Think I found my motorhome!

[JudyJB]

I think I found it but would still like your opinion. Still lots to think about. So here is my story: I spent a couple of hours at the Detroit Camper show last weekend. I am getting tired of looking, but think I have at least I have it narrowed to two. Before I tell you about, a reminder what I am planning and my lifestyle:
- I am planning to sell my condo and full-time for at least a couple of years. I am pretty adventurous and have done a lot of traveling by myself, but hardly any camping. Still, I think I will like having my own cozy home on wheels and seeing the U.S. I am more of a state and national park person, than someone who wants to stay in resort areas with pools and bingos. I like peace and quiet, animals, birds, and nature. I think I will be happy just sitting for part of the time and watching life go by. My sons and young families plan on joining me occasionally, so I want lots of sleeping room.
- I will be retiring from my regular job in June, but plan on continuing to teach online half-time for as long as I can. I enjoy it, and it will give me an income to supplement SS to be able to afford a new motorhome, which has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.
- I have two replaced knees, which enable me to walk without problems, but a bad back whihc means i need a recliner for a few hours each day. I will also need heavy-duty internet access.

OK, now that you know this, here is what I found:

1. The first is the Forest River Forester 2861DS I saw last fall at the factory. Click on the floorplan here: http://www.forestriverinc.com/nd/defaul ... ce=summary . It has two slides and the one in the bedroom means that it has a large wardrobe with enough storage to put even linens and towels and stuff because it does not have a linen closet or much kitchen storage. It has a couch opposite a dinette and we checked that there is nothing under it. The factory guy even thought I might be able to order one without a dinette so I could get the dealer to install a recliner and small table. Length is 30’8”. Rough price without modifications is $65,000, but that might be low with some of the options I want.
2. The one I fell in love with at the show is the Tioga Ranger 31N. http://fleetwoodrv.com/tiogaranger/floorplans/31N. What is surprising me is that this is a bunkhouse, and I have been ignoring these. It also has a couch opposite a dinette that I think could be removed. Length is 31’8”. The thing I really liked is that the bunks convert into a small dinette. In addition the bunk and bedroom slide really open up the back half of the RV. It ends up having a really wide aisle back there an seems roomy. It would give me better sleeping room for company, and it would give me a dinette without the regular dinette. The other thing I liked is that the kitchen space is bigger in this one and it has some really huge cabinets, especially one upper corner cabinet I could really stuff with stuff! Price of the one at the show was $75,000, but that was with the fancy paint, which I know is a list price option of at least $7,000. (Who would pay that amount of money for paint?????) Water tank is 60 gallons also. Fit and finish seemed better than the Forester, but I need to compare again. Oh, this one had the double-paned windows for that price. A ton of underneath storage also.

Now, problems. Neither comes with a backup camera or automatic levelers. In addition, neither of the driver’s seats are 6-way, and I am only 5’1” so I would either have to get a cushion or some modifications, plus maybe even some pedal extenders. I am really spoiled with my Chrysler Town and Country with the power seat that rises and the adjustable pedals. At least with both of these vehicles being built on a Ford cab, it means I can reach things like the visor and the steering wheels are normal sized, as opposed to the humongous Class A I drove a couple of weekends ago. I can also see out easily, or at least I could if I had a cushion or something.

Nobody wants to take the dinette out, but I really have to have a recliner for my bad back, and I told them that. (I have lower back arthritis that bothers me, sometimes quite a bit.) They admit it can be done but might cost me a few hundred dollars. If I live in this, I have to have what I need or I won’t be comfortable.

I probably could manage without the levelers, but I think I really have to have the backup camera since I will be alone much of the time. So, now I have to track down these vehicles and see them again.

Your opinions???

[Acadianmom]

I saw a rig with the side bunk that converts to a dinette at a show a while back. I really did like it. A good option if you have kids with you. They could play games and be kind of out of way. I was a big believer in having a separate bed room when I had family traveling with me.

Didn't someone post that a motorhome with slides needed levelers? I would think it would be very important for it to be level for the slides to work correctly. Can they be ordered with levelers and a backup camera as an option? Both can be installed for a price.

You can probably have a top of the line automatic drivers seat installed at one of the auto and truck detail shops.

When you talk to salesmen at these shows they are only interested in selling you what they have. I don't think they know or care what can be done for you. Just my opinion but I have talked to a lot of them. I don't think some of them have even camped in a motorhome. Since you have certain things that you want I would consider ordering one, not trying to fix what is already on a lot.

Martha

[Bethers]

No, a slide doesn't need levelers - I have a slide and no levelers. I also have no back-up camera - but if you want one, those are pretty easy to have installed. Just make sure you get one that works for you - some are really cheap and poor - where you really can't see anything. I don't back up without getting out and looking. AND, if you intend to tow a car - you can't backup when towing.

Hope you can get this one to do what you want -sounds like you really like it - and you're the one who has to live in it.

[JudyJB]

I am at my son's house tonight and he asked if the driver's seat had a manual adjustment to make it higher. Duh!!! I did once rent a car and drive it for almost a week, struggling to see out, before I discovered that it had a lever underneath to raise it up!! I will have to check that out.

The Forester did have both slides on one side, so they told me I would need levelers. Not sure if that is true or not, but I may have posted that. I will probably want to order one since i am so picky.

Does anyone know if levelers are better factory installed or can they be installed later??? My son thinks I should try it without them and then have them installed later if I need them. Does that make sense??? He's an engineer and car-guy, but not terribly knowledgeable about motorhomes.

This is probably the one you saw at the show, Martha.

I will make sure I get a good back-up camera, also. I will not be towing, although I know that will limit me a bit.

So much to consider. I am worried about makign the right decision about this.

[Gentleladybear]

Levelers would be better factory installed. They know where they can be put.

Fleetwood is also the maker of mobile homes. I find their products don't hold up as well as the Forest River. Forest River (I owned one) hold up much better. Be sure also you are on a Ford chasis, they seem to have a bit more get up and go. My first was on a chevy chasis and it did not have the power my Ford has.

The floor plan of the Forrest River is quite nice and if they can leave out the table area and put in a lounge chair and table, especially one that pulls out of the wall, think you would really enjoy it. Will you have your entertainment center over the driver's seat or a bed?

Good luck to you on your selections.

Nan

[JudyJB]

Definitely will insist on a Ford chassis. My Ford engineer friends tell me I should wait a year for the new E-450 series, but I cannot wait. The Forester is definitely under consideration, however. It was a factory person who told me the dinette could be removed, so I assume he knew what he was talking about.

What problems did you have with a Fleetwood? Or was this someone you knew? It is so hard to compare quality, so any information will be appreciated.

[sharon]

I think I like the layout of the Fleetwood better. We had a Fleetwood, but it was a Class A. Never had any problems with it, but we only had it a year. Never had a Forest River or even looked at one. I guess you would have to look closely at both of them and compare the quality of the cabinets and furnishings. They're both gonna have basically the same appliances. If the salesman is telling you that levelors are necessary why aren't they already installed? They're probably not absolutely necessary, but they sure do make life easier. As far as a backup camera, if you're not towing that's not a must have either. Believe it or not, backup cameras aren't used for backing up. Anyway they're not supposed to be used for that. They do come in real handy when you're towing to see when you clear someone you're passing since you can't see your toad behind you. If you try to back up using your camera you're gonna get really confused. That's what your side view mirrors are for. If you can't back your car up using just your mirrors get thee to a parking lot and start practicing before you get your coach and save youself a lot of angst. Just sayin'.....

And yes, they can customize your coach any way you want it for the right price! Getting excited for you!!!

[JudyJB]

OK, then a question about backup cameras, since I have never had one in any vehicle I have owned. Briefly rented a car with one and found it handy, but I wouldn't say I actually used it for backing up. I did like seeing how much space I had behind me and the beep telling me I was running out of space. (I rented a 2012 Ford Explorer, and monitor was black and white. Hated driving that vehicle because the visibility was horrible because of the thick B-pillars and tall second and third row seats.)

Does it make things look "backward" or reversed in any way??? Like looking in a mirror??

I am one of these people who could never back up a trailer when we owned one because I could never get the idea that you had to turn the steering wheel the wrong way. (Another reason I am NOT getting a trailer!) I am envisioning that a backup camera might cause that kind of confusion. Is this a dumb question??

You can also order side-mirror cameras, but I suspect that would be way too much technology for me!

I drive a mini-van and confess to never being able to tell how much room I have behind me.

[Bethers]

If I asked most, they'd say my Gulfstream was "lower" quality - probably is in some ways, as I paid less for it - but just had a technician tell me now great some things in it are made - and over all the years, everyone talking about blowing fuses, etc - I've never blown a one - the circuits are well divided. As a 99 I'm amazed things aren't falling apart with the roads I've taken this thing on - shaken it from head to toe again and again. If you like a model and it's what you want - go for it and take care of it. That said, I'm also a Ford person - much prefer it to the Chevy - but that's personal.

As for driving, I'm 5'0" tall. I need something behind me (pillow, etc) as the seats are for people with longer legs. As soon as I do that, I have no problem with the position of the seat. And I could drive without the pillow, but the seat cutting into the back of my knee causes my sciatica to act up - and that brings pain - and I don't like pain

You do NOT need levelers because of slides. Levelers and slides are two completely different issues. And you do NOT want to put the things under the slides to the ground - as that can cause problems - therefore they don't come with them. When you see them on a parked rig laugh and know that you'd never do that. Levelers can make it easier to get your rig level in a not level site. If you feel you need to have them, I'd recommend ordering a unit with them - but that's just me. For me they're a luxury -and if I every buy a used unit for a good price and it has them, wonderful. If not, they aren't needed.

I won't talk about cameras. The only one I've had I hated, and returned. Now, if the unit came with a good one, I'd take advantage of it - probably more to keep an eye on my toad than for driving. I use my side mirrors for that. If you get a camera, remember it won't show everything, so make sure to get out and LOOK - there's no amount of mirrors or cameras that make up for that before backing into a site (or anywhere else).

[AlmostThere]

OK, then a question about backup cameras, since I have never had one in any vehicle I have owned. Briefly rented a car with one and found it handy, but I wouldn't say I actually used it for backing up. I did like seeing how much space I had behind me and the beep telling me I was running out of space. (I rented a 2012 Ford Explorer, and monitor was black and white. Hated driving that vehicle because the visibility was horrible because of the thick B-pillars and tall second and third row seats.)

Does it make things look "backward" or reversed in any way??? Like looking in a mirror??

I am one of these people who could never back up a trailer when we owned one because I could never get the idea that you had to turn the steering wheel the wrong way. (Another reason I am NOT getting a trailer!) I am envisioning that a backup camera might cause that kind of confusion. Is this a dumb question??

You can also order side-mirror cameras, but I suspect that would be way too much technology for me!

I drive a mini-van and confess to never being able to tell how much room I have behind me.

I have a back up camera in both my MH and car. Love it in both.

[AlmostThere]

OK, then a question about backup cameras, since I have never had one in any vehicle I have owned. Briefly rented a car with one and found it handy, but I wouldn't say I actually used it for backing up. I did like seeing how much space I had behind me and the beep telling me I was running out of space. (I rented a 2012 Ford Explorer, and monitor was black and white. Hated driving that vehicle because the visibility was horrible because of the thick B-pillars and tall second and third row seats.)

Does it make things look "backward" or reversed in any way??? Like looking in a mirror??

I am one of these people who could never back up a trailer when we owned one because I could never get the idea that you had to turn the steering wheel the wrong way. (Another reason I am NOT getting a trailer!) I am envisioning that a backup camera might cause that kind of confusion. Is this a dumb question??

You can also order side-mirror cameras, but I suspect that would be way too much technology for me!

I drive a mini-van and confess to never being able to tell how much room I have behind me.

I have a back up camera in both my MH and car. Love it in both.

[Birdie]

If you have a bad back, you will love having the auto level feature. Back up camera ??? I still get out and look even though I have one and had one installed on Bunkie. I use it to check that my tow is still there, but that's about the extent. I am sure that as I move down the road of time that I will end up sitting something where I want to be backed to and then use the camera to get there...won't be necessary, but certainly is nice. Guess at this point on this large rig I'd say the levelers might be a deal breaker, not the camera. Usually the storage and fridge are deal breakers for me.

Sticker price is a starting point. If you aren't a good negotiator get a friend who is to work with you and the dealer. Remember to buy your third rig first. It took me a lot of time to get here. This is my third.

My preference for your two mfg is Itasca. Forest River is down the list for quality. The Itasca is solid and retains value over the long haul.

[sharon]

OK, my dear, there ya go! Different opinions from a lot of gals. Must haves for some of us (yes, the levelors and the back up camera are must haves for me) and not so important for the rest of us. Completely forget the idea of the side cameras, they're useless. I had them on my coach, used them once and then never used them again. When my camera went out I chose not to have the side ones replaced and saved myself 500 diesel bucks. And yes, there are different cameras, some good some bad. Evie (Pooker) had one installed on her coach and she hates it, it's like a fisheye, can't see a thing with it. I love mine, it even has dots that come on when I put the coach in reverse that show distance. Comes in handy when I'm backing into Stumpy's little trailer. They do come in handy when you're already backed into your site to give you an idea how far back you are, but don't completely depend on it, you still need to get out and look. Bad back? Order the levelors. Check with the dealer and find out what brand camera they install. Then research it.

Oh..and I loved loved loved my Explorer!! Never had a problem seeing out of it, but mine was a 2000. I don't buy anything without electric seats.

[Pooker]

My own personal opinion and experience: When I first bought Flitter, one of the first things I just HAD to have was a back-up camera since I would be driving alone. I bought one that was quite expensive, not a bargain basement one. Hated it from the first. Still hate it. Like most people, I wanted it mainly to back into campsites, etc. Didn't need it to see my tow vehicle because I don't tow! Well, the image is the fisheye type - everything looks like a semicircle, like you are backing into a cul de sac. Items are itsy-bitsy even though my screen is large. And you know how some mirrors say items are larger or closer than they appear? They are. I figure by using the camera I will be able to actually SEE the picnic table as I back into it! There is no foolproof way to avoid getting out and checking behind you and beside you. Then use the side mirrors - ALL THE TIME!

My rig does not have levelers. I carry a lot of ramps, blocks, etc. and still have had problems getting level. And, believe me, having just repaired my fridge to the tune of over $500 it IS important to be level. We were always cavalier about the absolute level thing. Went for years with half a bubble or so off (the rig, Mitch & Sharon, not my mind!). Repair guy said just because I was able to do it for a few years didn't mean I would avoid problems because, according to him, it's cumulative. So, if I had it to do over, I would have put leveling jacks on her and not bothered with the camera. At least 2 or 3 times a year I'm parked in a site where I struggle to get level. To add them now is very expensive.

And, no, slides don't require levelers. They should be supported very well independently. Take a peek under the slides and you'll see some brands have a much sturdier looking mechanism than others. in fact, check as many hidden places as you can - inside the drawers - some have very wimpy plastic drawer slides that are always breaking; stick your head inside storage bins, inside, over and under everything!

Good luck!

Pooker

[sharon]

Evie, Did you just post that I was a half bubble off?????