Learn me on class "C" RVs
- Thread starter Owensdad
- Start date
wazzuFreddo
WuTang is 4 the children
Make sure the roof is and always has been sealed up good (goes for any RV), look around for signs of water damage on the inside.
dmaxAl
Well-known member
Can't believe it, Wazzu got it right for a change 
What he said, roof is important. Class C's are basically built on truck frames, so check out the running gear like you were buying a truck. A Chalky roof is ok if you don't mind reconditioning it. Cracks in the rubber are a sign to run.
Tires, brakes, engine history would be just like buying a regular HD truck.
Go through everything internally, look for any signs of water damage. Poke around inside the cabinets etc. Ask how long the rig has been sitting in storage. Has a generator? When was it last run? Last oil change etc.
All the stuff inside (fridge, heater, whatever) is pretty generic in rv terms so if it doesn't work, use that to your advantage in cutting a deal, it's easy to replace/fix.
Look underneath the rig. It might have gone to Pismo and experienced salt water.
Check out the house batteries, and their install date, same goes for the condition of the propane tanks and their last certification.
Good luck!
What he said, roof is important. Class C's are basically built on truck frames, so check out the running gear like you were buying a truck. A Chalky roof is ok if you don't mind reconditioning it. Cracks in the rubber are a sign to run.
Tires, brakes, engine history would be just like buying a regular HD truck.
Go through everything internally, look for any signs of water damage. Poke around inside the cabinets etc. Ask how long the rig has been sitting in storage. Has a generator? When was it last run? Last oil change etc.
All the stuff inside (fridge, heater, whatever) is pretty generic in rv terms so if it doesn't work, use that to your advantage in cutting a deal, it's easy to replace/fix.
Look underneath the rig. It might have gone to Pismo and experienced salt water.
Check out the house batteries, and their install date, same goes for the condition of the propane tanks and their last certification.
Good luck!
Inkman
Not so grizzled.
Spend the cash up front and rent one for a week. It will probably save you a small fortune. Few years back i was sure i wanted one and almost pulled the trigger. Rented one and thank goodness i did. Class C RVs are smaller than you think once you get it out on the road and the water supply is NOT as much as it sounds like.
Comfort wise, it was like sitting in a tank. Felt like one too with a very stiff chassis. Yes, i've rode in a tank for comparison :|
After renting one, i know why there are so many for sale.
Lastly, how much will you realistically use it? You retired yet? All the free time in the world to go places or are you on a fixed vacation time at work? Best storage is indoors and that is big bucks too.
Things to think about.
Al
Comfort wise, it was like sitting in a tank. Felt like one too with a very stiff chassis. Yes, i've rode in a tank for comparison :|
After renting one, i know why there are so many for sale.
Lastly, how much will you realistically use it? You retired yet? All the free time in the world to go places or are you on a fixed vacation time at work? Best storage is indoors and that is big bucks too.
Things to think about.
Al
avoid using the restroom as much as possible. emptying them sucks big donkey balls.
the point of an RV is to go somewhere and stay for a while, they are not suited well to roadtripping because they drive like shit and chug gas.
the point of an RV is to go somewhere and stay for a while, they are not suited well to roadtripping because they drive like shit and chug gas.
nine_inch_rear
Well-known member
Although Ive never owned one, helped a friend get his set up. His was a brand new Ford Itasca. The thing handled like a water bed on roller skates. We had to install bigger sway bars, and beefier gas shocks. That made the handling tolerable. Not great, but tolerable. In cross winds, you wont need coffee to keep you awake while driving.
Find a camping spot where you can take showers and poop rather than filling up your gray and black water tanks. Youll be waiting in line at sites to empty your tanks before you leave. A long shower will fill that tank quick, multiply that by as many family members.
Many designs have pop out sides, but I dont recommend them. If for some reason the pop out jams, your not going home, as this happened to the said friend.
Rent one first, by all means.
Find a camping spot where you can take showers and poop rather than filling up your gray and black water tanks. Youll be waiting in line at sites to empty your tanks before you leave. A long shower will fill that tank quick, multiply that by as many family members.
Many designs have pop out sides, but I dont recommend them. If for some reason the pop out jams, your not going home, as this happened to the said friend.
Rent one first, by all means.
I've owned Class C RVs for thirteen years now. My first was 24' on an E350 Ford chassis with a V10 power plant. Great RV, nimble, easy to drive, easy to park, plenty of power. I set it up to tow a car. Only complaint was lack of storage. When my son arrived, we traded up to a 29'. This one has an E450 chassis and the same V10 power plant. PLENTY of storage, a slide out, set up to tow as well. It's not as nimble or as easy to park, but this one has a rear camera, so it's not that hard.
A few things to consider: cost and use. Cost consists of entry price (payments), insurance cost, storage cost, registration, and maintenance. It's a vehicle, so it uses up oil, trans, rear end and brake fluids need to be changed, tires, filters, etc.
As an example, payments might be $400/month, storage $50/month, registration ~ $300/year. That's about $5,700 per year, not including maintenance or lodging fees. That would buy a decent trip to Hawaii for a week.
Some people like time shares, cabins and other stationery destinations. I prefer to explore and go to many different places, so an RV works for me. I did a 21 days trip last summer: California, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado, and Utah. We had a spectacular time. We're doing it again this summer. This time California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska. Before then, we've got another trip planned to Arizona, via Pismo Beach, Joshua Trees, Hoover Dam, Sadona, etc.
The myth about stinking toilet is just that, a myth, exacerbated by movies like RV. Use formaldehyde free deodorizers and empty your tanks every few days. My current RV is eight years old and there is no foul smell, period. I set mine up with five batteries: one for the engine and four for the coach. I use 6 volts for the coach and can dry camp for days without having to run the generator. I carry a 5 gallon plastic jerry can that I use to add water to the fresh water tank when needed. Water's never been a problem.
My family and I love the RV. It allows us to get out of Dodge quickly, have an adventure and recharge. We've seen so many wonderful places in the thirteen years we've been doing this that it would take me a month to remember them all. For us, it's the best. :thumbup
A few things to consider: cost and use. Cost consists of entry price (payments), insurance cost, storage cost, registration, and maintenance. It's a vehicle, so it uses up oil, trans, rear end and brake fluids need to be changed, tires, filters, etc.
As an example, payments might be $400/month, storage $50/month, registration ~ $300/year. That's about $5,700 per year, not including maintenance or lodging fees. That would buy a decent trip to Hawaii for a week.
Some people like time shares, cabins and other stationery destinations. I prefer to explore and go to many different places, so an RV works for me. I did a 21 days trip last summer: California, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado, and Utah. We had a spectacular time. We're doing it again this summer. This time California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska. Before then, we've got another trip planned to Arizona, via Pismo Beach, Joshua Trees, Hoover Dam, Sadona, etc.
The myth about stinking toilet is just that, a myth, exacerbated by movies like RV. Use formaldehyde free deodorizers and empty your tanks every few days. My current RV is eight years old and there is no foul smell, period. I set mine up with five batteries: one for the engine and four for the coach. I use 6 volts for the coach and can dry camp for days without having to run the generator. I carry a 5 gallon plastic jerry can that I use to add water to the fresh water tank when needed. Water's never been a problem.
My family and I love the RV. It allows us to get out of Dodge quickly, have an adventure and recharge. We've seen so many wonderful places in the thirteen years we've been doing this that it would take me a month to remember them all. For us, it's the best. :thumbup
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SM610
Well-known member
Bought a class A last year, 33 ft and ford v10. Left the next day for Baja and didnt come back for 3 months. Camped on the beach for $7 a night, ate fresh fish most days... Best thing I've done in years.
Came back, got a service and drove to Maine for 2 more months stopping in Cape Cod, Canada, and pestered relatives all the way back. Been living in it up in the foot hills since then. Got my DRZ on the back for getting around. Definitly try to have a moto rack on the back.
Some of the neg comments have validity, but its an awesome way to get out and see the world. Dont be in a hurry. Go to Baja, Dr. Sweade will let you camp in his back yard as long as you like! :laughing
The Sacramento area has tons of used dealers with tons of choices.
Came back, got a service and drove to Maine for 2 more months stopping in Cape Cod, Canada, and pestered relatives all the way back. Been living in it up in the foot hills since then. Got my DRZ on the back for getting around. Definitly try to have a moto rack on the back.
Some of the neg comments have validity, but its an awesome way to get out and see the world. Dont be in a hurry. Go to Baja, Dr. Sweade will let you camp in his back yard as long as you like! :laughing
The Sacramento area has tons of used dealers with tons of choices.
Sharky
Well-known member
If you are talking about mine, I sold it in a day after posting it on CL.
RVs take a bunch of $$ and time. The storage for mine was dirt cheap, but it seems like there is always something to fix. I liked using it, but mine was a bit big for just me and my kid. My wife was not interested in camping, so now I am looking for a small travel trailer. It's simpler to use since there is no power train to deal with.
DMV screws you on registration.
Cycle61
What the shit is this...
Darn, I was gonna buy it this summer if it was still sitting around. :laughing
n10sive
Well-known member
buy mine :teeth
Cycle61
What the shit is this...
Only if you'll adopt me so I can have a NV mailing/registration address. :love
n10sive
Well-known member
done
Caddywumpus
4N631
I was tempted by Sharkys as well. That thing was sexy.
2legs2wheels
Well-known member
Good info. Have been dreaming about buying one myself...
I was looking to buy a Class A RV last year and did hours of research. I can't remember where I read it, but basically gas engine Class A RVs are good for about 50-60 thousand miles before you have to start worrying about reliability. I would stay away from late 80s early 90s RVs with the 454 Chevy engine and look for a Ford 460 instead if you're looking for RVs in that range of years. In general, the Airstream RVs were considered among the best but they also command a higher prices.
The best deals too far away I found were in Arizona but I also found some really good deals at http://www.karolinakoaches.com/ if you don't mind going across the country to get one.
The best deals too far away I found were in Arizona but I also found some really good deals at http://www.karolinakoaches.com/ if you don't mind going across the country to get one.
Tharkûn
Freeway Moderator
:thumbup Awesome