Need a new camper....Class C vs. Class A? Also, a financing question!

[PrincessNana 15]

We were told 5 years ( on several different forums). We replaced four tires when we bought our motorhome but we still need to replace the last two (they were a little newer). I think it ended up costing about $500.00 a tire but I was real paranoid about having a blowout. The four tires we replaced were original tires, so they were about eight years old.

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

I replaced my TT tires at 4 years, but I know they are different than MH tires.

[PrincessNana 15]

I replaced my TT tires at 4 years, but I know they are different than MH tires.

We have a friend who had a blow out on his motorhome, luckily he wasn't seriously injured but it totaled his motorhome. It scared us to death, so now we tend to err on the side of caution.

[photogal06...Sommer 10]

Yep, we are good if we want to tow the Fiesta 4-down. It's an '11 with a manual transmission, and we were thinking about towability when we bought it. I will definitely look for old/new ones, too....it seems this would be the time of year when dealers would be glad to move them out before winter, so they'll have room for the nice new models in the spring :)

On the 2005 Damon we looked at tonight, the tires were from 2001....apparently when these people bought it from the dealer a few years ago, the dealer told them they put new tires on it. Instead they put on tires that were 4 years older than the motorhome itself! They weren't aware that they need replacing when we pointed out the age...they were all about the tread, but we know better ('cause we got burned on that with the last camper we bought!) So that's a negative. The carpet inside is a bit worn, one of the leveling jacks sticks on the way up, and both AC units can't run at the same time....seems like a bad design there? The owner said with the 30amp wiring, he can't run both ACs at the same time, but it would only be a few hundred dollars to upgrade it to 50 amp. I'm a cheapskate, so a few hundred dollars is a big deal to me....along with the $3k or whatever it's going to take to replace the tires...and whatever is wrong with the leveling jack....and whatever else we might find that's wrong with it once we've owned it a while. The asking price is low on it, so we're keeping it on the list as a possibility.

Unfortunately, and I knew this would happen, they had a strong air freshener in there, and it gave me a massive headache that I'm still feeling 3 hours later...ugh! I hate air fresheners. I think they were probably trying to cover up dog smell (they have 2 St Bernards.) I don't mind dog smell...I'll take it any day over an air freshener, lol!

We have a few on our list to look at on Saturday, so we'll see how that goes.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

I don't think it is quite that easy or cheap to upgrade 30 amp service to 50 amp. But, I've never done it so I could be wrong. It's not uncommon with gasser MH's to have 30 amp service that cannot run both A/C's at once. But some, like our Winnie, have a power management system that cycles various components on and off as needed to allow both A/C's to function. Not sure whether Damons had that or not.

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

Ok, to answer 1 question... I asked the hubs, our 35 ft Class C has the same engine, transmission, and chassis as our friend's 36 ft Class A. So I guess your towing question just depends on the motorhome (probably size).

Our friends that have the Class A do the air mattress thing and love it. They just throw it in the master during the day. So that could work for you.

The hubs agreed with Dave that making a 30 amp 50 amp would not be that easy. Going back to the same friends, theirs is only 30, and that can run both units, but they can't run anything else at the same time.

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

Ok, to answer 1 question... I asked the hubs, our 35 ft Class C has the same engine, transmission, and chassis as our friend's 36 ft Class A. So I guess your towing question just depends on the motorhome (probably size).

Weight and engine too. Our 36' Class A has a diesel engine and weighs 34,000 pounds dry. It is rated to tow 10,000 pounds.

We've towed 6,000 pounds many times, and we don't even know it's back there. Also doesn't affect our MPG.

[Grumpy and Grandma 740]

Here is what Michelin says about tire service life:

That is why, in addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance by

consumers, it is recommended to have RV/Motorhome tires, including spare tires, inspected

regularly by a qualified tire specialist, such as a tire dealer, who will assess the tire’s

suitability for continued service. Tires that have been in use for 5 years or more should

continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually.

Consumers are strongly encouraged to be aware not only of their tires’ visual condition and

inflation pressure, but also of any change in dynamic performance such as increased air

loss, noise or vibration, which could be an indication that the tires need to be removed from

service to prevent tire failure.

It is impossible to predict when tires should be replaced based on their calendar age alone.

However, the older a tire the greater the chance that it will need to be replaced due to the

service-related evolution or other conditions found upon inspection or detected during use.

While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is recommended that

[.....Gary 85]

Here is what Michelin says about tire service life:

That is why, in addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance by

consumers, it is recommended to have RV/Motorhome tires, including spare tires, inspected

regularly by a qualified tire specialist, such as a tire dealer, who will assess the tire’s

suitability for continued service. Tires that have been in use for 5 years or more should

continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually.

Consumers are strongly encouraged to be aware not only of their tires’ visual condition and

inflation pressure, but also of any change in dynamic performance such as increased air

loss, noise or vibration, which could be an indication that the tires need to be removed from

service to prevent tire failure.

It is impossible to predict when tires should be replaced based on their calendar age alone.

However, the older a tire the greater the chance that it will need to be replaced due to the

service-related evolution or other conditions found upon inspection or detected during use.

While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is recommended that

I got into the tire thing and was told the same thing theat Grumpy is quoting. Over/under inflation, over loading and constant sunshine are bigger enemies than age.

As far as financing you can go through "Good Sam", they use Essex which uses Bank of the West, they will give you a general prequal. Good Luck... :clint:

[photogal06...Sommer 10]

Ok, after a week of searching, I think we've looked at almost every type of Class C or A out there (except diesels....out of our price range.) We looked at the regular C, the super C, the C with the drop-down bunk and second dinette, the A with the drop-down cab bed, the regular A, the A with two sofas, the so-incredibly-long A we'd never be able to make the 90-degree turn to get it into our parking area! There were things we like about each of them, and in the end, we decided on....................a C just about like what we have now, only with a slide. Anticlimactic, I know, lol! If all goes well, we will be under contract on Friday for an '09 Forest River Sunseeker 3100SS. It's a solid 20 years newer than what we have now, and it has a lot of nice features. It's a totally manageable size for us, and with the slide we won't end up wanting to kill each other after a rainy day spent inside, lol!

We've been all over the place with financing. We were going with our local credit union, then Essex gave us a 0.5% better rate with a slightly longer term, then the dealer ended up giving us yet another 0.5% better rate, so we're at 4.5% for 15 years. I'm very happy with that. We also got a smokin' deal on the price of the Sunseeker, so I'm very happy about that, too.

Fingers crossed that everything goes well with the test drive Friday. DH wasn't able to come see it with us today, so dd and I checked it over thoroughly, asked our million questions, and took about as many photos. DH will come with us and do the final checks on Friday, look at the roof, crawl underneath it, all that good stuff.

I'm really happy to be done looking, and I'm so excited about our November trip now. No more having to stop for gas every 200 miles because the gas gauge doesn't work and no more roof leaks! If you know of anyone looking for an RV with a Ford 460 big block engine (who has a talent for roof repair or just wants a hunter's special), send 'em my way, lol!

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

Excited for you and can't wait to see pictures!!!!

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Awesome! I love that floorplan. It has the split bath right? Those are nice cause someone can be in the shower while someone else can be.....well, using the sink. Yeah. That's it. :clint:

[photogal06...Sommer 10]

Awesome! I love that floorplan. It has the split bath right? Those are nice cause someone can be in the shower while someone else can be.....well, using the sink. Yeah. That's it. :clint:

Exactly, Dave, lol!

[Gots2pitt.. Jeff 64]

Awesome! I love that floorplan. It has the split bath right? Those are nice cause someone can be in the shower while someone else can be.....well, using the sink. Yeah. That's it. :clint:

I think the word you were looking for is Fumigate.

[photogal06...Sommer 10]

Thanks to some freakishly warm weather, we are leaving in about an hour to take the new Sunseeker out on her maiden voyage (with us, anyway!) We're heading to the same place we camped with our old one about a month ago. Wish us luck!! We've had a crazy last few days trying to get to know it a bit and getting it all packed and ready to go!

Thank you to everyone who offered me advice and shared your experiences. You all are the best!

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Awesome!!!! Post pics!!!

[alexwyattmommy 181]

Can't wait to see photos.

Congrats!

[momof3kids-Yvonne 596]

Have a wonderful time!