Think I found my motorhome!

[Marslet]

My opinion, I don't like Fleetwood products. Owned trailer and had nothing but problems with it.

[longdog2]

We had a Fleetwood Flair Class A and I really liked it. Good layout and never really had any problems. Bottom line--check out the one you are thinking of getter real well, check for problems and quality. Get someone else to go with you and have them help you pick it apart. You will still have something go wrong with it but hopefully it will just be minor. I thought that the one with the bunks that turned into a dinette would be neat because then you would still have a dinette when you replaced the original one with a recliner.

[bikerchic777]

Everyone is very opinionated so not sure if we are helping or not, but....Myrtle is a '98 Fleetwood Pace Arrow and I love her! I think she was high end in her day. Everyone comments on the ton of storage, which was important to me, since I am living full time in her. She has no slides, but I didn't want any this time, to eliminate something else that can have mechanical problems. I have had them in my other RVs, but they make them to support themselves and you can mess them up by doing anything to level them yourself. I have jacks and would hate to have to level Myrtle without them. They aren't as nice as the newer automatic ones and I have to do front, rear, left, right, until she's level, but I'm used to it now. I hated my dinette and had Ken take it out for me last summer. I had him recycle parts to build a small cabinet and use some of the table top for it so I can put my tea and a few decorations on it. I use it as a sitting area, where a recliner would fit nicely. I have a folding metro chair with a folding ottoman, so not as comfy as a recliner, so I'm considering one, also. I do like that I can fold it up and tuck it away if I need more space, though. I have a drop leaf table that has 4 folding chairs stored inside that I put at the end of my sofa and can pull out for more work space or a meal with company. I really want to rip out this old carpet and put in laminate flooring, when I can afford it. The nice thing about buying an older MH is that I don't feel bad in modifying it

Will be fun to see what you buy

[Pooker]

Sharon - Everyone knows that if you were off any bubble it would be the whole thing! You don't do anything by halves! I meant that you guys would pounce on ME being off a half bubble. Gotta respect your elders!

Guess we got a bit off subject. It's always fun to see what the other gals want to buy.

Evie

[Acadianmom]

You are going to hear different options on most brands of motorhomes. I had 2 Winnebagos and I don't think I have gotten over them enough to ever have another. Others on here love theirs. I don't know anything about Fleetwood or Forest River.

One of the things you have to watch for that you can't always see in your mirror or with a camera are things that are low. Some campgrounds like to use big rocks or railings along the roads or sites. You have to be careful you don't turn too close and hit one. I feel that it doesn't cost anything to get out and look and if I have to do it 10 times that's ok.

Like Sharon said, if you have a bad back I would recommend levelers. If a site isn't level it's a lot of up and down putting blocks under the wheels. Driving on them, checking again. Backing off if they aren't enough or too much. After you do it a while you get a pretty good idea what it's going to take to get level.

Another thing I use a lot is a foam pad to kneel on. The kind they sell in garden centers. My sewer attachments are very low and I usually have to get on my knees to be able to pull the lever straight. All the rigs are different so notice where things attach. Some places I have had to get on my knees to attach a water hose.

Martha

[Sandersmr]

All the talk about levelers - we got the bubble levels on my trailer that show how far off it is in inches, so it's really easy to tell how many leveling blocks you need - they look like this



One on the front and one on the side near the axles.

[sharon]

Is your head spinning yet, Judy????

[mitch5252]

One of the things you have to watch for that you can't always see in your mirror or with a camera are things that are low. Some campgrounds like to use big rocks or railings along the roads or sites.

I was not towing, just driving out in Montana with G in the van. I have both a backup camera AND beeper things. I STILL managed to hit a boulder. Yup, get out and look!!

[Echo]

MItch? I'm gonna control and behave myself with your comment.

But I'm sure Vickie will pick up any slack. You kinda left your self wide open on that one!

[JudyJB]

Yes, my head is still spinning, but I am learning from all of your comments.

I know all about those sneaky low boulders and poles and stuff. I cut the wheel too short and scaped a pole just driving into a car wash with my minivan. It was only about two feet high and I was looking for high things!

Neat bubble levels! I like the inches marking! I will be seriously considering the auto levelers now that you mentioned my knees. I have a foam gardening pad, and I also keep a low stool to sit on when I need to get down low in my garden. I can still bend over pretty good, thankfully, and I can sit on the ground when I have to. No photos allowed of my getting up, however. They have these low rolling gardening carts--wonder if they have folding rolling carts??

I found out that Fleetwood is now owned by a conglomerate--meaning a bunch of investors, which to me is not as good as a family-owned or long-term company. Maybe I will go visit the plant. Their web site said they recently won a Ford "Qualified Vehicle Modifer Program" award. Will have to check it out, but the press release says it means they meet best practices standards and all of Ford's industry guidelines for vehicle conversions and continuous improvement. Sounds like they must have had some issues in the past (before the sale, no doubt) and are working on them. I know the auto industry has had a bad rap, but the Big Three really have made great strides in terms of quality over the last 15 years. A modern auto factory is amazing.

Feel free to keep my head spinning, ladies.

[retiredhappy]

I have a different question for you. You said you were planning on living in the RV for "a couple of years". If you're going to finance be careful or when you go to sell in a few years you'll end up owing more than it will sell for. If you buy used some of the depreciation is already taken. I have a 2001 gulfstream and am upsidedown by about $4,000 to $5,000. And I've never had any issues with my Gulfstream - love it.

[JudyJB]

Thanks. I know that is really good advice. However, after decades of being sensible and doing stuff for other people, I am going more on emotion, I admit. I had a lot of rough years raising my kids on my own and working to put them through college, while working on my own education. (Try working full time, taking two classes, and teaching two classes all at the same time!)

I hope it will be longer than two or three years, but in any case, I'll be putting enough down and also plan to make double or triple payments to get it paid off faster while I am teaching online. (Hopefully, my brain will stay reasonably alert for a few more years.)

I know it is much more sensible to buy used, but I am willing to take my chances. I've wanted to do this for decades, so it is my dream. I know I will have to be disciplined, but I will get some money from my house and will have a small emergency fund without touching my 401K for a few years--all the result of working two jobs for 22 years. Technically, my teaching online is still a half-time job, so I am not really completely retiring. Also waiting to retire until I am 69 will mean more SS and will enable me to do this financially. Push comes to shove, and I will try to get some consulting work rather than touch my 401K.

I really do know you are giving me the best advice and appreciate it. Just don't want to be too sensible right now. I am tired of being sensible, if you know what I mean.

[bikerchic777]

I have been extremely happy with customer service at Fleetwood!!! A tech there talked me through how to repair things over the phone. I have also been extremely happy with Ford RV Division!!! They answered their phone (that's rare in and of itself!) and, before they addressed my issue, advised me of a recall...on my '98, nonetheless They even emailed me wiring diagrams while Ken and I were working on my start up problem. That is a big, big plus for me Having a brand, spanking new RV doesn't mean you won't have problems. I had more with my new ones than this used one, and sometimes it's when you're not near a service center. It's nice to have that support to help you through those times. Make sure you start a list of warranty issues right away and get them all taken care of before the warranty runs out...every stinkin' little thing!!!

[kelpie]

Interesting discussion so I will add my two cents. I have a 2000 29 ft C and neither automatic levelers or a backup camera and so far am doing fine. In fact, I have some of those blocks and have NEVER used them. I am going to Yellowstone etc this year so maybe I'll use them there. As for backing, I get in and out as often as necessary and always do it myself. Yes they do make foldup carts - I have had a few of them.(lo one from unlocked storage compartment and left one somewhere) Mine is about the size of a milk crate with a pull up handle like luggage. I use it for laundry, my pop up hamper fits in it perfectly with detergent, also firewood and even groceries. Cost around $20 and bought it at Menard's (home improvement store) but I think I've also seen them at WM.I consider it one of my very best purchases ever.