Lehto recommends renting an RV before you make your decision to buy. If you’re not in a hurry, you could rent a bunch of them and see which ones you like before you take the plunge.
My mom’s aunt and uncle were veteran RVers. They had a motorhome at one time, but switched to a 5th wheel later. This would’ve been back in the ‘70s-‘90s, maybe into the 2000s, so if I ever knew what brands they used, I’ve long forgotten, and I haven’t been able to ask them for several years now.
Yes a 5er was on my list of thoughts also. I used to have a relatively cheap 34' 5er and a F350, that my family used every weekend we could.
I'm slowly being talked in that direction here for the obvious reasons you stated.
I would have a tow vehicle but dont want to sleep in it for weeks lol.
Speaking of 5th wheels, this is pretty darn sexy. Is alpine a dependable brand?
https://rv.campingworld.com/rvdetails/used-fifth-wheel-rvs/keystone-front-living-60k-2268983
https://rv.campingworld.com/rvdetails/used-fifth-wheel-rvs/keystone-front-living-60k-2268983
I have always been a fan of towing a trailer. Have owned a travel trailer since 1986.
Been thinking about a motorhome and have looked at several.
Newmar is a top brand.
For all of the reasons mentions, I am looking at coaches built before 2018. Most of what I have looked at are 2017 - 2012. 26' - 32' is MY preference, but I have found 36' - 39' are readily available.
My biggest surprise is they average less than 3000 miles per year.
The majority of these are located in OKC.
I haven't paid a lot of attention to name brand, other than JAYCO is cheap made, poor quality. My bigger concern is power plant, generator and insulation.
I have no interest in anything new. High cost and value drops faster than a 16 yo pants on prom night.
Good luck on your journey.
On a side note; I have seen several ads online. Dealers have lots of new '23s still in stock, discounting them 35% - 50%.
So, some deals are out there.
Been thinking about a motorhome and have looked at several.
Newmar is a top brand.
For all of the reasons mentions, I am looking at coaches built before 2018. Most of what I have looked at are 2017 - 2012. 26' - 32' is MY preference, but I have found 36' - 39' are readily available.
My biggest surprise is they average less than 3000 miles per year.
The majority of these are located in OKC.
I haven't paid a lot of attention to name brand, other than JAYCO is cheap made, poor quality. My bigger concern is power plant, generator and insulation.
I have no interest in anything new. High cost and value drops faster than a 16 yo pants on prom night.
Good luck on your journey.
On a side note; I have seen several ads online. Dealers have lots of new '23s still in stock, discounting them 35% - 50%.
So, some deals are out there.
Mom and dad pulled a Newmar for about 20 years and never had a bit if trouple with it that I know of but there are few on the used market. I believe they are made in OK also. This 2007 is the newest one on my seach.
https://rv.campingworld.com/rvdetails/used-fifth-wheel-rvs/newmar-rear-living-20k-2364098
https://rv.campingworld.com/rvdetails/used-fifth-wheel-rvs/newmar-rear-living-20k-2364098
Several threads on arfcom covering this. Most RV brands are made by the same company or companies and just other names slapped on them. General consensus is most are crap.
https://www.progressrv.com/what-rv-manufacturers-produce-the-best-quality-rvs/
https://www.progressrv.com/what-rv-manufacturers-produce-the-best-quality-rvs/
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Two things to mention, while I don't know the brand and model number (because they sold it), we have cousins in Idaho that had a motorhome. They say that just about every time they went somewhere with it, they had mechanical or electrical issues. They also bought it from Camping World.
In addition, a good number of RV'ers on the RV forums spoke of never taking one's RV to Camping World for repairs. Apparently, new technicians get a job there just to get some experience, and as soon as they have it, they go looking elsewhere for a better job. Then, Camping World then hires another new technician.
In addition, a good number of RV'ers on the RV forums spoke of never taking one's RV to Camping World for repairs. Apparently, new technicians get a job there just to get some experience, and as soon as they have it, they go looking elsewhere for a better job. Then, Camping World then hires another new technician.
We’ve been on the road in our 5th wheel 6-7 months a year for almost 6 years now.
We have friends that sold everything and hit the road full time. One couple for 12 years and another for 7 years.
I don’t recommend motor coaches. Even under warranty, waiting for parts takes forever. Most tow a vehicle behind them so they aren’t without transportation but have to find a place to rent or stay when parts are on order.
5th wheels or travel trailers are much simpler to work on if needed. Every place we have ever stayed at has mobile mechanics that come to you in the RV park to fix what’s needed.
That being said, repairs are few and far between in general with towables. We rarely see the mobile mechanics out in the parks.
There are brands out there that are considered more reliable and better built than weekend use entry level campers.
Winnebago and Grand Design are considered the top two. There are a couple of very high end luxury RV’s out there, but run into 6 figures.
We chose the Grand Design Solitude that is rated residential level, meaning it has a full size fridge, 3 AC’s, leather furniture, full size couch, stronger frame, and other amenities including an outstanding warranty we have only used once in 70K miles of towing. It’s in McClains as we speak to get the fridge replaced.
It would be very easy for me to go full time, but the wife wants a home to get back to on occasion.
About a week after getting home, she’s ready to go again.
It’s an incredible lifestyle out on the road. We’ve met friends we will be with for as long as we can still get out there.
Edit: probably the best accessory we paid for was auto leveling. Get parked, run the front landing gear down manually with the hydraulics, un hook and hit auto level. The controller takes over from there. In about 45 seconds, all 6 legs are down and the rig is level.
We have friends that sold everything and hit the road full time. One couple for 12 years and another for 7 years.
I don’t recommend motor coaches. Even under warranty, waiting for parts takes forever. Most tow a vehicle behind them so they aren’t without transportation but have to find a place to rent or stay when parts are on order.
5th wheels or travel trailers are much simpler to work on if needed. Every place we have ever stayed at has mobile mechanics that come to you in the RV park to fix what’s needed.
That being said, repairs are few and far between in general with towables. We rarely see the mobile mechanics out in the parks.
There are brands out there that are considered more reliable and better built than weekend use entry level campers.
Winnebago and Grand Design are considered the top two. There are a couple of very high end luxury RV’s out there, but run into 6 figures.
We chose the Grand Design Solitude that is rated residential level, meaning it has a full size fridge, 3 AC’s, leather furniture, full size couch, stronger frame, and other amenities including an outstanding warranty we have only used once in 70K miles of towing. It’s in McClains as we speak to get the fridge replaced.
It would be very easy for me to go full time, but the wife wants a home to get back to on occasion.
About a week after getting home, she’s ready to go again.
It’s an incredible lifestyle out on the road. We’ve met friends we will be with for as long as we can still get out there.
Edit: probably the best accessory we paid for was auto leveling. Get parked, run the front landing gear down manually with the hydraulics, un hook and hit auto level. The controller takes over from there. In about 45 seconds, all 6 legs are down and the rig is level.
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I’d avoid Keystone and related brands. We sold ours but we still belong to those Facebook groups and I still see the same problems from 2020/21 being reported by new owners.
