Class A advice?

[Loose Cannon]

don't write off the Winnebago but to pay special attention to the air and take system. I recall the mechanic said something about the way Winnebago designed it, some tube was blowing on something, causing it to clog sooner... and he moved it a bit. I'm sorry I can't be more specific, but my husband does remember exactly... is not awake yet..
Oh yeah... hundred percent recommend an independent inspector from NRVIA. Our guy paid for himself, Pointed out things we were able to get fixed before purchase, and saved us a heap of $ and trouble. We did purchase through a dealership and they worked quickly (Possibly because we had flown from across the country, willing to walk away from the deal, because we were visiting family in the area). They fixed the issues within two days, even calling in a specialist.

Winnebago and Fleetwood are the two I'm looking at the most, both for construction and layout. And since I'm looking nationwide, no doubt an NRVIA inspector is well worth it, as well as buying from a dealer. I really want everything to be 'road-ready' from the beginning!

 

[hiwaymyway]

I'm an over-the-road trucker, plan to retire in three years, RV full-time. I have a Dodge Dakota and am buying a Harley soon. I'm single (for now!), and intend to circle the country once a year, avoiding snow!
I'm looking at self-contained 37' Class A motorhomes, with Fleetwood models (Discovery 37U, Bounder 38L), and Winnebago (36C and 36GD), of particular interest. Budget is $40-50K, so I'm looking at 15-20 year old RVs. Any advice for me?

I am by no way an expert but, I have been looking for a class A for 4 years now and if you take the time to look you can buy excellent motorhomes for $20000 to $30000.

 

[Loose Cannon]

Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[Loose Cannon]

Still doing my research, thinking I'd like to have a washer/dryer, ice maker and oven in a 37-40' Class A (I like the layout of Fleetwoods). I realize I'd be sacrificing some storage space, but it's just me. I'm wondering about reliability and usefulness. I like to cook and expect to be boondocking more often than not, so want to be as self-contained as possible. Are these items worth it?

 

[AbdRahim]

I originally did not want the washer and dryer, but the price was right, and now I would definitely prefer it. Very convenient.

 

[Loose Cannon]

I originally did not want the washer and dryer, but the price was right, and now I would definitely prefer it. Very convenient.

Good to know!

 

[bpaikman]

I originally did not want the washer and dryer, but the price was right, and now I would definitely prefer it. Very convenient.

We have several times considered installing a washer/dryer, but most of the trips we take are short (less than a week) and we carry enough clothing so we don't have to do laundry.
We're taking a six week trip this fall and will have to do laundry then.... but we can do an awful lot of laundry for the cost of those units. Plus we can do all our laundry at once. I finally realized that unless we start traveling a lot more and longer than we do now ..it's not worth it for us.
(edited after I saw how voice-to-text mangled parts of original post - darn thing doesn't understand Texanese).

 

[bpaikman]

The one thing I miss from our Winnebago is the power jackknife sleeper sofa. it was still working fine when we sold it at 85,000 miles and 12 years old.
I would be willing to spend $$ to have one like it installed in our Newmar, but I can't find one. Apparently the sleeper sofa we have is high-end, but I don't like it nearly as well.
.

 

[Loose Cannon]

We have several times considered installing a washer/dryer. but all the trips we take or short trips and we carry enough clothing so we don't have to tell you laundry. We are taking a six week trip this fall and will have to do laundry then but we can do an awful lot of laundry for the cost of those units. Plus we can do all our laundry at once. I finally realize that unless we start traveling a lot more and longer than we do now ..it's not worth it for us.

Thank you for your perspective; I plan to RV full-time, so maybe small loads during breakfast.

 

[BGMAC]

With washer and dryer I would choose wisely. My experience with unvented is that it took forever to dry, but that was many years ago. I would pick the brains of ones that have them now. We are rigged for one, but don’t have one.

 

[Loose Cannon]

With washer and dryer I would choose wisely. My experience with unvented is that it took forever to dry, but that was many years ago. I would pick the brains of ones that have them now. We are rigged for one, but don’t have one.

Thank you for the reply; that was something I wasn't aware of.

 

[AbdRahim]

Splendide stackable is vented. Yes, it may take an hour and a half to dry, but at least, if you miss when it stops no stranger is going to take your clothes out, so they can use the machine. Also, if you don't have pets, no pet hair in your machine.

 

[Loose Cannon]

Splendide stackable is vented. Yes, it may take an hour and a half to dry, but at least, if you miss when it stops no stranger is going to take your clothes out, so they can use the machine. Also, if you don't have pets, no pet hair in your machine.

Thank you for your reply; I hadn't considered a stackable and don't know the cycle times of washer/dryer. Also, I don't have pets. I'm starting to think I might just string a clothesline!

 

[bpaikman]

Splendide stackable is vented. Yes, it may take an hour and a half to dry, but at least, if you miss when it stops no stranger is going to take your clothes out, so they can use the machine. Also, if you don't have pets, no pet hair in your machine.

yikes, pet hair in public machines.... good point