fishnuv
Southern California
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Joined: 11/07/2009
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We are getting ready to shop for a MH. It is is me, wife and 7 year-old son. Occasionally we'd like to take his grandpa or aunt and uncle along for trips so sleeping for up to five is optimal. Our current activities include riding our 2 ATV's on So Cal desert so the MH must be capable of pulling the quads on a 12ft flatbed trailer or our Jeep Wrangler to Eastern Sierras.
I would like to say we plan on a trip a month but 6-8 weekend trips a year is more likely. Our ATV trips are dry camping so water capacity is important.
We are looking for a quality MH with good fearures. I hear both sides of gas vs. Diesel and A Vs. C.
I'm hoping there are families out there who's activities are similar who can add their 2 cents.
Thanks...
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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all I can say or add is don't make the mistake a guy I know did, he bought a beautiful MH with only a queen bed and a couch that doesn't fold out into a bed. Just make sure the unit has every thing you want or can use or need before signing the dotted line.
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Leeblev
Pinole, CA
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Joined: 03/26/2004
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FYA....most MH's are designed for TWO-and if a third can stand the foldout couch, perhaps 3. Having said that, I know that there are a very few "Toyhaulers" out there. I dont know how many they sleep though.
As to hauling your Wrangler and quads: You need to know the weight of what you are hauling along with the weight of the trailer they are on. Add that weight to the weight of the MH loaded with water, fuel, people, supplies, etc. You don't want to be at your max. Combined Gross Vehicle Weight for several reasons and the most important being ability to stop.
Gas or Diesel? Diesel rigs cost more. They get better mileage and have more power. Many have airbrakes, which IMHO are important. They stink worse than gas and right now diesel is more or close to the same price as gas.
It really is your choice.
Have fun choosing, but remember that most of them are not designed to sleep 5.
Lee
2001 36' Kountry Star DP
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btd35
Spokane, WA
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Joined: 03/24/2005
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Spend some time looking. Prices are great right now, and there are those looking desperatly to unload their RV to get rid of payments. I would be tempted to go for a diesel pusher MH right now, but that still may not be in your budget.
Water capacity probably won't be an issue in most anything you get. Be aware, that many gas class A's are very close to capacity or even over once you put passengers, fuel, and water on leaving very little left for anything else. That is why I would be tempted for a diesel pusher.
Check out what ever you find attractive very well, and don't get stary eyed with it so as to miss problems it may have.
Tom & Beth
05,Grand Junction 35TMS
99, Dodge 3500 Dually.
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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Our old 1995 Class C will sleep 6 (or more, if they are small, or VERY friendly). 2 in the rear bedroom queen bed, 2 or three in the overhead queen bed, and 2 kids on the folded down dinette.
Many others will do the same.
IMO, it is more important to think about how many you can put up with in there on a rainy day, especially at meal times!
Both of the Class A's that we have had would sleep six, but not very comfortably.
Good luck in your search. They are out there.
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 274,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '08 Subaru Outback
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited/Load Trail 16' flatbed
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fordsooperdooty
Orange Kounty Kalifornia
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Joined: 08/13/2004
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A Damon outlaw Class A motorhome HEREcan sleep up to 8, has a nice toybox, and is available in Diesel. You can even rent one down there in San Diego to try it out!
Rent one
A Jayco is not just an RV, it's a life choice! 
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Kirk
Livingston, Texas.
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Joined: 06/17/2001
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Quote:
Water capacity probably won't be an issue in most anything you get. Be aware, that many gas class A's are very close to capacity or even over once you put passengers, fuel, and water on leaving very little left for anything else. That is why I would be tempted for a diesel pusher. Please be very careful in the advice you take since this is an excellent example of some incorrect information. The fact is that today many gas chassis, class A motorhomes have a CCC which exceeds that of at least half of the diesel pushers on the market, especially those toward the lower end of the price range. Before you take the advice of anyone, verify for yourself that the advice given is valid.
As to the sleeping capacity, it is very true that the majority of class A units are designed primarily for two people, but there are exceptions. In general, the class C units are designed to sleep more people but they also have very limited tow capacity.
In class A motorhomes today nearly all have the ability to tow at least 5000# and many can tow 10,000# I doubt that your two quads and trailer would come even close to the 5K limit. In class C unit there are still some that have a 3500# limit so be careful. You might be best served by choosing one of what the call today, a Super C. Those come on a heavy duty, diesel truck chassis but are a large class C RV. Most of them would have more towing capacity than you will need and usually have a higher sleeping capacity as well.
Good travelin! ........Kirk
Professional Volunteer
www.adventure.1tree.net
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StanleyandIris
Louisiana
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Joined: 06/17/2007
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MH jack knife sofa beds aren't very comfortable but it is only for a few nights. For longer trips, get some 2" foam toppers. I wouldn't want to try to sleep 2 people on one MH jack knife sofa bed so you should think about units with 2 sofas. The dinette fold down beds are miserable, I even hated them when I was a kid. I suppose when you have guests, this will be the 8 year old's bed. Get a topper for it too. Or, if you have a living room slide, get a queen air mattress and then just deal with putting it up and taking it down everyday.
As far as gas versus diesel - DP's are more expensive to buy, but there is no deafening motor noise in the cockpit while underway because the motor is in the rear. DH is a retired ship captain and prefers diesel motors for many reasons, one of which is that it pushes the load rather than pulling it. Another is that diesel motors last forever.
Iris
Soon, we may have bio-diesel as available as petro diesel and there won't be any reconfiguration of the engine to use it. Green, ya' know?
* This post was
edited 11/07/09 03:25pm by StanleyandIris *
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