Look real closely at the build quality, the size and types of materials, how thick are the walls. Get inside the basement and underneath, you can learn a lot. Coachman has been concentrating on the low end for many years so I would worry about how long one would hold up under full time usage. Check the warranty wording to make sure full timing is OK. Also check out Damon and Gulfstream if buying new is more important. The RV market has had a few rough years so what was true in 2008 might not be true in 2013.
Edit: Also be very careful of carrying capacity. You want at least 2,000 lbs of carrying capacity for two people with full water, full fuel, full propane and yourselves taken out of the numbers. This has hit people even with high end brands.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Sunday 20th of January 2013 10:22:52 AM
cherylbrv said
05:03 PM Jan 20, 2013
I know we've been pretty set on a fifth wheel for full timing and have pretty much narrowed it down to DRV or Heartland Landmark. Truly, ideally, we'd prefer a Tiffin MH (like the Phaeton) but it' way out of our price range and we really don't want to buy used.
Anyway, we went to a smallish RV show yesterday and saw some nice MHs in the Coachman line (Cross Country brand). Does anyone out there have experience or an opinion of this make for full time living?
Thanks
Lucky Mike said
06:17 PM Jan 20, 2013
Keep in mind I am a Used Coach kinda person...
I had a 2002 Coachman Santara.....I used it for one season , it was a nice coach for price point........I didnt have to do alot to put it in shape and it had 32k on it when I picked it up.
I guess it would depend on how long you intend to keep the coach.......I dont keep them more than a year or 2 before I flip them and move up to keep from losing some of the profit I bought it for in the first place.
I guess to answer your question yes the coachman line builds a good unit for its price in being a mid-level coach. It tries to give you most amenities you would get in a luxury class but dont expect the same quality. if you are planning on a 10 yr coach to fulltime in you will start dealing with problems in 5 if you are on the road putting miles on.....if you are just planning on snowbirding and are just going from point a to point b every year it would do well...
I know some people frown on buying used.....they sometimes think that the coach was turned back in because it was a problem...most used luxury class coaches are returned to sales lots because of Repo......estate return......upgrade trade in......lease returns.
I find most luxury class coaches I purchase for resale require less dealer warranty or service work than a new one that hasnt been shook up yet going down the road.......and the savings just on cost can exceed 25 to 50 k.
this is just an experienced opinion so dont take it to heart...........its just an opinion
If I can help in your search please feel free to PM me,I am located close enough to you that I can help in price on new or used through contacts I have in the New England Region.....all help is free and if you find something through me I have no gain in it......I do not sell to friends & family I cherish those relationships. All on RV Dreams are my friends and family ..I prefer to keep it that way
Look real closely at the build quality, the size and types of materials, how thick are the walls. Get inside the basement and underneath, you can learn a lot. Coachman has been concentrating on the low end for many years so I would worry about how long one would hold up under full time usage. Check the warranty wording to make sure full timing is OK. Also check out Damon and Gulfstream if buying new is more important. The RV market has had a few rough years so what was true in 2008 might not be true in 2013.
Edit: Also be very careful of carrying capacity. You want at least 2,000 lbs of carrying capacity for two people with full water, full fuel, full propane and yourselves taken out of the numbers. This has hit people even with high end brands.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Sunday 20th of January 2013 10:22:52 AM
I know we've been pretty set on a fifth wheel for full timing and have pretty much narrowed it down to DRV or Heartland Landmark. Truly, ideally, we'd prefer a Tiffin MH (like the Phaeton) but it' way out of our price range and we really don't want to buy used.
Anyway, we went to a smallish RV show yesterday and saw some nice MHs in the Coachman line (Cross Country brand). Does anyone out there have experience or an opinion of this make for full time living?
Thanks
I had a 2002 Coachman Santara.....I used it for one season , it was a nice coach for price point........I didnt have to do alot to put it in shape and it had 32k on it when I picked it up.
I guess it would depend on how long you intend to keep the coach.......I dont keep them more than a year or 2 before I flip them and move up to keep from losing some of the profit I bought it for in the first place.
I guess to answer your question yes the coachman line builds a good unit for its price in being a mid-level coach. It tries to give you most amenities you would get in a luxury class but dont expect the same quality. if you are planning on a 10 yr coach to fulltime in you will start dealing with problems in 5 if you are on the road putting miles on.....if you are just planning on snowbirding and are just going from point a to point b every year it would do well...
I know some people frown on buying used.....they sometimes think that the coach was turned back in because it was a problem...most used luxury class coaches are returned to sales lots because of Repo......estate return......upgrade trade in......lease returns.
I find most luxury class coaches I purchase for resale require less dealer warranty or service work than a new one that hasnt been shook up yet going down the road.......and the savings just on cost can exceed 25 to 50 k.
this is just an experienced opinion so dont take it to heart...........its just an opinion
If I can help in your search please feel free to PM me,I am located close enough to you that I can help in price on new or used through contacts I have in the New England Region.....all help is free and if you find something through me I have no gain in it......I do not sell to friends & family I cherish those relationships. All on RV Dreams are my friends and family ..I prefer to keep it that way
Mike & Nikki(Service dog)