1. automotive and vehicles
2. campers and rvs

ALL ABOUT
CLASS A
MOTORHOMES
by
John & Kathleen Bowler
A Class A RV News Publication
2
ALL ABOUT CLASS A MOTORHOMES©
Text copyright 2002
By John and Kathleen Bowler
ISBN 0-9728038-0-7
All rights reserved, including right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form
Published in the United States By Class A RV News,
5200 Badger Rd.
Crooked River Ranch, OR 97760
541-548-1447
All About Class A Motorhomes
Table of Contents
Page
Class A Glossary of Terms
I How This Book Will or Won’t Help You
Exclusively About Class A’s / Just What Is a Class A Motorhome?
Our Objective/ Who Will Benefit Most from Reading It
Methodology/ What;s Next ?
II Meet The Authors
Who We Are/ Our Goofs/More Background/Wrong Assumptions
Strictly Personal /Bingo/ Our Current Motorhome
5
7
10
III Why A Class A Motorhome ?
15
Combined Living and Transportation/Access to Living Area from Cockpit
Self Contained/ Added Bonuses/The Downside/ Summary
IV Class A Models and Characteristics
About This Section/General Information/Diesels Are Different
Class A, Gas Engine Group/ Diesel Pusher Group
Luxury Diesel Group/ Super Coaches/Bus Conversions
17
V Is a Class A Right for You?
Alternatives/Questions
22
VI Your Class A Preferred Profile
Establish Priorities/Class A Preferred Profile Checklist Worksheet
Additional Options
25
VII The Search for Your Dream Coach
Where To Buy It/When To Buy/Some Guidelines to Keep in Mind
Another “Word to the Wise”/ Be Wary and Work With Your Partner
Local Dealer/Giant Dealer/Private Party/After ...the Checklist
Class A Shopping List/On The Trail/Another List
Class A’s Viewed & of Interest/How Long to Search
30
VIII Getting The Best Deal
Stay the Course/ Loans/New Coach Service Agreements
Pre -owned Service Contracts /Those Tempting Little Extras
PDI/Tutorial;New Coaches/The PDI/Tutorial/Pre-owned Coaches
36
IX Enjoying Your Class A
Useful Check Lists/Recommendations/Scratch Each Other’s Back
41
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4
APPENDIX
Additional Sources of Information
Class A Manufacturers
Suppliers to Manufacturers
Your Class A Prefered Profile
Class A Shopping List
Class A’s Viewed
Pre-departure Checklists
J’s Loading Checklist
K’s Loading Checklist
Cost of Owning a Motorhome
Acknowledgements
Page
44
47
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
Class A Glossary of Terms
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Dear Reader
If this is your first venture into the RV world, and Class A Motorhomes in particular, you will soon encounter inhabitants therein speaking a language frequently laced with terms with which you probably are unfamiliar but which you eventually will need to understand. This Glossary of most often used terms is at the
beginning of the book so it can be readily located when needed and so you can give them an initial onceover for familiarization purposes. It is also suggested that you exercise your inalienable customer rights
any time to interrupt anybody tossing mysterious RV jargon your way and ask for a definition of any term
you don’t fully understand. Doing so will benefit you two ways: a}. You will discourage informants from
trying to impress you with how much they know and you don’t; and b.} With repetition of definitions you
will soon be just as conversant in RV speak as anybody and more comfortable operating in that world.
Air Bags - Bags of air installed under the coach which are pressurized to either smooth out the ride under
way or level the coach when parked instead of using hydraulic jacks
Back-up Camera - A video camera mounted high on the outside back wall which transmit a picture of what
is behind the coach for about 40 feet to a display which can be readily seen by the driver. Especially useful
in units without a rear window when backing up or to check on a towed vehicle. Many have microphones
which allow conversation between the driver and an assistant behind the coach giving directions for
backing up.
Base Weight - The weight of the motorhome empty without passengers, fuel, water or cargo
Basement Storage Compartments - Areas under the floor of the coach accessible from the outside by hinged
and lockable doors; can be heated to prevent freezing in winter.
Battery Disconnect - A switch to disconnect the batteries from the coach electrical system to save them
from discharging when the coach is not going to be in use for extended periods of storage.
Black Water Tank - The holding tank into which the toilets empty. It is emptied at a “dump station” which
are found in most commercial RV campgrounds and in some public rest areas
Boondocking - Camping without hookups for power, water and waste disposal
Bus Conversion - A bus chassis converted into a motor coach
Coach - Short for motor coach, or motor home - usually Class A
Dinghy - The vehicle towed behind a motorhome. Make sure your intended “dinghy” is towable - not all are
Galley - Kitchen
Gray Water Tank - The holding tank which collects waste water from your sinks and shower
GCWR - The Gross Combined Weight Rate - maximum combined weight of the loaded vehicle and dinghy
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GVWR -Gross Vehicle Weight Rate - the maximum permissible weight of the coach when loaded
GVAR - Gross Vehicle Axle Rate - the maximum permissible load a specific axle can carry
Holding Tanks - Either Black and Gray water tanks
Inverter - Converts 12 volt power from batteries into 100 AC power
MSRP - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price - sometimes called the “sticker price” because it is usually
on a sheet of paper with a list of options that particular coach has added to it. It is typically the starting point
most dealers use when constructing a selling price with discounts and trade-in credits.
NADA - National Automobile Dealers of America - a professional organization who compiles and reports
retail and wholesale prices of prior years’ prices of most Class A motorhomes
Pusher - A diesel powered motorhome with the engine in the rear.
RV Queen - A mattress sized 60” X 74” instead of the standard Queen size of 60” X 80”. Allows more
walking space between the end of the bed and wall in motor homes under 30 feet long. The downside is it’s
almost impossible to find fitted bottom sheets and it’s uncomfortable sleeping for six-footers
Self Contained - Enough on board electric power, water, propane, waste storage, toilet, cooking facilities,
coach and water heating to allow boondocking, or camping without hook-ups for several days.
Slide Out—Compartments usually 30“- 40” deep and of varying lengths, retracted inside the coach when
under way which slide out to become extensions of living and sleeping quarters. The maximum number of
slide outs is four, one on each side of the sleeping and living sections. Some RV parks have restrictions on
using slides.
Split Bathroom - Wash basin and bathing facilities in a separate rooms from the toilet, often across the main
corridor from each other. In that case they are also are called Walk Through bathrooms
Stabilizers - Electric or hydraulic powered jacks deployed when parked to level and stabilize the coach
Tag or Tandem Axle - A second axle in the rear that supports the extra weight of a diesel engine in pushers
Towables - Vehicles that are suited for towing as dinghies behind the coach
Under Way - The coach is moving = being driven; not stopped or parked
USFS - United States Forest Service which has numerous camping and RV parks in national forests around
the country
Wide Body - A coach 102 “ wide not including side mirrors
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I How This Book Will or Won’t Help You
Exclusively About Class A’s
As the title states, this booklet is strictly about Class A Motorhomes. It’s a very large, popular class of
motorhomes ranging roughly from 26 - 45 feet in length. The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association
(RVIA) reports 2001 shipments of all Motorhomes at 49,200 units with Class A’s accounting for 33,400,
the majority by far. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices(MSRP) of 2002 models start around at
$57,000 and go as high as $ 1,5000,000 . Thirty manufacturers offer 580 different models and more are
under development. Prospective buyers face a daunting challenge to pick the one that suits them best.
This booklet is designed to make that process less challenging.
*Picture and floorplan of 2003 Beaver Baron Diesel Pusher courtesy of Monaco Coach Corp.
Just What Is a Class A Motorhome?
Class A Motorhomes* are self contained, self propelled units with direct access for driver and passengers
between integrated living and driving sections. Class A motorhomes are built directly on a chassis specially
designed for the purpose. The “cockpit” which includes the driving controls plus driver and passenger seats
is an integral part of the forward portion of the living salon. When not under way, the two cockpit seats can
be turned around adding seating space to the living area. Class A motorhomes are big enough for
comfortable living over extended periods of time especially if they have slide outs(See Glossary of Class A
Terms). They are too big to be used for tooling around town, shopping or going to your favorite tavern.
That’s why you see so many of them towing another smaller vehicle behind them for those purposes.
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Class A Motorhomes come in all shapes, sizes, floorplans and prices. Aspiring owners of a Class A
motorhome have to sort out which style, length and cost best serves their taste, travel habits and
pocketbook. If you decide you really want to own and operate one - you can find one out there that will suit
you but it will take some effort. This book will be useful primarily to readers who want to know as much as
possible about Class A’s before deciding which class of RV vehicle to buy. Or to readers who have been
through that exercise, have decided a Class A is for them and want to learn more about them before starting
to search for the right one.
Our Objective
This book was written and our web site www.classArvnews.com developed to accomplish the following
objective:
To be the most comprehensive, up-to-date and accurate
source of information about Class A Motorhomes .
The intent here is not to romanticize or glamorize the motorhome lifestyle and sell readers on it. It’s
assumed by the time you are motivated to pick up this booklet and investigate its contents you are at least
wondering if you should have a whirl at motorhoming. If you are in the early stages of trying to inform
yourself about what kind of RV to purchase : pop-up camper, trailer; 5th wheel; truck camper; park model
or Class A, B or C motorhome you would do well to start with a comprehensive overview of all of them.
Two books that cover the whole range of RV’s and we can recommend are: The RVER’s Bible and The RV
Buyers Survival Guide ,both in the (Appendix). After scanning them, come back to this bookt if a Class A
Motorhome seems to suit you best or at least bears more investigating before making that decision.
Who Will Benefit Most from Reading It
Our book should be useful to prospective buyers of any size and price Class A. The guidelines provided
apply to all of them. The information and ideas we have put together will be newer to readers who have not
owned a Class A before than to those who have. For the latter group we think you will read enough new
information in these pages to be worth your time. If not, you will at least know you are on the right track.
We wish we could have had the benefit of the counsel contained in this manual when we were hunting for
our first Class A and even when we were looking for its replacement. We have even learned a lot more
about Class A’s that is useful from doing the research to write this booklet.
Owning a motorhome is a highly personal experience. Owners of motor homes usually either love theirs or
regret buying it and each for a wide variety of reasons. There is no motor home owners’ profile worth
defining that reliably predicts owner satisfaction. What you will be reading in these pages is a highly
subjective perspective of motor home ownership through the filter of your authors’ personal biases.
Methodology
Our learning experience with Class A’s started in the summer of 2000 when we began our bumbling search
for an RV. That phase of learning is documented in “About the Authors“, the next section - and in greater
detail in the Appendix section entitled “More About the Authors“. It taught us a lot about Class A’s relative
to other RV’s.
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Once we decided that this book needed to be written we really got serious about learning more on the
subject of Class A’s. That has involved visiting dealers, shows, talking with current owners, studying the
web sites of thirty two Class A manufacturers and their key component suppliers, scanning related web
sites, and talking with industry association officers, repair facility managers, insurers and pundits. Finally,
we have sent rough drafts of the manuscript to all 32 Class A manufacturers asking for their review,
correction of errors and suggestions for improvement. Those who graciously replied are listed in the
Acknowledgements.
What;s Next ?
We aren’t deluding ourselves that this document is perfect. Although we are satisfied we did our best to
make the first edition as good and complete as we could and still meet our deadline, we know it can be
expanded and improved upon. We’re counting on feedback from readers to point out the voids, errors, and
inconsistencies we missed to help us plug the holes and correct the mistakes. We can only be insulted by
readers not telling us about them.
As Class A motorhomes constantly expand and improve their model lines and components we will do our
best to keep up with them and report the new developments. It is hoped that readers, manufacturers, owners,
dealers and all parties with a passion for Class A’s will assist us in this effort by sharing what they know
with us. The www.classAmotorhomes.com website will be our bulletin board between publication of new
editions of All About Class A Motorhomes. Stay tuned!
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II Meet The Authors
A Summary of Who We Are
We bought our first motorhome 45 years after we were married and just after retiring from our consulting
business. To date we have owned two Class C’s and two Class A’s; the most recent and current coach a 33
foot 2002 Bounder. We travel about 12,000 miles a year from Canada to Mexico and enjoy camping in the
wilderness most of all.
I have written for trade magazines and newspapers for the last twenty years. Kathleen and I published a
monthly newsletter about the packaging industry served by our consultancy. That experience plus the trials,
tribulations and joys of finding and owning our dream motorhome prompted us to write about what we
learned. We hope prospective Class A motorhome buyers will benefit from the information we wish we’d
had when doing it and avoid the mistakes we made on the way to fulfilling our dreams of owning a
motorhome.
You should be forewarned that you are reading output from two unabashed Class A motorhome fanatics.
We admit to being utterly fascinated by the machines themselves and revel in cruising with ours. We get
goose bumps watching a handsome Class A move majestically through a park to its site just as we do
watching a vessel move through a marina to its mooring or a big jet roar down a runway for takeoff. If that
classifies us as nuts, that’s OK - we’re happy nuts.
The process by which we eventually settled on our current choice of Class A motorhome could hardly be
characterized as methodical or thorough. At best it was an uninformed, opportunistic, haphazard approach.
We also are prompted to write this book to provide readers with a better way to acquire a motorhome
Our Goofs
•
•
Initially decided to purchase a pop-up camper on the basis of friends’ recommendations and our initial
fascination with how ingeniously the campers were constructed. We didn’t think through how we would
soon tire of erecting and taking down the camper each time we moved plus the lack of amenities on
extended trips going south in the winter. Fortunately our 4 cylinder Jeep Wrangler failed to tow the one
we selected and we luckily avoided buying the pop-up
.
Almost purchased a too old, underpowered, small, pre-owned Class C Phasar without doing enough
research on how it would perform in the mountainous country we like to explore or whether its size and
amenities met our standard of acceptable comfort on long winter trips. We did, however, pay the owner
to allow us an extended shakedown trial cruise lasting several weeks. It didn’t perform up to our
expectations so we didn’t buy it.
Bought a Class C primarily because it was such an improvement over the Phasar we were testing, was
in verifiable great condition and an excellent bargain. We never explored other alternatives or make an
extended trial run. Again we didn’t think through how the main sleeping area being over the cab would
conflict with our physical needs and style of living. Would we have come to that conclusion during a
week’s rental of a Class C? There’s no way to tell for sure but we might well have and gone on to rent a
Class A before making a final decision.
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More Background
The notion of owning a motorhome came to Kathleen and me when we were well into our “Golden Years”the period in life that supposedly begins sometime in one’s late fifties or thereabouts depending on a
number of variables like: health, job status, size of retirement fund, whether offspring have left the nest,
how financially independent one is ; mental outlook etc. They’re called “Golden Years” because they’re
supposed to be blissful. They can also be leaden depending on the quality of the aforementioned variables.
When the idea surfaced, we were in our mid sixties, lucky to be enjoying good health and with time on our
hands having virtually retired from our management consulting business with a modest but adequate
retirement income. Of equal importance our four offspring were all financially independent of us and living
within a day’s drive of our home in Central Oregon. We see them and our six grandchildren several times a
year and all agree that works for us.
We have always enjoyed being outdoors a good part of the time and now live where we can indulge that
pleasure. We enjoy walking, even temperate hiking, being around water and seeing nature in the so-called
raw. I did enough living outdoors during my youth at summer camps and a two year army stint to have
forever satisfied my yen to rest my bones in tents at days end. Kathleen was never intrigued by sleeping on
the ground and sharing quarters with non-humans. When the sun goes down we seek out a regular bed with
mattress, roof overhead, floor and walls plus central heating or cooling depending on the season.
We’re not “joiners”; don’t belong to many clubs or organizations nor participate in much formally planned
and organized recreational activities. Neither are we anti-social. We enjoy friendly relations with a number
of local and far flung friends whom we see occasionally; usually extemporaneously and informally. When
we travel we make our own plans, reservations and agendas and shun organized tours. We have never taken
a cruise on a big ship and stopped feeling unfulfilled several years ago for not having done so.
Wrong Assumptions
When we were well into pursuing motorhome ownership, it dawned on us that we had either debunked our
previous stereotypes of what kinds of people owned them or, to our horror, had become one of them. We
both had profiled, wrongly of course, motor home owners as less affluent senior citizens with humdrum
cultural leanings who traveled in caravans, stayed in crowded, noisy, parks and participated endlessly in
ritualized pot-luck meals and square dancing. We were amazed at the old geezers driving those monstrous
contraptions encountered on highways accompanied by equally ancient partners seated smugly behind a
ridiculous array of stuffed animals on the dash gazing blankly at the passing countryside. They always
seemed to be taking their half of the road out of the middle or impossible to pass; especially on hills. They
belched clouds of noxious black fumes and displayed all manner of plaques, logos of organizations they
belonged to, trite slogans and brightly colored maps of states they had visited.. They reminded us of the
herds of Okies we had read about who junketed across the country during the 30’s depression seeking some
place to park their decrepit and loaded vehicles.
We concluded that we initially had been wrong about the kind of people who owned motor homes. We
realized they defy neat categorizing, range in age from young couples, many with children, to Baby
Boomers and Senior Citizens or Golden Agers if you prefer. Their motor homes can be forty or more feet
long costing hundreds of thousands of dollars or modest rigs almost half that size. Many are retired but
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a lot are still employed. There are a growing number of “full-timers” who live exclusively in their motor
homes but many who use them only occasionally to travel on vacations of varying length. The vast majority
are courteous, competent drivers who don’t hog the road and those who display stuffed animals, logos,
USA maps etc. are often fascinating and interesting people. In short, motor home owners are just as diverse
as Americans who think they would never own one - yet. Having said that, the ratio of motorhomers we
like to those we’d rather avoid is about the same as any other group of human beings we encounter.
Strictly Personal
Kathleen and I met as teen-agers in London, Ontario, Canada where she was born and I had emigrated with
my parents via Pennsylvania from our original base in Maine. After graduating from high school, we
carried on a long distance romance with Kathleen staying in Canada while I returned to Maine to attend
college. During my senior year at Bowdoin, with Army service looming for me immediately after
graduation, we could no longer tolerate being apart, cajoled our parents to lend a supporting hand and
married during Christmas vacation. The train trip back to college was our honeymoon. My bride funded our
five months at college by working as a faculty secretary keeping us off the poverty rolls. After graduation
she joined me in Virginia where I was permanently stationed after finishing basic officer’s training. Two
daughters and a son were born to us there and our caboose, another daughter, was born in in Massachusetts.
We lived there for the next twenty years while worked as a marketer for Ludlow Corporation.
I left Ludlow when it was acquired by the currently infamous Tyco Corp. in 1980. Kathleen and I formed
an international marketing consultancy; I gathered clients and she ran the office. That was how we earned
our bread and butter for the next twenty years. We traveled all over the world on business and moved our
office around the country from New England out to California and down to Texas. Our kids fell in love
with the West during a family vacation and eventually all moved to Nevada and Washington raising six
offspring of their own - two guys and four gals - our treasured grandchildren.
We chose Central Oregon as our home eight years ago at the suggestion of our son-in-law, a native
Washingtonian who fell in love with that territory while flying there as a young pilot. It suited us because,
in addition to a great climate and scenery, it was almost equidistant between the Nevada and Washington
based branches of our clan. We settled in the high desert north of Bend, built a house on the rim of a canyon
overlooking the Crooked River which meanders east of the Cascade mountains; thirteen of which form a
breathtaking vista through our front windows. The climate is moderate and dry with less than nine inches of
rainfall annually. We enjoy surroundings of mountains, lakes and streams which abound in wildlife and
beauty summer and winter and offer a variety of outdoor activities to engage in. It’s a great place to live or
visit in your motorhome.
First Upgrade
Having dispensed with the set of biases that might have prevented us from enjoying the pleasures of motor
homing we succumbed to our curiosity about all those old geezers managed to drive those big things and
look like they were enjoying it. Coincident with concluding that a pop-up camper and the ancient Phasar
weren’t for us. We met our Washington based daughter and husband in their 1999 Fleetwood Tioga Class
C on the Oregon coast. We were flabbergasted by the luxury and room they enjoyed; a real bathroom. sofa
bed, TV and most of all a V-10 engine that powered their rig along like a dream. They were selling it so we
aborted the Phasar trial, and bought it from them under favorable terms. We loved it and enjoyed several
trips until we found its configuration conflicted with a couple of personal needs to which we had not
13
attributed enough importance .
The only bed in that particular Class C that accommodated two adults was the one over the driving cab.
Getting up to it required using a ladder stored under the sofa or climbing monkey style on the furniture. The
length of the bed went across the width of the cab making it necessary for whoever was sleeping on the
inside position to crawl over top of the one sleeping on the outside when nature called during the night - a
given of the Golden Years. My spouse opted to sleep below on the couch in the living salon which also
gave us both more sleeping room. Unfortunately that arrangement didn’t solve all the problems
Our respective morning waking routines conflicted with the new sleeping arrangement because the galley
(kitchen) was adjacent to the sofa where Kathleen slept. Being an early riser which Kathleen is not, my
routine at home is to get up, make coffee, read the paper, fiddle with the computer and/or watch the early
news on TV. Can’t do that in a 22’ Class C when one of the occupants wants to continue sleeping. We
concluded it wasn’t going to work and sold it with some regret because it was a neat rig. By then we were
camping addicts, motorhome style. It was also fun to drive and we couldn’t wait to get back on the road
again to explore the Northwest. We had stayed at some really beautiful sites in places like the Sawtooth
Mountains of Idaho where we marveled at the awesome scenery. We woke up there one morning to a red
fox regarding us with curiosity from the edge of the woods fifty feet away. It finally dawned on us that a
Class A motorhome with a rear bedroom was what we needed and started our search for same.
Bingo!
We thought we struck the mother lode by mid November with a 2000 thirty foot Georgie Boy, Landau at a
dealer near our daughter’s home in WA. It had the requisite rear bedroom, and everything else we thought
we needed. It was nicely appointed and had plenty of power with that Ford V-10 engine we had become
accustomed to in the Tioga. The size was ideal - roomy enough for comfortable living but sufficiently
compact to access an adequate number of USFS campgrounds to satisfy our love of camping in the
backwoods. It was no problem for me to drive and we had viewed and tested an adequate number of others
in our search to know that we wanted that one big time. We negotiated the price down to just above dealer
cost, got assurances from Georgie Boy that obtaining approval for warranty work at a reputable repair shop
near home was no problem and took the plunge.
The outcome was unfortunate - our third in a row. The details would bore you to death. To summarize we
were batted back and forth between the chassis maker, Ford, General Tire and Georgie Boy while trying to
eliminate driving vibration problems during the warranty period. Georgie Boy said they were due to a mismatch of tires and shocks encountered before with that chassis. Ford said the shocks were fine but the tires
were defective. General refused to replace the tires claiming they were OK. After a year of unsuccessfully
trying to reconcile those conflicts we exhausted all options short of litigation.
The really frustrating part of this tale of woe is we’re still not certain how we could have avoided the problem so that advice could be passed on to readers. We don’t know how often similar conflicts occur or how
to spot the potential for them. It is clear that at some point in the RV industry's development, suppliers of
the various warranted components of RV’s need to fashion a conflict resolution process when an obvious
problem exists and stop passing responsibility to solve it around until it ultimately lands back on the unfortunate consumer to absorb the cost. Our bottom line? We decided to look for a new motorhome.
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Our Current Motorhome
Kathleen was intent on acquiring a coach with a living area slideout for increased space and I wanted a
longer bed. The “Queen” bed in the Georgie Boy was 74” long, not the usual Queen standard of 80” and
my feet hung over the end. I accepted it at the time of purchase as “no big deal” that became just that as
time wore on . It‘s a compromise buyers tend to make who like most things about a prospective purchase
and settle for not having everything perfect. The trick is to properly weight the compromises made at the
point of purchase so that they don’t become intolerable once the honeymoon with the product is over. Does
that sound like the advice you received before getting married ? .
The decision to acquire a different coach was made in February ‘02, at an intermediate stop on our way to
our ultimate winter destination in Bahia Kino, Mexico. We had spotted several large dealers en route home
the previous fall . We headed for one of them on a Sunday afternoon with the plan to look around their
inventory of motorhomes to get some ideas of costs and models that fit our profile. We were not in a hurry
to trade because the vibration problems we were still experiencing with the Landau were no longer severe
or dangerous and we wanted to take enough time to be sure we were making the right choice this time. Our
“plan” was to look over some options and consider them while in Mexico over the next several weeks. We
would stop and make a final choice on the way home in the Spring. So much for good intentions!
Upon checking into the dealer’s salesroom a young salesman was assigned to show us around after we
described what we wanted; i.e. Class A around 32’ in length, Workhorse chassis and gas engine, living area
slideout, standard equipment, new or pre-owned, priced to sell under $75,000.
We first were shown a pre-owned units. They were within the price range we specified and fitted the size
and equipment profile we had given. None of them turned us on primarily because they looked unduly
shopworn. The salesman said they were all he had available in our price range. In retrospect it occurred to
us that he did a pretty good selling job by showing us those older coaches first. It primed us to look at a
new one.
I spotted a new Fleetwood Bounder which looked intriguing and which Kathleen immediately fell in love
with. It had everything we wanted plus some goodies; satellite TV, VCR, bedroom TV, hydraulic leveling
jacks and backup camera. It also had an MSRP of $ 94,000 which I thought was out of our attainable range.
But it drove effortlessly on a test ride and we were hooked. We were urged to make an offer with the bait
that Fleetwood was supporting a sale that week-end with extra dealer discounts. We made an offer so low
we didn’t think it would fly. Lo and behold the dealer accepted it. Suddenly two people who had just come
in to “look around” were the somewhat shell shocked pretenders to a brand spanking new 2002 Bounder.
See “Closing the Deal” later in the book for the rest of that story.
The new Bounder has worked out like a charm. It looks as though we have struck gold. We hope you do the
same.
Congratulations! If you have survived this narrative about us it should have given you some useful
perspective to judge what you will read in the rest of the book. Onward and upward!
15
III Why Buy A Class A Motorhome ?
Combined Living and Transportation
All Class A’s are motorized and can be driven strictly as transportation between home and various
destinations within their limitations i.e. due to their size, weight, road clearance and suspension systems
they have to stay on relatively firm and smooth roads. Most owners use them for living accommodations
during their travels. A growing number live in them full time. Although many Class A owners tow a
smaller vehicle for shopping, exploring and side trips, a tow vehicle is not an absolute necessity on each and
every trip. We leave ours at home when we are going from point A to B and staying put. However every
time we do we seem to end up wishing we had our Jeep in tow. Unhooking the motorhome, storing things
that can tumble off their perch under way and driving such a large vehicle to a store too far away to walk
is a pain in the neck. Many of our friends wouldn’t think of leaving their towable behind on any trip. Take
your choice.
Access Between Living and Driving Areas
The living and driving areas are integrated into the rest of the unit allowing direct, unobstructed access
between them. Thus stopping is not required nor do passengers have to step outside the coach to go into the
living area, bathroom, raid the refrigerator for a snack or cold drink, lie down for a nap, get a jacket from
the closet or even watch TV in the bedroom. Leaving one’s seat to engage in any of these activities while
under way is not recommended and probably violates the safety belt law. It can be done if you want to
assume that risk and many do regularly. We even have one friend who says he loves to take a shower while
his wife is driving. That strikes us as a bit much.
Self Contained
What constitutes “self contained” is another highly subjective term. To some, it includes satellite TV, large
freezer and ice-maker, washing machine, full bath tub, desk with computer stand and other items that many
would classify as “non-essentials”. It is generally agreed that “self contained’ definitely includes: a bed,
dinette or table and chairs, stove, refrigerator, galley sink, bathroom with toilet, shower and sink, basement
storage space, fresh water and waste tanks, water heater, furnace, propane tank, and radio. These days it
often also includes: electric generator, microwave, TV, freezer and CD player. With the aforementioned
equipment you can park almost any place that is safe and legal. You can live comfortably without external
power, water or waste hookups, “Boondock” if you will, for several days or until your waste tanks are full
and/or food, water or propane supplies are exhausted.
The length of time you can “Boondock in a self -contained unit depends on two factors:
1. How big your water, waste and propane tanks are, usually a range of between 30 and 100 gallons depending on the size of your rig, and how big your food storage capacity is.
2. How fast you fill the waste tanks and consume or use the water propane and food. Those rates in turn
are directly proportional to how, many people are on board and how disciplined their consumption is.
16
Added Bonuses
Your driving view is superb because you are up high and look through big windows. The ride is quite
smooth and quiet. Your insurance company should reward you with lower premiums for bodily injury,
property damage medical payments, and personal injury coverage because Class A’s are considered
basically safer vehicles than many autos. Self contained motorhomes generally qualify as a second home by
the IRS so any mortgage interest payments are usually tax deductible. Confirm that with your Tax advisor
of course.
The Downside
Class A coaches are relatively expensive compared to all other RV’s except converted buses. They
depreciate more rapidly than your family car - a new one depreciates about 20% the first year. Most guzzle
fuel at somewhere between 6 and 11 mpg depending on weight and whether gas or diesel. On first class
roads they cruise and steer easily. On side roads and in city driving maneuvering them requires a
considerably higher degree of concentration than driving regular size automobiles. They also are highly
complex structures with sensitive components and systems, like TV’s, microwaves and plumbing. These
get knocked around on rough roads and are subject to annoying, if not serious breakdowns, especially on
long trips. Because they are big and heavy they do not accelerate and stop as responsively as your auto and
cross winds can be troublesome or outright dangerous if extremely strong.
Summary
Owning and operating a Class A motorhome can provide a lot of enjoyment or it can be a costly and
frustrating experiment. They are expensive, complex machines produced and serviced by a relatively
immature industry that is improving its infrastructure all the time but has a long way to go to catch up with
the auto industry, for instance. To ensure a Class A is the kind of RV for you and to get the most out of
your purchase requires solid preparation by prospective owners, sound research before buying and
observance of good buying practices. Once the motor home is purchased owners need to be diligent in
following proscribed preventive maintenance procedures.
In short, Class A motor homing is an activity best suited to mature adults who understand and accept the
cost, , complexity, risk and responsibility involved. If you can and do, you will have a ball.
___________________________________________
17
IV Class A Models and Characteristics
About This Section
It purports to give readers a general idea of how Class A Motorhomes progress gradually in Levels within
Groups with similar engines, widths, weights and MSRP. The primary objective is to give first time buyers,
and current Class A owners desiring to upgrade, a reference point for what categories of coaches are
available. Using this information they can decide on a model Group and Level that interests them, access the
list of Class A manufacturers in the Appendix and investigate those which make the Group they like. It
should be apparent from scanning the data that there’s a wide range of choices from a variety of
manufacturers and the sky’s the limit.
General Information
The Entry Level, Mid-Range and Top of The Line models in each Group progress higher in length, weight,
engine torque, amenities, options, living space and of course price. They usually have similar chassis,
construction and external appearance. The distinctions between models from Group to Group; Gas Engine,
Diesel Pusher and Luxury, are greater than those from Level to Level within a Group and so are the prices.
For example, whereas all the Levels of models in the Class A Gas Engine Group have one of two chassis and
engine options; Ford V-10 or Workhorse 8.1 Liter. which develop torque of 425 @3250 rpm or 455@3200
rpm respectively, all Levels within the Class A Diesel Group have a much wider range of chassis
manufacturers, engine suppliers, as well as engine torque and transmission configurations. Although there is
only one transmission supplier, Allison, there are several variations in transmission configurations which
have a bearing on driving performance. Models of the Luxury Diesel Group have significantly bigger chassis
and more power than those of the Diesel Pusher group but vary gradually upwards within the Group between
model Levels; Entry, Mid-Range and Top-of-the-Line.
Diesels Are Different
We have owned two Class A Gas Engine models; one with a Ford and the other a Workhorse chassis. Our
personal preference is the Workhorse but many prefer the Ford which is why most coach manufacturers offer
both. On the other hand, prospective owners who want a coach with a diesel engine either as a first purchase
or as an upgrade from gas, would be well advised to familiarize themselves on the various chassis, engine
and transmission options available. There are substantial differences in their purchase price, operating cost
and driving performance; factors that can materially affect enjoyment of your coach. The options are too
complex and intimately connected to individual preference and choice to present meaningful ones here. But
we strongly recommend not buying a diesel coach without first exploring all the aforementioned factors until
you understand enough to be assured you are choosing the right configuration for your needs. Have that confirmed by an unbiased “expert” if practical. It’s a big decision and should be treated with commensurate due
diligence.
Note: Assume Mid Range models in each Group have all and/or better “Characteristics” than Entry Grade
models; as do Top of the Line Models over Mid Range..
18
GAS ENGINE GROUP
In General The vast majority of models in this group are 102 “ wide, with an option of either a Ford 6.8
liter or Workhorse 8.1 liter chassis and engine which are roughly comparable in performance. This Group
tops out in price around $ 300,000.
Entry Level
Length - 28 - 34 feet
GVWR - 20 k lbs.
MSRP - $ 55 k- $ 120 k
Basic self contained coach; limited options; compact in size; most economical Class A; a good
starting point
Mid- Range
length - 31-37 feet
GVWR - 22k lbs
MSRP - $ 100 k - $ 120 k
Summary - Upgraded decor and construction; more, room, models and options; Standard Queen
bed; larger tanks; greater cost
Top of the Line
Length - 35 - 39 feet
GVWR - 22 k lbs
MSRP - $150 k - $ 300 k
Summary - Better construction , finish and decor; more options of higher grade; e.g. fireplaces,
ice makers; clothes washer and dryer
DIESEL PUSHER GROUP
In General: Practically all models in this Group are also 102” wide. But it contains a much wider range of
sizes, chassis, engine, transmission, and amenity options and of course prices. Independent chassis
providers include Freightliner, Spartan and Workhorse and many manufacturers , make their own. Allison
is the preferred transmission provider. Caterpillar and Cummins provide most engines. Engine torque
rating, is the key to measuring driving performance and engine efficiency. It is derived from engine
horsepower combined with the type transmission and effectively determines how well the coach
accelerates, climbs hills and cruises efficiently on the straightaway. Amenity wise this class starts roughly
where the Top of The Line Gas Engine models leave off and rockets skyward along with prices. At the top
of this line you can lay out up to $500,000, even more if you really gild the lily.
Coach lengths that exceed 35 feet, weigh over 25,000 lbs and have slide outs that extend 30 inches or more
on both sides of the rig when stationery are restricted from traveling on certain roads and parking at some
RV parks and wilderness camps. Prospective owners should bear this in mind when determining what size
coach fits their needs. Fortunately some of the shorter gas and even diesel powered models are now
outfitted with a living room slide and some pretty posh interiors. They are a good compromise choice if you
want access to those USFS campgrounds in more remote areas but also want as much room as possible and
a full array of amenities for extended trips and long term stays.
NOTE: This group’s summary boxes are on the next page
19
DIESEL PUSHER GROUP
Entry Level
Length - 34 - 39 feet GVWR - 26.5 k lbs. MSRP - $ 110 k - $ 200 k Torque - 700@1600 rpm
Summary - Similar to Top-of- the -Line gas models in amenities and decor; heavier, stronger
construction more powerful; air brakes
Mid- Range
Length - 36 - 40 feet GVWR - 26.5 k lbs. MSRP - $ 175 k - $300 k Torque - 860@ 1440 rpm
Summary - Luxury leather sofa and lounger, better cabinetry and decor , diesel generator; power
awnings; home theater systems; heated storage and holding tanks
Top-of the Line
Length - 39 - 42 feet GVWR - 31 k lbs. MSRP - $ 200 k - $ 500 k Torque - 1050@1400rpm
Summary - More room, options, power; dual furnaces; 2000 watt converter/inverter; protective bra,
storage slide-out trays; keyless entry; compact disc changer
LUXURY DIESEL GROUP
General - With this class you’ve arrived at the Major League of Motorhomes. In a word they are
Luxurious with prices approaching $1,500,000 at the Top of The Line. Affluent full timers favor this
group for permanent living comfort and amenities. These coaches epitomize the term “self contained”
with large amounts of storage, freezers, clothes washers and dryers. Such amenities as: powered
retractable hook-up hoses; toilets with electric flush buttons; dual fuel fills; a freezer on a basement rollout tray and the like are typical options.
Entry Level
Length - 36 - 40 feet
GVWR - 34 k lbs.
MSRP - $ 250 k - $ 400 k
Torque -1050@1400 rpm
Alternator - 200 amps
Summary - Independent front suspension, slide-out battery tray; power driver and passenger seats
Mid- Range
Length - 40 - 43 feet
GVWR - 35 k lbs.
MSRP - $300 k - $ 600 k
Torque - 1200@1300 rpm
Alternator - 200 amps
Summary - More power, and options 8 disc cd changer; automatic awning with weather sensor;
better finish; 42”retractable plasma TV
Top of the Line
Length - 43 - 45 feet
GVWR - 44.5 k lbs
MSRP - $500 k - $1.5 million
Torque -1550@1200rpm
Alternator - 270 amps
Summary - Lots more room; full air suspension; steerable tag axle; 6 batteries; stainless air horns;
king bed; electric toilet; molded 1 piece roof; 12,500 amp generator; marble tile
20
SUPER COACHES/BUS CONVERSIONS
In General: We refer to this Group as “Super Coaches”. The more widely used “Bus Conversions” conjures up a very Blah image in our minds. Whatever you want to call them, they are not considered officially
as Class A Motorhomes. That’s because they are built within commercial bus chassis and shells which
include windows. Motorhomes are built on either a truck or custom chassis without any exterior shell. It
was decided to include some data about Super Coaches and where you can find more information because
potential high end motor home buyers who want a large 40-45 foot diesel engine coach should be aware of
this Group as an option to consider.
Most new conversions are made by the major “converters“ ,listed below, on chassis with shells supplied by
Prevost in Quebec, Canada. Other chassis/shells are available too but research on them is incomplete. A
number of other companies convert pre-owned commercial bus shells into motor homes. A list of them can
be found at www.rvweb.net/market/links/pages although we found several to be inactive or inaccessible.
Most bus conversions, whether on new or pre-owned shells are custom made to the new owner’s
specifications. The conversions range all the way from some fairly rustic and basic transformations of preowned shells to lavishly outfitted new shells with slides and amenities rivaling the aforementioned luxury
diesels. All have diesel engines of various sizes and range in length between 40 and 45 feet.
Bus conversions are popularly known as being favored by traveling entertainers, bands and personalities
like John Madden, former NFL coach and TV commentator. They also are used as command centers for
firefighting and police work, TV and radio stations and businesses for product displays and conferences.
Individual private owners favor them for their safety, height above the road, generous storage space and
customizing options. We were invited into a unit which had a grandchildren’s den on a lower level.
There is not a lot of specific data available about standard conversion models for the listings below. More
information can be gleaned by scanning the web sites listed and/or calling sales offices directly. There
appears to be a healthy inventory of pre-owned models available.
Converter Name and
Contact, Information
Number of Models
Angola Coach
Build to Order
www.angolacoach.com
l
Angola, IN
866-264-6522
New for 2003
———————————————————————————————————————————
Blue Bird Wanderlodge
4
2
www.blue-bird.com
38’ -40’
43’
Fort Valley, GA
800-486-7122
New for 2003
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Country Coach (Sub.National RV )
5 models
www.countrycoach.com
800-654-0223
21
Junction City, OR
New for 2003
Converter Name and
Number of Models
Contact, Information
___________________________________________________________________________________
Featherlite Inc(Vantare)
www.fthr.com
4 models
Coburg, OR Sales Ofice
541-484 5150
New for 2003
______________________________________________________________________________________
Liberty Coach
www.libertycoach.com
4 models
Chicago, IL
800-332-9877
New for 2003
______________________________________________________________________________________
Marathon Coach
www.marathoncoach.com
3 models
Coburg, OR
800-234-9991
New for 2003
______________________________________________________________________________________
Royale Coach Div Monaco
www.royalecoach.com
8 models
Elkhart, IN
888-749- 3155
22
V Is a Class A Right for You ?
This is one of those sticky questions that only fools attempt to answer for anyone else, so we are not going
to. Having just reviewed the various Groups and types of Class A’s available to you it’s an appropriate
point for you to stop and ponder the answer to the question before you make up Your Preferred Class A
Profile . We can help you by providing a brief list of alternative RV’s and some questions you can ask of
yourself. The ratio of “yes” to “no” answers you come up with should give you a pretty good idea if you
should seriously consider buying a new or pre-owned Class A as opposed to another type RV. First,
here’s a brief summary of the alternatives starting from the top with the one most like a Class A:
ALTERNATIVES
Class C Motorhome: Most are built on a gas engine truck chassis. Usually shorter and narrower than a
Class A most have sleeping quarters over the driving cab. There is a broad range of models, mostly self
contained; some with slideouts and a number of options. It’s a smaller, less expensive to buy and operate
alternative to Class A Gas Engine Entry Level Models but has similar features . Many of the Class A
manufacturers, like Fleetwood and Jayco make Class C coaches which are listed on their websites.
Class B Motorhome : Usually a converted van on a smaller gas engine truck chassis than a Class C. They
too can be self contained but for much shorter periods due to the size of their various liquid tanks. The living a sleeping amenities typically must be stored when under way and opened to make them functional
when parked. They are less expensive to buy and operate than their larger sibling Class A’s and C’s, fit
into most camp sites and are more maneuverable. Some have limited off-road capabilities. The Winnebago
Rialta is an excellent Class B. Our daughter and son-in-law have one and love it. Access www. Chinookrv.com and www.pleasureway.com for two other prominent Class B manufacturers.
Fifth Wheel; The largest towable home on wheels, they attach to a hitch device inside the bed of the tow
vehicle, most often is a good sized pickup truck. They come with or without slides, have two levels of living space due to their “goose-neck” configuration and can have most of the living amenities of a comparably sized motorhome but are considerably less expensive per square foot. RVers favor them who want the
luxury of a large living area they can park and leave while they take off in their pickup for various and
sundry reasons. Class A manufacturers Alpine, Jayco and Fleetwood also make 5th wheels
Travel Trailer; They are towed with a tongue connected to a ball type hitch on the rear end of a car or
pickup and have a forward and rear axle. Trailers with as much living space as a 5th wheel are necessarily
longer because of the tongue connecter and are not quite as maneuverable as their 5th wheel cousins. They
also are less expensive, come in a broader range of sizes, can be luxuriously equipped or quite Spartan in
amenities and can be parked and left while the tow vehicle goes off. It is unsafe and unlawful for passengers to ride inside a trailer or fifth wheel while under way; a major difference from motorhomes. Class A
manufacturers Airstream, Jayco Fleetwood and a host of others make them.
Truck Campers; These literally are small compact homes and carried inside the bed of a pickup truck. The
latest models have a slideout and many are self contained. Most are stabilized when parked by struts
which are lowered to the ground and lift the camper out of the truck bed so the truck can be driven off.
The sleeping area is over the truck cab as in a Class C. They can go anywhere the truck can go giving
them off road capability if the truck has it. Many are self contained for short periods of time. Some are
23
collapsible pop-ups providing lower profiles and centers of gravity. www.newrver.com has an informative section on this type RV ; www.lancecamper.com is the website of a popular manufacturer;
www.nashtraveltrailers.com/campers is the website for Artic Fox, another popular model
Pop-Up Tent Trailers ; They are favored by campers looking for a low cost means to camp that can be
towed behind the family auto or pickup. The tent portion folds down into a compact box on wheels about
10 feet long, 3 feet high and roughly the width of an auto. When parked they require setting up and expand to 18 ft. long by 7 ft. high. They range from very basic units with beds to a self contained unit that
may sleep up to 8 people. Coleman and Starcraft are popular manufacturers. Class A manufacturer, Forest
River also makes them. Access www.newrver for a good review of this class RV and list of other manufacturers.
The foregoing descriptions are intentionally brief because our RV experience and knowledge is primarily
with Class A motorhomes. Both publications mentioned in Chapter 1, RV Buyers Survival Guide and The
Rver’s Bible, have more extensive descriptions of the various types of RV’s and many of the websites referred to in Additional Sources of Information in the Appendix of this book provide links to manufacturers
of various RV’s.
Questions Re Considering Purchase of a Class A
•
Can you afford a Class A? Before you answer, it is suggested you complete the checklist, “Cost of
Owning a Motorhome” for the Class A model you ideally want and see whether you can handle the
financial end. For a new Gas Engine Entry Level model you will be laying out $ 40K - $45K. Of
course you will pay less for a pre-owned model and a lot less if you can settle for one 5 -10 years old.
_____ Yes; ____No
•
Are you physically equipped to handle a Class A? To get answers to this question it is suggested you
lease one for a week and take a trip, It’s the best way to find out if you can drive one comfortably, endure the physical challenges of loading prior to departure from home base, setting it up at your destination, unhooking and pre-departure chores each time you move to a new destination. Take into consideration that there is a learning curve to it all and it will get easier for you as you make more trips.
___Yes; ___No
•
Have you researched RV alternatives enough to be you certain that a self propelled motorhome is what
you want instead of a towable trailer, fifth wheel or truck camper? _____ Yes; _____ No
•
Are you familiar with the limitations of roads you can travel in a Class A and camping sites they will
fit into and comfortable your travel desires will be fulfilled in one ? _____Yes ; _____No
•
If your use of an RV will consist primarily of extended stays in one place have you weighed the cost
advantages of a large trailer or 5th wheel combined with a pickup versus a Class A ? ____Yes ____
No
•
Are you satisfied with storage arrangements for your Class A when it is not in use including the cost
and convenience? _____ Yes; ___ No
24
•
Class A’s are the most complex of all RV’s, require more preventative maintenance and tend to have
higher repair costs than other types. Are you prepared to deal with that ? ____ Yes ____ No
The ratio of “Yes” to “No” answers will give you a pretty good idea of how well you are suited to a Class
A . If you come up with as many “No” as “Yes” answers, you may want to do a little more research before
taking the Class A plunge. A preponderance of “Yes” answers suggests you are ready to dive in so go for
it!
25
VI Your Class A Preferred Profile
Establish Priorities
It was pointed out earlier that owning and enjoying any motorhome is very subjective and influenced by a
number of variables. It won’t surprise readers to hear that the amount of money you can spend on your
motorhome needs to be measured against what pleasure you expect to receive from owning one and how
you want to go about obtaining it. In other words if you will only be content with a large new motor home
that you can travel in extensively, yet have a limited budget and amount of time available, you will be in
for a frustrating motor home experience if you purchase while in those circumstances.
Also if you think roaming around via motorhome is considerably cheaper than other forms of travel, think
again. That’s especially true if you will be carrying a large portion of the initial motorhome cost in monthly
payments. In that case you will be disappointed if not shocked outright. Bottom line? Better get acquainted
with the economics of owning a motorhome relative to your expectations and financial situation as well as
the other variables that will impact on your return on investment and enjoyment of your purchase. Once you
have finished the Personal Class A Profile Checklist, take a crack at completing “Estimated Motorhome
Costs” checklist in the Appendix. Completing both should help you develop pertinent parameters to
consider when starting your search.
Don’t sweat the questions. This exercise is only to start you thinking about what you might ideally want and
prepare you to steer a potential supplier in the right direction so as not to waste your time. Always
remember you’re the customer and sellers are at your service. They want your business and know you have
lots of purchasing options. It’s also a good tactic not to give the impression of being a greenhorn at buying
motorhomes. On the flip side it’s wise to act like you know what you want even if you don’t. To do this
right you will want to explore several model options and visit different dealers. Filter what you hear at one
dealer through others you visit. Chances are you will find they don’t always agree. By cross checking your
various information sources you will eventually come up with what you need to know.
Also remember that the more coach options you consider and dealers you visit the better your chances are
of seeing all that is available to you and being assured of not missing any opportunities. You will
instinctively know when the search is starting to duplicate your options or you are not learning anything
new. There is a point of diminishing returns where confusion sets in instead of increased knowledge.
However we all have different capacities for absorbing information and we wouldn’t presume to try and
guess what a reader’s is. You’ll know when you reach it and it’s time to make a decision.
Your Class A Preferred Profile Checklist Worksheet
•
Do you want a new or pre-owned motorhome? New___ Pre-owned ___
•
If Pre-owned Not older than ____ years and with ___________ miles
Note: The major reasons to buy a new motorhome are (a.) It’s fun to be the first owner (b.) You enjoy
the full benefits of the warranty period (c.) You receive the latest product developments which can be
significant. The benefits of buying pre-owned are (a.) You pay less and avoid those first years of high
depreciation t (b.) The previous owners should have worked out the bugs but that‘s not a given; (c.)
You can purchase a service warranty to avoid a big repair hit. It will augment whichever warranties
have expired.
26
•
What length of MH do you want ? _____ feet
Note: If you are unsure of this factor at the outset put it high on your priority list to decide as you
inspect various size coaches. Note the length of each, what the practical differences are between various
lengths relative to your needs. Bigger coaches mean more room but also more weight, cost, higher fuel
consumption, and bigger parking space requirements. It’s easier to trade up in the future for more length
than down for less.
•
Do you want a gas or diesel engine? Gas____Diesel_____
Note: A big decision requiring enlightened decision making. Diesel engines and transmissions cost
roughly $ 20,000 more than gasoline ones. They can produce the necessary torque to power rigs
smoothly that weigh 10 tons or more. Diesel engines can go about three times as many miles as gas
engines before needing a major overhaul or replacement. They generally require fewer repairs but when
needed, repairs are more costly than those on gas engines. An added bonus is diesel engines are usually
located under the rear bedroom. That placement eliminates the big hump over gas engines typically in
the middle of the forward cab floor. It also makes for less engine noise up front and warms the rear bed
in some cases. Diesels definitely suit owners who expect to put a lot of miles on their coach and keep it
for a long time especially if they weigh over 25,000 lbs. and are more than 36 feet long.
•
How many slide-outs do you want? None__; One__; Two __; Three __; Four __;
Note: “Slide-outs” are compartments usually 20”- 36” deep and of varying length that “slide out” by
hydraulics or electrically to extend living or sleeping space when parked . They add a surprising amount
of room to a coach and are increasingly popular.
•
What amount of time to you plan to spend in your MH? Full Time___; Every ___week(s); Days___ /
month: Only Occasionally____
•
How many people will be traveling and sleeping in your MH regularly ____ How many occasionally?
______
Note: Thoughtful response to the preceding two questions is critical to ensuring you have enough seats
and sleeping berths. Both factors help determine the minimum length of coach you should purchase as
well as other amenities such as refrigerator size, water and waste storage capacity etc.
•
In what part of North America will your coach be stored ? NE___; SE___; N. Central___;
S. Central___; South___; NW___; SW___
•
What time of the year will you use your MH the most? Summer___; Fall__; Winter__; Spring __.
•
Where do you expect to travel most? NE___; SE___; N. Central___; S. Central___; South__; NW__;
SW__; Alaska___; Canada__; Mexico__; All of N. America___
Note: Where you will store and take your motorhome and when will help determine what type insula
tion, heating, cooling, windows and other weather sensitive items you will need
27
•
Will you tow a vehicle? no ____ yes_____; If “yes” what make __________________________
Note; Not all vehicles are towable with four wheels on the ground and require using a dolly which
raises the front wheels. Better check that point out with your vehicle manufacturer. Lists of towable
vehicles are available at many Internet links.
•
What additional amenities or features do you want in your motorhome?
Leveling Stabilizers ___; Satellite TV ___; Washer/Dryer___; Ice Maker___;
Thermal Windows ___; Heated Basement ____; Rollout Basement Storage Shelves ____ ;
Others*____________________________________________________________________
Note: Above are power, size and amenity determining factors
.
•
Do you prefer to: Own___; Lease___; Time Share____; your MH?
Note: An extensive paid trial period with our first motorhome, which amounted to a lease, allowed us to
avoid what would have been a costly mistake of buying it. Leasing one is worth strong consideration
before making your first motor home purchase.
That’s the end of the checklist questionnaire. For strictly your own use and to be kept confidential,
especially in the initial stages of dealer contacts, jot down separately or make a mental note of the answers
to the following questions:
What size cash down payment can you make on a MH? $___________
What size monthly payments can you make whether you own, lease or time share? $_______
If you were to make an outright cash purchase how much could you spend? $_________?
Note: Answers to the above questions will provide some limits for you to remember and save you from
falling in love with luxurious rigs that you really can’t afford. Disclosing them to dealers will be to your
disadvantage. See “Getting the Best Deal” in a later section. Motor home loans are rarely for more than 15
years.
This Checklist is also in the Appendix without the notes. You are welcome to copy it. Fill it out and give
one to dealer sales people whom you encounter. They will be impressed with your preparation and also
grateful. It will set you apart from most buyers or tire kickers they meet and should result in more
professional treatment of you by dealers.
28
*Additional Options
The Profile which will emerge from answering the questions in the foregoing Checklist will suffice to
effectively launch you on a productive search for your dream coach. However you should be aware that
depending on the size and price of the motorhome you select, you will find dealers will be more than happy
to sell you a coach with more features and options than the ones listed in the Checklist. If you opt to buy
one of the larger (34 + feet in length) more expensive ( $ 100, 000 +) coaches on the lots you visit, or order
a specially equipped one from the factory through the dealer, you will have more options to consider. Some
of them are listed below just so you are aware of what they are. The list does not mean we recommend their
purchase. Some may even be standard features on the really large (38 + feet in length ) and luxurious price
range($250,000 +).
We would be remiss not to remind you that the more options and equipment in your coach the greater the
cost of maintaining or fixing them when they require it. It should also be pointed out that at trade-in time or
when you sell the coach it is highly unlikely that you will receive back the full depreciated cost of those
extras. Dealers base their estimate of trade-in value on the basic coach and private buyers are typically
reluctant to pay what you may think those extras are worth. So add them only if you can afford to discount
them considerably when you unload your coach. They don’t qualify as a sound financial investment.
Also, not to insult the reader’s intelligence, but simply to cover all the bases, most dealers will almost
always be in a better position and more prone to discount a coach you are going to take off their lot than one
you order from the factory through them. If getting the best deal is of prime importance to you, try to settle
for a coach on a dealer’s lot. Of course you will get it faster too if that’s a consideration. Plus, it’s wise to
see what you get up front. As pointed out earlier the RV industry is a relatively young industry and is
heavily salted with entrepreneurial owners and managers. It’s infrastructure; e.g.internal communications,
quality control, sophistication of management techniques, commitment to excellence, on time delivery
dependability, and attention to detail are still in the development stage. Consequently the chances of a
custom order getting muffed to some extent are greater than when you order an automobile from the
factory. It is wise to be aware of that possibility and it being part of the consideration to do it.
Some Additional Class A Options
Beds: Twin Singles; Large Queen, King
Refrigerator: Side by side doors;
8-10 cu feet
Water Heater ; 10 gal
Bigger Furnace
Dining Accommodations; Table and chairs; dinette
Electrical; 50 amp service; inverter
Generators; 7.5 KW; Gas; diesel
Backup Monitor; w or w/o microphone
Global Positioning System
Solar Panels;
Fans: Dash; bedroom; living room
Air Conditioners
TV’s; 30“; HDTV
Fireplace
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Water Purification System
paneling
Interior Decor; fabrics; leather;
Video; VCR; DVD;
Satellite TV antenna; manual; auto
Radios; cassette; CD
Coffee Maker
Tandem Axles
Diesel Engine Size and Transmission
Exterior: roof rack; decorator wheels; roof horns; window/door awnings back-up monitor; upgraded
siding; roof; paint
The above list is only meant to be representative of the kinds of options available. I’m sure you get the
idea that the range is awesome. The longer in length and higher in price you are willing to go the available
options will challenge the most lavish expectations you can conjure up. As we said earlier, the sky’s the
limit - go for it if you can!
______________________________
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VII The Search For Your Dream Coach
Where To Buy It
At the risk of sounding like a recording we should point out the highly subjective nature of this question
too. You will get you plenty of conflicting advice from veteran owners. The big question to answer is
whether to buy new or pre-owned from a:
1. Local dealer
2. “Giant” dealer.
3. Private party
New Class A coaches are available exclusively through dealers. We could not find any Class A
manufacturers who sell directly to retail customers. If there are any, we would like to know who they are.
When To Buy
Another question to which the answers will be contradictory and all over the place. Bottom-line? There
probably are very few absolute rules because dealers vary so much in size, accounting techniques, inventory
levels, profit margin theories, support from manufacturers, promotional periods etc. It’s more important to
observe standard good purchasing practices, be resolute about not straying from your price objectives, stay
cool, and act reasonably than to try and pick the best time to get a “good deal“.
Some Guidelines to Keep in Mind:
1. Dealers from time to time will have bona fide sales to reduce inventories or make a push for profits at
critical points in their fiscal years. Many of these events are supported by manufacturers with extra
discounts to dealers during the sale. It’s a good practice to check them out and see if their “clearance
prices” really are lower. It’s unwise to assume they are without testing them..
2. You may well be able to strike a better deal on a remaining previous model year new coach just after the
next year’s models start coming in. The former will be harder for dealers to move after the new ones
arrive so they often lower prices to make them more attractive and clear them out. You will also benefit
by saving on first year depreciation which the dealer has likely absorbed.
3. Slow sales years which result in high dealer inventories at the end of the year are also a good time to
shop. In northern climes that means before winter sets in with several months of slow sales ahead.
Northern dealers are highly motivated to lower their inventories and “flooring” or carrying costs before
that occurs. Reverse timing is true in warm climates where sales fall off in the hot summer months and
turn brisk when the snowbirds start arriving in winter.
As a rule of thumb, you should not pay more than roughly 75% of the MSRP, especially if you are making
a minimum down payment and carrying around 80% of the sales price. Doing so will put you in the old
price/depreciation squeeze wherein your coach will soon be worth less than the amount you owe. This is a
particularly bad situation if you want to trade it in within two years of buying it. You may not anticipate
that happening but the statistics say that it does more often than not, especially with first time buyers.
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Change and improvement are the keywords to remember about Class A motorhome developments. This
means that buyers on the hunt are pressured to buy new or recent years models instead of settling for older
coaches. This factor exerts pressure downward on prices of pre-owned models. For example, dealers will
tell you today that pre-owned units without slide outs are becoming increasingly less popular than coaches
with them. That wasn’t nearly as important a factor in 2000 when we first shopped for a Class A. The
change in that preference has been rapid and widespread.
Another “Word to the Wise”
Regard what follows below as a refresher in the realities of buying - one that if followed, will help you get
the best deal possible.
Before you set out on your Class A acquisition venture, purge yourself of any stereotypes, old bromides and
assumptions you may have acquired from advisors of any kind, whether they be so-called experts or well
meaning friends and relatives. You will be engaging with dealers whose primary goal, profitable sales,
clashes with yours; i.e. the best bang for your bucks. Furthermore you will be on their turf. The one
common bond between dealer and buyer, and it’s an important one, is that each wants a sale to take place.
Both will claim they want it to be a fair deal for both parties. The reality is dealers want to maximize their
profits on any deal they make. On the other hand, if you are a typical buyer you will be seeking to minimize
your $ outlay. Each of you will be trying to determine how far you can push your goal without killing the
deal.
It should be emphasized that dealers aren’t bad guys. The truly competent ones will settle for an honest and
fair deal with you because in the long term it is in their best interests to do so. That’s the most you can hope
for. Just don‘t think your respective terms of what is “a fair deal“ will necessarily be in concert. Don’t let all
the friendly warmth you feel coming your way make you lower your guard. By the same token be aware
that dealers meet up with some real charlatans for buyers. You want to avoid looking and acting like one if
you are (just kidding). Treat dealers with the same respect you expect and deserve from them and you
should be able to work out a mutually beneficial deal.
Be Wary and Work With Your Partner
Forget about any unwritten promises that are made - the prospective odds of them being honored in a pinch
are, in a word, lousy. Stay wary and alert. That doesn’t mean you have to be negative or belligerent. It does
mean be skeptical about all claims being made until you can confirm them. Discount jabs taken at
competitive rigs, and all boasts about the object coach of your desire being the best anything until you see
solid evidence from a neutral source.
The old saying that two heads are better than one is right on the money when buying a motorhome. Divvy
up the different parts of the coach to evaluate with the partner who will share your motorhome with you and
go over your findings with each other. It’s an efficient and effective way to proceed. Agree on what you
want in a coach beforehand so neither of you will surprise the other during the heat of battle and in front of
the sales person. If you can pull it off effectively, the “good-guy-bad-guy” routine is not a bad tactic to
employ. One of you assume a more negative role - the reticent buyer and deal breaker that has to be won
over before any purchase is made. The other one can be the diplomat that smoothes out the partner’s
negative attitude when it’s appropriate. The point is be prepared to “DEAL, DEAL, DEAL”. It’s the way
selling is done by many RV dealers. You will fare better by going with the flow than by fighting it.
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No matter if you, the sales person and his/her boss become apparent bosom buddies during the buying
process, when push comes to shove at least one of them will always be striving to strike the best deal they
can for their company. Don’t be gulled into thinking they are doing you any favors because they like you
and want to be friends with you. They may indeed feel that way part of the time but they won’t let those
feelings interfere with trying to keep the price you pay as high as possible.
Don’t be panicked into a purchase before you are ready. It’s an age old tactic for a dealer to let you think
the coach you want is a one of a kind and in great demand and other buyers will be returning shortly with
the funds to close the sale. Sit on the dealer’s proposal overnight if at all possible. Sanity often returns after
a good sleep. Talk it over at length with your partner. Double check any major points of quality and price.
Air any misgivings or doubts openly with your partner. It would be disheartening in the future if a flaw
surfaced about which you both had negative vibes that you did not share before the purchase. Seek counsel
with any friends or relatives who will give you candid opinions and sound advice. Go back to the dealer
clear headed and resolved to dispel any doubts before signing a contract and giving them your check.
Local Dealer
If you can find a responsible, competent one with a good service department and a range of competitively
priced and appealing models, they should be high on your priority list of dealers to investigate. It certainly
is convenient to have a service center close at hand for warranty work, advice and counsel and an interest
long term in seeing that you are a satisfied customer. Smart dealers will go the extra mile to earn your
immediate business. They want you to return when you are ready to upgrade and encourage you to refer
friends and family to them who also want an RV. Check them out with the local Better Business Bureau,
their customers and their suppliers. Compare their prices with other dealers and investigate their service
policies and practices. Sure it takes time and is a pain but one that will pay off big time.
The main drawback of small, isolated dealers is usually the prices they must charge to make a profit on
limited turnover. Check out what you will pay from one with a comparable unit from a large urban dealer to
make sure the difference is worth the advantages of dealing locally. You may be able to use that difference
to leverage a better local deal too. Local dealers don’t like to lose a sale to big city brethren over a few dollars.
Check out their service department too. It’s most inconvenient if, when repairs are necessary, your coach
has to be sent to a larger metro dealer some distance away to get the job done; takes more time too.
Giant Dealers
If you live outside a major metropolitan area, if the dealers in your town don’t measure up or carry the
make and models you want, try one of the Giant dealers who advertise in Motorhome Magazine. You can
also ask the manufacturer you prefer to recommend a dealer. You lose the advantages of buying from a
local dealer mentioned previously but there are some offsetting pluses of buying from a giant:
1. Lower prices. Giant dealers often get volume discounts from manufacturers especially during special
promotions. They also rely more heavily on a large turnover in sales to make their profit targets than high
margins on individual sales.
2. They typically carry more lines and models and thus offer a better chance of finding one you want. They
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also may have affiliates from whom they can transfer in the model you want in short order.
3. Their service and parts departments have to be larger to handle the volume of sales they must service. It
often means faster and better service despite the distance. That’s not a given so check it out.
4. Most manufacturers will allow warranty service to be conducted by a qualified local service center. Make
sure one is available that will be approved by the manufacturer of the model you intend to buy
preferably in writing. At least make sure the person who gives you approval has the authority to do so record his or her name and confirm your understanding in writing. Dealer personnel turnover is high and
verbal promises by departed managers aren’t routinely honored.
In addition to the drawback of distance from your home base you may not experience the close relationship
at a giant dealer that you might expect from a smaller local dealer. If you are a walk-in with no connections
to management, you probably will end up with a rookie sales person. They tend to be less knowledgeable
than the veterans and subject to turnover by the time you return for an upgrade. On the other hand they also
are inclined to be more candid about the coaches they show and not yet fully equipped with the sales tricks
of the trade for which many veteran sales people are infamous.
We have bought coaches from two of these Giants. Both embodied the advantages cited except the service
of one was just plain awful.
Private Party for Pre-Owned
There are many sources of sales offerings from private individuals. Several are listed in the Appendix. Look
for them in the classified ads of your local or big city newspapers as well as trade journals like Motorhome
Magazine. The big advantage of buying from private individuals should be a lower price. That stems from
their having lower overhead than dealers plus they usually have good reason to set a price that they know
will have strong appeal against those charged by dealers. In many cases that stems from desire for a quick
sale. That’s not always the case so make sure you are getting a real bargain because there are drawbacks to
dealing with individuals.
The prime risk in not buying from a dealer, especially if the manufacturer’s warranty has expired, is that
more often than not, no guarantee is available. Unless you are qualified to conduct one yourself, you should
take the time and expense of having a qualified RV service center inspect your proposed purchase from any
private party including all its various components and appliances.
After you Complete the Checklist
What you do next in your quest for a Class A motorhome depends upon where you live, how much you
already know about what you want and other personal choices. For those who are new at the game and
found filling out the Profile to be a challenge, it is suggested you do one of the following next
1. The answers in your Checklist should be a Profile of the coach you think you want and can afford. Bear
in mind that you always have the option of changing your mind about any aspect of that profile any time
you wish. For example, you may initially think a 30 foot coach is all you need. Once you actually have
been in one you may find it too cramped and lacking the space you think you need for extended winter
trips. A 34 foot coach may end up as your choice. Your initial profile will serve as a good starting point.
2. Take the Questionnaire to a dealer and have a sales person help you complete the profile .
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3. Whichever you do first, 1. or 2., it is suggested that you use the Internet or telephone to contact
manufacturers who make the size and style of coach you want and make a list of those models
that appeal to you. A suggested format follows. The appendix contains a list of Class A motorhome
manufacturers, what model sizes they make and how to contact them.
CLASS A Shopping List *
* See Appendix for full size form you can copy
Model Name/
Number
Dealer
MSRP
Best Features
Drawbacks
Rank
On The Trail
Armed with your Class A Profile and Shopping List you’re ready to hit the trail that will lead you to your
Dream Coach by the most direct route. Consider yourself an ideal buyer at this point. As one who has done
enough research about Class A motorhomes to have formed a pretty clear idea of what you want and even
the models that appeal to you, you have leapt to the head of the buyers’ class and achieved a buyer
distinction not many dealers often encounter. They should love you! Furthermore you will avoid their
wasting your time showing you a coach that doesn’t fit your Profile. It‘s usually the one they want to unload
badly or the one with the biggest spiff(commission) for them. If a sales person does that after viewing your
Profile, he or she immediately becomes suspect and should be straightened out fast by you. Let them know
first off that you have spent considerable time and effort developing your Profile in the expectation of
saving time in your search and you will not waste your time viewing coaches that don’t fit it. If that doesn’t
sit well, move on. Dealer management doesn’t like losing sales because of a personality conflict; they do
occur occasionally between salesperson and customer. Seek out the sales manager and tell him/her that you
would like another sales person to help you. In most instances you will find management cooperative on
this point.
Another List
At the risk of making you list weary, we suggest another. From experience we have learned that it is
extremely difficult to recall the basic details of the many coaches you will have seen by the end of the
search. It doesn’t need to include the ones you had no interest in at all and only enough data on the ones
that do to jog your memory and maybe induce you to have another look later. You will find it of immense
help-guaranteed. Here it is: (next page)
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Class A’s Viewed & of Interest *
*See Appendix for full size form you can copy
Dealer
Model Name/ Color
#
#Slide Best features
Outs
Drawbacks
Price
Rank
This will probably sound like a no-brainer but it is also suggested you obtain a brochure and copy of the
Price Sticker that lists the equipment of each coach you are really interested in. They will come in very
handy when you get down to making your ultimate choice. You can also get a good idea of the ballpark
price of pre-owned models by checking the NADA guide on the Internet. It lists wholesale and retail prices
of practically all Class A models of most manufacturers. It is virtually the industry bible on used vehicle
prices and RV Dealers place great stock in its credibility. The url is www.nadaguides.com.
How Long to Search?
How many coaches do you need to see to ensure peace of mind that you have made the right choice ? The
correct answer is subject to so many personal and circumstantial factors that it has to be your call alone. If
you have made your Profile and Preferred List, gone to the dealers where they are most likely to be found
and locate a coach that excites you - go for it. It really doesn’t matter if it’s one of three or thirty you have
seen. Having done your homework you can trust your instincts if the price is right. There is no rule of
thumb about how many rigs you should look at before making a decision. One major reason is that the
right one may come in to view by chance early in your search or you may not encounter it before looking at
a whole bunch of coaches. Don’t get discouraged if you look at what you consider to be a lot of coaches and
have not found your dream rig yet. There’s one out there for you. That is unless your homework is seriously
flawed which is highly unlikely. Don’t let any sales person give you one of the old pitches like “This is a
one of a kind” or “They’re not making any more of these” to get you to decide on a unit before you are
good and ready. It’s worth repeating that we think it’s a good idea to sit on any decision overnight before
committing even when you see one you really like.
_________________________________
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VIII Getting the Best Deal
Stay the Course
Once you have found your dream coach you don’t want to leave any money on the table when buying it.
Don’t be surprised if the dealer sales person suggests you make an offer to buy the model you choose. We
strongly advise against your doing so. It’s the dealer’s responsibility to put a price on what he sells and an
accepted business practice. Conning buyers into making offers gives the dealer control of the negotiation
by making the buyers reveal what they would be willing to pay. Insist that the dealer set a price. You run
little risk that they will balk to the point of giving up a sale.
The advice to not make an offer is an admitted personal preference or bias of the authors. We speak from
the vantage point of narrowly escaping from paying several thousands of dollars more for a coach than the
dealer eventually let us have it for. We had let a dealer cajole us into making an offer despite our better
judgment and they accepted it. Fortunately we sat on it overnight before signing on the dotted line. Over
breakfast the next morning we decided we couldn‘t afford the coach at that price, told the dealer and withdrew the offer. After a conference of managers, hastily convened with great drama to consider this turn of
events, the dealer eventually came down in price more than 10% off our initial offer without our even
having to mention our limit. The amount of the reduction shocked us. Boy were we relieved! We won’t ever
make an offer again - only counter offers to a quoted price and we always sit on a decision overnight.
Another dealer ploy that it is strongly suggested you refuse or shun is an attempt to get you to say how
much money you will put down on a coach and the size of the monthly carrying cost you can handle. If you
give in to this request, you can anticipate wishing you had not when the dealer reminds you of it at a critical
future point in the negotiation. It’s another tactic by the dealer to take control of the negotiation and pin you
down. It also allows them to talk in terms of monthly costs that meet your stated target and avid steer clear
of disclosing the true selling price of the unit with the actual allowance made for your trade-in. You need to
know the MSRP and the actual amount allowed on your trade-in to determine how much off the MSRP the
final cost is. Knowledge of them also allows you to compare the same values on other coaches you are
considering. If you stay firmly focused on those values you will keep the negotiations on solid ground and
in terms you can understand. Being sold on monthly payments is a potentially dangerous journey you don’t
want to take. We are confident a bona fide professional financial advisor will offer the same counsel to you.
If it’s a new coach you should obtain a copy of the MSRP ticket from the manufacturer. It’s the law. If it’s
a pre-owned coach ask for a printout of the NADA retail value with the coach’s equipment listed.
Loans.
Most dealers will offer to secure a loan for you and many of them have resources and ability do it better and
faster than you can. It certainly is the simplest and usually the quickest way to wrap up the sale while on the
dealer’s lot. It is suggested you do a preliminary search among your favorite lenders or on the Internet to
determine what loan terms and amounts you qualify for before you begin your search for a coach. Ideally
you should try and secure a ball park commitment from a reputable lender for an amount and rate on either
a new or used coach for a certain period of time. That really puts you in the driver’s seat at the point in the
negotiations where you get to the coach sales price after credit for your trade-in as well as terms of a loan .
It also gives the dealer incentive to try and find the best deal for you from their stable of lenders. Dealers
can have different commission arrangements with several lenders. They naturally favor those who pay the
37
most. Your best interests are usually not served by that lender.
New Coach Service Agreements
In a nutshell, conventional wisdom is that you don’t need one on a new coach. For the first year most of
them are fully covered by warranty. The exception to that is the instance cited previously when the coach
and chassis manufacturers can’t agree on who’s responsible. Don’t believe a claim that you have to take the
service agreement at the time of purchase or forfeit the opportunity to do so. That’s unadulterated hogwash.
Pre -owned Coach Service Contracts
Pre- owned coaches whose age or mileage puts it beyond the original warranty may come with a dealer
warranty on the coach and chassis for 30 or more days. Appliances and systems such as the demand water
system are generally inspected and put in good working order but not warranted by the dealer. You will
want to be certain of what warranties are in force on a pre-owned motor home. Repair or replacement of
coach and chassis components can be expensive. An accumulation of them can be financially traumatic. It
is suggested that you analyze the condition of your newly acquired pre-owned coach carefully and protect
against future problems with an appropriate service contract. Some providers of them are listed in the
Appendix.
We contacted several independent RV repair service providers in our area seeking advice on service contracts and received a mixed bag of suggestions. The consensus was:
1. Shop around. The going price seems to be whatever the traffic will bear and changes frequently.
2. Read the fine print carefully; it could have potholes.
3. Before signing up, check the potential warrantor’s acceptability with the repair facility you are most
likely to use.
4. Check how long warrantors have been in business and go with one which has a good track record of
several years. They come and go in that business with blinding speed.
Without fail have a qualified RV service center inspect and road test your new pre-owned coach before you
sign a purchase contract. You should also test every system and appliance to make sure they are in good
working order. It’s the only way to avoid buying the proverbial pig in a poke. If possible try to obtain a
dealer warranty for at least thirty days on the entire coach. A lot of problems surface only after being used
again. That’s especially true if the unit has been sitting in the dealer’s lot for some time. You might also ask
how you can contact a previous owner. We did that on one pre-owned coach we were seriously considering.
The former owner characterized its engine performance “sluggish on level roads and disastrous on hills” as
the prime reason she traded it in and advised against purchasing it. We took her advice.
You may want to have a look at The Dummie’s Guide to Buying a Pre-Loved RV. It’s available by down
load from www.RVerscorner.com and costs $14.95. We haven’t read the entire book but are impressed with
the outline and some reviews.
Another eye opener for us was the lack of interest in our trade-in by the dealer from whom were buying a
new coach. Nobody asked us if we had any problems with it, and aside from a cursory walk around and
odometer check by our salesman, nobody drove it or otherwise checked it out before assessing its trade-in
value.
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On another occasion when we were test driving a pre owned Class A at a dealer we pointed out several
operating deficiencies about which the sales person was unaware but also unfazed. He said that they could
not inspect every trade-in prior to putting them on sale but would correct all problems before turning it
over to us. Yeah, right!
Bottom line? Caveat emptor big time on pre-owned coaches prior to purchase. The evidence is that many
dealers pay scant attention to their condition until they have been sold and then correct only those
problems that are obvious. If you are going to buy one it is suggested you be very selective about who
from. It is not suggested that all dealers are cavalier about pre-owned coach conditions but thorough
investigation is in order. We would be happy to see the RV industry go to certified and limited warranty
protected pre-owned coaches as many have many of the better auto dealers and manufacturers have. Those
that do will reap many rewards.
Those Tempting Little Extras
You may receive a pitch to buy auxiliary equipment and aids such as stain resistant sprays for your carpets
and upholstery, repair kits for your windshield, a booster for your TV antenna, etc., etc. while you are in a
state of low resistance because of the euphoria of having found your dream coach. Again conventional
wisdom is you can always get it later if you need it and probably at a cheaper price. That’s especially true
if you are gulled into having those extras added to the financed portion of your invoice.
The PDI and Tutorial- New Coaches
There are two more exercises to complete before you drive off in your new coach: the Pre Delivery
Inspection and the Tutorial on how to operate the various systems of your coach; both of vital importance.
The dealer will need to take some time to inspect all the operating systems in your new rig to determine if
they are OK and repair or replace them if they are not. The coach may have been driven quite a number of
miles from the manufacturing plant to your dealer. Some of them go by way of a show where they will be
a sales model. The delivery trip will have added on miles that the dealer should have credited to your
warranty mileage and it may have caused some wear and tear to the rig too. Depending on the service
backlog and extent of repairs and adjustments that have to be made, the PDI could take a week or more.
As eager as you are to take delivery and begin enjoying your dream coach, your best bet is to cut the
dealer some slack on this point and not rush them. That’s not to say you should allow them to stall
delivery unnecessarily but don’t put unreasonable pressure on them either or you may regret it later if they
overlook a defect in their zeal to meet your delivery demands. If defects are not caught until you inspect
the coach, correction of them will delay you further. If you miss it during your inspection and the defect
becomes a problem later you will have to take time out of your travels to take it some place for repair. The
best place and time to put the coach in 100% working order is at the selling dealer prior your taking
delivery.
The Tutorial or owner familiarization tour is the last act for you by the dealer before you officially sign off
on your new coach and take possession. Don’t underestimate its importance, especially if this is your first
motorhome or a pre-owned model several years newer than your trade-in. If the latter you will be amazed
at how many changes have been made - both dramatic and subtle - compared to your older coach, even
with such mundane appliances as a water heater of the same make. Assuming the newer model behaves
39
like your old one because it’s the same make and capacity can be a mistake you don’t want to make. During
the tutorial you will have the opportunity to personally go over every inch of the coach and catch any
visible flaws you want corrected. You will also receive instructions on how to operate the various
components, systems and appliances that are an integral part of the motor home. It’s an exciting moment for
you and your partner and an important session; one that should be approached with deliberate care.
You will have more data thrown at you in a short period of time than you can possibly recall from memory
when you need it. It is highly recommended that you ask for all the literature about the coach in advance of
this event and that you familiarize yourself with each as best you can. Write down questions about points
you don’t understand and pose them if your instructor does not cover them or you don’t understand the
answer completely when he/she does.
Below are a few suggestions on how to get the most out of the Tutorial. Our first one was conducted by a
young man who talked a mile a minute and might as well been speaking Swahili. It was apparent that he
was not enthused about making the presentation and wanted to get through it as quickly as possible. It took
him about 15 minutes to give the tour which, properly done, should have taken a couple of hours especially with a couple of greenhorns like us. We learned practically nothing and it caught up with us on
our first trip when we couldn’t get the generator to produce 110 volt power because I forgot to plug in the
correct line to it. It was a detail that got lost during our tutorial and I had no notes to refresh my memory.
Summary:
It’s your show - don’t be put off if the instructor is indifferent and obviously wants to get through it
with a minimum expenditure of time. Insist on a thorough tour of instruction.
Ideally, tape the session - if that’s impractical make notes of important or complex points
Ask questions about everything you don’t understand fully - you may not be able to figure it out
yourself later. Don’t be embarrassed because you don’t understand everything the instructor explains
first off - make him/her go over it until you do.
If your instructor knows his/her beans, does a good job and you do your part you probably will find some
things that need correcting and/or further explanation. If you can, take care of them on the spot while there,
especially if the dealer is a good distance from your base of operation.
The PDI and Tutorial On Pre- owned Coaches
As important as the PDI and Tutorial are for new motor homes, for pre-owned homes are even more
critical. That’s true whether bought from a dealer or a private party. The reason is you have less or no
warranty protection. Some dealers are not as careful with pre-owned products. Some possible reasons:
difficulty of obtaining parts; lack of familiarity with it by repair technicians; bias against coaches they
trade at a low margin; dealer time pressures to concentrate on sale of new coaches; to reduce complications
and expense private party sellers tend to gloss over problems they encounter rather than fix them.
You get the idea; pre-owned coaches don’t always receive the thorough inspection they should from dealers
or private parties. Have your own expert go over pre-owned coaches thoroughly before accepting delivery.
Obtain a written quote on cost of repairs and use it as bargaining leverage for a commensurate reduction in
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sales price if you are responsible to make the repairs post sale.
Bottom Line
If you are uncertain about anything you have read in this book before you drive off in your dream coach
don't hesitate to get it cleared up before you take possession or sign on the dotted line. The tendency in the
flush of excitement with your purchase, is to gloss over what appears to be a small matter at the time so as
not to delay the ultimate thrill of getting on the road in your new motorhome. We may not have all the answers at our fingertips but if you contact us via our web site www.classArvnews.com we will do everything
in our power to find one for you or direct you to a proper source.
Have a Ball!
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IX
Enjoying Your Class A
Introduction
You may think we have a lot of gall to even suggest how you go about enjoying your motor home. You
are right so we approach this section with deep humility. Class A owners go down a multitude of diverse
paths to maximize enjoyment of their rigs. Which path is best for you depends upon your particular
combination of likes, dislikes, positive and negative biases, physical capabilities, mental outlook, health
and wealth plus the amount of time you can and want to spend in your motor home.
We have friends who use their rigs primarily to go south in the winter months and others who winterize
them by October and don’t set foot in them until April or when it becomes warm enough to use them for
camping. One pair we know has found it fun to work at USFS camps in different parts of the country each
summer. Others have traveled from Alaska to Maine and down to Mexico deriving great pleasure in being
on the move meeting new people and exploring new places on their own. Some owners like to explore in
the company of others via organized tours and caravans to places as far flung as Mexico’s Copper Canyon
and Canada’s Maritime provinces. There are a wide variety of rallies, educational courses, exhibitions and
other such gatherings throughout the year all over North America and in other parts of the world too.
Although it probably is not cost effective to ship your rig across the Atlantic or the Pacific you can rent
motorhomes in Europe, Asia and Australia.
In short, enjoying all the available options for motorhome travel would take a lifetime to exercise and a
small fortune to afford. The trick is to pick the ones you have time for, can afford and from which you can
derive the most pleasure. Don’t be afraid to experiment. If you’re dubious about a new venture find out if
you can abort it with at least a partial refund if it doesn’t pan out for you. Most organizers and hosts are
flexible on this point even if they don’t advertise it.
Useful Check Lists
One specific recommendation we are comfortable making is to draw up pre-departure checklists to use
before departing on trips. We have made two kinds; you may think up some others. Ours are:
1. Pre home base departure checklist on what to load in the rig and secure the house and property;
different ones for each of us. We started out with just one all inclusive list that we both used and found
it confusing and inefficient to cross-check with each other about items done; consequently some didn’t
get done. We each are responsible for checking off our own lists but help each other of course if one
gets behind. If you are like many owners, you try to keep duplicates on board but also invariably
unload a number of items at the end of each trip. These two checklists ensure you reload them again
plus it helps make certain sure your house and grounds will survive intact while you are gone
2. A pre departure checklist for the rig before getting under way from any place we have parked overnight
.There are certain actions that need being taken before you get on the road that are safety and
comfort precautions. If you and your partner both assume the other has done them you could be in for
an unpleasant surprise once you’re under way. We have two checklists for this procedure too, just like
airplane pilots do.
Both our checklists are in the APPENDIX just to give you an idea of typical items they can include.
42
Undoubtedly you will want to do your own.
What we have done additionally to assist you in maximizing your return on your Class A investment is
publish a list of Additional Sources of Information which you will find in the APPENDIX with entries
organized under various categories. We have used all of them and found them helpful to varying degrees.
We hope the ones you contact can assist you. You will find additional links in many of the sites listed there are literally hundreds of them.
Campgrounds, Destinations, Products and Services Recommended
On our website there are sections for Products, Destinations and Services we have stayed at, traveled to
and used. We don’t recommend any that we haven’t personally experienced and liked enough to tell friends
about.
Let’s Scratch Each Other’s Back
You are also encouraged to contact us through our website with questions. We will do our best to vector
you toward the answer if we can’t provide it directly. We hope you will send us your reaction to this book
and give us any suggestions you have for improving or adding to it. We will publish revisions annually.
We will appreciate your noting any glaring errors or inconsistencies that you come across.
Finally, we wish you great happiness and safe journeys with your Class A motor home.
__________________________________
43
APPENDIX
44
Additional Sources of Information
**Activity Key
* No telephone number
1. Accepts Members 2. Links 3. Camping 4. RV Parks 5. Education 6. Publications 7 . Products
8. Service
. Loans 10. Insurance 11. Industry Data 12. Lease
13
. Timeshare 14.
Canada 15. Caravans/Tours 16. News 17. Classifieds 18. Coach Reviews 19. Trip Planning 20. Forums
21. Tech Support 22. Meetings 23. Full Timers Info 24. Dealers 25. Manufacturers 26. Comprehensive site
Clubs & Associations
What They Do **
Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds*
www.gocampingamerica.com
1, 2, 3, 4, 19
Escapees Club
www.escapees.com
888-757-2582
Family Motor Coach Association, FMCA
www.fmca.com ;
800- 543- 3622
Good Sam Club
www.goodsamclub.com
800-234 3450
RVers On Line*
www.rvers.online.org
1, 26
1, 26
1, 2, 3, 6. 10
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 18,19, 20, 21
Recreational Vehicle Dealer’s Association
www.rvda. com
703-591-7130
Recreation Vehicle Industry Association*
www.rvia.com
2, 5, 11, 24, 25
Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association*
www.rvnetlinx.com
1, 26
Misc. Information
Life on Wheels
www.lifeonwheels.com
**Activity Key
* No telephone number
1. Accepts Members 2. Links 3. Camping 4. RV Parks 5. Education 6. Publications 7 . Products
8. Service . Loans 10. Insurance 11. Industry Data 12. Lease 13. Timeshare 14. Canada
15. Caravans/Tours 16. News 17. Classifieds 18. Coach Reviews 19. Trip Planning 20. Forums 21. Tech
Support 22. Meetings 23. Full Timers Info 24. Dealers 25. Manufacturers 26. Comprehensive site
45
Publications
Motorhome Magazine
www.motorhomemagazine.com
805-667-4100
6, 7, 8, 16, 17, 18
RV Parks & Camping
Coleman
www.coleman.com
800-835-3278
1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8,
Woodall’s
www.woodalls.com
877-680-6155
1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 15,
National Recreation Reservation Service
Parks
www. reserveusa.com
877-444-6777
Reservations at USFS and Corps of Engineers
Leasing & Timeshare
My RV Time*
www.myrvtime.com
12, 13
Roadshare America
www.roadshare.com
800-545-1138
13
Private Motorhome Rentals
motorhomerental.ws
888-466-5666
12, 13
RV Supplies
Camping World
www.campingworld.com
800-626-5944
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15, 16, 21,
**Activity Key
* No telephone number
1. Accepts Members 2. Links 3. Camping 4. RV Parks 5. Education 6. Publications 7 . Products
8. Service . Loans 10. Insurance 11. Industry Data 12. Lease 13. Timeshare 14. Canada
15. Caravans/Tours 16. News 17. Classifieds 18. Coach Reviews 19. Trip Planning 20. Forums 21. Tech
Support 22. Meetings 23. Full Timers Info 24. Dealers 25. Manufacturers 26. Comprehensive site
46
**Activity Key
* No telephone number
1. Accepts Members 2. Links 3. Camping 4. RV Parks 5. Education 6. Publications 7 . Products
8. Service . Loans 10. Insurance 11. Industry Data 12. Lease 13. Timeshare 14. Canada
15. Caravans/Tours 16. News 17. Classifieds 18. Coach Reviews 19. Trip Planning 20. Forums 21. Tech
Support 22. Meetings 23. Full Timers Info 24. Dealers 25. Manufacturers 26. Comprehensive site
Service Contracts
Good Sam Club
www.goodsamclub.com
800-234- 3450
Warranty Experts
www.warranty experts.com
877-673-1880
47
Class A Motorhome Manufacturers
About Class A Manufacturers
Their web sites contain pictures, floor plans, product specifications and other useful information. They
typically have dealer locaters or a number you can call for the dealer closest to you. Manufacturers prefer
that you work through their dealers. They will help out if you experience problems obtaining the
information you need from a dealer.
Most manufacturers do not have sufficient staff for extensive contact with individual customers. Many
have regularly scheduled factory tours which can be very informative. In addition to learning a lot about
what’s inside a coach and how they are put together, you get a sense of how well the company making the
coach you may purchase is managed. We highly recommend you set aside time to take a tour
DISCLAIMER
The primary source for data in this section including: Name/Location; # of models and range of lengths in
each Class was taken from manufacturers’ websites. “Distinguishing Qualities” and “New for 2003” information was condensed from direct input by manufacturers. The Authors’ efforts to verify the following
data were not successful in all cases. We cannot vouch for its accuracy nor be held liable for any damages
resulting from its use. Readers are warned NOT to make any decision based on the information contained
in this section without first checking it for accuracy with the pertinent manufacturer.
Name/Location
Class A Gas
# of models
range of lengths
Class A Diesel Pusher
# of models
range of lengths
Luxury Diesel
# of models
range of lengths
Airstream , Sub. Thor Ind.
www.airstream.com
3
2
Jackson Center, OH
26 -33 feet
39 feet
877-596-6505
______________________________________________________________________________________
Alfa Motorhomes
4
www.alfaleisure.com
38 -39 feet
Chino, CA
909-591-7902
Distinguishing Qualities; Claim deepest slideouts-42”; heating /air conditioning in basement allow interior
7’6” and fuel efficient aerodynamic profile; huge windows and amenity package; 5 year warranty
New for 2003; All new Gold 40’ model with a $ 249,900 MSRP including a $ 51,000 amenity package usually found only in Luxury Diesels; e.g. exterior waste disposal system, GPS system, wireless e-mail
48
Name/Location
Alpine Coach By WRV
www.wrv.com
Yakima, WA
800-457-4133
Class A Gas
# of models
Class A Diesel Pusher
# of models
Luxury Diesel
# of models
6
34 - 40 feet
Distinguishing Qualities: “Build a Coach with handling characteristics reminiscent of a European
Touring Sedan” ; Manufactures Peak Performance Chassis for each coach to create and maintain special
handling and performance Characteristics.
New for 2003 Triple slide-out floorplans(1-38’ and 2-40’) one with mid-door entry; hardwood cabinetry;
full 76‘’x 80” king size bed; Amana residential appliances; 400 hp Cummins diesel engine and 37” Panasonic plasma TV options available in every floorplan
______________________________________________________________________________________
Coachmen Industries
3
9
www.coachmen.com
30 - 37 feet
36 - 39 feet
Elkhart, IN
800-439-6064
______________________________________________________________________________________
Country Coach (Sub.National RV )
20
10
www.countrycoach.com
32 - 40 feet
40 - 4 feet
800-654-0223
Junction City, OR
______________________________________________________________________________________
Damon Corp.
www.damon.com
23
10
800-577-5692
28 - 39 feet
34 - 40 feet
Elkhart, IN
______________________________________________________________________________________
Euro-Liner LLC
www.euro-liner.com
14
Elkhart, IN
26 - 38 feet
574-296-1550
______________________________________________________________________________________
Fleetwood Corp.
www.fleetwood.com
28
19
20
Riverside, CA
26 - 38 feet
35 - 39 feet
40 - 45 feet
800 -322-8216
______________________________________________________________________________________
Forest River Inc.
www.forestriverinc.com
8
15
Goshen, IN
31 - 36 feet
33 - 39 feet
49
Name/Location
Class A Gas
# of models
range of lengths
Class A Diesel Pusher
# of modles
range of lengths
Luxury Diesel
# of models
range of lengths
Foretravel Inc
www.foretravel.com
17
Nacodoces, TX
34 - 42 feet
936-564-8367
Distinguishing Characteristics: Claim 36 month/36 k miles warranty is industry best; build their chassis
from ground up; “Simply the Best”
New for 2003; Designer Series with $ 80 k of improvements; see web site.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Four Winds Intl(Sub Thor Ind).
www.fourwinds-rv.com
19
Elkhart, IN
30 - 36 feet
574-266-1111
______________________________________________________________________________________
Gulf Stream Coach Inc.
9
5
www.gulfstreamcoach.com 32 - 36 feet
36 - 38 feet’
Nappanee. IN
800-289-8787
______________________________________________________________________________________
Georgie Boy Manufacturing
18
3
www.georgieboy.com
29 - 36 feet
35 - 37 feet
Edwardsburg, MI
877-876-9024
______________________________________________________________________________________
Monaco Coach Corp.
www.monaco-online.com
Coburg.,OR
877-466-6626
Distinguishing Qualities: World’s largest Class A manufacturer
Monaco Divisions
Holiday Rambler
16
24
32
[email protected]
26 - 36 feet
30 - 40 feet
36 - 45 feet
877-466-6626
New for 2003 - “ Traveler” - Mid Range Class A gas; and “Neptune” -Entry Level diesel,
______________________________________________________________________________________
Monaco Coach
31
48
21
[email protected]
29 - 38 feet
34 - 42 feet
38 - 42 feet
877-466-6626
50
Name/Location
Class A Gas
# of models
range of lengths
Class A Diesel Pusher
# of models
range of lengths
Luxury Diesel
# of models
range of lengths
Monaco Divisions(cont’d.)
Beaver Coach
40
10
[email protected]
37 - 42 feet
34 - 48 feet
800-843-2967
New for 2003 - “Baron” - entry level diesel
______________________________________________________________________________________
Safari Motor Coaches
[email protected]
6
14
3
877-466-6626
26‘-31’
35 - 40 feet
40 - 45 feet
New for 2003 - “Panther” Top of the Line Diesel.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Jayco Inc.
www.jayco.com
4
3
Middlebury, IN
33 - 37 feet
38 - 40 feet
574-825-5861
______________________________________________________________________________________
National RV
www.national.com
11
7
Perris, CA
30 - 36 feet
37 - 39 feet
800-322-6007
______________________________________________________________________________________
Newmar Corp
www.newmarcorp.com
5
31
3
Nappanee, IN
33 - 38 feet
38 - 41 feet
44 feet
574-773-7791
______________________________________________________________________________________
Rexhall Industries
[email protected]
15
7
Lancaster, CA
26 - 36 feet
34 - 40 feet
661-726-0565
Distinguishing Qualities100% welded steel frame super structure, full one piece molded fiberglass roof,
optional driver doors, unique floorplans, hydraulically operated slide rooms. (All standard). Floor mounted
large televisions in entertainment centers standard in many floor-plans.
New for 2003 Full body paint and hardwood cabinetry options in the RoseAir; Super Slide floorplan with
7 foot ceiling and immense living areas on a 35' gas chassis; 3650 Rear Bath features 1 1/2 baths on a gas
chassis; Premium Paint Options for the RexAir and Aerbus; KVH Satellite System pre-wired on all units.
51
Name/Location
Class A Gas
# of models
range of lengths
Class A Diesel Pusher
# of models
range of lengths
Luxury Diesel
# of models
range of
R-Vision Inc.
www.trail-lite.com
13
Elkhart, IN
24 - 35 feet
574-268-2111
______________________________________________________________________________________
Thor Industries
www.thorindustries.com
5
2
Jackson Center, OH
30 - 35 feet
39 feet
937-596-6489
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Tiffin Motor Homes
13
12
5
www.tiffinmotorhomes.com 27 - 36feet
35 - 40 feet
40 - 43 feet
Red bay, AL
256-356-8661
Distinguishing Qualities: Family owned since 1972; builds lasting relationships based on customer satisfaction; customers can talk directly with one of the owners in person or by phone any time.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Travel Supreme Inc.
www.travelsupreme.com
14
1
Wakarusa, IN
36 - 41 feet
45 feet
574-788-7273
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Winnebago Industries
www.winnebagoind.com
Forest City, IA
800-643-4892
Winnebago Divisions
Winnebago Div.
14
27 - 40 feet
10
32 - 39 feet
Itasca Div.
14
27 - 39 feet
5
32 - 39 feet
Ultimate Div.
6
36 - 40 feet
Distinguishing Qualities; Recipient of RVDA Quality Circle Award for excellence in sales, product, management and service/warranty/ support programs for 7 consecutive years - the only manufacturer to have
received this prestigious award every year since its inception
New for 2003 - Nine new models from Entry Level to Top-of-the Line including the new triple slide Ultimate Freedom 40ED and 40KD and Ultimate Advantage 40k
52
Suppliers to Class A Manufacturers
Chassis’
Spartan Motors
www.spartanmotors.com
Charlotte, MI
517-543-6400
Diesel
Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp.
www.freightlinerchassis.com
Gaffney, SC
864-487-1700
Diesel
Workhorse Custom Chassis
www.workhorse.com
Highland park, IL
877-294-6773
Gas and Diesel
Ford RV Customer Assistance Center
No website
800-444-3311
Gas
Diesel Engines
Cummins Engines
www. cummins.com
Caterpillarwww.
caterpillar.com
53
Your Class A PreferredProfile Checklist
Do you want a new or pre-owned motorhome? New___ Pre-owned ___
•
If Pre-owned Not older than ____ years and with ___________ miles
•
What length of MH you want? _____ feet
•
Do you want a gas or diesel engine?
•
How many slide-outs do you want? None__; One__; Two __; Three __; Four __;
•
What amount of time to you plan to spend in your MH? Full Time__; # Days___ / month:
Occasionally__
•
How many people will be traveling and sleeping in your MH regularly ____ occasionally? ______
•
Where will your coach be stored ? NE___; SE___; N. Central___; S. Central___; NW__; SW__
•
What time of the year will you use your MH the most? Summer___; Fall__; Winter__; Spring __.
•
Where do you expect to travel most? NE___; SE___; N. Central___; S. Central___; South__; NW__;
Gas_____
Diesel______
SW__;
•
Alaska___; Canada__; Mexico__; All of N. America___
•
Will you tow a vehicle? no ___ yes_____; If “yes” what make __________________________
•
What additional amenities or features do you want in your motorhome?
Leveling Stabilizers __; Satellite TV __; Washer/Dryer__; Ice Maker___; Thermal Windows ___;
Heated Basement ____; Rollout Storage Shelves ____ ; Others*_______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
•
Do you prefer to: Own___; Lease___; Time Share____; your MH?
Name________________________________________________________________________________
Contact At____________________________________________________________________________
54
CLASS A SHOPPING LIST
Manufacturer
Model
Name/
Number
Dealer
MSRP
Best Features
Drawbacks
Rank
55
CLASS A’S VIEWED
Dealer
Model Name/
Number
Color
MSRP
Best Features
Drawbacks
Rank
56
PRE-DEPARTURE LISTS
J PRE- DEPARTURE CHECK
K PRE- DEPARTURE CHECK
Antennae 2
Basement Doors
BR door lock
Gas/ Propane,
Hook-ups
Levellers
Route, maps
Site, check for left items
Slide out, bring in
Tires
Tow, connections
gear
ignition
lights
transmission
Under hood, oil, coolant, transmission
Loose items: Bathroom
Clock
Counter
Dash
Table
Refrigerator for open liquids
Route, maps
Shades
Site, check for left items
Tow, lights
Trash
Vents
Windows
57
J’s LOADING CHECK LIST
RV
barbecue grill/gas
broom/dustpan
chains
gas/oil/water/propane
flashlights/ batteries
hookup cords/plugs
manuals
registration/insurance
ropes/tie downs
shovel
steps
tires
TV trays
UTENSILS/MISC.
bb tongs/fish grill/light
brush, pail, squeegee
fuses/light bulbs
extra fluids(oil,washer))
hatchet/newspapers
hose
outside carpet
rig lifts
snow scraper
space heater
window sun screens
tools/tapes/wrenches
FOOD
beer
coffee
cereal
ice
meat
olives/pickles/onions
pop/soda
booze/brandy/wine
coffee/filters
drinking water/pump
juice
mustard/mayonnaise
poly bags/wrap/foil
Water pitcher
RECREATION
backpack
beach chairs
barbecue brush
carving knives
blender
calendar/strainer
glasses/plastic/paper
ladder
lighter/refill/matches
napkins/
plates(plastic/paper)
toaster
spatula/metal
wine carafes
cell phone/charger
blood pressure machine
corkscrew
knife sharpener
maps/guides
paper towels/Kleenex
pots/fry pan/covers
spaghetti scoop
spoon/holes
PERSONAL
address books
briefcase
camera/film
clock
glasses/sunglasses
Golden Age pass
medicine
passports
pens/pads
toilet kit
bills due
books
cash/checkbook/cc
clothes/dress-up
extra keys/clicker
jackets/hats
magnifying glass
reading lights/bulbs
shoes/boots
tooth picks
DEPARTURE
awning `
heat
space heater garage
tel./voice mail
DirectTV receiver/clicker
mail
sprinklers
trash
58
K’s LOADING CHECK LIST
RV
blankets
sheets/pillows/cases
toilet paper/
towels
vacuum/bags
UTENSILS/MISC.
pillows
tapes/cd’s
tablets/cleaner
vacuum cleaners
FOOD
bacon/sausage
bbcue sauce
bread/muffins
butter
cooking oil
crackers
desserts
eggs
equal/sugar
ice cream/cones
jam
ketchup
lunch-meat
margarine
mayonnaise{both)
milk
mustard/relish
pancakes/maple syrup
peanuts/candy
peanut butter
popcorn
salad dressing
soy sauce
spices:celery salt, garlic,
onion salt, salt/pepper snacks
tea bags
vegetables
blender
calendar
carving knives
coffee cups
laundry bag
night light
placemats
silverware
tongs
trivet
blow dryer
can opener
clothes pins/line
laundry soap
mixer
pot-holders
spatula
straws
PERSONAL
address books
antiseptic wipes
clothes/dress-up
first aid kit
reading light
pens/pads
sunscreen
umbrellas
books
clocks
eyeglasses/sunglasses
jackets/hats medicine
passport
shoes/boots
toilet kits
DEPARTURE
RECREATION
backgammon/scrabble/cards binoculars
off!
extra car keys
garbage disposal
papers
shades
garbage
outside key
plants
windows/doors
59
Estimated Annual Cost of OwningMotor Home
Note: Figures in the left hand column represent purchase of a Mid-Range Class A gas engine model
with MSRP of $125,000; no trade-in; purchase price $87,000; $20,000 cash down; 15 year loan for
$67,000 @ 8%APR; monthly payments of $ 641; drive 6,000 miles; 7 mpg; fuel @ $ 1.42/gal; propane
@ $1.804; camp 50 nights @ $18 average; no storage, Association dues or Tax Credit
.
Your Cost
Demo
Cash down payment(first year cost only)
$_20,000
$
Loan/lease payments; 12 X $_ ____Monthly
$__7692
$__________
License
$ ___259
$ _________
Insurance
$ ___650
$ _
Property Tax
$ ___500
$___________
Storage 12 X $_________ monthly
$ ________
$__________
= ______gallons X $ ______/gal
$ __1, 217
$__________
Lubrication
$____150
$__________
estimated # nights _______ X cost/night $_______
$ ____900
$__________
Association Fees
$ ____________
$__________
Supplies( oil, propane, parts etc.)
$ _____________
$__________
Misc. Other
$ _____250
$ __________
______
_____
Fuel Cost:
estimated # miles you will go _________
mpg
Camping;
TOTAL
Est. Tax Credit
$ __31,709____
$___________
Less
$___________
Net Total Annual Cost $____________
60
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We appreciate the support of many people who helped us unselfishly with the research and writing of this
book. Without their assistance we would have had great difficulty in completing it in its present format.
Accordingly we wish to thank the following Class A Industry members
Bob Tiffin, Tiffin Motor Homes, Joe Krider, Damon Corp., Gary Whitsett Foretravel Inc.; Mike Duncan,
Monaco Coach Corp.; Sid Johnson, Jayco Inc. Burk Morgan, Western Recreational Vehicles; Sheila
Davis, Winnebago Industries; Mary Barton and Tracy Chavarria, Marathon Coach Corp.; Scott Maier and
John Hageman, Coach Masters; Phil Cooper, Phil Cooper Motorhomes Terri Blazell, Alpha Motorhomes
Denis Savard, RV Publications, Alan Piercy, RVIA
Friends and family who contributed valuable critiques: Deb and Steve Conrad, Suzi and Bill Kukar, Jen
and Don Kehl; Chris and Steve Phillips,