little people from falling off. I have two sets of grandchildren: 2, 3, and 5 in one family, and 4 and 6 in another. When I was a kid, they used to pack three of us cousins in a double bed, head to foot!

The thing about the corner bed that bothers me is that I have two replaced knees that are numb. Even after 2.5 and 5 years, it still feels really weird to kneel, so I avoid it when I can. Considering that I get up to go to the bathroom several times a night, scooting on my rear all the way off the foot of the bed does not sound like fun. A walk-around bed would be a lot easier for me.

You actually make U-turns?? Wow! I am impressed.

I will sit in some more As, but the more I think about it, the one I looked at would really not be safe for me to drive, even with a cushion or replacing the seat. The steering wheel was huge and I had to practically sit on top of it to reach the pedals. Just one of the disadvantages of being a short person.

[Sandersmr]

The thing about the corner bed that bothers me is that I have two replaced knees that are numb. Even after 2.5 and 5 years, it still feels really weird to kneel, so I avoid it when I can. Considering that I get up to go to the bathroom several times a night, scooting on my rear all the way off the foot of the bed does not sound like fun. A walk-around bed would be a lot easier for me.

I know that numb feeling - 6 1/2 and a little over a year for me. I can see me ending up having a real problem with the ooch to the end of the bed, *especially* if I had to go to the bathroom. I look at those corner beds and think it would be nice to have a little extra room, then I think about the middle of the night.

[Echo]

Class A's are pretty but I too like the over cab bed. For company or inside storage. At the moment it would be Kelly's 'bedroom' and she wouldn't have to sleep on the couch!

And don't let Beth fool you on her small class C either! She has a slide and it makes it feel really roomy in there! Kelly and I met and visited Beth when she worked in PA. I was amazed and impressed that it didn't feel cramped or pinched with the 3 of us in her little C. And I am somewhat claustrophobic too.

Her neighbor showed us her class B? WOW!!! talk about cramped! B's work well for some but there's no way I could deal with that lack of space.