Hi,
  Our names are Tom & Liz. We live Pa. Im a retired state Prison Officer from New Jersey, my better half works in the school district. I find your Forum very helpful and informitive. We are in the process of researching motorhomes to join the world of fulltimers.
 we are tring to minimize costly uninformed mistakes.
  Diesel vs gasoline, Class A vs C. We dont think we want a 5ver, its seem to me the comfort of getting their is a bigg part of the Journey. Could some one head us in the right direction of things to take into consideration before our purchase. Getting pass the eye candy, chassi, engines, ect. Looking foward to meeting some of you fine people on the road, ( my last name is Burd, forgo my user name) I hope to learn from other peoples mistakes, not the hard way.

Byrdy,

Welcome to the forum. You have come to the right place. There is a ton of information on this web site.

Take time to read Howard and Linda's journal, and then if you have more questions, you might want to do a search of this forum to see if the subject has been discussed before. Of course you can always just ask questions, and I'm sure someone will try to answer them for you.

As far as the type of RV that you choose, It's really a matter of personal preference. Everyone has different ideas of what is right for them.

Good luck,

Jim

Byrdy Here is what you need to think about. Are you going to travel most of the time or are you going to go somewhere and stay. How much time are you going to spend in the rig. If you are going to live in one and you get a MH I will tell you this get all the slids you can. We had a 37ft MH and we felt so cramped. 5vers have so much living area. You might research that as well as what type of an engine you buy.

Speedhitch wrote:

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 Are you going to travel most of the time or are you going to go somewhere and stay. How much time are you going to spend in the rig.

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This is the question that Cheryl and I have asked ourselves. We figure that when we first start, we think we will have "hitch itch" a lot and not settle anywhere for long. Then I believe the itch will wear off in a year or two and we will be more willing to stay someplace more than a week or two. Anyone else out there experience this??

Yes Don Sherri and I had the MH for 7 years and we did a lot of moving around. The MH was the way to go. Now that we are in one place longer we find that we need more room to live in. You know not bumping into each other all the time. The MH also has a lot of wasted area up front when you are stationary. When you are on the road it is nice. It all comes down to what you will be doing on your travels.

Thank you all for your insite. It all make alot of sense. Assuming MH to start whats your opinion reputable manufacturer, brand names. Quality for the buck. I realize its all opinion, but im sure there must be not so good , good , better manufactures.

When we bought our MH we went first with the make and then with the dealer. We shopped the different brands and floorplans until we came up with the one that we like the best. Then we checked out the dealer and their track record on after the sale performance. This is a must no matter what unit you buy. The dealer ship service can make or break your dream. If you have a small pocket books as we had you will be better going gasoline to start. Diesels can cost once your out of that warenty period and you have to think that far ahead if you plan on staying in it for some time. If you got the bucks to back ya go Deisel for sure. Whatever you decide I hope that you have the best. Hope to see you down the road. Sherri

Go to several RV shows - it is the season right now - here's a start. Sit in each type of RV, for at least an hour each. Imagine living/travelling in it and mock making meals, taking showers, sitting on the John, watching TV, sleeping etc. Imagine rainy days, sunny days warm days cold days. Imagine being broken down. Imagine big campgrounds and cramped ones. Imagine what features become important, nice, necessary, undesirable. Have a clipboard in hand and take lots of notes. Ask questions, not from the salespeople, but from actual full to near full time RVers like on this forum. Note that probably far less than a quarter of a show attendees have any "real" experience and most are curious tire kickers so be careful about asking folks there, unless they too are sitting doing what you are doing!

That will narrow your RV type. Now, do the same but spend even more time in the specifc types of RVs you found desirable. Ask real users (not salespeople) the even more specific questions you develop.

Yep, plan to spend all weekend at several shows. Don't be embarrassed to sit for hours in a rig imagining using it. Don't be embarrassed to have a clipboard.


-- Edited by RVDude at 18:06, 2008-02-17

Hi Byrdy

I went through the exact same "question" period as you are currently going through.  After much research and help from the folks on this site and the Escapees' site I settled on the following:

Choice #1  Newmar (Dutch Star) 38-40 foot; 2-3 slides
            2  Tiffin
            3  Country Coach
            4  Holiday Rambler

I've since decided to focus my search on a used 2003-2005 Dutch Star Diesel Pusher (DSDP).  If  a Tiffin shows up I may be interested too.  We've been looking for almost a year and all but purchased a '02 in November (even put down a deposit) to have the private owner back out the day before we were to pick-up the unit.

My wife and I will be putting the house on the market Saturday, Feb. 23,2008, and hope to begin full-timing this spring/summer.  PLEASE wish us luck on a speedy house sale!!!!

GOOD LUCK to you!

Paul Weaver

Be sure to check ebay.  Now that you know what you want, it is pretty easy.  That's how we bought our MH and got a good deal.  We were in Ky. at the time and the MH was in Az. but my husband and brother flew out to drive it back and had a great time.  No money changes hands until buyer sees the MH and is completely satisfied.
Just a thought if you like to make deals !!!