The RVing didn't save your marriage, lol. You two WANTING to save your marriage saved your marriage. And then WORKING on the marriage to have it continue to grow. You guys always stress how much work you've put into Thunder Canyon (and it's commendable). However, it's the work on your marriage that is exceptional. People have asked me, over the years, how my husband and I have stayed married so long (we're as opposite as you two - maybe more), and I used to joke that neither of us has wanted a divorce at the same time! But ya know what? There's a little wisdom and truth in that. Yes, God has worked wonders, but you two and the work you've done is a blessing to so many people, not the least of which is Sage. Blessings to all 3 of you, as always!
Great comment. Thanks. I'm not sure how hard they worked on the marriage. I think they defaulted to what they knew best. Crazy work. Who buys an abandoned campground when struggling emotionally. John needs the work otherwise his mind betrays him. I'm the same way. They do not need a new RV
@@thereissomecoolstuff I think they've worked very hard, evidenced by the fact that John begged Mercedes to give it one more go when they met at the lawyer's office to finalize their divorce. No women w/a young child, chooses divorce unless it's intolerable or she's nuts. And Mercedes ain't nuts. "Who buys an abandoned campground when struggling emotionally?" LOL, someone who's determined to make a difference and work on their issues. Jesus, "emotionally struggling" in this case means dealing with life's ups and downs. If, in the history of mankind, everyone who dealt with life's ups and downs did nothing, we'd still be living in caves! They're taking it day-by-day and working to do their best by their family and themselves. That their goals happen to positively impact hundreds or thousands of others just makes it that much better. And who are you to judge "what they need?" They are two grown adults working hard and not hurting anyone.
My husband and I used to joke that we didn’t divorce because neither one of us wanted the kids alone every other weekend. We have been married 44 years this November.
I do Couples Therapy for a living and admire you John and Mercedes! Keep up the good work, continue to listen to each other, love each other, hope in each other, and most importantly - pray with each other... Your journey has just begun and I am praying for you both as you search for your new RV.
I am a certified RV Inspector. I highly suggest getting an Inspection to anyone getting a new or used RV. I’m glad to hear you are having someone inspect for you. I went back to school to learn tech too so that I could fix my own RV. ❤️
I love the channel. I’m finally going to pull the trigger on this, do it and GO! My mom passed away several months back, and my dad died 3 years ago. I’ve have no parents or much of any family left in my life now. That has taught me a valuable lesson… LIFE IS SHORT! Get out there and do it. Cause I can tell you when you get older, things happen that hinder your bodies physical abilities. Joint problems and other Medical problems can pop up etc making it difficult to do those things you always wanted to do! . I’m 50 now and have worked tirelessly my whole life. As soon as I get my moms house sold, I’m first buying a bigger truck and then buying a RV. Right now leaning toward a 30-35 ft fifth wheel or possibly even an 27-33 ft Airstream? Your channel has been inspirational for me during these difficult times I’ve recently gone through. Ty! ✌️ ❤️
It would be good for you to rent/ use and drive a few different kinds and styles before you buy anything. You might decide you want something that you didn’t consider until you get out on the road.
@@alinosi123 very true. I’m actually renting an Airstream in 2 weeks. Not pulling it. (Cause I don’t have a capable truck atm) Just going to stay 2 nights in one. I figure that’ll at least help me possibly eliminate the Airstream. I like the Airstreams; but from a practical standpoint and cost effectiveness point, a comparable length fifth wheel is going to be hard to beat I’m guess. I’ve been test driving some 3/4 ton trucks. Ty for the suggestions.
I also think buying used is the way to go because I'm hearing alot of horror stories about the lack of quality on the new ones. I bought a used Class C with only 28,000 miles on it from the original owners who maintained it with care.
Yep, my wife and I just bought a used 33" class A with 40,000 on it in immaculate shape for less than 13% of the price it sold for new from a private party. I know this because the original paperwork is still with the coach. We are going full time semi-stationary, so gas is not an issue. I think it is built better than the new ones I have seen. We bought a new travel trailer years ago and the depreciation was just horrendous. It was worth a third of what we paid after only 5 years. Great video!
I’m on my fourth RV, here is the smartest thing you can possibly do…Rent several different types of RV’s before you choose. We have owned 5th wheels, travel trailers of different sizes and configurations and rented motor homes, and this has helped us determine which size and model to get… This along with the type of RV’ing we do helped us find the perfect rig… This requires a little time, rent for a few trips, for us this took us a year before we knew exactly what to get…Good luck…have fun.
Picking out an RV is hard, it's like picking clothes for a stranger. We all have different needs and wants. For us a truck camper is best because we like to stay on the road but we want to sleep comfortably. Good Luck on your journey. Bill
We found a nice used C 2 years ago that was really taken good care of and the couple was selling it do to medical issues. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time to find this deal. We love it!!
I spent several years doing a complete rebuild of a 1967 silver streak. Now I just bought a 1972 18 ft winnebago motorhome to rebuild and learned a lot. If I had the money I would love to have a super C. Maybe that will be my next build after the winnebago. Just buying one is too easy, I know, it's a sickness. Good luck on your adventure. Oh, last fall we did a 9k mile trip across the country with the silver streak.
My husband and I bought a 27’ Class A. New. Took it out twice and hated it! We are retired and with age comes aches and pains. Trying to manage the steps to get in and out of the coach was scary for me. We both decided that the huge steps were a hazard for is we traded it and bought a new 28’ towable with no slides. The steps are just about 5” from the ground when extended. The ease of set up is great! We lost a chunk of change during this process but we are happier now. We take our rig out as often as we can, usually a week or two a month. Good luck with your buying adventure!
I love hearing you guys talk now that you have experienced RV life, and you are right on! My wife and I have experienced 40 years of RV'ing, and life changes. Our little pop-up in 1984 was satisfactory, but as family came along, a trailer was needed (bathroom). My parents took the Class A route, which worked for them, but my wife and I prefer a more slow aproach. We like to stay in an area a day or so, then move on. Probably not surprising is we are downsizing again. I'm looking at a pull behind in the 28 to 32 foot range, possibly without a slide if we can find the right rig. The reason, easy set up and take down, yet enough comfort on the trip, but quick. It is just the two of us now, so we can do with something more easily pullable. Our current trailer is very nice, and I can pull it in excess of 70 mph, but now that we are retired, who wants to go that fast. Besides, 7 mpg (or less) is not great! LOL. I did take one exception to your comments, buying a top end trailer verses some of the more reasonable priced units. I have found the higher priced units give you top end carpets and materials on your sofas, but underneath they are pretty much the same, cheap plastic water fittings, valves, etc. I have worked on many units as we travel, and I tell people to learn to work on your own units. One area I stress is slides. If yours breaks (and it will) can you fix it. Slides are one of the biggest areas of problems I have found over the years, so look at any potential units carefully. there are poor slides and better slides, and I recommend the better. I don't like the motorhome route unless you are going to run it enough. Trucks are designed to be run, and parking them for 3 to 6 months at a time is asking for trouble, expensive trouble. My friends have experienced this. Sometimes a pull behind where you use the truck daily is a better expense. As to pulling, I live in Wisconsin, so almost any longer trip means through Chicago. I try to come in at slow time, but recently hit downtown at a bad time, and as I entered the Dan Ryan expressway, traffic was moving swift. I had to stay with traffic, but when I glanced at my speedometer, I was exceeding 90 MPH!! I never thought I could pull a trailer at that speed, and hope I never have to again. Thankfully it was set up well and had no problems. Good luck in your search for a new trailer!
Ummm … have you seen the Interstate loops/beltways that billions of taxpayer dollars were spent on to route larger vehicles, not doing business downtown, AROUND metro core area traffic?
That is a death sentence with a blowout at that speed. No tire can guarantee no blowouts, no TPS can guarantee no blowouts because you monitor them. No excuse especially traffic flow or time constraints equal safety. Only lower speeds gives you better odds.
Hi Guys. Gary and Merle here. Love how your lives have changed an evolved over the years. We were newbies 5 years ago. Bought Claas A 3007 Tiffin bus ( pre def)from dealer. New to this rv but learned so much. After 3 years we decided it was too big and had issues getting into parks. Sold it right before Covid(thank God for that). Started reading and learning about class c's. Look at new and the floor plans. Then used rvtraders listing. Went to a broker outside Dallas,Ft Worth for a Entgera Quest L. Open floor plant. Was 2028 diesel. We have 2 adults and 3 cats and had 1 dog at the time. Wanted to stay with diesel verses gas due to fule mileage. One thing I miss is storage space in it. Alot of stuff in the A. We didn't need or used. The broker was selling it as a consignment. For that year the listing was 115k. Bought it for $75k. Just the right size for us and drives like your truck. The other thing is the occc weight on all c's. Weight carring is low on alot of them. Good luck. If you need more info. Reach out to us in Texas. Houston area.
Wanted to “upgrade” to a tiffin motorhome for years. Did the 5th wheel thing for 15 years. Spent 1 year with the Tiffin and went back to a 5th wheel. We love the DRV full house. Love the space the garage gives us for traveling. Like John says the more patient you are right now the more the prices seem to be coming down. Towing a jeep which we did was a pain in the rear. No backing up whatsoever without unhooking. Repairs way more expensive on the motorhomes. There’s my input.
We have a Monaco 2005 and let me tell, great quality! Just regular maintenance we started to travel full time last year but couldn’t go far due to my husband’s health issue but we can go to some destinations we had to postpone but I agree unhooking the jeep is a little pain!
We purchased a 2015 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP (diesel pusher) after having sold the 2017 Allegro Open Road (gas). It had been immaculately cared for and we are still thrilled with our choice after a couple of years and 10,000 or so miles. Earlier this year we took it from Georgia on a wonderful 6-week trip out West to Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and it was an awesome trip. There were some blips but nothing that changed our opinion of our coach or made us second-guess our choice. Only good things to say about Tiffin, as well as the dealership we used - Sherman RV in Sherman, MS (now GARV, across the interstate from the previous location of Sherman), or our salesperson Carol Koon. Awesome experience!
This is our 5th camper in 30 years. We started with a towable to a fifth wheel, class C and now class A. We have a 2015 Precept 29m that has a bunk house that we love and it’s not a huge. We bought it new. We have always kept ours in a shed, this is key. Good luck on your search.
Thanks to UA-cam we stayed with a small travel trailer to go short and low . It is working GREAT for us as a retired couple . Hope to run across you guys soon .
Used class c are pretty easy to find. Usually a retired couple with health issues. Look for low mileage stored indoors etc. I bought a 20 year old class A with 12k miles on it. 36 foot 2 slides dual a/c real Moen residential bathroom. Nice build. It was like new other than tires which I replaced. I paid 20k for it. Been on the road 4 years no issues other than maintenance. Not everyone would try a 20 year old RV. I did and I don't regret it. Paid cash no debt. With the low cost I have emergency cash in reserve if it breaks.
We're in our 3rd rv in 3 years. We started out in a tent with two kids to a 27ft travel trailer that didn't even stay with us for a full season because we hated the small bunks for the kids. Then we did a huge upgrade to a 37ft Rockwood 8327SS that had a huge bunk room with a door and not curtains! We liked that RV but even with 4 slide outs it was cramped with just 3 of us in the "living room " area with only room for two to sit. We got a bug to go looking again and found our new 5th wheel, a Prime Time Crusader 382MBH. We love this floor plan with a mid bunk and with a teenage Daughter and her occasional friends, a room with an actual door was a must. Again, we love this RV but it was built during the plandemic and quality was very lacking in some areas and still finding things wrong (our microwave door just decided to not close and light stays on) but there's been several, several issues and Ive fixed most and our Dealer has/is taking care of everything else. In a nutshell...my advise to someone new to RV'ing would be to go to a few different dealers or RV shows, walk through as many as possible and either video or write down what you like, take your time and actually sit down in it and spend some time in it and visualize camping in it, sleeping in it, hanging out in it etc. and lastly make sure you have the right tow vehicle for it.
I just bought a 37 year old 27 foot Class C with under 8,000 miles. It had been garaged most of the time, so it isn't rotten from water leaks, and looks brand new. The carpet still has the dealership plastic covering. Eventually gonna rip that out and install some kind of vinyl product. The fuel tank was gunked up from gasoline evaporation along with the fuel pump, and carburetor. It took me a good week to sort out all that. A buddy showed me a new way to clean carb parts, and it worked great. He filled up an old crock pot with Simple Green and let them cook for 5 or 6 hours. Planning on taking the generator fuel pump apart today & hoping it is just stuck. Probably not. Other problems so far are that the refrigerator has leaked out all of it's cooling juice. A new reconditioned cooling unit is gonna cost $600.00. The house AC unit isn't cooling, but I have a buddy that says he has some R22 and will refill the refrigerant for free. Found a scratch and dent new roof unit for 350 if the juice leaks back out. The tires look new, but I wouldn't leave town on them. Estimating 1200 to 1500 bucks for 6 tires. The brake system hydraulic components need repaired, rebuilt, or replaced. Doing most of the work myself I estimate under $300 in brake parts. The fresh water system had a couple leaks but so far I only spent $20 on a new shower faucet, and tightened some fittings. I haven't seen any water leaks around windows or coach seams so far but I expect they will happen as this thing twists and turns on the road. I feel I can handle those as on the road projects. If you aren't really handy doing repairs I wouldn't recommend buying an old RV just because it has been in storage or not used very much. What I saved on the up front price of the rig is going to cost me in the end on parts. I have been an aircraft or automotive mechanic for over 40 years so the biggest concern for me are parts and my time. Hope this helps someone.
I purchased a towable 21 foot through a private seller. Thankfully the owner took immaculate care of it. As a new older RVer I feel it was the right choice for me. And it fit right into my budget
And that’s why I got an RV. I needed to drive down my cost of living and a way to bug out if needed. With the jab mandates, I was afraid I would have no job as a nurse. I would have to go work for a small business that did not push the jab. Religious declination. As a vet, I used to trust my government. No longer!
I love watching you guy's, Love when John goes on a rant, he speaks the truth ! Scary thing is that I agree with him on everything ! Thanks so much for always keeping it real !
We took a different route when we bought our Class A in 2019. We bought a 1996 Winnebago Suncruiser for $4500.00 that had good bones, but also had a lot of water damage and wasn't drivable. At first sight, I thought it was really sketchy, but my hubby saw the potential in it. All I could see were dollar signs and mouse poop (which to me was the worst part about it, even worse than the fact that we had to tow the 34 feet of dilapidation to our house). We knew it needed a lot of revamping, and hubby was confident we could do it. So against my better judgement, I went along with buying it. My hubby and I got to work on it, got rid of the creatures living inside it, sanitized it with more bleach than I care to mention, replaced or repaired pretty much every appliance, revamped the engine, replaced the transmission, put a Banks exhaust system on it for better power and better gas mileage, installed a custom built aluminum gas tank and new fuel pump, and put on numerous stabilizers (Roadmaster sway bar, steering stabilizer, etc), and many other things. We have dumped a ton of time, effort, and cash on this project but it has been well worth it. John is right about learning how to do your own repairs...we saved a ton of money because we did most of it ourselves in our driveway. There literally isn't a thing we haven't touched on the RV at this point, but it is exactly the way we like it, and in many cases it is built better now than when it came out of the factory. Plus, we know what we have done to it so if anything goes wrong we know how to fix it. In short, I don't ever want to sell our rig...I totally love it, and I have to admit that my hubby was right😊. It took us two years to get it functioning well, and we now have a bought and paid for rig that we are thoroughly enjoying.
As a newbie 4 years ago my wife insisted on buying a new tow behind at Camper World, an extremely large mistake. I wanted a used 5th wheel. Got rid of the tow behind and got the 5th wheel a 30ft Reflections great camper should have done that first
I LOVE you guys. 2 years ago I got a wild hair to detach from a home and work from wherever I happen to land and your videos were instrumental in my decision to wait - I wasn't the only person thinking this way and the timing would mean spending more with few options on where I could stay. I'm an IT guy so I needed StarLink to be available. I need a boondock ready rig, whatever it is, and it WILL happen, with God's timing. Thank you for being you!
I would never buy brand new. I bought a 2013 Class-C in 2018 that only had 22k miles from a 84 year old guy. He said he never drove over 45 mph on Mountain passes. Plus he got the factory bugs fixed during those 5 years he owned it. The price was less than 1/2 new prices. Sounds like y’all know what you’re doing!!!!
I've owned RVs for 35yrs. I've learned a lot about this in my life, and you guys are on the right track. My last RV I bought new in 1999 for invoice cost plus $1500 from a Montana dealer (no sales tax) and registered it there with an LLC that cost $500 to create. That saved me over $20,000 over the 20yrs I owned it, just in taxes and license fees. It was a 32' class A with V10 Ford F53 chassis, from Fleetwood. Then 3yrs ago I sold it for $15K and bought a used 2018 32' Winnebago Vista with V10 Ford F53 chassis (much better motor and trans with all the Ford improvements over 20yrs). It had only 1600 miles on it and it was 18mos old (Warranty expired). It originally sold new for $125K. I bought it for $80K, a fair price IMO. It's been great. Today it's got 34,000 miles and running strong. We prefer the Class A to get enough basement and interior storage. It pulls our Honda CRV great (weighs 3200lbs) everywhere we go, but at only 8mpg. The PRIMARY reasons for choosing a Class A is 1. Quick setup and breakdown at each campsite. 2. My wife can pee anytime while traveling. 3. My wife can fetch me a snack or drink, anytime while traveling. 4. It's roomy inside when camping, with 2 slides. 5. It's got a 4 door 10CF fridge with ice maker. For us it's the sweet spot for storage, convenience, cost and reliability. However, I have put another $10K into the RV for upgrades (2 HD anti-sway bars, 6 more drawers, 600W solar charging system with 210Ah lithium batteries, Roadmaster tow-bar and toad plate, pepwave cellular hotspot, Starlink too). It adds up!
We have been full time for four years with a 30 ft Montana 5th wheel. We love the set up, You gave great advice. I totally agree used, also keep it close to 30ft. A lot of older campgrounds and state Parks 30 ft is the limit. Lots of luck finding a non DEF diesel.
We bought a 1yr old used towable and didn't think about a few items. Our entertainment center is bluetooth capable but we didn't realize the previous owner had password protected it. Dealer was no help, so no bluetooth for us. Also no manuals provided for anything. Fortunately we found some online. We bought the least expensive brake controller and later had to upgrade to a better one. Being an older couple, after a few trips we upgraded to a power tongue jack and will never go back. Storage space is much more important than we thought at the time we bought.
We have had travel trailers, a fifth wheel, a Class C and now a Class A. In our opinion, motorhome is the way to go. My two cents though, if you decide to look at a Class C on the Ford E450 chassis, be aware that anything 30 feet and over is going to be very heavy for that chassis. That in turn makes for a less pleasurable driving experience. Also, the V10 is a bit loud and shifts a lot due to not having the low-end torque for climbing hills. We now have a Newmar Bay Star Sport on the F53 chassis with the 7.3 V8. This 7.3 is quieter and shifts significantly less than the V10. Also, the F53 chassis handles much better than the E450. Good luck with your choice!
About Time! My wife and I finally moved up to a slightly larger RV... but I really miss the little box that we use to have. It was small, easy to "drag along" and perfect for just two. Now, this bigger one is too much, allows for too much junk, and makes it more difficult to take it anywhere. Our old one was only 500sqft. This new one is 30ft and has a slide out. That just means more stuff to break, more seals to replace, and more fuel to burn.
My husband and I have been in a 10ft converted cargo trailer almost a year now and we are very content. Everyone keeps telling us we need a bigger rig but to us that just means we'll accrue more stuff and there isn't anything more we need or want!
Thank you for your inspiration. I'm putting the rest of the sewer lines in my park this month. Last month I installed the electric and 2500 ft of 2 inch water line and 300 ft of 8" sewer line. After 13 months of waiting on permits I'm getting it done finally. Have a blessed day!
Just curious, how big of a septic tank did you have to put in or are you on sewers. I'm thinking about converting my property into a campground, but still thinking about it
My wife and I own 2 campgrounds in Michigan, we have spent the last 10yrs building both campgrounds, with no adventure, but now we have the time and money to do so..our children have took over both campgrounds and we are now looking into the class A outlaw and trailer..need to haul our jeep, Harley and golfcart....can't wait..and the first thing I did with my diesel truck is deleting the def..😁
Great to see you guys are going to be on the move again. If you’re towing your jeep I’d go with a diesel you can’t beat the power and low end torque. Myself I use my farm truck 2008 GMC 3500 dually diesel 4X4 no def. I’ve ordered the largest truck camper that Lance makes the 1172 and trading our older Lance camper in it. For us it’s a go anywhere type vehicle. Very versatile. A class C for us wouldn’t work. We like boondocking. I bought my truck and camper used and privately. Low mileage and the camper was very clean. I 👍🇨🇦
We started with a 20 year old Class C🤯 It was ALWAYS in need of engine repair🥵 We ordered a 12 passenger van with a V10 engine, only Ford does that . I learned that the repair prices on that V10 were HALF of the same engine in the Class C. We then got a 36’ TT, no slides, double bunks in the back for our 4 kids. We had a blast in that TT. We now have an empty nest… we have a pickup with a 26’ TT… never going back to a C, never want a 5th.
I have a 2022 Covid class c, bunkhouse model. I would sell you, but I’m not sure if I got all the Covid bugs taken care of. It sat at the dealership for 5 months, waiting on wood to replace from water damage. This Rv went thru 2 PDIs and the water leak wasn’t detected until we took it on an official camping trip. Ended up buying a used travel trailer, while waiting on the new Rv to get fixed. Good luck on your adventure on finding that Rv.
The thing I learned is that vehicle's All 1996 and newer model year gasoline and alternate fuel passenger cars and trucks are required to have OBD II systems. Class C rigs that are older than 96 do not have an OBD II reader, so when you break down and have this you can plug in a reader and it will give you a code as to what and why your vehicle is not working. Safe travels! 🙏
When we were young the kids were little the pop up tent camper was great! As the kids got older and we followed Bluegrass festivals all over the PacNW we got a 24ft trailer with room for all the instruments. Then the kids are grown and starting their own families we got a 30' fifthwheel. Even full timed in it for 7 months. Now we are in our 60's we downsized to a 24' couples camper. We go on shorter trips. It all depends on what you're planning on doing.
Excellent video, excellent points. We are long time RV’s, over 35 years and over 200,000 miles. We have owned 7 used and 2 new. I agree with your points, but want to emphasize several of them to the viewers: Take your time to figure out what works for you. If you are relatively new to the game, maybe rent one or two different ones to see if it fits. You can find great used ones, if you are patient, and yes, make sure it’s a quality brand. We presently own a 2022 Winnebago, small class A. 21,000 miles in a year. Love it, and the issues have mostly been minor. I can fix most minor issues but also know how to deal with service departments , who can be a challenge. But my favorite Motorhome was the previous one. A 2014 31’ class C Forest River. Great quality, 43,000 miles in 5 years. Yes, a 31ft class C is very versatile. And used ones are out there with low miles and loving owners. Just take your time. Good luck on your next purchase. We too wanted a Super C, but wow, well out our budget. Thank you again
Hey guys. Love the channel, love you guys! You guys were the final push and confidence boost I needed to get our family out first RV a couple years ago. We've gone through 5 of them in the last 2 years trying to find the perfect fit. (2015 Thor AXIS class A, 2016 Forest River Forester 3011DS class C, 2017Jayco Eagle HT 5er, 2016 Forest River Forester 3171DS class C, currently a 2018 Thor ACE 30DS class A). We are a family of 5; me, wife, 3 boys (9,7,6). Our absolute favorite was our Forester 3011DS but didn't have bunks, so we went with the Forester 3171DS for the bunks. Our only issue was that there wasn't enough living space for us and the boys with the couch, dinette, and kitchen all in a limited space. We have become a big fan of the ACE because of the full wall slide with the bunks and much more living space. If you're going with the class C, I would highly recommend the Forester prior to 2019, 2019+ the quality isn't there. The Forester has a 1 piece full fiberglass roof, partial paint with full clearcoat, ride rite air suspension in the rear for an amazing ride/sway control/and no interior rattle, 8k towing capacity, whole house water filter, left side light for night time set up, aisle lights, great storage, real wood cabinets, cedar lined closet, and the list goes on. It really is the nicest class C on the market in my opinion. I would also suggest a safe-t-plus for any drivable. The ACE is really great as well but 5k towing and a bunch of suspension upgrades are needed. Hope this helps.
@@mikem5553 Our 2014 Forest River was the same model but without bunks. A maximum of two adults and two older kids, and it worked well for 5 years. Everything you list about it is spot on. We went to the Winnebago Vista class A. We needed to upgrade to Koni shocks, added the safe-t-plus and SuperSteer. It made a big difference. Love our coach after 21,000 miles. Good luck on the road and safe travels.
@@anthonyb2334 appreciate the reply. I thought I was the only one who appreciated the little things they did to make the Forester great. I did safe-t-plus and timbren rubber suspension bump stops/suspension enhancement. What a difference! Best $1000 ever spent. I'm really surprised they're not more popular. Almost no sway and such a smoother ride. Just did Atlanta to Tampa a couple weeks ago 1 handed on the wheel at 65 for 95% of the ride. How are the Koni's?
@@mikem5553 The Koni shocks are excellent. A huge upgrade from factory. Did you put the larger rubber bump stops front and rear? My Vista 29V is only 30ft. It was suggested by a shop it would make my ride too stiff, but I’m thinking of trying it anyway. And yes, Forest River did a lot of nice extras in those models.
Used Class A. We spent 3 years researching RVs, and concluded that for us (for many of the same reasons you mentioned in this video), a used smaller class A was the way to go. We found a well-cared for 3 year old Tiffin Allegro 31sa and purchased it from a highly regarded family-owned, small dealership. We have had that Tiffin for 4 years and just returned from traveling through 7 states, with no problems or reliability issues whatsoever. When we have needed parts, Tiffin's parts department has been very helpful and responsive. One of the reasons we decided against a Class C is that they are built on a glorified van chassis, whereas we wanted a heavier-duty truck chassis (in our case, a Ford F53 truck chassis). We have spent about $4500 beefing up the suspension, since the Ford F53 truck chassis has a notoriously rough ride, but it now drives much better. If the prices listed on RVTrader are to be believed, we could now sell our RV for more than we paid for it 4 years ago. If for safety reasons we ever needed to leave a campsite, we can retract the leveling system and the awning by merely pushing 2 buttons and without leaving the cab, and simply drive away. The only downsides we have found is that this is a heavily-built coach, so it slows considerably when going uphill, and we wish that it had engine braking for long downhill grades. Also, its towing capacity is only 5K, so we tow a Mini Cooper S convertible (manual transmission---the automatic transmission is not flat-towable). A diesel will have more torque and better braking, but will be much more expensive to purchase and to maintain.
Driving away from a site where you’re using hookups, without getting out to disconnect, is going to result in a huge, unpleasant surprise!!! Even boondocking requires a walk-around to discover all of the things that _someone_ didn’t stow!!!
Highly recommend a Renegade SuperC. We have had our Valencia for 3 years and love it. We tow a Jeep Wrangler. We got lucky finding one a year old when we got it before Covid prices went thru roof. Safety and ease of use on maintenance are big pluses for Super C. The 38BB would be great with the bunks.
Hey Guys, we just bought a Class C Thor Daybreak 24DB, we made sure it was 24' so it could fit into all the California State & National Parks, they have a 24' or smaller limit. Also it can tow 5000 lbs +, we were in a similar situation to wish to tow a small tow vehicle. I highly suggest getting a Ford Chassis, when it breaks down Ford Service Centers are everywhere. Good luck, we looked for 3 years until we found our perfect ride.
Mercedes, you are right. We have had a pop up, Travel Trailer, Class A (too big) and now a Class C...just right for us! It’s like driving a van. Good luck in your hunt. Safe travels! Jane in SC ❤️🙏🏻
I think your analysis of the current RV market environment is right on point, Mercedes and John. We started out with a Montana 5th wheel, then migrated to a Forest River Berkshire Class A diesel pusher, then finally to a Newmar Dutch Star, a larger and more powerful Class A diesel pusher with a higher towing capacity (we tow a Jeep also) which we are very happy with. Determining what works best for your family takes experience. What may initially look good at an RV show may not turn out so well in actual use. You may find your 8,000 pound towing requirement being the key to determining what to go with. Generally, that could be a challenge for a Class C or a gas Class A, you may have to go with a diesel-powered RV of at least 380 hp. I prefer having a bigger safety margin rather than towing up to the rated limit of the RV. It also gives better performance when it comes to climbing hills - nothing worse than experiencing the "slows" when attempting to climb a long steep grade on a highway.
We purchased a 10 yr old Alegro Bus privately. It was very well taken care of by the first and third owner . Only 230 horse diesel pusher but plenty of power for us pulling our Equinox. One year of searching payed off for us. By privately, get inspected and travel in quiet comfort. New $250,000 we bought used $76,000. Take your time, buy what fits, then enjoy.
I had always wanted an RV, but didn't know much about them & was a little nervous about buying. Plus money was an issue. Now that the student loans, credit cards & cars were paid off, plus a raise at work, we could afford one. I knew this was a really bad "investment," but it was something that we discussed & believed would be a good idea for us. Maybe it was, maybe not? Anyway, here's our story: I happened upon the RV ODD COUPLE while poking around on the internet doing a little research on RVs. I learned SO MUCH!! Thank God for John & Mercedes! We knew what we were getting into. We rented first, per their suggestion, & SO glad we did. We ended up buying a 2017 Class C 32ft w/ single slide & only 9K miles on it. Like new, but with a few additions the first owner put in it, that I love! We used it to travel to see my daughter & grandkids, driving it from Georgia to Iowa. It's SO nice to just be able to pull off to the side of the road, or to any gas station, rest stop, restaurant, store parking lot - to walk to the back to the bathroom! SO AWESOME! :D Also, I had to have the overcab bunk. That's my hideaway/xbox/TV/chill/ husband "dog house" area. Also love the "tall" closets I can hang clothes in. My problem is not enough shoe storage... Anyway, we decided to go ahead & move from Georgia to Iowa - & move before winter. So we packed up 23 yrs worth of crap (threw a LOT away), put the house on the market, & are currently living in the RV. Just started a new job that pays pretty well, & praying the house will sell for what we want & find a place w/ a couple of acres... (Please pray for us!) Now the question is, what to do with the RV? should we rent it out? sell it & get a less expensive trailer just for travel/camping? so much to think about as our lives have changed so much. I LOVE our RV, & fortunately, my husband can fix just about anything, my son in law is a plumber & his dad has a shop where they work on cars, trucks, tractors, etc. I've got the medical side of things covered, & the grandkids have got the adorableness covered, so I think we're good to go! :) Thank you, John & Mercedes, for all you've done to help people like us!
So excited to see you guys get to the point of planning to travel again! I will be praying that these plans come together without complications and obstacles and that you find the perfect RV!
Husband and I started RVING in a 19ft Airstream Argosy pull behind, then a 31ft Gulfstream pull behind and then our current (love it) Class A (gasoline) Newmar Dutch Star Motorcoach. We are seasoned RVERS with 25 years experience behind us. We travel approximately 7 mos a year. On average we are spending 1-2 months per Metropolitan Area so we can truly get to know the local spots, sightsee and feel the different flavors of the areas we visit. Truly wouldn't have it any other way for our lifestyle. We are also glad we bought a gasoline Class A Motorcoach. General maintenance can be done most anywhere, costs for repairs and labor is MUCH less than Diesel-powered and reoccurring expenses such as shoes for her are much less. We have a USMC Son who is a Master Diesel Mechanic and he advised us as to the pros and cons of Diesel-powered VS Gasoline-powered. Based on our style of travel and duration he (and us) firmly felt gasoline-powered was the way to go for needs. So glad we did, it was the right ✅ choice for us. Oh! And we bought a used unit too. Like new inside, outside and under the hood with very low miles. We know that we really lucked out and simply adore ❤ it.
You two lovebirds are a National Treasure. Best to Sage & your fur baby. Wishing you both blessings in all future personal & business endeavors.Stay safe,phil🇺🇲🍀💙🙏👮👍
I am on RV #6 in 5 yrs. All except 1 was used and well maintained by previous owners. I made a nice profit on every C class I sold. Two 27’ Lazy Daze and a 22’ Born Free. Purchased a new A class gas 36’ by top of the line manufacturer and only kept it a year. Never buy a new one from a dealership unless you want to fix all the problems and lose money in the end. Now own a really nice used 2017 Cedar Creek 5th wheel 41’11” I have on a permanent site we own in a beautiful RV park in N. Ga. mountains.
I wouldn't trade anything on my choice on my unit as a full-time RV'ER. A 1962 Ex-Greyhound GM PD-4106 Bus conversion. Completely mechanical engine and transmission without any computers running it! Definitely no DEF fluids involved. I have survived eight winter seasons in my bus. But the beautiful thing about how these were built in 1962.... two factory workers were needed to install every rivet on these buses. They are built better than anything on the road right now. And 95 percent of the body is aluminum.
@@RVOddCouple So true! There are two main electrical junction boxes in my bus and this is where the wiring harness come in..... and you can tell that zipties weren't invented yet because they wrapped the harnesses together with a special kind of heavy-duty twine and tied it in a special kind of way. And to this day it's still looks as good as new. It's impressive to see the engineering and craftsmanship used to put these buses together. Best regards and many blessings to you and your family!
I would just use what you have until what you want comes along. Hopefully what you want is out there right now. The big problem we ran into when buying used was finding something that was well taken care of. It seemed like everything, even higher end units, suffered from owner neglect.
As a retired cop and seeing a lot of bad things, crash safety has always been in the back of my mind. I've seen photo's of fiberglass A's and the cab back portions of the C's and they don't do very well.
@@RVOddCouple Same here,retired. Class C's are generally much safer as the van cab is crash rated for safety.Not so Class A's. Born Free Class C's are arguably the safest,priciest ,heaviest,& probably hardest to find used but worth it,imo.They are built like tanks, heavy boat style fiberglass exteriors, steel roll cages,and not a single fatality in many decades on the road.My choice.Also Ford E350/450 chassis's are serviceable all over America,Canada,& Mexico at reasonable cost by almost any mechanic. Not so Diesels.Something to ponder. phil🇺🇲🍀💙👍👮🙏 p.s.Even better is the pricier,later model Born Free C' s built on a Ford heavy duty pickup chassis. More leg room & easier service under the hood.My ultimate spendy pick besides a SuperC but much less costly until the swarming masses read this😄
My diesel dodge RAM engine is 2012 & didn't require DEF. It was the last year that RAM diesel came DEF-less. Also when you put a tuner on a diesel engine you can get a lot more MPG for about 1000.00 to have a tuner installed. I'll probably never own another vehicle without a tuner - which means buying used because normally a tuner is not to be installed during factory warranty. 3r party warranties are usually no problem unless specifically excluded - which I've never heard of on a 3rd party warranty. Plus if you get one with multiple settings you can increase HP up to 30 percent. I agree that non-factory warranties are not such a great idea - in general. I about broke even with my warranty. New fridge (2000), new jack control system, repaired heater, & replaced hot water heater 1000.
Another note to consider. Buying new RV'S is nice and all but the quality control aspects at the factory are not the same as a RV that's been through the paces as the owners using it for a couple of years. What I mean is this..... sometimes your brand new RV can be stuck inside the RV dealership mechanical shop because of manufacturing problems and it can be stuck there for a long period of time. Used RV'S have been put to the test more so than new RV'S. And also consider this.... an old saying, once you drive your new RV off the lot, it's worth less because it's now a used RV. The only problems I see buying right now is the interest rates. That's why, if a couple has a excellent credit score than you all are in the driver's seat during negotiations with the finance manager. The finance manager will present the highest interest rate that he feels that he can get away with. Beat them down on whatever he presents to you at first.
We bought a 2022 Super C and absolutely LOVE it.... We are weekend warriors but we go 3 weekends a month (.we love exploring..) We feel super safe with our diesel is a large foot print on the high way and heavy so it doesn't sway when semi pass...💕💕
Another good video . My wife and I wanted a used Class A, and searched for about two years. We found EXACTLY the one we wanted. It's a 37' Pace arrow with low mileage. It is a Special Edition with many upgrades, on a F-53 Ford chassis with the V-10. It suits our needs perfectly, as we snow bird in Arizona in winter and camp host in summer in far northern Ca. I have repaired a few things as needed, slide cover, water heater proportional valve ect. As you stated it was seldom used (well Loved) , in fact the previous owner had Never used the washer dryer, or ice maker. Your advice is spot on, Don't be in a hurry, the best deal is out there. Congratulations on your marriage, 45 years for my bride and I :-).
I just bought an Odyssey 29V and it's spectacular... towing 8000 is a stretch for any class C but you'd need a smaller one with less dry weight to allow that sort of towing
@@RVOddCouple our original order was an Odyssey 31F with bunks (for storage). Lots of room and some incredible storage capability. Can tow 7500 if you keep your on board cargo weight reasonable. Also comes in the Esteem 31F for a bit more features- if you get a gas Class C you MUST get a 21 or later for the Ford V8 7.3L Godzilla motor... its not even fair to compare the V10 powerplant formerly used
When we camped with our young kids we had a pop up. In 2019 our kids were in their 20s and rarely came with us. So, we bought a used Class C which was so easy for even me to drive... I actually drove it home from the owners. The RV didn’t have a slide or dedicated bed for hubby and I. It had bunks and the over cab bed, but didn’t help us. It had a Hugh dinette we had to convert every night...we sold that and have a 30 ft TT now, which I love. I would totally buy another class c with a slide or two and tow a jeep or something. I felt safer in it. Good choice guys. Best of luck. 🙏
I had the Super C for my first RV. It was a privately owned, 2007 used, on the Kodiak 5500 chasis with the duramax diesel, no DEF! Was basically new condition when I got it with only 9k miles on it. Any truck repair company would service it and the flip up front made engine access easy to check things out. Sold it three years later with 45k on it so I used it a lot. With routine maintenance I had no issues on the road (except tires). I financed it for 10 years because the loan was only 4.5% and the investments were doing 12%. Good luck on finding a good used one, took me a year to get the 32 foot Four Winds, but patience paid off. If mom issues get in a better place I'll see you this fall. Was unavailable for the founders zoom meeting last Friday night due to the same. Only been out in the new to me Toyhauler one time the last 12 months, so I'm itching as well to get back out. Take care, Keith
If you can find one, look at a Lazy Daze Class C. They started in 1966 and they just closed about 2 months ago because the supply chain issues killed them. They are double wall construction with double pane windows. Built to be a 4 season camper. It is ALL aluminum - no delamination to worry about (unless it got damaged). They make 22, 26, and 30 ft. They also have 3 or 4 floor plans to choose from. Each unit is a one-off custom build for whoever ordered it. Some of them are sparten in options, some of them are amazing. They are absolutely top drawer construction - all handmade. Not a lot of units out there. I've heard about 50 a year. 55 years, so about 2,800 units. Large, active, supportive owner group. Some units have a convertible bed, some have a permanent Queen bed in the back. Sage gets the big bunk over the cab. Each has lots of windows in the large back room. Here's a link to a 90s promo video. ua-cam.com/video/qlRMj49y5Ig/v-deo.html
We are not newbies, we have been Rving for 6 years now, and we still made a rookie mistake, what’s that you ask… well we didn’t realize that manufactures are making some Rv’s especially class C’s right to weight limit specs, which means when you put any water, or clothes, dishes, supplies or anything in your Rv it’s overweight. Weigh your RV before you buy especially a class C! People say it doesn’t matter but weight does, we had an RV insurance adjuster friend of ours say if your ever in an accident they can and will check the weight of your RV and if it’s overweight the insurance company won’t pay to fix or replace it.
Had a class C 15 years ago and sold it when we moved. Wasn't using it enough due to work. Retiring in a week and now I have the time. Wish I still had that C. Been shopping for several months too and I think the market is going to favor buyers.
We own a rental biz & have never taken our RV to dealers for service or repair. We have only taken our RVs to a mechanic once, in that case choosing an expert mobile mechanic. Any issue on the road with renters has also been handled by mobile mechanics. Finding good resources for parts, support, advice and repairs can help you learn and maintain an RV on your own. Like John says…fix your own RV! 👍🏼
If your purchasing an rv, make sure the person your buying it from has taken good care of the roof on the rv. Inspect the roof yourself. Find out what type of maintenance, if any was done on the roof. Find out the name of the products used to ckean/repair the roof, if the membrane was replace, and get all the warranty documents on the roof work.....or any other work done on the rv.
You guys might want to look into an old MCI or Eagle bus. Can't beat that for safety! Or get a class c from a rental company. They're well maintained and built for the abuse of rental people
I have lived in a 24 ft trailer for years. But I pick a place, buy a house, remodel and flip it, stay there 3-4 months and move on to the next place. I just back it up to the house. Essentially its my mobile work shop. Sure beats a glorified trailer park and a great way to make a living.
John, John, John. You know you like those chickens. You remind me of my husband. He acts like he is annoyed & doesn’t like them, but he willingly lets them out in the morning, puts them in safely @ night, stops @ the farm coop during his free time from work to pick up wood shavings, sand, feed, etc for them whenever supplies get a bit low. He always puts up a fuss when I mention more chickens, then out of the blue will tell me to get more. He even recently told me he wants to get Cornish Cross to raise for processing. He’s always watching UA-cam videos to learn more about coops, feeders, waterers, dispatching, etc. This all from a man who doesn’t want chickens (though we have 15 & getting more)!
This is a subject that I teach in my classes only we are talking towable vintage trailers. Same subject though. All the questions you mentioned have to be ansered. And as always, learning from other people's mistakes can save you a lot of money and headaches in the end. Thanks for sharing your search with us. Very educational and well done...
@@RVOddCouple Anytime. My email address is on my website and I also emailed you once (from mobiltec) about having a vintage trailer rally at your campground. You've been really busy though especially after having Covid. I just got over that myself.
John if you buy a class c, I suggest a gas model. Fuel is more available. There are areas where diesel #2 isn’t available at the cheaper stations. Bio fuel can’t be used in some engines. If you think you want a class A, drive it in winds ! You may decide you want the C after all. I’ve had an A,B and C. My C has a Mercedes’ Diesel engine. If I did it again it would be a Ford or Chevy engine. Any shop will work on them. A class C American model is the ticket.
I'd say, "an all season package" is a necessity! Secondly, the day before you go into the RV dealership.... get plenty of rest. And the reason why I say that is because the buyers are going to battle with the finance manager and salesperson. You should expect to be at the dealership for a long time, pack a lunch and go to battle and beat down the financing terms and final sales terms and trade in terms.
Buying cars seams to be that problem every time. I work night shift. I get grumpy when they keep me there for too long. I mean what am I doing? What are they doing? What am I waiting for? The last time I told them I had to go home now!!! When I returned to finish the deal, I told the salesman that he had 2 hours to seal the deal or I would walk.
@@marymurphy2164 Hi Mary, I used to be in automotive and heavy-duty truck sales and financing. The purpose of keeping you in the dealership for many hours is to beat you down and tire you out in order for them to make a lot of money on the financing because they don't make much on new vehicle sales. Used vehicle sales is totally different in regards to the profitable they make off of used cars. I'm sure that you experience the salesperson going back and forth as they talk to higher up managers. It's always best to have your ducks in order before you go to dealership and get plenty of rest. You know how they say, never go to a grocery store hungry..... never go to buy vehicles when you're tired!
@@DeansofNomadica there’s is absolutely no reason for me to sit at the dealership all day long either. We have this great invention called the telephone too. The salespeople act like you must purchase today. Why not come back in a day or 2 to finish the transaction.
@@marymurphy2164 For most people buying a vehicle is an emotional thing meaning people buy what they look good in. There's several reasons why they don't want you leaving once they have a hot buyer. You could leave to shop another dealership. You could change your mind about buying the vehicle altogether. Once they know that you qualify and they know you really like what you picked out.... they will want to close the deal. It's totally like a boxing match! And because of that.... I hated car sales but I loved heavy-duty truck sales because it was not as intense as automotive dealership sales.
So excited that you guys are doing this and adventuring some! What is John looking at when Mercedes is talking? 'Cuz John has what I call "engineer face." It's the same face I have when I'm in the studio engineering a project. It's when I'm in a comfy but focused zone, watching all the meters and levels dance as my ears take over the bulk of my sensory input. So I imagine he's watching audio levels, exposure, perhaps a chat as he somehow still does his part of the show. It's either that or he's an alien, decompiling me with his gaze and by the time the video ends, he has data on me down to my genetic code... HAHA! Love you guys, can't wait to see what happens!
I'm a little concern, before we bought or TT we looked at class C's and none of them would tow your jeep. I'm sure they said they will pull them, but make sure you check out the combine weight with what you put in plus you will not be able to carry any water in the tank. All I'm saying make sure you check all the specs first. Good luck in your search.
I've always updated my water filters. I use a triple filter. Sediment. coconut charcoal, activated charcoal. And if possible, upsize the furnace-...ok, I live up north... HIGHLY recommend sway control on your hitch if possible. Oh yeh, almost forgot, surge protection on hookups...Almost got bit by that one too. Apparently I only camp during severe weather...🙄🙄 I have literally camped through everything but the blizzard-but there's still time.
I think one thing that helped us is "when" we bought our Rv. We purchased our Rv a year before we sold our home. This allowed us to do weekend getaways & get really familiar with our Rv. Once we were ready to sell our home. We were able to park our Rv out in front of our home and move stuff out of home into our Rv. That was an easy transition. It allowed us to take our time during that month of closing on our home. What didn't fit in the motorhome we took to storage.
Yes , warranty is a terrible situation, bought new 24 entrega class see at general RV , year wasted 3x back dealing with slide out and waiting now 30 days sitting on the lot waiting for it’s turn to look at it for 3rd time .
John and I would have taken a longer test drive. We didn’t realize how sluggish gas engines are on hills and how much they are moved by trucks. We’ll be looking at the Hershey show. Great video 😊👍😎. Can’t wait to see what you get.
I did buy new but for me, my husband and our Aussie a Class C Winnebago View was perfect. Has a large bunk over the drivers area for your daughter, easy to drive for us smaller humans and is diesel so great on gas. Check it out and see if this is good enough for you and your family. We bought the 24D 2021 new. We go up to 1 month in it and are fine. It has all the bells and whistles for boon docking. But can only towing capacity is only 5000 lbs
@@jimmanley2796 That's right. Run your motorhome on coal, natural gas, or diesel instead. What do the "greenies" think electricity comes from? Unless they are in the northeast where electricity is generated by Niagara Falls or where they have a nuclear power plant, the most common fuels for generating electricity in the USA are natural gas, coal, and diesel fuel.
@@WilliamHearnTOEFL_Tutor Airstream is now selling a travel trailer with enough solar and batteries to barely run lighting, charge mobile devices and computers, an HDTV, and operate a microwave oven long enough to make some meals and movie popcorn. A portion of a Tesla Semi tractor battery pack would be enough to fully drive and operate the A/C and all other appliances, etc., in a motorhome for hundreds of miles. It would take around 100 KWs of solar collection per day under clear skies at a low latitude to fully charge the battery pack each day. So, they’re about five years away … if enough batteries are available even by then … and they’ll be Teslaspensive, of course.
I bought a 2015 forrester 2 years ago lucky for me i can repair most everyting on it. it has the bunkhouse and is 31 feet . The thing i did't know was because of the lenght behid the rear wheels I needed to add a structure to tow,also put high grade shocks airlift with compressor and a stabilizer on the steering ,It helped so much with the trucks blowing me around.If i remember I paid $53000,just paid it off last month the work was done at safety plus ingeorgia in and out in a few hours all done
I remember over a year ago, you said camp sites were hard to find for larger RVs. and campgrounds were booked. RV were very popular. I agree that some people may have tried it and want to get out. With fuel prices and inflation people do not have extra cash to vacation or camp. Good luck with your search. Everything you talked about it true.
People historically have to wait until they’re above water on financing before they can afford to bail on an RV, which takes years, depending on how much they put down (and would lose). The only exceptions are those who can’t make the payments and have to take the serious hit on their credit ratings with a repossession.
It’s difficult, but not impossible to find financing on a unit that’s over 10 years old. The build quality on high end 2002-2008 coaches is unmatched by anything being built today. Country Coach, Monaco, Beaver, Holiday Rambler, and Foretravel were our target brands in our search. We found our 2008 Foretravel two years ago and couldn’t be happier. It’s such a solid build. Super quiet and stable on the road. The chassis makes all the difference in the world in the big diesel pushers. We remodeled the interior, including luxury vinyl flooring throughout, changed the mattress and added an adjustable base, changed all the lighting to LEDs, added solar and lithium batteries. We bought it with just 42k miles on the Cummins 450. No DEF! We’ve added 14,000 miles with no issues. We spent a fraction of what a newer coach would have cost and we’ve got a better build than anything rolling out today. To top it off, it’s beautiful. Most people think it’s new. Watch inventory at Motorhomes of Texas in Nacogdoches. Maybe you can score a gem too.
Even though I am career (retired) firefighter I worked as an RV Tech for 25 years for my in-laws RV business (Jayco dealer). With you guys having a lot of experiences owning and dealing with RVs. As far as purchasing used be sure to research its history how did it end up on the lot or a person's yard for sale. Even research the person (or business) selling the RV. Are they a reputable individual; is the RV their own or are they selling it for someone else? Why are they selling the RV; Do all appliances function properly; especially any signs of leaks (water)) from rain; and if a motorhome, have a certified mechanic go over all engine and operational components. I could go on all day when it comes to what and how to check these items! I would love to have a class C, but they are still outrageous in price!!!
Hi y'all !! I think that you will find that most Class C (not super C) motorhomes have a maximum towing capacity of around 5000 lbs. Many gasoline Class A motorhomes also have a max 5,000 lb towing capacity. Our Tiffin Phaeton diesel pusher has a max towing capacity of 10,000 lbs. Be sure to carefully check towing capacity on any motorhome you are considering for a 8,000 lb toad. Super C motor homes have much greater towing capacity too.
We are totally newbies at this RV stuff, even tho we're OLD! Bought a 1995 Holiday Rambler class A with fairly low miles because we knew we were never gonna do the full-time thing, so not going into debt for this. ha. We've learned you absolutely NEED to tow a vehicle (which we haven't gotten yet) otherwise you're stuck wherever you go. So many things we never thought of. Oh well.. :)
Good luck with your decision and finding the perfect class C .. My rig is a airstream Atlas on a sprinter chassis. Good for my wife and I. We love it. Thank you for being so enthusiastic about rv’ing. May God continue to bless you and your family. 🙏🏻
I’m thrilled with my used 2020 Four Winds, gas V 10. ! Remember KISS ! Keep It Simple Stupid ! I’ve got to be able to Repair everything myself, I can’t believe labor rates are $ 190.00 per hour ! Gas engines are still much cheaper to repair, replace, refuel than Diesels ! Hope to visit you all at Thunder Canyon soon !
We talked about getting an RV in retirement, did some research, and wanted to hit the shows for about a year but kept missing them. We had a camping trailer many years ago so we were not exactly ground zero. Were going to the last show in the 2018 season when I found a RoadTrek class B on Craigslist and grabbed it. (With used you do need to move fast when you find the right one!) We had sort of targeted a B as best option for us and thought a diesel Sprinter would be optimum. Fortunately it was Pre-DEF (a subject I was ignorant about but glad we don't have that goat rope to deal with!) Some things I really did not know going in were understanding the importance of capacities-tanks, batteries, propane, and the value of being able to boondock. We have been able to push those limits to maybe 4-5 days (a 10 gal black tank is biggest challenge). Another challenge was getting my head around pulling a TOAD, which you so not see many B's doing. Oh! So cool to see the pic of us with you at TC in the video. That's our RoadTrek in the background.
The build quality of my new 2010 Coachmen Captiva 280rls is far better than the 2018 Keystone Bullet Crossfire 2200BH. Wish I had bought this older one from the start. Buying used is harder than buying new because you have to look at what is available, you have to be willing to drive a distance, and you will probably have to clean it good. But all worth it!
Chicken Knowledge: Chickens will put themselves to bed but they need a roost. No need for tricking them. They will move to the roost on their own. Having a rooster is even better. A rooster will get them going in the morning and shoo them back into the roost at night, but not necessary. A bar, wood best, branch etc to get them off the ground. They don’t like sleeping on the ground. Note: you see this when they want to roost on the large enclosure. The right roosting setup will solve your problem. Quit fighting nature and let nature work for you. Love your channel.
My wife and I have rv’d for many years, but full timed for 19 months now. 40’ 5th wheel, we’re looking for another RV as well. I’d like to keep our current RV for the 6 mo of winter in AZ, with something a little smaller for travel. Searching for an airstream, I’m done worrying about hydraulics, and slides and possible issues with such a beast on the road. I also like the quality reputation airstream have. I’ve owned a 2009 35’ gasser motor home, never disappointed with the power. I had the work horse with an Allison. Good luck with your search.
Get braced for your first diesel fill up with your pusher or super C. Since the average per gallon is still $5+ with say a 50 gallon tank, you'll be dropping $250 plus the DEF crap.
Start looking for a used " triple e " class c, manufactured in Canada by general coach .... the quality of construction is superb , all season as well... very nice
The RVing didn't save your marriage, lol. You two WANTING to save your marriage saved your marriage. And then WORKING on the marriage to have it continue to grow. You guys always stress how much work you've put into Thunder Canyon (and it's commendable). However, it's the work on your marriage that is exceptional. People have asked me, over the years, how my husband and I have stayed married so long (we're as opposite as you two - maybe more), and I used to joke that neither of us has wanted a divorce at the same time! But ya know what? There's a little wisdom and truth in that. Yes, God has worked wonders, but you two and the work you've done is a blessing to so many people, not the least of which is Sage. Blessings to all 3 of you, as always!
Great comment. Thanks. I'm not sure how hard they worked on the marriage. I think they defaulted to what they knew best. Crazy work. Who buys an abandoned campground when struggling emotionally. John needs the work otherwise his mind betrays him. I'm the same way. They do not need a new RV
@@thereissomecoolstuff I think they've worked very hard, evidenced by the fact that John begged Mercedes to give it one more go when they met at the lawyer's office to finalize their divorce. No women w/a young child, chooses divorce unless it's intolerable or she's nuts. And Mercedes ain't nuts. "Who buys an abandoned campground when struggling emotionally?" LOL, someone who's determined to make a difference and work on their issues. Jesus, "emotionally struggling" in this case means dealing with life's ups and downs. If, in the history of mankind, everyone who dealt with life's ups and downs did nothing, we'd still be living in caves! They're taking it day-by-day and working to do their best by their family and themselves. That their goals happen to positively impact hundreds or thousands of others just makes it that much better. And who are you to judge "what they need?" They are two grown adults working hard and not hurting anyone.
My husband and I used to joke that we didn’t divorce because neither one of us wanted the kids alone every other weekend. We have been married 44 years this November.
I do Couples Therapy for a living and admire you John and Mercedes! Keep up the good work, continue to listen to each other, love each other, hope in each other, and most importantly - pray with each other... Your journey has just begun and I am praying for you both as you search for your new RV.
The Father saved their marriage 🙌
I am a certified RV Inspector. I highly suggest getting an Inspection to anyone getting a new or used RV. I’m glad to hear you are having someone inspect for you. I went back to school to learn tech too so that I could fix my own RV. ❤️
Awesome Debbie👍😀
A MUST!!!
I love the channel. I’m finally going to pull the trigger on this, do it and GO! My mom passed away several months back, and my dad died 3 years ago. I’ve have no parents or much of any family left in my life now. That has taught me a valuable lesson… LIFE IS SHORT! Get out there and do it. Cause I can tell you when you get older, things happen that hinder your bodies physical abilities. Joint problems and other Medical problems can pop up etc making it difficult to do those things you always wanted to do! . I’m 50 now and have worked tirelessly my whole life. As soon as I get my moms house sold, I’m first buying a bigger truck and then buying a RV. Right now leaning toward a 30-35 ft fifth wheel or possibly even an 27-33 ft Airstream? Your channel has been inspirational for me during these difficult times I’ve recently gone through. Ty! ✌️ ❤️
Life is so short… The best is yet to come 🙏😀❤️
It would be good for you to rent/ use and drive a few different kinds and styles before you buy anything. You might decide you want something that you didn’t consider until you get out on the road.
🙏🏻👍💕
@@alinosi123 very true. I’m actually renting an Airstream in 2 weeks. Not pulling it. (Cause I don’t have a capable truck atm) Just going to stay 2 nights in one. I figure that’ll at least help me possibly eliminate the Airstream. I like the Airstreams; but from a practical standpoint and cost effectiveness point, a comparable length fifth wheel is going to be hard to beat I’m guess. I’ve been test driving some 3/4 ton trucks. Ty for the suggestions.
I also think buying used is the way to go because I'm hearing alot of horror stories about the lack of quality on the new ones. I bought a used Class C with only 28,000 miles on it from the original owners who maintained it with care.
This is true
Yep, my wife and I just bought a used 33" class A with 40,000 on it in immaculate shape for less than 13% of the price it sold for new from a private party. I know this because the original paperwork is still with the coach. We are going full time semi-stationary, so gas is not an issue. I think it is built better than the new ones I have seen. We bought a new travel trailer years ago and the depreciation was just horrendous. It was worth a third of what we paid after only 5 years.
Great video!
I’m on my fourth RV, here is the smartest thing you can possibly do…Rent several different types of RV’s before you choose. We have owned 5th wheels, travel trailers of different sizes and configurations and rented motor homes, and this has helped us determine which size and model to get… This along with the type of RV’ing we do helped us find the perfect rig… This requires a little time, rent for a few trips, for us this took us a year before we knew exactly what to get…Good luck…have fun.
Picking out an RV is hard, it's like picking clothes for a stranger. We all have different needs and wants. For us a truck camper is best because we like to stay on the road but we want to sleep comfortably. Good Luck on your journey. Bill
Make sure when looking for a rv check under all the cabinets pull the drawers make sure no water damage is hiding under those hiding places.
Great tip Daniel 😀👍
We found a nice used C 2 years ago that was really taken good care of and the couple was selling it do to medical issues. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time to find this deal. We love it!!
Congratulations 🎈🍾🎊🎉
I spent several years doing a complete rebuild of a 1967 silver streak. Now I just bought a 1972 18 ft winnebago motorhome to rebuild and learned a lot.
If I had the money I would love to have a super C. Maybe that will be my next build after the winnebago. Just buying one is too easy, I know, it's a sickness. Good luck on your adventure. Oh, last fall we did a 9k mile trip across the country with the silver streak.
My husband and I bought a 27’ Class A. New. Took it out twice and hated it! We are retired and with age comes aches and pains. Trying to manage the steps to get in and out of the coach was scary for me. We both decided that the huge steps were a hazard for is we traded it and bought a new 28’ towable with no slides. The steps are just about 5” from the ground when extended. The ease of set up is great! We lost a chunk of change during this process but we are happier now. We take our rig out as often as we can, usually a week or two a month. Good luck with your buying adventure!
I love hearing you guys talk now that you have experienced RV life, and you are right on! My wife and I have experienced 40 years of RV'ing, and life changes. Our little pop-up in 1984 was satisfactory, but as family came along, a trailer was needed (bathroom). My parents took the Class A route, which worked for them, but my wife and I prefer a more slow aproach. We like to stay in an area a day or so, then move on. Probably not surprising is we are downsizing again. I'm looking at a pull behind in the 28 to 32 foot range, possibly without a slide if we can find the right rig. The reason, easy set up and take down, yet enough comfort on the trip, but quick. It is just the two of us now, so we can do with something more easily pullable. Our current trailer is very nice, and I can pull it in excess of 70 mph, but now that we are retired, who wants to go that fast. Besides, 7 mpg (or less) is not great! LOL. I did take one exception to your comments, buying a top end trailer verses some of the more reasonable priced units. I have found the higher priced units give you top end carpets and materials on your sofas, but underneath they are pretty much the same, cheap plastic water fittings, valves, etc. I have worked on many units as we travel, and I tell people to learn to work on your own units. One area I stress is slides. If yours breaks (and it will) can you fix it. Slides are one of the biggest areas of problems I have found over the years, so look at any potential units carefully. there are poor slides and better slides, and I recommend the better. I don't like the motorhome route unless you are going to run it enough. Trucks are designed to be run, and parking them for 3 to 6 months at a time is asking for trouble, expensive trouble. My friends have experienced this. Sometimes a pull behind where you use the truck daily is a better expense. As to pulling, I live in Wisconsin, so almost any longer trip means through Chicago. I try to come in at slow time, but recently hit downtown at a bad time, and as I entered the Dan Ryan expressway, traffic was moving swift. I had to stay with traffic, but when I glanced at my speedometer, I was exceeding 90 MPH!! I never thought I could pull a trailer at that speed, and hope I never have to again. Thankfully it was set up well and had no problems. Good luck in your search for a new trailer!
Ummm … have you seen the Interstate loops/beltways that billions of taxpayer dollars were spent on to route larger vehicles, not doing business downtown, AROUND metro core area traffic?
That is a death sentence with a blowout at that speed. No tire can guarantee no blowouts, no TPS can guarantee no blowouts because you monitor them. No excuse especially traffic flow or time constraints equal safety. Only lower speeds gives you better odds.
Hi Guys. Gary and Merle here.
Love how your lives have changed an evolved over the years.
We were newbies 5 years ago. Bought Claas A 3007 Tiffin bus ( pre def)from dealer.
New to this rv but learned so much.
After 3 years we decided it was too big and had issues getting into parks.
Sold it right before Covid(thank God for that).
Started reading and learning about class c's.
Look at new and the floor plans. Then used rvtraders listing. Went to a broker outside Dallas,Ft Worth for a Entgera Quest L.
Open floor plant. Was 2028 diesel.
We have 2 adults and 3 cats and had 1 dog at the time.
Wanted to stay with diesel verses gas due to fule mileage.
One thing I miss is storage space in it.
Alot of stuff in the A. We didn't need or used.
The broker was selling it as a consignment.
For that year the listing was 115k. Bought it for $75k.
Just the right size for us and drives like your truck.
The other thing is the occc weight on all c's. Weight carring is low on alot of them.
Good luck. If you need more info. Reach out to us in Texas. Houston area.
Thank you Gary 😀
Wanted to “upgrade” to a tiffin motorhome for years. Did the 5th wheel thing for 15 years. Spent 1 year with the Tiffin and went back to a 5th wheel. We love the DRV full house. Love the space the garage gives us for traveling. Like John says the more patient you are right now the more the prices seem to be coming down. Towing a jeep which we did was a pain in the rear. No backing up whatsoever without unhooking. Repairs way more expensive on the motorhomes. There’s my input.
Thank you for sharing your experience 😀
You can back up if someone is in the Jeep to steer
We have a Monaco 2005 and let me tell, great quality! Just regular maintenance we started to travel full time last year but couldn’t go far due to my husband’s health issue but we can go to some destinations we had to postpone but I agree unhooking the jeep is a little pain!
We purchased a 2015 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP (diesel pusher) after having sold the 2017 Allegro Open Road (gas). It had been immaculately cared for and we are still thrilled with our choice after a couple of years and 10,000 or so miles. Earlier this year we took it from Georgia on a wonderful 6-week trip out West to Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and it was an awesome trip. There were some blips but nothing that changed our opinion of our coach or made us second-guess our choice. Only good things to say about Tiffin, as well as the dealership we used - Sherman RV in Sherman, MS (now GARV, across the interstate from the previous location of Sherman), or our salesperson Carol Koon. Awesome experience!
This is our 5th camper in 30 years. We started with a towable to a fifth wheel, class C and now class A. We have a 2015 Precept 29m that has a bunk house that we love and it’s not a huge. We bought it new. We have always kept ours in a shed, this is key. Good luck on your search.
Thank you Barb 😀
Thanks to UA-cam we stayed with a small travel trailer to go short and low . It is working GREAT for us as a retired couple . Hope to run across you guys soon .
To each their own👍😃We’d love to meet y’all.
Same for us. Kept it small & simple. Semi-retired.
Used class c are pretty easy to find. Usually a retired couple with health issues. Look for low mileage stored indoors etc. I bought a 20 year old class A with 12k miles on it. 36 foot 2 slides dual a/c real Moen residential bathroom. Nice build. It was like new other than tires which I replaced. I paid 20k for it. Been on the road 4 years no issues other than maintenance. Not everyone would try a 20 year old RV. I did and I don't regret it. Paid cash no debt. With the low cost I have emergency cash in reserve if it breaks.
We're in our 3rd rv in 3 years. We started out in a tent with two kids to a 27ft travel trailer that didn't even stay with us for a full season because we hated the small bunks for the kids. Then we did a huge upgrade to a 37ft Rockwood 8327SS that had a huge bunk room with a door and not curtains! We liked that RV but even with 4 slide outs it was cramped with just 3 of us in the "living room " area with only room for two to sit. We got a bug to go looking again and found our new 5th wheel, a Prime Time Crusader 382MBH. We love this floor plan with a mid bunk and with a teenage Daughter and her occasional friends, a room with an actual door was a must. Again, we love this RV but it was built during the plandemic and quality was very lacking in some areas and still finding things wrong (our microwave door just decided to not close and light stays on) but there's been several, several issues and Ive fixed most and our Dealer has/is taking care of everything else. In a nutshell...my advise to someone new to RV'ing would be to go to a few different dealers or RV shows, walk through as many as possible and either video or write down what you like, take your time and actually sit down in it and spend some time in it and visualize camping in it, sleeping in it, hanging out in it etc. and lastly make sure you have the right tow vehicle for it.
All good info! Thank you
I just bought a 37 year old 27 foot Class C with under 8,000 miles. It had been garaged most of the time, so it isn't rotten from water leaks, and looks brand new. The carpet still has the dealership plastic covering. Eventually gonna rip that out and install some kind of vinyl product. The fuel tank was gunked up from gasoline evaporation along with the fuel pump, and carburetor. It took me a good week to sort out all that. A buddy showed me a new way to clean carb parts, and it worked great. He filled up an old crock pot with Simple Green and let them cook for 5 or 6 hours. Planning on taking the generator fuel pump apart today & hoping it is just stuck. Probably not. Other problems so far are that the refrigerator has leaked out all of it's cooling juice. A new reconditioned cooling unit is gonna cost $600.00. The house AC unit isn't cooling, but I have a buddy that says he has some R22 and will refill the refrigerant for free. Found a scratch and dent new roof unit for 350 if the juice leaks back out. The tires look new, but I wouldn't leave town on them. Estimating 1200 to 1500 bucks for 6 tires. The brake system hydraulic components need repaired, rebuilt, or replaced. Doing most of the work myself I estimate under $300 in brake parts. The fresh water system had a couple leaks but so far I only spent $20 on a new shower faucet, and tightened some fittings. I haven't seen any water leaks around windows or coach seams so far but I expect they will happen as this thing twists and turns on the road. I feel I can handle those as on the road projects. If you aren't really handy doing repairs I wouldn't recommend buying an old RV just because it has been in storage or not used very much. What I saved on the up front price of the rig is going to cost me in the end on parts. I have been an aircraft or automotive mechanic for over 40 years so the biggest concern for me are parts and my time. Hope this helps someone.
I purchased a towable 21 foot through a private seller. Thankfully the owner took immaculate care of it. As a new older RVer I feel it was the right choice for me. And it fit right into my budget
Awesome Tammie😀
Love John's straight truth about the situation with our government.🙏
🙏🙏🙏
And that’s why I got an RV. I needed to drive down my cost of living and a way to bug out if needed. With the jab mandates, I was afraid I would have no job as a nurse. I would have to go work for a small business that did not push the jab. Religious declination. As a vet, I used to trust my government. No longer!
Amen
I love watching you guy's, Love when John goes on a rant, he speaks the truth ! Scary thing is that I agree with him on everything ! Thanks so much for always keeping it real !
Smart Man Andy!!! Thank you😂🤣😂
Correct, Andy!
We took a different route when we bought our Class A in 2019. We bought a 1996 Winnebago Suncruiser for $4500.00 that had good bones, but also had a lot of water damage and wasn't drivable. At first sight, I thought it was really sketchy, but my hubby saw the potential in it. All I could see were dollar signs and mouse poop (which to me was the worst part about it, even worse than the fact that we had to tow the 34 feet of dilapidation to our house). We knew it needed a lot of revamping, and hubby was confident we could do it. So against my better judgement, I went along with buying it. My hubby and I got to work on it, got rid of the creatures living inside it, sanitized it with more bleach than I care to mention, replaced or repaired pretty much every appliance, revamped the engine, replaced the transmission, put a Banks exhaust system on it for better power and better gas mileage, installed a custom built aluminum gas tank and new fuel pump, and put on numerous stabilizers (Roadmaster sway bar, steering stabilizer, etc), and many other things. We have dumped a ton of time, effort, and cash on this project but it has been well worth it. John is right about learning how to do your own repairs...we saved a ton of money because we did most of it ourselves in our driveway. There literally isn't a thing we haven't touched on the RV at this point, but it is exactly the way we like it, and in many cases it is built better now than when it came out of the factory. Plus, we know what we have done to it so if anything goes wrong we know how to fix it. In short, I don't ever want to sell our rig...I totally love it, and I have to admit that my hubby was right😊. It took us two years to get it functioning well, and we now have a bought and paid for rig that we are thoroughly enjoying.
Nice job! That’s quite a project
As a newbie 4 years ago my wife insisted on buying a new tow behind at Camper World, an extremely large mistake. I wanted a used 5th wheel. Got rid of the tow behind and got the 5th wheel a 30ft Reflections great camper should have done that first
That’s a tough one!
I LOVE you guys. 2 years ago I got a wild hair to detach from a home and work from wherever I happen to land and your videos were instrumental in my decision to wait - I wasn't the only person thinking this way and the timing would mean spending more with few options on where I could stay. I'm an IT guy so I needed StarLink to be available. I need a boondock ready rig, whatever it is, and it WILL happen, with God's timing. Thank you for being you!
I would never buy brand new. I bought a 2013 Class-C in 2018 that only had 22k miles from a 84 year old guy. He said he never drove over 45 mph on Mountain passes. Plus he got the factory bugs fixed during those 5 years he owned it. The price was less than 1/2 new prices.
Sounds like y’all know what you’re doing!!!!
I’m with you Bill
I've owned RVs for 35yrs. I've learned a lot about this in my life, and you guys are on the right track. My last RV I bought new in 1999 for invoice cost plus $1500 from a Montana dealer (no sales tax) and registered it there with an LLC that cost $500 to create. That saved me over $20,000 over the 20yrs I owned it, just in taxes and license fees. It was a 32' class A with V10 Ford F53 chassis, from Fleetwood. Then 3yrs ago I sold it for $15K and bought a used 2018 32' Winnebago Vista with V10 Ford F53 chassis (much better motor and trans with all the Ford improvements over 20yrs). It had only 1600 miles on it and it was 18mos old (Warranty expired). It originally sold new for $125K. I bought it for $80K, a fair price IMO. It's been great. Today it's got 34,000 miles and running strong. We prefer the Class A to get enough basement and interior storage. It pulls our Honda CRV great (weighs 3200lbs) everywhere we go, but at only 8mpg. The PRIMARY reasons for choosing a Class A is 1. Quick setup and breakdown at each campsite. 2. My wife can pee anytime while traveling. 3. My wife can fetch me a snack or drink, anytime while traveling. 4. It's roomy inside when camping, with 2 slides. 5. It's got a 4 door 10CF fridge with ice maker. For us it's the sweet spot for storage, convenience, cost and reliability. However, I have put another $10K into the RV for upgrades (2 HD anti-sway bars, 6 more drawers, 600W solar charging system with 210Ah lithium batteries, Roadmaster tow-bar and toad plate, pepwave cellular hotspot, Starlink too). It adds up!
We have been full time for four years with a 30 ft Montana 5th wheel. We love the set up, You gave great advice. I totally agree used, also keep it close to 30ft. A lot of older campgrounds and state Parks 30 ft is the limit. Lots of luck finding a non DEF diesel.
Good tips!
We bought a 1yr old used towable and didn't think about a few items. Our entertainment center is bluetooth capable but we didn't realize the previous owner had password protected it. Dealer was no help, so no bluetooth for us. Also no manuals provided for anything. Fortunately we found some online. We bought the least expensive brake controller and later had to upgrade to a better one. Being an older couple, after a few trips we upgraded to a power tongue jack and will never go back. Storage space is much more important than we thought at the time we bought.
We have had travel trailers, a fifth wheel, a Class C and now a Class A. In our opinion, motorhome is the way to go. My two cents though, if you decide to look at a Class C on the Ford E450 chassis, be aware that anything 30 feet and over is going to be very heavy for that chassis. That in turn makes for a less pleasurable driving experience. Also, the V10 is a bit loud and shifts a lot due to not having the low-end torque for climbing hills. We now have a Newmar Bay Star Sport on the F53 chassis with the 7.3 V8. This 7.3 is quieter and shifts significantly less than the V10. Also, the F53 chassis handles much better than the E450. Good luck with your choice!
Great info! Thank you for taking the time to share this😀
About Time! My wife and I finally moved up to a slightly larger RV... but I really miss the little box that we use to have. It was small, easy to "drag along" and perfect for just two. Now, this bigger one is too much, allows for too much junk, and makes it more difficult to take it anywhere. Our old one was only 500sqft. This new one is 30ft and has a slide out. That just means more stuff to break, more seals to replace, and more fuel to burn.
Thank you for sharing Thomas
My husband and I have been in a 10ft converted cargo trailer almost a year now and we are very content. Everyone keeps telling us we need a bigger rig but to us that just means we'll accrue more stuff and there isn't anything more we need or want!
Thank you for your inspiration. I'm putting the rest of the sewer lines in my park this month. Last month I installed the electric and 2500 ft of 2 inch water line and 300 ft of 8" sewer line. After 13 months of waiting on permits I'm getting it done finally. Have a blessed day!
Just curious, how big of a septic tank did you have to put in or are you on sewers. I'm thinking about converting my property into a campground, but still thinking about it
Keep at it and congratulations 🍾🎉🎈🎊
@@byrongrover5286 4 seperate systems. 12 slips per system.
My wife and I own 2 campgrounds in Michigan, we have spent the last 10yrs building both campgrounds, with no adventure, but now we have the time and money to do so..our children have took over both campgrounds and we are now looking into the class A outlaw and trailer..need to haul our jeep, Harley and golfcart....can't wait..and the first thing I did with my diesel truck is deleting the def..😁
We’d love to talk with you Ken
Great to see you guys are going to be on the move again. If you’re towing your jeep I’d go with a diesel you can’t beat the power and low end torque. Myself I use my farm truck 2008 GMC 3500 dually diesel 4X4 no def. I’ve ordered the largest truck camper that Lance makes the 1172 and trading our older Lance camper in it. For us it’s a go anywhere type vehicle. Very versatile. A class C for us wouldn’t work. We like boondocking. I bought my truck and camper used and privately. Low mileage and the camper was very clean. I 👍🇨🇦
Great advice Paul! Thank you
Get a used Super C. If you buy a C check the GVWR to make sure you're not over weight just buy stepping into the unit.
We started with a 20 year old Class C🤯
It was ALWAYS in need of engine repair🥵
We ordered a 12 passenger van with a V10 engine, only Ford does that . I learned that the repair prices on that V10 were HALF of the same engine in the Class C.
We then got a 36’ TT, no slides, double bunks in the back for our 4 kids. We had a blast in that TT.
We now have an empty nest… we have a pickup with a 26’ TT… never going back to a C, never want a 5th.
RV’s change along with our chapters in life❤️
I have a 2022 Covid class c, bunkhouse model. I would sell you, but I’m not sure if I got all the Covid bugs taken care of. It sat at the dealership for 5 months, waiting on wood to replace from water damage. This Rv went thru 2 PDIs and the water leak wasn’t detected until we took it on an official camping trip. Ended up buying a used travel trailer, while waiting on the new Rv to get fixed. Good luck on your adventure on finding that Rv.
Thank you Melissa
The thing I learned is that vehicle's All 1996 and newer model year gasoline and alternate fuel passenger cars and trucks are required to have OBD II systems. Class C rigs that are older than 96 do not have an OBD II reader, so when you break down and have this you can plug in a reader and it will give you a code as to what and why your vehicle is not working.
Safe travels! 🙏
Great info! Thank you
@@RVOddCouple Your welcome...please share! For those that don't know..😊
When we were young the kids were little the pop up tent camper was great! As the kids got older and we followed Bluegrass festivals all over the PacNW we got a 24ft trailer with room for all the instruments. Then the kids are grown and starting their own families we got a 30' fifthwheel. Even full timed in it for 7 months. Now we are in our 60's we downsized to a 24' couples camper. We go on shorter trips. It all depends on what you're planning on doing.
Excellent video, excellent points. We are long time RV’s, over 35 years and over 200,000 miles.
We have owned 7 used and 2 new.
I agree with your points, but want to emphasize several of them to the viewers:
Take your time to figure out what works for you. If you are relatively new to the game, maybe rent one or two different ones to see if it fits.
You can find great used ones, if you are patient, and yes, make sure it’s a quality brand. We presently own a 2022 Winnebago, small class A. 21,000 miles in a year. Love it, and the issues have mostly been minor. I can fix most minor issues but also know how to deal with service departments , who can be a challenge.
But my favorite Motorhome was the previous one. A 2014 31’ class C Forest River. Great quality, 43,000 miles in 5 years.
Yes, a 31ft class C is very versatile.
And used ones are out there with low miles and loving owners. Just take your time.
Good luck on your next purchase. We too wanted a Super C, but wow, well out our budget.
Thank you again
Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences Anthony❤️ Excellent advice
Hey guys. Love the channel, love you guys! You guys were the final push and confidence boost I needed to get our family out first RV a couple years ago.
We've gone through 5 of them in the last 2 years trying to find the perfect fit. (2015 Thor AXIS class A, 2016 Forest River Forester 3011DS class C, 2017Jayco Eagle HT 5er, 2016 Forest River Forester 3171DS class C, currently a 2018 Thor ACE 30DS class A).
We are a family of 5; me, wife, 3 boys (9,7,6). Our absolute favorite was our Forester 3011DS but didn't have bunks, so we went with the Forester 3171DS for the bunks. Our only issue was that there wasn't enough living space for us and the boys with the couch, dinette, and kitchen all in a limited space. We have become a big fan of the ACE because of the full wall slide with the bunks and much more living space.
If you're going with the class C, I would highly recommend the Forester prior to 2019, 2019+ the quality isn't there. The Forester has a 1 piece full fiberglass roof, partial paint with full clearcoat, ride rite air suspension in the rear for an amazing ride/sway control/and no interior rattle, 8k towing capacity, whole house water filter, left side light for night time set up, aisle lights, great storage, real wood cabinets, cedar lined closet, and the list goes on. It really is the nicest class C on the market in my opinion. I would also suggest a safe-t-plus for any drivable. The ACE is really great as well but 5k towing and a bunch of suspension upgrades are needed. Hope this helps.
@@mikem5553 Our 2014 Forest River was the same model but without bunks. A maximum of two adults and two older kids, and it worked well for 5 years. Everything you list about it is spot on.
We went to the Winnebago Vista class A. We needed to upgrade to Koni shocks, added the safe-t-plus and SuperSteer. It made a big difference. Love our coach after 21,000 miles. Good luck on the road and safe travels.
@@anthonyb2334 appreciate the reply. I thought I was the only one who appreciated the little things they did to make the Forester great. I did safe-t-plus and timbren rubber suspension bump stops/suspension enhancement. What a difference! Best $1000 ever spent. I'm really surprised they're not more popular. Almost no sway and such a smoother ride. Just did Atlanta to Tampa a couple weeks ago 1 handed on the wheel at 65 for 95% of the ride. How are the Koni's?
@@mikem5553
The Koni shocks are excellent. A huge upgrade from factory. Did you put the larger rubber bump stops front and rear? My Vista 29V is only 30ft. It was suggested by a shop it would make my ride too stiff, but I’m thinking of trying it anyway.
And yes, Forest River did a lot of nice extras in those models.
Used Class A. We spent 3 years researching RVs, and concluded that for us (for many of the same reasons you mentioned in this video), a used smaller class A was the way to go. We found a well-cared for 3 year old Tiffin Allegro 31sa and purchased it from a highly regarded family-owned, small dealership. We have had that Tiffin for 4 years and just returned from traveling through 7 states, with no problems or reliability issues whatsoever. When we have needed parts, Tiffin's parts department has been very helpful and responsive. One of the reasons we decided against a Class C is that they are built on a glorified van chassis, whereas we wanted a heavier-duty truck chassis (in our case, a Ford F53 truck chassis). We have spent about $4500 beefing up the suspension, since the Ford F53 truck chassis has a notoriously rough ride, but it now drives much better. If the prices listed on RVTrader are to be believed, we could now sell our RV for more than we paid for it 4 years ago. If for safety reasons we ever needed to leave a campsite, we can retract the leveling system and the awning by merely pushing 2 buttons and without leaving the cab, and simply drive away. The only downsides we have found is that this is a heavily-built coach, so it slows considerably when going uphill, and we wish that it had engine braking for long downhill grades. Also, its towing capacity is only 5K, so we tow a Mini Cooper S convertible (manual transmission---the automatic transmission is not flat-towable). A diesel will have more torque and better braking, but will be much more expensive to purchase and to maintain.
Comments like this are excellent and very helpful! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience Douglas.
Driving away from a site where you’re using hookups, without getting out to disconnect, is going to result in a huge, unpleasant surprise!!! Even boondocking requires a walk-around to discover all of the things that _someone_ didn’t stow!!!
Highly recommend a Renegade SuperC. We have had our Valencia for 3 years and love it. We tow a Jeep Wrangler. We got lucky finding one a year old when we got it before Covid prices went thru roof. Safety and ease of use on maintenance are big pluses for Super C. The 38BB would be great with the bunks.
Timing is everything! Congratulations! Nothing like loving your Rig ❤️
Hey Guys, we just bought a Class C Thor Daybreak 24DB, we made sure it was 24' so it could fit into all the California State & National Parks, they have a 24' or smaller limit. Also it can tow 5000 lbs +, we were in a similar situation to wish to tow a small tow vehicle. I highly suggest getting a Ford Chassis, when it breaks down Ford Service Centers are everywhere. Good luck, we looked for 3 years until we found our perfect ride.
Congratulations Steven 😀👍 Patience pays
All the best with your RV search. We know that you will pick the best RV for your future needs. Great video. Love the cameos too - lol.
Thank you Dennis! Our people are the best! Say hi to Kathy!!
Mercedes, you are right. We have had a pop up, Travel Trailer, Class A (too big) and now a Class C...just right for us! It’s like driving a van. Good luck in your hunt. Safe travels! Jane in SC ❤️🙏🏻
I think your analysis of the current RV market environment is right on point, Mercedes and John. We started out with a Montana 5th wheel, then migrated to a Forest River Berkshire Class A diesel pusher, then finally to a Newmar Dutch Star, a larger and more powerful Class A diesel pusher with a higher towing capacity (we tow a Jeep also) which we are very happy with. Determining what works best for your family takes experience. What may initially look good at an RV show may not turn out so well in actual use. You may find your 8,000 pound towing requirement being the key to determining what to go with. Generally, that could be a challenge for a Class C or a gas Class A, you may have to go with a diesel-powered RV of at least 380 hp. I prefer having a bigger safety margin rather than towing up to the rated limit of the RV. It also gives better performance when it comes to climbing hills - nothing worse than experiencing the "slows" when attempting to climb a long steep grade on a highway.
Great point!!!! Towing the keep and bunks are must haves
We purchased a 10 yr old Alegro Bus privately. It was very well taken care of by the first and third owner . Only 230 horse diesel pusher but plenty of power for us pulling our Equinox.
One year of searching payed off for us. By privately, get inspected and travel in quiet comfort. New $250,000 we bought used $76,000. Take your time, buy what fits, then enjoy.
@@davidgeorge55 yeah, that’s the way to go!
Our is a diesel 350hp it pulls fine too
I had always wanted an RV, but didn't know much about them & was a little nervous about buying. Plus money was an issue. Now that the student loans, credit cards & cars were paid off, plus a raise at work, we could afford one. I knew this was a really bad "investment," but it was something that we discussed & believed would be a good idea for us. Maybe it was, maybe not? Anyway, here's our story:
I happened upon the RV ODD COUPLE while poking around on the internet doing a little research on RVs. I learned SO MUCH!! Thank God for John & Mercedes! We knew what we were getting into. We rented first, per their suggestion, & SO glad we did. We ended up buying a 2017 Class C 32ft w/ single slide & only 9K miles on it. Like new, but with a few additions the first owner put in it, that I love! We used it to travel to see my daughter & grandkids, driving it from Georgia to Iowa. It's SO nice to just be able to pull off to the side of the road, or to any gas station, rest stop, restaurant, store parking lot - to walk to the back to the bathroom! SO AWESOME! :D Also, I had to have the overcab bunk. That's my hideaway/xbox/TV/chill/ husband "dog house" area. Also love the "tall" closets I can hang clothes in. My problem is not enough shoe storage...
Anyway, we decided to go ahead & move from Georgia to Iowa - & move before winter. So we packed up 23 yrs worth of crap (threw a LOT away), put the house on the market, & are currently living in the RV. Just started a new job that pays pretty well, & praying the house will sell for what we want & find a place w/ a couple of acres... (Please pray for us!)
Now the question is, what to do with the RV? should we rent it out? sell it & get a less expensive trailer just for travel/camping? so much to think about as our lives have changed so much.
I LOVE our RV, & fortunately, my husband can fix just about anything, my son in law is a plumber & his dad has a shop where they work on cars, trucks, tractors, etc. I've got the medical side of things covered, & the grandkids have got the adorableness covered, so I think we're good to go! :)
Thank you, John & Mercedes, for all you've done to help people like us!
So excited to see you guys get to the point of planning to travel again! I will be praying that these plans come together without complications and obstacles and that you find the perfect RV!
❤️🙏😊
Husband and I started RVING in a 19ft Airstream Argosy pull behind, then a 31ft Gulfstream pull behind and then our current (love it) Class A (gasoline) Newmar Dutch Star Motorcoach. We are seasoned RVERS with 25 years experience behind us. We travel approximately 7 mos a year. On average we are spending 1-2 months per Metropolitan Area so we can truly get to know the local spots, sightsee and feel the different flavors of the areas we visit. Truly wouldn't have it any other way for our lifestyle. We are also glad we bought a gasoline Class A Motorcoach. General maintenance can be done most anywhere, costs for repairs and labor is MUCH less than Diesel-powered and reoccurring expenses such as shoes for her are much less. We have a USMC Son who is a Master Diesel Mechanic and he advised us as to the pros and cons of Diesel-powered VS Gasoline-powered. Based on our style of travel and duration he (and us) firmly felt gasoline-powered was the way to go for needs. So glad we did, it was the right ✅ choice for us. Oh! And we bought a used unit too. Like new inside, outside and under the hood with very low miles. We know that we really lucked out and simply adore ❤ it.
You two lovebirds are a National Treasure. Best to Sage & your fur baby. Wishing you both blessings in all future personal & business endeavors.Stay safe,phil🇺🇲🍀💙🙏👮👍
Thank you Phil🙏❤️🇺🇸
I am on RV #6 in 5 yrs. All except 1 was used and well maintained by previous owners. I made a nice profit on every C class I sold. Two 27’ Lazy Daze and a 22’ Born Free. Purchased a new A class gas 36’ by top of the line manufacturer and only kept it a year. Never buy a new one from a dealership unless you want to fix all the problems and lose money in the end. Now own a really nice used 2017 Cedar Creek 5th wheel 41’11” I have on a permanent site we own in a beautiful RV park in N. Ga. mountains.
I wouldn't trade anything on my choice on my unit as a full-time RV'ER.
A 1962 Ex-Greyhound GM PD-4106 Bus conversion. Completely mechanical engine and transmission without any computers running it! Definitely no DEF fluids involved. I have survived eight winter seasons in my bus. But the beautiful thing about how these were built in 1962.... two factory workers were needed to install every rivet on these buses. They are built better than anything on the road right now. And 95 percent of the body is aluminum.
Nice! They sure don’t make things like they used to!
@@RVOddCouple So true! There are two main electrical junction boxes in my bus and this is where the wiring harness come in..... and you can tell that zipties weren't invented yet because they wrapped the harnesses together with a special kind of heavy-duty twine and tied it in a special kind of way. And to this day it's still looks as good as new. It's impressive to see the engineering and craftsmanship used to put these buses together.
Best regards and many blessings to you and your family!
I would just use what you have until what you want comes along. Hopefully what you want is out there right now. The big problem we ran into when buying used was finding something that was well taken care of. It seemed like everything, even higher end units, suffered from owner neglect.
As a retired cop and seeing a lot of bad things, crash safety has always been in the back of my mind. I've seen photo's of fiberglass A's and the cab back portions of the C's and they don't do very well.
Thank you Mathew👍🇺🇸
@@RVOddCouple Same here,retired. Class C's are generally much safer as the van cab is crash rated for safety.Not so Class A's. Born Free Class C's are arguably the safest,priciest ,heaviest,& probably hardest to find used but worth it,imo.They are built like tanks, heavy boat style fiberglass exteriors, steel roll cages,and not a single fatality in many decades on the road.My choice.Also Ford E350/450 chassis's are serviceable all over America,Canada,& Mexico at reasonable cost by almost any mechanic. Not so Diesels.Something to ponder. phil🇺🇲🍀💙👍👮🙏
p.s.Even better is the pricier,later model Born Free C' s built on a Ford heavy duty pickup chassis. More leg room & easier service under the hood.My ultimate spendy pick besides a SuperC but much less costly until the swarming masses read this😄
Be safe brother and watch your six. Stay frosty,phil🇺🇲💙🙏🍀
My diesel dodge RAM engine is 2012 & didn't require DEF. It was the last year that RAM diesel came DEF-less. Also when you put a tuner on a diesel engine you can get a lot more MPG for about 1000.00 to have a tuner installed. I'll probably never own another vehicle without a tuner - which means buying used because normally a tuner is not to be installed during factory warranty. 3r party warranties are usually no problem unless specifically excluded - which I've never heard of on a 3rd party warranty. Plus if you get one with multiple settings you can increase HP up to 30 percent. I agree that non-factory warranties are not such a great idea - in general. I about broke even with my warranty. New fridge (2000), new jack control system, repaired heater, & replaced hot water heater 1000.
Another note to consider. Buying new RV'S is nice and all but the quality control aspects at the factory are not the same as a RV that's been through the paces as the owners using it for a couple of years.
What I mean is this..... sometimes your brand new RV can be stuck inside the RV dealership mechanical shop because of manufacturing problems and it can be stuck there for a long period of time.
Used RV'S have been put to the test more so than new RV'S.
And also consider this.... an old saying, once you drive your new RV off the lot, it's worth less because it's now a used RV.
The only problems I see buying right now is the interest rates. That's why, if a couple has a excellent credit score than you all are in the driver's seat during negotiations with the finance manager.
The finance manager will present the highest interest rate that he feels that he can get away with. Beat them down on whatever he presents to you at first.
All great tips! Thank you Dean
@@RVOddCouple Your welcome, thank you for taking time to respond. Blessings
We bought a 2022 Super C and absolutely LOVE it.... We are weekend warriors but we go 3 weekends a month (.we love exploring..) We feel super safe with our diesel is a large foot print on the high way and heavy so it doesn't sway when semi pass...💕💕
Awesome Kimberly 😀👍
Whatever you do, don't rely on pictures that were posted online. Those pictures might be from when they got it, and not of the current condition.
Great tip!!! So true!
Another good video . My wife and I wanted a used Class A, and searched for about two years. We found EXACTLY the one we wanted. It's a 37' Pace arrow with low mileage. It is a Special Edition with many upgrades, on a F-53 Ford chassis with the V-10. It suits our needs perfectly, as we snow bird in Arizona in winter and camp host in summer in far northern Ca. I have repaired a few things as needed, slide cover, water heater proportional valve ect. As you stated it was seldom used (well Loved) , in fact the previous owner had Never used the washer dryer, or ice maker. Your advice is spot on, Don't be in a hurry, the best deal is out there. Congratulations on your marriage, 45 years for my bride and I :-).
❤️❤️❤️
I just bought an Odyssey 29V and it's spectacular... towing 8000 is a stretch for any class C but you'd need a smaller one with less dry weight to allow that sort of towing
TOMMY D.
How was your buying experience ?
I prefer a small rv business. Any recommendations ?
Thank you Tommy😀
@@RVOddCouple our original order was an Odyssey 31F with bunks (for storage). Lots of room and some incredible storage capability. Can tow 7500 if you keep your on board cargo weight reasonable. Also comes in the Esteem 31F for a bit more features- if you get a gas Class C you MUST get a 21 or later for the Ford V8 7.3L Godzilla motor... its not even fair to compare the V10 powerplant formerly used
When we camped with our young kids we had a pop up. In 2019 our kids were in their 20s and rarely came with us. So, we bought a used Class C which was so easy for even me to drive... I actually drove it home from the owners. The RV didn’t have a slide or dedicated bed for hubby and I. It had bunks and the over cab bed, but didn’t help us. It had a Hugh dinette we had to convert every night...we sold that and have a 30 ft TT now, which I love. I would totally buy another class c with a slide or two and tow a jeep or something. I felt safer in it. Good choice guys. Best of luck. 🙏
I had the Super C for my first RV. It was a privately owned, 2007 used, on the Kodiak 5500 chasis with the duramax diesel, no DEF! Was basically new condition when I got it with only 9k miles on it. Any truck repair company would service it and the flip up front made engine access easy to check things out. Sold it three years later with 45k on it so I used it a lot. With routine maintenance I had no issues on the road (except tires). I financed it for 10 years because the loan was only 4.5% and the investments were doing 12%. Good luck on finding a good used one, took me a year to get the 32 foot Four Winds, but patience paid off. If mom issues get in a better place I'll see you this fall. Was unavailable for the founders zoom meeting last Friday night due to the same. Only been out in the new to me Toyhauler one time the last 12 months, so I'm itching as well to get back out. Take care, Keith
We couldn’t agree more more when there’s cheap money Keith! Our returns were much like yours. Some just don’t get this…
If you can find one, look at a Lazy Daze Class C. They started in 1966 and they just closed about 2 months ago because the supply chain issues killed them. They are double wall construction with double pane windows. Built to be a 4 season camper. It is ALL aluminum - no delamination to worry about (unless it got damaged). They make 22, 26, and 30 ft. They also have 3 or 4 floor plans to choose from. Each unit is a one-off custom build for whoever ordered it. Some of them are sparten in options, some of them are amazing. They are absolutely top drawer construction - all handmade. Not a lot of units out there. I've heard about 50 a year. 55 years, so about 2,800 units. Large, active, supportive owner group. Some units have a convertible bed, some have a permanent Queen bed in the back. Sage gets the big bunk over the cab. Each has lots of windows in the large back room. Here's a link to a 90s promo video.
ua-cam.com/video/qlRMj49y5Ig/v-deo.html
We’ll be on the lookout Shawn👍😊 Thank you
We are not newbies, we have been Rving for 6 years now, and we still made a rookie mistake, what’s that you ask… well we didn’t realize that manufactures are making some Rv’s especially class C’s right to weight limit specs, which means when you put any water, or clothes, dishes, supplies or anything in your Rv it’s overweight. Weigh your RV before you buy especially a class C! People say it doesn’t matter but weight does, we had an RV insurance adjuster friend of ours say if your ever in an accident they can and will check the weight of your RV and if it’s overweight the insurance company won’t pay to fix or replace it.
Great great tips!!!! Weight really does matter!!!
Had a class C 15 years ago and sold it when we moved. Wasn't using it enough due to work. Retiring in a week and now I have the time. Wish I still had that C. Been shopping for several months too and I think the market is going to favor buyers.
Be patient Alan
Experience is definitely the best teacher. Good luck on your hunt for your new RV
Thank you
Or a mid to upper 90's class a.. triple e empress, the tried and true cummins and allison and build quality is outstanding
Hmmm 🤔 Thank you
We own a rental biz & have never taken our RV to dealers for service or repair. We have only taken our RVs to a mechanic once, in that case choosing an expert mobile mechanic. Any issue on the road with renters has also been handled by mobile mechanics. Finding good resources for parts, support, advice and repairs can help you learn and maintain an RV on your own. Like John says…fix your own RV! 👍🏼
Absolutely
If your purchasing an rv, make sure the person your buying it from has taken good care of the roof on the rv. Inspect the roof yourself. Find out what type of maintenance, if any was done on the roof. Find out the name of the products used to ckean/repair the roof, if the membrane was replace, and get all the warranty documents on the roof work.....or any other work done on the rv.
Great advice Sandy😀
You guys might want to look into an old MCI or Eagle bus. Can't beat that for safety! Or get a class c from a rental company. They're well maintained and built for the abuse of rental people
We’ll have a look! Thank you Rick
I have lived in a 24 ft trailer for years. But I pick a place, buy a house, remodel and flip it, stay there 3-4 months and move on to the next place. I just back it up to the house. Essentially its my mobile work shop. Sure beats a glorified trailer park and a great way to make a living.
Finding a class c with the tow rating will be hard without going super c. Most seem to be 4-5k towing.
That’s correct Chris
John, John, John. You know you like those chickens. You remind me of my husband. He acts like he is annoyed & doesn’t like them, but he willingly lets them out in the morning, puts them in safely @ night, stops @ the farm coop during his free time from work to pick up wood shavings, sand, feed, etc for them whenever supplies get a bit low. He always puts up a fuss when I mention more chickens, then out of the blue will tell me to get more. He even recently told me he wants to get Cornish Cross to raise for processing. He’s always watching UA-cam videos to learn more about coops, feeders, waterers, dispatching, etc. This all from a man who doesn’t want chickens (though we have 15 & getting more)!
🤣😂🤣🐓
This is a subject that I teach in my classes only we are talking towable vintage trailers. Same subject though. All the questions you mentioned have to be ansered. And as always, learning from other people's mistakes can save you a lot of money and headaches in the end. Thanks for sharing your search with us. Very educational and well done...
I see you
@@mowguy1 GMTA
We should talk
@@RVOddCouple Anytime. My email address is on my website and I also emailed you once (from mobiltec) about having a vintage trailer rally at your campground. You've been really busy though especially after having Covid. I just got over that myself.
@@mobiltec I remember that! Bring the Event!
We’re slowly catching up and look forward to talking
John if you buy a class c, I suggest a gas model. Fuel is more available. There are areas where diesel #2 isn’t available at the cheaper stations. Bio fuel can’t be used in some engines. If you think you want a class A, drive it in winds ! You may decide you want the C after all. I’ve had an A,B and C. My C has a Mercedes’ Diesel engine. If I did it again it would be a Ford or Chevy engine. Any shop will work on them. A class C American model is the ticket.
Thank you for the tips Bob 😀
I'd say, "an all season package" is a necessity!
Secondly, the day before you go into the RV dealership.... get plenty of rest. And the reason why I say that is because the buyers are going to battle with the finance manager and salesperson.
You should expect to be at the dealership for a long time, pack a lunch and go to battle and beat down the financing terms and final sales terms and trade in terms.
More good info Dean
Buying cars seams to be that problem every time. I work night shift. I get grumpy when they keep me there for too long. I mean what am I doing? What are they doing? What am I waiting for? The last time I told them I had to go home now!!! When I returned to finish the deal, I told the salesman that he had 2 hours to seal the deal or I would walk.
@@marymurphy2164 Hi Mary, I used to be in automotive and heavy-duty truck sales and financing. The purpose of keeping you in the dealership for many hours is to beat you down and tire you out in order for them to make a lot of money on the financing because they don't make much on new vehicle sales. Used vehicle sales is totally different in regards to the profitable they make off of used cars. I'm sure that you experience the salesperson going back and forth as they talk to higher up managers. It's always best to have your ducks in order before you go to dealership and get plenty of rest. You know how they say, never go to a grocery store hungry..... never go to buy vehicles when you're tired!
@@DeansofNomadica there’s is absolutely no reason for me to sit at the dealership all day long either. We have this great invention called the telephone too. The salespeople act like you must purchase today. Why not come back in a day or 2 to finish the transaction.
@@marymurphy2164 For most people buying a vehicle is an emotional thing meaning people buy what they look good in. There's several reasons why they don't want you leaving once they have a hot buyer. You could leave to shop another dealership. You could change your mind about buying the vehicle altogether. Once they know that you qualify and they know you really like what you picked out.... they will want to close the deal.
It's totally like a boxing match! And because of that.... I hated car sales but I loved heavy-duty truck sales because it was not as intense as automotive dealership sales.
RV Inspection if you can make that work, if not make sure you check the roof (even new), the basement, and behind everything.
So excited that you guys are doing this and adventuring some!
What is John looking at when Mercedes is talking? 'Cuz John has what I call "engineer face." It's the same face I have when I'm in the studio engineering a project. It's when I'm in a comfy but focused zone, watching all the meters and levels dance as my ears take over the bulk of my sensory input. So I imagine he's watching audio levels, exposure, perhaps a chat as he somehow still does his part of the show. It's either that or he's an alien, decompiling me with his gaze and by the time the video ends, he has data on me down to my genetic code... HAHA!
Love you guys, can't wait to see what happens!
😂🤣😂 Awesome!
I'm a little concern, before we bought or TT we looked at class C's and none of them would tow your jeep. I'm sure they said they will pull them, but make sure you check out the combine weight with what you put in plus you will not be able to carry any water in the tank. All I'm saying make sure you check all the specs first. Good luck in your search.
Great and important tip Greg! Thank you 👍
Hope you have someone dependable to take care of Thunder Canyon.
Of course we do 😀
Why would you ask? Do you not know the Members?
@@TheWestlandgirl, I'm an occasional watcher. Why be so rude??
@@politerabbit3100 That was a rude question.
Wow, that person is really being rude to you. Your question was not rude at all.
I've always updated my water filters. I use a triple filter. Sediment. coconut charcoal, activated charcoal. And if possible, upsize the furnace-...ok, I live up north...
HIGHLY recommend sway control on your hitch if possible. Oh yeh, almost forgot, surge protection on hookups...Almost got bit by that one too.
Apparently I only camp during severe weather...🙄🙄 I have literally camped through everything but the blizzard-but there's still time.
Need to get you in a blizzard John!
@@RVOddCouple 😂😂
I think one thing that helped us is "when" we bought our Rv.
We purchased our Rv a year before we sold our home. This allowed us to do weekend getaways & get really familiar with our Rv.
Once we were ready to sell our home. We were able to park our Rv out in front of our home and move stuff out of home into our Rv. That was an easy transition. It allowed us to take our time during that month of closing on our home. What didn't fit in the motorhome we took to storage.
👍👍👍
Yes , warranty is a terrible situation, bought new 24 entrega class see at general RV , year wasted 3x back dealing with slide out and waiting now 30 days sitting on the lot waiting for it’s turn to look at it for 3rd time .
The worst! Put the money in the bank for repairs
John and I would have taken a longer test drive. We didn’t realize how sluggish gas engines are on hills and how much they are moved by trucks. We’ll be looking at the Hershey show. Great video 😊👍😎. Can’t wait to see what you get.
Hey guys! Great point!!! Gas and hills don’t mix!
@@RVOddCouple FORD V8 GODZILLA !!
I did buy new but for me, my husband and our Aussie a Class C Winnebago View was perfect. Has a large bunk over the drivers area for your daughter, easy to drive for us smaller humans and is diesel so great on gas. Check it out and see if this is good enough for you and your family. We bought the 24D 2021 new. We go up to 1 month in it and are fine. It has all the bells and whistles for boon docking. But can only towing capacity is only 5000 lbs
Love that Rig Christine but the tow capacity
With Joey emptying our national oil reserves as fast as he can, will we have gasoline or diesel to run our RVs next year?
LGB
@@RVOddCouple 😁
“Just buy an electric motorhome!” Oy vey …
@@jimmanley2796 That's right. Run your motorhome on coal, natural gas, or diesel instead. What do the "greenies" think electricity comes from? Unless they are in the northeast where electricity is generated by Niagara Falls or where they have a nuclear power plant, the most common fuels for generating electricity in the USA are natural gas, coal, and diesel fuel.
@@WilliamHearnTOEFL_Tutor Airstream is now selling a travel trailer with enough solar and batteries to barely run lighting, charge mobile devices and computers, an HDTV, and operate a microwave oven long enough to make some meals and movie popcorn. A portion of a Tesla Semi tractor battery pack would be enough to fully drive and operate the A/C and all other appliances, etc., in a motorhome for hundreds of miles. It would take around 100 KWs of solar collection per day under clear skies at a low latitude to fully charge the battery pack each day. So, they’re about five years away … if enough batteries are available even by then … and they’ll be Teslaspensive, of course.
I bought a 2015 forrester 2 years ago lucky for me i can repair most everyting on it. it has the bunkhouse and is 31 feet . The thing i did't know was because of the lenght behid the rear wheels I needed to add a structure to tow,also put high grade shocks airlift with compressor and a stabilizer on the steering ,It helped so much with the trucks blowing me around.If i remember I paid $53000,just paid it off last month the work was done at safety plus ingeorgia in and out in a few hours all done
Top tip: Does it include chickens?
Another non negotiable must have!
I remember over a year ago, you said camp sites were hard to find for larger RVs. and campgrounds were booked. RV were very popular. I agree that some people may have tried it and want to get out. With fuel prices and inflation people do not have extra cash to vacation or camp. Good luck with your search. Everything you talked about it true.
Thank you Virgie! We’ve seen this coming for a while. Going to get much worse. Take good care
People historically have to wait until they’re above water on financing before they can afford to bail on an RV, which takes years, depending on how much they put down (and would lose). The only exceptions are those who can’t make the payments and have to take the serious hit on their credit ratings with a repossession.
It’s difficult, but not impossible to find financing on a unit that’s over 10 years old. The build quality on high end 2002-2008 coaches is unmatched by anything being built today. Country Coach, Monaco, Beaver, Holiday Rambler, and Foretravel were our target brands in our search. We found our 2008 Foretravel two years ago and couldn’t be happier. It’s such a solid build. Super quiet and stable on the road. The chassis makes all the difference in the world in the big diesel pushers. We remodeled the interior, including luxury vinyl flooring throughout, changed the mattress and added an adjustable base, changed all the lighting to LEDs, added solar and lithium batteries. We bought it with just 42k miles on the Cummins 450. No DEF! We’ve added 14,000 miles with no issues. We spent a fraction of what a newer coach would have cost and we’ve got a better build than anything rolling out today. To top it off, it’s beautiful. Most people think it’s new. Watch inventory at Motorhomes of Texas in Nacogdoches. Maybe you can score a gem too.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts Don. Great insight
Even though I am career (retired) firefighter I worked as an RV Tech for 25 years for my in-laws RV business (Jayco dealer). With you guys having a lot of experiences owning and dealing with RVs. As far as purchasing used be sure to research its history how did it end up on the lot or a person's yard for sale. Even research the person (or business) selling the RV. Are they a reputable individual; is the RV their own or are they selling it for someone else? Why are they selling the RV; Do all appliances function properly; especially any signs of leaks (water)) from rain; and if a motorhome, have a certified mechanic go over all engine and operational components. I could go on all day when it comes to what and how to check these items! I would love to have a class C, but they are still outrageous in price!!!
Hi y'all !! I think that you will find that most Class C (not super C) motorhomes have a maximum towing capacity of around 5000 lbs. Many gasoline Class A motorhomes also have a max 5,000 lb towing capacity. Our Tiffin Phaeton diesel pusher has a max towing capacity of 10,000 lbs. Be sure to carefully check towing capacity on any motorhome you are considering for a 8,000 lb toad. Super C motor homes have much greater towing capacity too.
Agreed Dennis. There are a few 450 that advertise 8k but would feel more comfortable with 550 min
We are totally newbies at this RV stuff, even tho we're OLD! Bought a 1995 Holiday Rambler class A with fairly low miles because we knew we were never gonna do the full-time thing, so not going into debt for this. ha. We've learned you absolutely
NEED to tow a vehicle (which we haven't gotten yet) otherwise you're stuck wherever you go. So many things we never thought of. Oh well.. :)
Good luck with your decision and finding the perfect class C .. My rig is a airstream Atlas on a sprinter chassis. Good for my wife and I. We love it. Thank you for being so enthusiastic about rv’ing. May God continue to bless you and your family. 🙏🏻
Thank you 😀God bless Y’all as well Jeff 🙏
I’m thrilled with my used 2020 Four Winds, gas V 10. ! Remember KISS ! Keep It Simple Stupid ! I’ve got to be able to Repair everything myself, I can’t believe labor rates are $ 190.00 per hour ! Gas engines are still much cheaper to repair, replace, refuel than Diesels !
Hope to visit you all at Thunder Canyon soon !
We talked about getting an RV in retirement, did some research, and wanted to hit the shows for about a year but kept missing them. We had a camping trailer many years ago so we were not exactly ground zero. Were going to the last show in the 2018 season when I found a RoadTrek class B on Craigslist and grabbed it. (With used you do need to move fast when you find the right one!) We had sort of targeted a B as best option for us and thought a diesel Sprinter would be optimum. Fortunately it was Pre-DEF (a subject I was ignorant about but glad we don't have that goat rope to deal with!) Some things I really did not know going in were understanding the importance of capacities-tanks, batteries, propane, and the value of being able to boondock. We have been able to push those limits to maybe 4-5 days (a 10 gal black tank is biggest challenge). Another challenge was getting my head around pulling a TOAD, which you so not see many B's doing.
Oh! So cool to see the pic of us with you at TC in the video. That's our RoadTrek in the background.
We loved having y’all
The build quality of my new 2010 Coachmen Captiva 280rls is far better than the 2018 Keystone Bullet Crossfire 2200BH. Wish I had bought this older one from the start. Buying used is harder than buying new because you have to look at what is available, you have to be willing to drive a distance, and you will probably have to clean it good. But all worth it!
True Luann
Chicken Knowledge: Chickens will put themselves to bed but they need a roost. No need for tricking them. They will move to the roost on their own. Having a rooster is even better. A rooster will get them going in the morning and shoo them back into the roost at night, but not necessary. A bar, wood best, branch etc to get them off the ground. They don’t like sleeping on the ground. Note: you see this when they want to roost on the large enclosure.
The right roosting setup will solve your problem. Quit fighting nature and let nature work for you.
Love your channel.
PS. Sundown is their natural bedtime, sunup is “get scratching” time. Wonderful animals.
Thank you Donald
My wife and I have rv’d for many years, but full timed for 19 months now. 40’ 5th wheel, we’re looking for another RV as well. I’d like to keep our current RV for the 6 mo of winter in AZ, with something a little smaller for travel. Searching for an airstream, I’m done worrying about hydraulics, and slides and possible issues with such a beast on the road. I also like the quality reputation airstream have. I’ve owned a 2009 35’ gasser motor home, never disappointed with the power. I had the work horse with an Allison. Good luck with your search.
Awesome Michael! Love when Folks have a good plan 😀👍
Get braced for your first diesel fill up with your pusher or super C. Since the average per gallon is still $5+ with say a 50 gallon tank, you'll be dropping $250 plus the DEF crap.
Yup
Start looking for a used " triple e " class c, manufactured in Canada by general coach .... the quality of construction is superb , all season as well... very nice