alaskamarge
Anchorage AK
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Hello Everyone,
I am preparing to make the big jump into fulltiming. The timeframe for the jump is April/May 2010.
I've been following the Forums here and on Motorhomes.com as well as reading every article, blog, and book I can get my hands on. I've learned so much, but there is SO much I don't know and realize I have a long way to go.
At the moment, I am nervous about making a good decision on my MH purchase. So far, I've decided I'd like a Class A that is at least 33'. I'll be going solo with my two dogs. From what I've seen so far in my price range, I like the Winnebago Advednturer and the Fleetwood Bounder. I'm hoping to keep it around $50k (if possible), so I can buy it outright. My research tells me I can get a 2001/2002 Adventurer in my price range. Is that model year current enough or would I be asking for trouble? I plan to work and travel, so will be staying in the same place for a couple of weeks to a couple of months at a time. I also have my eye on boondocking at least half the time. Another note, I am not currently mechanically inclined at all, but plan to learn RV maintenance as much and as soon as possible.
Does anyone want to offer their thoughts on either of these rigs or any other units suitable for fulltiming that I might want to consider.
I'm open to all suggestions/comments.
Thanks a lot. Can't wait to quit my corporate life and hit the road.
Cheers.
Alaskamarge
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Galvorien52
On The Road Again
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Both are pretty good units from what I hear. Make sure you have two a/cs for sure! Maybe set-up for a stacking washer/dryer if you think you might want one - many swear by them. Welcome to the full-timing life, by the way! A good solar set-up isn't too expensive any more and you will surely use it if you do boondock. Now is probably not the time, but you might want to talk to other Class A owners; ask a friendly one to show you under the hood so you know where to find oil dipstick and places to fill oil, etc. Most indoor systems are fairly simple and I recommend the maintenance manual by Bob Livingston as a good one. Budget for good tires! The ones on the rig, esp if they came with it, are in need of replacement. Lose everything that you can't comfortably fit into the rig! That may be hard to do...we've been fulltiming for 6 yrs and my DH has just gotten to the point that he admits he needs to go thru our 3 storage areas and consolidate. But no sense in paying another bill if you can avoid it. If you have any questions I can help you with, you can PM me. We started out in a Class A and I might be able to assist you.
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B Bob
Jamul, CA, USA
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Joined: 05/07/2003
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Most motor homes can be split up into fulltime, snowbird, vacationer categories. At least that is how the RVCG does it. Generally the coaches that are constructed with fulltiming in mind have heavier duty systems that can stand up to constant use. I have not looked them up buy I would guess the Adventurer and Bounder are both vacationer coaches and maybe are OK for some snowbirding. This does not mean you cannot live in them full time and I am sure many do. However, a fulltime rated coach like Foretravel, Country Coach, American Coach, Bluebird, Monaco, and so on have more durable systems.
Now is an ideal time to buy a fulltime coach at a cheap price. I saw a 36' 2000 Country Coach Intrigue go for just over 50 last month off Craigslist in middle California. There are more like that. If possible get a diesel rig. The motors last far longer and diesel coaches generally have the weight carry capacity you will need to haul your stuff for fulltiming and pull a car. Well kept diesel pushers last for a very long time and can go hundreds of thousands of miles.
Bob & Barbara Nuttmann
Jamul, CA
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StanleyandIris
Louisiana
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Joined: 06/17/2007
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Marge, this is just a bit of advice from my heart, I am no expert on anything except having bought a high-end 7 year old, gently used, DP MH about 3.5 years ago. Expect, and budget for, the following expenses immediately: new tires; all new oil and filters in engine and genny, same for fuel filters, water filters - all matter of filters. Tires ran $3,200 installed and the rest was about $900 at the RV shop - 3.5 years ago. IF you are the lucky one that finds a great MH with brand new tires, superb! All the better, just budget it anyway.
Of course, that is when everything else is up-to-date and works properly.
You will need DirectTV or some other service. This requires a dome or a dish receiver. Our 7 year old "dome" was obselete. New dome - $1,500. Dishes let you set them up remotely to get signals and someone here will tell you the cost. DirectTV had different plans. Ours costs about $60/mo.
You may have to replace analog television(s). We did. Good news is that the flat screen from your house will work just fine in the MH and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Plasma will freeze, but then so would you. Also, I found that the bedroom television and the outdoor television were completely unnecessary. We took them out and did not replace them.
If it comes with a washer/dryer combo, great. But, honestly you will be staying in nice places where there will be nice laundry facilities and don't NEED the washer dryer. It takes me about 2.5 hours to complete one load of laundry in the combo. In the laundromat, it takes an hour to complete a weeks worth of laundry. Of course, you will need lots of quarters, but you may need the interior storage in the MH more than the W/D. Also, since it takes about 6 gallons of water per load of laundry as well as running the generator if you don't have full hook-ups, you won't be using it boondocking anyway. Just food for thought.
Make sure the shower is big enough to enjoy. Don't bother looking for a bathtub, most are too tiny to sit in anyway.
I like my electric cooktop over a propane stove. I especially like not worrying about open flames and propane while cooking. Propane costs about $3 per gallon. CG's may charge you per kw hour in addition to your monthly rate, it varies.
Expect to replace the mattress on your bed. You will get many opinions on which one to get, but depending on the space may find that a regular sized queen pillow top works just fine and doesn't interfere with being able to walk around the bed. We did. It depends on the layout of your bed. The width is universal, it's the length that differs. RV mattresses are shorter.
Look for one with sliding cargo pull-outs so you don't have to crawl in and under the MH to get to something you need. They can be installed after market, but are expensive.
Sit in a dinette with 3 other people and see if you can stand it. DH couldn't fit in a dinette and none were comfy for me. They also make horrible beds, so if you are thinking of getting one to use as an extra bed, don't bother. Really. We opted for a table and chairs and took 2 of the chairs out.
You do not need an ice maker. If it comes with one that works, great! If it is broken, take it out and use trays. I find they normally do not work properly, aren't worth fixing, break often and prefer to use bottled water for ice anyway.
This is my bit. Hope it helps.
Iris
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Economical Handyman
S. California
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Joined: 02/19/2004
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Read JohnnyT's posting under the Class A for buying.
Are you going to pull a toad? Are you going to be mostly in mountains or flat-land travels?
So many things to consider, like dual-pane windows, size of converter, size of refrig and these are just the small items, but important.
DeWayne & Judy
04 3810 Dutch Star
ISL 370 9.3 mpg
Frank's autoformer
01 Sahara Jeep-toad
Blue Ox Aventa II
F 374382
This is not the "GOLDEN-YEARS", it is the "RUSTY-YEARS" !
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jetenbu
Southeast Texas
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Joined: 08/03/2006
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You never mentioned where you are looking so I thought I would suggest PPLMotorhomes.com. That is where I purchased my coach and I have been very pleased with it. I look occasionally at their site just out of curiosity and they seem to continue to have some really good prices.
Jim
Driver: Me
Passengers: None
RV:1996 Holiday Rambler Endeavor LE, 230 HP Cummins - FMCA F408358
Toy: 1992 Geo Tracker 4x4
Favorite Quote: Now that's funny!
WARNING: THIS RIG PROTECTED BY SMITH AND WESSON!
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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bounder probably has a rubber or TPO roof, the winnie has a fiberglass one. Case closed IMHO.
bumpy
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Jackha1949
Maine
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My FIL has owned three Winnebago Adventurers, his present one is a 2003 and he loves it. It has the 8.1L workhorse gas model and has had really good luck with it. Fiberglass roofs are way better than rubber roofs and the winnie has a fiberglass roof. He winters in southern Texas every year for 5 months plus travels a lot in the summer as well. It is a 35 foot U floorplan. We have a 05 Winnebago 34H Journey diesel and we love it. Winnebago has been in business for over 50 years now and are still going strong where other MH companies have gone out of business. Winnies are built with quality materials including the furniture. Good luck on you search, there are lots of nice MHs out there for sale with this economy.
Jack & Peg
USN Ret AGC
K1ZMB
Phippsburg, Maine
05 Journey 34H
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alaskamarge
Anchorage AK
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Thanks everyone for the advice so far. To answer some of the questions, yes, I'll be pulling a toad. Don't know if I'll keep my Toyota 4Runner or get a different vehicle. Guess it depends on the MH I end up with.
It's hard to predict my travel style, but I'd say I'll be on the flats as well as in the mountains and hope to travel back to Alaska for summers as often as I can. Other than that, I imagine I'll be staying put for anywhere between a couple of weeks to a month or two at a time.
So far I'm hearing Winnebago, Newmar, and Tiffin...since all of them have a great reputation for quality rigs and all are still in business.
I live up in Alaska currently and the choices are limited to a couple of very small dealerships who mostly focus on rentals and to private sellers. Like I said earlier, I have looked at a 1999 Monaco Diplomat (38' diesel)that I really liked, but fear it may be too much MH for me and a 33' and 35' (gassers) Winne Adventurer. I've liked all of them very much, but am looking on line all over the western half of the lower 48 as well. Thank goodness I've got several month ton continue researching and shopping.
Cheers,
Margie
Alaskamarge
Soon to be a Fulltimer
Anchorage Alaska to points beyond
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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if that 4 runner is an auto tranny, probably can't be pulled 4 down without modifications,.
bumpy
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