RV advice

[opentrackerSteve]

SWMBO and I are working on securing an RV for our retirement and I'm now starting to look. I figured these dire economic times would bring me benefit as I suspect there are some smokling hot deals to be made in the new and used RV markets.

I have been trading diesel and gasoline models and am leaning towards a class A model (less than 40 feet tho). My engineer side fo the brain says to get a diesel but the economic side says gasoline engine (If Costco sold Diesel fuel it would be a no brainer).

I also am hesitant on getting a cab over style Class C model. If I'm going to invest, why not get something that you'd be more comfortable in for months at a time?

Any sharing you can provide will be appreciated...

(I had earlier had Class A and C bassackwards - Doh!).

 

[Flysure1]

I do not plan on the rv thing at retirement but I would probably look hard at a fith wheel pull behind if I was just to have the mobility of a pick up when I wanted to drive in cities after parking.

 

[AzPete]

We went thru the same issues 3 years ago. I preferred the class C's but soon learned they do not have the "basement" storage capacity that I needed. Being full time, I wanted to have all the storage I could find. I also did not like having to battle with the overhead area for storage or getting in and out of. Also, being 6'3", I got out of one from looking and raised up under the overhang...instant headace.

I looked at diesel also. Thought it would be great...... Then I looked at what I was gaining. Yes, the high mileage ability is nice on them but most RV's never see very high miles. The cost of operating them vs the gas is higher according to many I have talked to in the last three years. Check the gas prices... MPG is better but not so much that it will make a big difference.

I have a 1999 34' Pace Arrow Vision Special Edition. Bought it with just under 30,000 miles on the Ford V-10. I towed a 24' enclosed car hauler with out '07 GT Cert in it plus the front 7 foot of the trailer loaded to the top with "stuff" the wife needed and some of my tools. We were greatly overloaded and the RV handled it great. Cruised 70 all day at 9 mpg from Az. to Fl.

Depending on your usage, liquid capacities can be an issue. I carry 100 gal of fresh water and have 50 gal each in gray water and black water. My one thing that is small is the LP tank....20 gal. Wish it was 40 gal just for lees filling trips when I use it.

Ours is a 30 amp service as opposed to 50 amp service. Both are 120V but are wired different. The 50 amp has two leads in the cable to provide two 120v service lines for separating the A/C units and heavier use appliances. I have no issues with the 30amp but in heavy uses, it has a system to automatically shut down the rear AC if both are running. Either is good and there are adapter plugs to safely run a 30amp from a 50 amp plug.

One big thing I hear from others is AC placement. Ours is one rear and one central front. Some have one front and one central rear. I find with my setup, I can run one 90% of the time and be cold in the RV. Friends with the other setup, run both and complain.

There are plenty of deals out there. I got mine from a military guy that never used it.....2 trips to Disney in Fl. from Az. and 6 months of his folks borrowing it after a house disaster. Look long and hard....do not rush. We almost bought one because we were tired of looking...then I just stumbled onto this one. Stay away from dealers except to compare what you want to consider size and style wise and brands.

There is a big difference from the top to the bottom....millions of dollars. Set your price and stick to it....but do not set it until you have looked. We started at wanting to stay around 35-40,000 used. Moved that up to no more than 60,000 after looking at what you could get. We spent 54,000 and cash talks as we got this for 5,000 less than the owner owed.

We also did not want to have to drive a truck everywhere when we parked so a 5th wheel was out. Also, watching others trying to park them, I am glad I did what we did. It seems the 5th wheels are a pain in a smaller space. I can tow a car flat or on a tow dolly or on a trailer. My '11 GT/CS will go on a trailer.

We look at getting a newer one at times but it is hard to get one with the quality of the one we have.....it was a top line when new.

Let me know if you have any other questions.....

Here ya are....2.1 mil. I think....