Gas Mileage, Dependability, and Full Timing

[Strider]

Hello everyone...
Considering trading my 2024 Casita Spirit Deluxe Travel Trailer for either a Class A or a Class C.

The Casita is great and very well built, but just way too small for me. I plan on full-timing for a bit, and I want to do some things that require space:

• Reloading for my Cowboy Action Shooting passtime.
• Doing leatherwork (gunbelts etc).
• Creating Props for stage/TV/Film
• Carrying my mural painting supplies.

So I want something with some space.
I may convert the bedroom to my studio and sleep on a murphy bed, or put the studio in the living room . Not sure yet.

Wondering what gets better gas mileage, is reliable. I am thinking diesel, but they get pricey.
I think I would prefer an older model anyway:: kinks hopefully worked out, not ridiculous emissions fluid nonsense (if diesel) etc., and avoiding the problems that seem to be prevalent in the post 2019 models.

I am fine with either a Class C or A at about 32 feet. The more storage the better.

Any advice would be helpful.

Thank you!

 

[RVDreamz]

I bought a Thor Hurricane for the size to capacity ratio. Loads of storage for a short length of 31' front to back. 29' inside, give or take. Loads of storage inside and tons of storage outside. I have a quick view of the outside on my YouTube channel if you'd like a look. YouTube @RVDreamz1224. let me know if you have any specific questions though.

 

[Strider]

I bought a Thor Hurricane for the size to capacity ratio. Loads of storage for a short length of 31' front to back. 29' inside, give or take. Loads of storage inside and tons of storage outside. I have a quick view of the outside on my YouTube channel if you'd like a look. YouTube @RVDreamz1224. let me know if you have any specific questions though.

Thank you! Great info! Cool rig!!!

 

[topknines]

Strider, Class C models often offer better gas mileage compared to Class A, especially in the 32-foot range. Diesel is great for reliability and longevity, but maintenance costs can be higher. For storage and workspace, Class A rigs usually have more room. Older models are a smart choice if you're handy and can handle minor repairs. Best of luck finding the perfect RV for your creative ventures!

 

[Joe Hogan]

you may want to keep an eye on useful load. Sounds like you will be hauling a fair amount of weight.

 

[Strider]

Strider, Class C models often offer better gas mileage compared to Class A, especially in the 32-foot range. Diesel is great for reliability and longevity, but maintenance costs can be higher. For storage and workspace, Class A rigs usually have more room. Older models are a smart choice if you're handy and can handle minor repairs. Best of luck finding the perfect RV for your creative ventures!

Thanks. Went to see some today. I like the over-cockpit area in the C, as it is perfect for storage of some things.
I sat in some Cs and As. Interesting how big the differences in layout are. Also the differences in the feel from the driving position, even between the same classes.

 

[Strider]

you may want to keep an eye on useful load. Sounds like you will be hauling a fair amount of weight.

Yeah true. I would like to be able to tow my Land Cruiser on a trailer, but that may not be an option now, as that would require a diesel, and they are pricey.

 

[Wemustrv]

I would go with the a Class A diesel pusher. More room and you have to remember that the class A also has the basement compartments for storage which is much larger than any class c. As for diesel expense I have had mine for 8 years and I have put no more in it for repairs than I would have a gas rig. In this time I have put in a new clutch fan and a turbo exhaust pipe. I purchased mine used it is a 40' 2007 Coachman Encore 40TS. WE tow a F150 SuperCrew behind it. We average 7.5-8 mpg.

 

[DennisT]

Definitely want to keep an eye on the cargo carrying capacity.

I know when we sold the house and went fulltime there was a lot of lead weight in the basement associated with reloading. Not sure what type of reloading machine you have but some need quite a bit of room. We would have needed to pull a trailer, even behind our Super C, to carry the machine and supplies.

We had a 32 foot Forester before upgrading to our Newmar Superstar for more room. The Forester had quite a bit of storage but, when you put a 32 foot coach on the Ford chassis we were left with about 900 lbs of cargo we could carry before we would have been overloaded. Something to consider.

For mileage, we get about 8 1/2 mpg out of our Diesel Super C and we averaged about 8 1/2 out of the gas Forester. I think some of the newer Mercedes chassis coaches get better mileage.

 

[Strider]

I would go with the a Class A diesel pusher. More room and you have to remember that the class A also has the basement compartments for storage which is much larger than any class c. As for diesel expense I have had mine for 8 years and I have put no more in it for repairs than I would have a gas rig. In this time I have put in a new clutch fan and a turbo exhaust pipe. I purchased mine used it is a 40' 2007 Coachman Encore 40TS. WE tow a F150 SuperCrew behind it. We average 7.5-8 mpg.

Definitely want to keep an eye on the cargo carrying capacity.

I know when we sold the house and went fulltime there was a lot of lead weight in the basement associated with reloading. Not sure what type of reloading machine you have but some need quite a bit of room. We would have needed to pull a trailer, even behind our Super C, to carry the machine and supplies.

We had a 32 foot Forester before upgrading to our Newmar Superstar for more room. The Forester had quite a bit of storage but, when you put a 32 foot coach on the Ford chassis we were left with about 900 lbs of cargo we could carry before we would have been overloaded. Something to consider.

For mileage, we get about 8 1/2 mpg out of our Diesel Super C and we averaged about 8 1/2 out of the gas Forester. I think some of the newer Mercedes chassis coaches get better mileage.

The diesel would be great, but I don't think I can find one that I can afford to purchase. They seem to be pretty expensive even used. But I will look.

As far as reloading, I have a Dillon 550C and a Lee reloader-a simple one. I may keep the Dillon in storage and go with the simplicity of the Lee for now. I also have a manual primer tool.
My reloading is for cowboy action shooting using black powder. Also use of BP for muzzleloading. So my gear can be relatively simple.
I will have to have a small storage unit, so I could set up the Dillon in there for when I want to do more intensive reloading, maybe... but generally I am just doing this for doing matches, so really running a couple of hundred rounds for a match and that's about it.

I have seen some gas C RVs for 20k and under, older of course, and may need to go that route at first.