We purchased a used Cruise America about 5 years ago. Listed price was less than $30k. It had over 130k miles on it, but we weren't really worried as they are maintained throughout it's rental life.. Since then we've driven from Southern California to NY and back twice, as well as local trips into the mountains and down to the ocean. It's never missed a beat. They seem to be built for abuse, and someone told us the truck portion was built the same as the uhaul trucks and were meant for long miles. We tweaked it with better shocks and sway bar. We've done pop up tents, trailers and 5th wheels and we decided to go with the C this time. (age is a thing, lol) No slides, no set up. It's convenient and comfortable and all packed into 25'.
That's a great review on your experience with a Cruise America Class C. It's not for everyone but it works really well for some. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject here!
My husband and I have decided to buy a Class C motor coach from cruise America too for these same reasons. They are well maintained. My husband does all the maintenance on our vehicles including my family inherited 1967 Dodge coronet and his family inherited 1990 Jaguar. We own a historic home that we restored ourselves so we are comfortable with idea of finding and the maintenance of a used motor coach. We saw that Cruise America seems to have a Thor fleet especially made for them that they sell off regularly. This reply raises my confidence in our decision.
The maintenance is on the renter to get oil changes every 8k miles, the one I tried to rent has 86K miles and oil change due 42K. The oil was 2 qrts low.
Same, I owned a 2008 Majestic 27a and just purchased a 2017 Majestic 28a to replace it. Mine was $22k and has 131k miles on it. Fantastic price and very well maintained.
I priced a new class c 24’ motorhome in Canada a couple of months ago, out the door was about $208,000. I bought a 2000 Fleetwood 24D with 15000 miles on it. I am renovating the unit from head to toe and it will look and feel like a new unit when complete. The mechanicals are in excellent shape. Completely resealed the outside including the roof, updated the electronics on the inside including a solar generator, led lights, residential fridge, induction cooktop etc. Knock on wood even if we needed to replace the motor and transmission (about $10,000) we are about $180,000 ahead of the game as apposed to buying new one. Not to mention new rv’s are not the same build as something built in the year 2000. IMHO
Wow! That's going to be a great rig when you're done! If you are handy and know what you're doing, you can not only save a ton of money buying an older RV like this, but you can also transform it into whatever fits your style of travel and camping best. I love to hear about these kind of RV mods and renovations. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us Rob!
@@RVInspectionAndCare Thanks, retired now but worked 25 years as a carpenter & 23 years in IT so can do it all myself. IMHO it will be updated better than a new one 😊
I’m looking for a class A in the early 2000’s myself…I’ve heard the construction was better in those years than nowadays. Thanks for ur comment! Good luck with ur reno & Happy Travels:)
I love how you make it clear one kind of motor coach doesn’t suit everyone and there needs. My husband and I tent camped for years in all weather including extreme but as we approach 50 years old our needs changed. We mostly love the parks but are tired of the set up. Also we love Cosplay and Renaissance parks and have a large amount of costumes and accessories to move about. We love amusement parks. Traveling in a small motor coach no slide works for us. It’s a closet, changing station, personal bathroom (instead of a Portable potties), kitchen, private eating area (Renfest are crowded so nowhere to sit and eat). And best of all a under 25 foot motor coach is welcomed by most businesses and easily parked. Now these are our reasons but others have different considerations. I have heard lack of storage is a minus in of the small class C’s. I found I didn’t have a problem with storage in a really old pop up. I think we will have more than enough storage. May everyone find the RV for them and happy trails!
Thanks very much for sharing the thought process that has gone into your choice of RV. And you are correct in saying that I don't try to steer people to onw way of RVing or the use of just one kind of RV. The great thing about the RV life is there are so many choices that allow you to customize the experience to your needs and wants. I just try to provide information that can help the average RV buyer make the best decision for their own situation. Have safe and happy travels in your smaller RV!
Another great video, you hit a lot of nails on the head! We bought our Sunseeker class C used. It was 1 year old and only 7k miles on it (about 2500 miles were from the factory to the original dealer in California). We saved about $35k over buying a new one. Your recommendation of getting a professional inspection is the key to the used market. I have well over 50 years of RV experience so I did the inspection myself it took about 1 1/2 hours. It was in great condition but I did find 2 critical items that needed attention. The dealer offered to address them but we live 250 miles from the dealer so that would have been a burden. So they offered to reduce the price by $1500 to cover the repairs. My RV tech completed the repairs and even found 1 more that I had missed for $800. So we saved $700 more. Inspections may cost money but in the end they save money!
You are so right. A lot of people look at RV inspections as an unnecessary expense in the buying process. But the reality is that what we find in our inspection that needs repair can often be negotiated with the seller. And the savings can even pay for the inspection, with money left over in many cases. It doesn't always happen that way. But often enough to be worthy of consideration as another advantage for getting an RV inspection before you buy. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
The best thing of a class C to an A to me is safety. I had a 19 Winnebago class C and went to an A for more space. The class C has 3 doors to get in and out especially in an emergency. My Entegra class A has 1 door to exit in an emergency provided that the motorhome didn't tip on the right side which then you have only the rear window to exit and that's not an easy thing to do. Another safety is the class C has the motor up front away from the driver with a nice bumper, the class A, you sit up front and there is little crash space much like the old VW vans. Thanks for your video.
You are so right. Safety is an issue that should be considered when comparing Class As and Cs. On that score, the Class C wins hands down IMO. Thanks for making that point!
In 2019 we bought a 2001 29' Minnie Winnie with 16,000 miles on it for $18,500. It was as close to perfect as anyone would be able to find and had NO slides, a walk around queen bed and a couch in a very common floor plan. The sellers left EVERYTHING in it. Must have been a couple thousand dollars worth of stuff. It has a ton of storage with 2 pass through compartments outside. I did a thorough brake job, changed all the fluids, made a simple refer repair, replaced the co/propane detector and that was about it. I don't have to sell it for any reason, unlike so many people now.
Thank you for your video series 😊😊 The only thing I will say about class c RVs Is, if you get a Ford-E Front van. Just be prepared to reach for dip sticks. There is an important power steering fluid check tucked way inside down by oil dipstick. I do like the class Cs with a regular pickup front. Ford just came out with there new F-600 as a cab for class Cs. Its basically the same as a F-550 cab, not the old school F-600 that I srove in the 70 with two speed rear end 😊😊
The one big problem with used class C is they are so popular that they are overpriced .The next few years the people who overpaid will be stuck trying to recoup there losses . I guess it will remain that way and if you want to play your gonna pay.You see in ads where a 27-31 ft class C are the same if not lower than a 24ft of the same year even ones that are twelve years old are still over priced and that also applies to 5th wheel trailers of the same size . Thanks for sharing your knowledge and no matter which used one someone chooses please pay for inspection for piece of mind it is a great bargaining tool as well
Hi Mike. Yes, the market has been overpriced for some time now. But I'm seeing some signs of prices moderating a bit so hopefully we may see a change in RV prices becoming more favorable in the future. Of course, I don't have a crystal ball on these things, but we can hope, right? :-) Thanks for watching and leaving us your thoughts!
You hit the nail on the head on this subject. There’s ole saying that I know that you have heard. Looks can be deceiving. You’re talking about the size of a Class A, my wife and I have both driven school buses, she has driven both styles motor in the front & motor beside her. She said that the snub nose rode rougher. As far as class A’s they are also top heavy. Keep’m coming
Hi James. Size can mean a lot in an RV. I always advise RV buyers to drive the type of RV they are looking at before buying. Being comfortable while driving on the road is an important part of the RVing experience. Thanks for chiming in on this subject!
We used to have a Class C for few years when our 2 kids were young. After they were teens big and tall we have 3 reasons to update to class A: 1. Need more room for children. 2. Our plan B to be full time Rvers. 3. Class A not only has more room, more compactor, more cabinets...but it's continues hot water making, automatic jack ( compared to class C we owned which do manual) ,big fridge work well ( Class C when driving not level, shaking...the fridge not working or keep cold...) And last but least, we love class A design. The engine is on the back ( diesel pusher) which our class C engine in front it's noisy and make cabin hot). The generator is in front, so when we staying in our bedroom ( the Master bedroom on back) we don't hear the noise from the generator. Now the problem is only my husband can drive the big rig 😂 But truely whichever more size, more comfortable, it'll cost.
Yes. Stay with our goal. For full-time or downsizing living, we are planning to sell everything and travel here and there if our health allows. If not there's a lot of RV camping grounds about $500/month + electric.....it fits our purchase. So far it's still our right choice for now ( not sure it's a good choice 😉) we have emergency plans in case for sure. I'm thinking Life is changing by day. Enjoy your day in what is in your hands, what you can't reach , don't try so hard.
Duane you hit the nail square on the once again. Not only new or used class c units but Class A,B, fifth wheels versus pull trailers and on and on. Hopefully everyone understands bottom line, INSPECTION new or used. Save your backside! THANKS SAFE TRAVELS
Began with pick up truck camper, then horse trailer/living quarters, so much like a PU camper. A conversion can, tenting, pop up, currently 20 foot travel trailer, and deciding what to “upgrade” to for part time living at retirement time.
Love your message and honest content. One concern is that used RV market is outrageous for price... Seems like the private owners want to make a profit, which negates buying used vs new..... Been experiencing this and delaying my buying....
Unfortunately, you are correct about the used market being a little overheated right now Ray. But I don't think it will continue like this for too much longer. There are many signs that the winds are changing more in favor of RV buyers instead of sellers. So hopefully used RV prices will return to a more normal level at that point. Thanks for watching and sharing you thoughts with us!
Agreed, it seems like it's similar to the housing market right now - great for sellers but awful for buyers. We've got a 5-year plan for buying an RV so we're just hanging back and hoping the prices will start coming down for both used and new.
If purchasing a used RV from a dealership, should you still get an outside inspector to go over vehicle prior to purchase?? Definitely would if purchasing from a private vendor
I certainly would. I have seen dealers get away with a lot of things they shouldn't. Don't listen when they tell you that they do their own pre delivery inspection. In many cases it's a very surface inspection if they even do it at all. ALWAYS get a used RV inspected before you buy it, no matter who you buy it from. Thanks for watching!
We been looking for a couple of years at Class C and Class B not in a hurry to get one. We want to get the right one or close to it. We have to drive up to an hour to M&P Dealers but the selection not the best. We will keep looking, been watch your channel for a couple of months. Thanks
Hi Joe. You are doing the right thing by taking your time to learn as much as you can before buying an RV. It will help you choose the one that fits you best. And I'm glad that my videos have been helpful too. Thanks for watching and leaving a nice comment!
Here in California not only what you guys are talking about,you have to compeat with the homeless and you have to find a place to park it!People here love complaining,it’s to big ,it’s a eye sore ect.not worth the hassle.
Personally, I would not buy a used RV from anyone, including a dealership, without having a thorough inspection completed by a certified NRVIA inspector. There's just so many issues that we often find in our inspection process that most people would never know to even check. And very often dealers are not doing a very thorough Pre-Delivery Inspection these days as it tends to slow down their buying process and costs them the time that they pay an RV tech to do it. So if you don't get the RV inspected before you buy it, you are just hoping that it is good shape without knowing for sure either way. The best way to get an NRVIA certified inspector is to visit nrvia.org and click on the button "Find And RV Inspector". I hope that helps.
Of course Dwayne is correct in advising ALWAYS to have a certified RV Tech check out the RV ur looking at buying! I was on the NRVIA website looking at various techs…the website is so informative & when u go to “locate a technician”, u get to read the person’s work info & that tells u a lot. This makes it very helpful in choosing someone! Thanks again Dwayne for another great video!👍🏻
question about having the chassis inspected. I already hired and received a report from the RV inspector, but he just checked fluids, etc didnt drive the rig. Do most people hire a regular mechanic to check it out ? Its a FORD F350, 30K miles...thank you
Hiring a qualified mechanic to inspect the drivetrain can be a good idea. But you can also perform a fluid analysis to find out what's really going on inside the mechanical components too. I made a video about fluid analysis a while back that might be helpful. You can view it here - ua-cam.com/video/abNq3Z8HUJo/v-deo.html
Great channel with a lot of good information. Looking to purchase a 2021 Phoenix Cruiser 3100 on the E450 chassis with 10k miles. Dealer advised the prior owner moved up to a larger unit. On-line blogs appear to be very favorable for build quality. Any concerns about the make/model that you are aware of.
Hi Randy. The Phoenix Cruiser is definitely one of my recommended Class C RVs. If it is in good shape and passes an RV inspection, It should be a great RV to enjoy for many years.
Apparently you weren't watching the video very closely. I listed this link in the video to help viewers find out about some of the brands that I recommend - ua-cam.com/video/Oe_Zw7KVbkc/v-deo.html
Still loving your videos! Curious if you have a video for financing and being approved for an rv loan? I've been researching and there are several things on Google that state different credit ratings needed to be approved etc.
I don't know much about the Dodge Harvest motorhomes from the 70's Martha. But from what I have seen I suppose they could be called a Class A. I'm glad to hear that yours is still running good.
@@RVInspectionAndCare I have never seen another one like it. I bought it for $300 ten years ago. It came with a 318 from the factory and someone had replaced it with a 360. It needs all new tires and some rewiring.
Hi Sam. Most Class C RVs are used for weekend and vacation RVing. But that doesn't mean that they can't be used for fulltime travel. However, they are often limited in storage space and amenities that many fulltimers value. But if there is one rule about RVing that never changes, it's that there are no hard and fast rules about the kind of RV people should choose or how they intend to travel and camp.
@RVInspectionAndCare we are really glad to have found your channel. I hope not to ask too many questions. What is the earliest year model you recommend? I want a 450 chassis And would be pulling my 01 mustang.
@@samappling7933 I don't really have an age that i feel is too old for RVs. To me, it's not how old a rig is as much as how well it has been cared for. Getting a well-maintained RV is a real treasure no matter how old it is.
After you load all ur stuff into the C on a 450 chassis you gotta check if it has the capacity to tow that car, and add in a dolly if the car is not suitable for flat towing. I own an adventurer 24 on the 450 chassis and would not consider a tow car after we are loaded up for a month on the road. The hitch is for the bike rack. As for the 28 and 30 foot units, even on the 450 chassis they are likely overweight already pulling out of the driveway with gear on board
Actually there is a lot of confusion about what qualifies as a Class C or a B+. But here is my take on it - If it is built on a chassis like the Ford E350 or E450 (or similar size), I feel that it qualifies as a Class C no matter what it looks like. If it is larger than a Class B and is built instead on a Mercedes or similar van chassis that would normally come with a Class B, I feel that it qualifies as a B+, no matter whether it has the sleeping area over the cab or not. Usually Class B+'s are a little wider than Class Bs. But they usually do not have near the space that a Class C offers. In other words, a Class B+ is positioned smack in between a Class B and Class C in size and space. I'm sure there are those who would disagree with my definition of a Class B+. But it's the one that makes the most sense to me. :-)
Thor Motor Coach had problems with a slide out even when we bought it. Over two times the door into the motor coach lock kept breaking Thor Motor Coach. We had a professional locksmith. We had to pay to have the lock fixed two times and it's still not right. Thor keeps sending the wrong Parts every time. Thor refuses to give us the money when it was even under warranty!!😡🤬
Sorry Anthony but we are on the road traveling right now, so I won't be able to inspect any RVs for you at this time. But there are plenty of other NRVIA inspectors that I'm sure could do a fine job for you though. Just visit nrvia.org and select "Find An Inspector". Then you can view all of the local inspectors on the map there and contact them about their availability. Any certified NRVIA inspector has the necessary training to provide a top quality RV inspection for you. I usually recommend choosing the one that you feel most comfortable with.
Just visit nrvia.org and select "Find An Inspector". Then you can view all of the local inspectors on the map there and contact them about their availability. Any certified NRVIA inspector has the necessary training to provide a top quality RV inspection for you. I usually recommend choosing the one that you feel most comfortable with.
I wouldn't go that far myself. I know several RVers who are willing to pay to have service techs do whatever is needed on their RV and they make out just fine especially if they have all the work done by a service tech or facility that they know and trust. Of course, it costs more to do it that way, but it's very doable.
The link for my guidebook on all of my recommended used Class C RV brands is here - payhip.com/b/2hzk3 and the link for my guidebook on how to buy used RVs the right way is here - payhip.com/b/cPLl . I hope that helps.
@@RVInspectionAndCare AFTER You get one. MAYBE you don't want it. THEY ARE extremely expensive and new units lose about 70% of retail prices in a few years And they all leak water big time.
A lot depends on how how well the owner(s) have taken care of the motorhome. If they stayed up with the proper maintenance, an older Class C can be a solid choice to buy. If they didn't, then you could have a lot of work to do to bring it up to a reliable and usable condition. And an RV inspection can help you find out just what kind of shape the RV is in before you buy it.
I know you might not have much control over it but when you start your video with a 5 minute Nissan commercial (in Japanese no less), not many people are gonna follow through.
Sorry to hear about that but you are correct that I have no control over that. You are the first to mention a problem like this though so maybe it was just a fluke.
We purchased a used Cruise America about 5 years ago. Listed price was less than $30k. It had over 130k miles on it, but we weren't really worried as they are maintained throughout it's rental life.. Since then we've driven from Southern California to NY and back twice, as well as local trips into the mountains and down to the ocean. It's never missed a beat. They seem to be built for abuse, and someone told us the truck portion was built the same as the uhaul trucks and were meant for long miles. We tweaked it with better shocks and sway bar. We've done pop up tents, trailers and 5th wheels and we decided to go with the C this time. (age is a thing, lol) No slides, no set up. It's convenient and comfortable and all packed into 25'.
That's a great review on your experience with a Cruise America Class C. It's not for everyone but it works really well for some. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject here!
My husband and I have decided to buy a Class C motor coach from cruise America too for these same reasons. They are well maintained. My husband does all the maintenance on our vehicles including my family inherited 1967 Dodge coronet and his family inherited 1990 Jaguar. We own a historic home that we restored ourselves so we are comfortable with idea of finding and the maintenance of a used motor coach. We saw that Cruise America seems to have a Thor fleet especially made for them that they sell off regularly. This reply raises my confidence in our decision.
The maintenance is on the renter to get oil changes every 8k miles, the one I tried to rent has 86K miles and oil change due 42K. The oil was 2 qrts low.
Same, I owned a 2008 Majestic 27a and just purchased a 2017 Majestic 28a to replace it. Mine was $22k and has 131k miles on it. Fantastic price and very well maintained.
And you can buy them directly from Crusie America.
I priced a new class c 24’ motorhome in Canada a couple of months ago, out the door was about $208,000. I bought a 2000 Fleetwood 24D with 15000 miles on it. I am renovating the unit from head to toe and it will look and feel like a new unit when complete. The mechanicals are in excellent shape. Completely resealed the outside including the roof, updated the electronics on the inside including a solar generator, led lights, residential fridge, induction cooktop etc. Knock on wood even if we needed to replace the motor and transmission (about $10,000) we are about $180,000 ahead of the game as apposed to buying new one. Not to mention new rv’s are not the same build as something built in the year 2000. IMHO
Wow! That's going to be a great rig when you're done! If you are handy and know what you're doing, you can not only save a ton of money buying an older RV like this, but you can also transform it into whatever fits your style of travel and camping best. I love to hear about these kind of RV mods and renovations. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us Rob!
@@RVInspectionAndCare Thanks, retired now but worked 25 years as a carpenter & 23 years in IT so can do it all myself. IMHO it will be updated better than a new one 😊
@@RVInspectionAndCare First trip is Eastern Canada (Newfoundland being the biggest part of the trip)
@@WATCHLLS I agree. With that kind of construction experience, I have no doubt that you will build a better coach than anything you could find today!
I’m looking for a class A in the early 2000’s myself…I’ve heard the construction was better in those years than nowadays. Thanks for ur comment! Good luck with ur reno & Happy Travels:)
I love how you make it clear one kind of motor coach doesn’t suit everyone and there needs. My husband and I tent camped for years in all weather including extreme but as we approach 50 years old our needs changed. We mostly love the parks but are tired of the set up. Also we love Cosplay and Renaissance parks and have a large amount of costumes and accessories to move about. We love amusement parks. Traveling in a small motor coach no slide works for us. It’s a closet, changing station, personal bathroom (instead of a Portable potties), kitchen, private eating area (Renfest are crowded so nowhere to sit and eat). And best of all a under 25 foot motor coach is welcomed by most businesses and easily parked. Now these are our reasons but others have different considerations. I have heard lack of storage is a minus in of the small class C’s. I found I didn’t have a problem with storage in a really old pop up. I think we will have more than enough storage. May everyone find the RV for them and happy trails!
Thanks very much for sharing the thought process that has gone into your choice of RV. And you are correct in saying that I don't try to steer people to onw way of RVing or the use of just one kind of RV. The great thing about the RV life is there are so many choices that allow you to customize the experience to your needs and wants. I just try to provide information that can help the average RV buyer make the best decision for their own situation. Have safe and happy travels in your smaller RV!
Another great video, you hit a lot of nails on the head!
We bought our Sunseeker class C used. It was 1 year old and only 7k miles on it (about 2500 miles were from the factory to the original dealer in California). We saved about $35k over buying a new one.
Your recommendation of getting a professional inspection is the key to the used market. I have well over 50 years of RV experience so I did the inspection myself it took about 1 1/2 hours. It was in great condition but I did find 2 critical items that needed attention. The dealer offered to address them but we live 250 miles from the dealer so that would have been a burden. So they offered to reduce the price by $1500 to cover the repairs. My RV tech completed the repairs and even found 1 more that I had missed for $800. So we saved $700 more. Inspections may cost money but in the end they save money!
You are so right. A lot of people look at RV inspections as an unnecessary expense in the buying process. But the reality is that what we find in our inspection that needs repair can often be negotiated with the seller. And the savings can even pay for the inspection, with money left over in many cases. It doesn't always happen that way. But often enough to be worthy of consideration as another advantage for getting an RV inspection before you buy. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
The best thing of a class C to an A to me is safety. I had a 19 Winnebago class C and went to an A for more space. The class C has 3 doors to get in and out especially in an emergency. My Entegra class A has 1 door to exit in an emergency provided that the motorhome didn't tip on the right side which then you have only the rear window to exit and that's not an easy thing to do. Another safety is the class C has the motor up front away from the driver with a nice bumper, the class A, you sit up front and there is little crash space much like the old VW vans. Thanks for your video.
You are so right. Safety is an issue that should be considered when comparing Class As and Cs. On that score, the Class C wins hands down IMO. Thanks for making that point!
In 2019 we bought a 2001 29' Minnie Winnie with 16,000 miles on it for $18,500. It was as close to perfect as anyone would be able to find and had NO slides, a walk around queen bed and a couch in a very common floor plan. The sellers left EVERYTHING in it. Must have been a couple thousand dollars worth of stuff. It has a ton of storage with 2 pass through compartments outside.
I did a thorough brake job, changed all the fluids, made a simple refer repair, replaced the co/propane detector and that was about it.
I don't have to sell it for any reason, unlike so many people now.
Sounds like you got a great rig there. Older Minnie Winnie motorhomes can be a great deal if they have been cared for and maintained!
Thank you for your video series 😊😊
The only thing I will say about class c RVs
Is, if you get a Ford-E Front van. Just be prepared to reach for dip sticks. There is an important power steering fluid check tucked way inside down by oil dipstick. I do like the class Cs with a regular pickup front. Ford just came out with there new F-600 as a cab for class Cs. Its basically the same as a F-550 cab, not the old school F-600 that I srove in the 70 with two speed rear end 😊😊
Thanks for the tips. They can be helpful for folks reading the comments here. And thanks for watching too!
The one big problem with used class C is they are so popular that they are overpriced .The next few years the people who overpaid will be stuck trying to recoup there losses .
I guess it will remain that way and if you want to play your gonna pay.You see in ads where a 27-31 ft class C are the same if not lower than a 24ft of the same year even ones that are twelve years old are still over priced and that also applies to 5th wheel trailers of the same size .
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and no matter which used one someone chooses please pay for inspection for piece of mind it is a great bargaining tool as well
Hi Mike. Yes, the market has been overpriced for some time now. But I'm seeing some signs of prices moderating a bit so hopefully we may see a change in RV prices becoming more favorable in the future. Of course, I don't have a crystal ball on these things, but we can hope, right? :-) Thanks for watching and leaving us your thoughts!
You hit the nail on the head on this subject. There’s ole saying that I know that you have heard. Looks can be deceiving. You’re talking about the size of a Class A, my wife and I have both driven school buses, she has driven both styles motor in the front & motor beside her. She said that the snub nose rode rougher. As far as class A’s they are also top heavy. Keep’m coming
Hi James. Size can mean a lot in an RV. I always advise RV buyers to drive the type of RV they are looking at before buying. Being comfortable while driving on the road is an important part of the RVing experience. Thanks for chiming in on this subject!
We used to have a Class C for few years when our 2 kids were young. After they were teens big and tall we have 3 reasons to update to class A:
1. Need more room for children.
2. Our plan B to be full time Rvers.
3. Class A not only has more room, more compactor, more cabinets...but it's continues hot water making, automatic jack ( compared to class C we owned which do manual) ,big fridge work well ( Class C when driving not level, shaking...the fridge not working or keep cold...)
And last but least, we love class A design. The engine is on the back ( diesel pusher) which our class C engine in front it's noisy and make cabin hot). The generator is in front, so when we staying in our bedroom ( the Master bedroom on back) we don't hear the noise from the generator.
Now the problem is only my husband can drive the big rig 😂
But truely whichever more size, more comfortable, it'll cost.
It sounds like a Class A fits your needs a lot better than a Class C. I'm glad you found the right RV for your situation!
Yes. Stay with our goal. For full-time or downsizing living, we are planning to sell everything and travel here and there if our health allows. If not there's a lot of RV camping grounds about $500/month + electric.....it fits our purchase. So far it's still our right choice for now ( not sure it's a good choice 😉) we have emergency plans in case for sure. I'm thinking Life is changing by day. Enjoy your day in what is in your hands, what you can't reach , don't try so hard.
Duane you hit the nail square on the once again. Not only new or used class c units but Class A,B, fifth wheels versus pull trailers and on and on. Hopefully everyone understands bottom line, INSPECTION new or used. Save your backside! THANKS SAFE TRAVELS
You are so right as usual Ron. Thanks for contributing your thoughts on the subject!
I prefer Class C with the Benz Diesel, Ford is my second choice. But I am still leaning toward a bus conversion or a diesel or gas Class A
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your RV choices David. And thanks for watching too!
Began with pick up truck camper, then horse trailer/living quarters, so much like a PU camper. A conversion can, tenting, pop up, currently 20 foot travel trailer, and deciding what to “upgrade” to for part time living at retirement time.
You're doing the right thing by learning as much as you can before buying an RV. I hope you find the perfect RV for your needs!
Love your message and honest content. One concern is that used RV market is outrageous for price... Seems like the private owners want to make a profit, which negates buying used vs new..... Been experiencing this and delaying my buying....
Unfortunately, you are correct about the used market being a little overheated right now Ray. But I don't think it will continue like this for too much longer. There are many signs that the winds are changing more in favor of RV buyers instead of sellers. So hopefully used RV prices will return to a more normal level at that point. Thanks for watching and sharing you thoughts with us!
@@RVInspectionAndCare I watch and wait. Looking for the best deal. Thanks. You nailed it with your video.
Agreed, it seems like it's similar to the housing market right now - great for sellers but awful for buyers. We've got a 5-year plan for buying an RV so we're just hanging back and hoping the prices will start coming down for both used and new.
If purchasing a used RV from a dealership, should you still get an outside inspector to go over vehicle prior to purchase?? Definitely would if purchasing from a private vendor
I certainly would. I have seen dealers get away with a lot of things they shouldn't. Don't listen when they tell you that they do their own pre delivery inspection. In many cases it's a very surface inspection if they even do it at all. ALWAYS get a used RV inspected before you buy it, no matter who you buy it from. Thanks for watching!
We been looking for a couple of years at Class C and Class B not in a hurry to get one. We want to get the right one or close to it. We have to drive up to an hour to M&P Dealers but the selection not the best. We will keep looking, been watch your channel for a couple of months. Thanks
Hi Joe. You are doing the right thing by taking your time to learn as much as you can before buying an RV. It will help you choose the one that fits you best. And I'm glad that my videos have been helpful too. Thanks for watching and leaving a nice comment!
Here in California not only what you guys are talking about,you have to compeat with the homeless and you have to find a place to park it!People here love complaining,it’s to big ,it’s a eye sore ect.not worth the hassle.
Thanks for contributing to the discussion.
Thanks for this video👍👍. It's a lot of help and makes me more knowledgeable. New subscriber here 😊
I'm glad you enjoyed the video and subbed the channel Robert. It's much appreciated!
Good job 👍 I like it 😊
I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!
Would one need to get a class C inspected if bought from a dealership ? How do you find certified inspectors ?
Personally, I would not buy a used RV from anyone, including a dealership, without having a thorough inspection completed by a certified NRVIA inspector. There's just so many issues that we often find in our inspection process that most people would never know to even check. And very often dealers are not doing a very thorough Pre-Delivery Inspection these days as it tends to slow down their buying process and costs them the time that they pay an RV tech to do it. So if you don't get the RV inspected before you buy it, you are just hoping that it is good shape without knowing for sure either way. The best way to get an NRVIA certified inspector is to visit nrvia.org and click on the button "Find And RV Inspector". I hope that helps.
Of course Dwayne is correct in advising ALWAYS to have a certified RV Tech check out the RV ur looking at buying! I was on the NRVIA website looking at various techs…the website is so informative & when u go to “locate a technician”, u get to read the person’s work info & that tells u a lot. This makes it very helpful in choosing someone! Thanks again Dwayne for another great video!👍🏻
question about having the chassis inspected. I already hired and received a report from the RV inspector, but he just checked fluids, etc didnt drive the rig. Do most people hire a regular mechanic to check it out ? Its a FORD F350, 30K miles...thank you
Hiring a qualified mechanic to inspect the drivetrain can be a good idea. But you can also perform a fluid analysis to find out what's really going on inside the mechanical components too. I made a video about fluid analysis a while back that might be helpful. You can view it here - ua-cam.com/video/abNq3Z8HUJo/v-deo.html
Thank you for your wise advice
You are so welcome. Thanks for watching!
Great channel with a lot of good information. Looking to purchase a 2021 Phoenix Cruiser 3100 on the E450 chassis with 10k miles. Dealer advised the prior owner moved up to a larger unit. On-line blogs appear to be very favorable for build quality. Any concerns about the make/model that you are aware of.
Hi Randy. The Phoenix Cruiser is definitely one of my recommended Class C RVs. If it is in good shape and passes an RV inspection, It should be a great RV to enjoy for many years.
Good RVs. I had one.
I didn't see any brands of used class C recommended.....just guidebooks for sale??
Apparently you weren't watching the video very closely. I listed this link in the video to help viewers find out about some of the brands that I recommend - ua-cam.com/video/Oe_Zw7KVbkc/v-deo.html
@@RVInspectionAndCare sleep at the wheel 🤣🤣
Lady bug out
Class A rvs used for sale
Still loving your videos! Curious if you have a video for financing and being approved for an rv loan? I've been researching and there are several things on Google that state different credit ratings needed to be approved etc.
I'll try to go into more depth on that subject in another video. Thanks for the great feedback Kristina!
@@RVInspectionAndCare also interested! Loved the video, just starting to get into RV living.
@@fullytokd That's great to hear. Thanks for watching and leaving a nice comment!
I have a 1972 Dodge harvest . It’s like a little bus, 20 feet long. Is that a class A? It runs good with a 360 V8.
I don't know much about the Dodge Harvest motorhomes from the 70's Martha. But from what I have seen I suppose they could be called a Class A. I'm glad to hear that yours is still running good.
@@RVInspectionAndCare I have never seen another one like it. I bought it for $300 ten years ago. It came with a 318 from the factory and someone had replaced it with a 360. It needs all new tires and some rewiring.
One of your videos you said fulltimers don't normally use a c-class. So we want to go full time and want a c-class. Can you expand on that please?
Hi Sam. Most Class C RVs are used for weekend and vacation RVing. But that doesn't mean that they can't be used for fulltime travel. However, they are often limited in storage space and amenities that many fulltimers value. But if there is one rule about RVing that never changes, it's that there are no hard and fast rules about the kind of RV people should choose or how they intend to travel and camp.
@RVInspectionAndCare we are really glad to have found your channel. I hope not to ask too many questions. What is the earliest year model you recommend? I want a 450 chassis And would be pulling my 01 mustang.
@@samappling7933 I don't really have an age that i feel is too old for RVs. To me, it's not how old a rig is as much as how well it has been cared for. Getting a well-maintained RV is a real treasure no matter how old it is.
After you load all ur stuff into the C on a 450 chassis you gotta check if it has the capacity to tow that car, and add in a dolly if the car is not suitable for flat towing. I own an adventurer 24 on the 450 chassis and would not consider a tow car after we are loaded up for a month on the road. The hitch is for the bike rack. As for the 28 and 30 foot units, even on the 450 chassis they are likely overweight already pulling out of the driveway with gear on board
Lol woah I commented and you literally answered my question IN this video 😆
It happens all the time ... :-) Thanks for watching and commenting!
What about B plus are they class Cs any comments ?? Great videos thank you
Actually there is a lot of confusion about what qualifies as a Class C or a B+. But here is my take on it - If it is built on a chassis like the Ford E350 or E450 (or similar size), I feel that it qualifies as a Class C no matter what it looks like. If it is larger than a Class B and is built instead on a Mercedes or similar van chassis that would normally come with a Class B, I feel that it qualifies as a B+, no matter whether it has the sleeping area over the cab or not. Usually Class B+'s are a little wider than Class Bs. But they usually do not have near the space that a Class C offers. In other words, a Class B+ is positioned smack in between a Class B and Class C in size and space. I'm sure there are those who would disagree with my definition of a Class B+. But it's the one that makes the most sense to me. :-)
Thor Motor Coach had problems with a slide out even when we bought it. Over two times the door into the motor coach lock kept breaking Thor Motor Coach. We had a professional locksmith. We had to pay to have the lock fixed two times and it's still not right. Thor keeps sending the wrong Parts every time. Thor refuses to give us the money when it was even under warranty!!😡🤬
Hi Terry. Thanks for sharing your experience with Thor motorhomes here.
I appreciate your informative videos.
Glad you like them Joe. And thanks for leaving a positive comment!
Where are you located? Are you for hire to find our family a higher class RV, inspect it and we pick it up?
Sorry Anthony but we are on the road traveling right now, so I won't be able to inspect any RVs for you at this time.
But there are plenty of other NRVIA inspectors that I'm sure could do a fine job for you though.
Just visit nrvia.org and select "Find An Inspector". Then you can view all of the local inspectors on the map there and contact them about their availability.
Any certified NRVIA inspector has the necessary training to provide a top quality RV inspection for you.
I usually recommend choosing the one that you feel most comfortable with.
Hello!...nice video my friend...I am looking for the link for the guidebook..can you post it?
Sure. You can find the guidebook here - payhip.com/b/2hzk3 . And thanks for the positive feedback on the video too!
Great great information well made video thank you so much !!! 😊
Glad it was helpful Matt. Have safe and happy RV travels!
How do I find an rv inspector in Colorado for a used travel trailer?
Just visit nrvia.org and select "Find An Inspector". Then you can view all of the local inspectors on the map there and contact them about their availability. Any certified NRVIA inspector has the necessary training to provide a top quality RV inspection for you. I usually recommend choosing the one that you feel most comfortable with.
As a general rule - if you are not the DIY fixer type of person , RV's are not a good idea.
I wouldn't go that far myself. I know several RVers who are willing to pay to have service techs do whatever is needed on their RV and they make out just fine especially if they have all the work done by a service tech or facility that they know and trust.
Of course, it costs more to do it that way, but it's very doable.
Great Video
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
Where is guidebook link?
The link for my guidebook on all of my recommended used Class C RV brands is here - payhip.com/b/2hzk3 and the link for my guidebook on how to buy used RVs the right way is here - payhip.com/b/cPLl . I hope that helps.
Liked and subbed
That's awesome. Welcome aboard!
Thank you for the info.
You bet! It’s my pleasure. Thanks for watching!
Where can I get the guide book
The link for my used Class C buying guide is in the video's description. But I'll put here too just to be sure - payhip.com/b/2hzk3 I hope that helps!
Thank you.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Happy and safe RV travels to you!
BUY A USED ONE FOR UNDER
$ 20 GRAND
FIX IT UP WITH EVERYTHING RECONDITION. SPEND ANOTHER 10.
THEN KEEP IT FOREVER.
OTHER WISE RENT THEM.
Thanks for sharing your opinion here.
@@RVInspectionAndCare AFTER You get one.
MAYBE you don't want it.
THEY ARE extremely expensive and new units lose about 70% of retail prices in a few years
And they all leak water big time.
What are the 3 best class c
I made this video that might be helpful - ua-cam.com/video/Oe_Zw7KVbkc/v-deo.html
Tank you sir
My pleasure. Thanks for commenting!
Thanks god bless
Thanks to you too John for watching and leaving a nice comment!
Harder to finance used.
We have never had a problem so far.
You sound like Michio Kaku
I'm not sure how to respond to that. But thanks for watching anyway! :-)
New RVs are way overpriced. You can buy a used one for thousands less. They are everywhere
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us James.
I shudder to think of the repairs that will bite you in the backside, with s vehicle this age it is like putting lipstick on a pig.
A lot depends on how how well the owner(s) have taken care of the motorhome. If they stayed up with the proper maintenance, an older Class C can be a solid choice to buy. If they didn't, then you could have a lot of work to do to bring it up to a reliable and usable condition. And an RV inspection can help you find out just what kind of shape the RV is in before you buy it.
Looking to Finance a 23-25 foot Class c with auto-pay.. shower overhead cab & rear bed..with a Generator...ŵhere do i turn?
If you're looking for information on RV financing, this video I made may be helpful - ua-cam.com/video/cdUu4CYsVWM/v-deo.html
This guy is worth listening to.
I’m glad you’re enjoying my videos Phil. Thanks for leaving positive feedback.
I know you might not have much control over it but when you start your video with a 5 minute Nissan commercial (in Japanese no less), not many people are gonna follow through.
Sorry to hear about that but you are correct that I have no control over that. You are the first to mention a problem like this though so maybe it was just a fluke.