We have had 2 C's and 2 A's plus TTs, popups, & HiLo since 1969. The only advantage of C's is the extra bunk over the driver. For everything else the A's have the advantage. You will have tanks in the basement where they are usually heated for winter use, larger water & holding tanks, higher CCC, extra storage in the baement, plus a lot more room. I would not say you will get higher mileage with shorter coaches. Pushing into the wind with a brick is not helping mileage. I have gotten high MPG with each newer MH. My first C at 20.5' gave 5 mpg; a New 27' gave 6.5; a 35' A gave 7.5, and the current 38' gives 8.5. At this rate if I ever get a 45' I should get amazing mileage.
We are a family of 6, and just a tad over 5 years ago, we were asking the same questions as you. We were almost ready to compromise on a C, when some good folks here suggested we look at an A. We did, found one that met our needs almost perfectly, and have been VERY HAPPY with it's floorplan. It's a dual slide, dual sofa, 36' rig. There is plenty of sleeping space for the 6 of us. We sometimes travel with 8 and there's STILL room.
Since then, there are the "Super C's" on the Kodiak chassis now, but after driving our A, even the cabs of those seem crowded. And the view on the road is so much better in the A for everybody.
Some of the newer A's are available with bunk floorplans, but I believe those will be out of your price range. However, an older dual-sofa floorplan my just be available. They were especially common on DPs. If you do look at the new ones with the bunks, carefully check to see how close the "little's ones" will be sleeping to "mommy & daddy". Most are too close for our preference. Wifey and I have actually enjoyed quite a few "special moments" in our rig (more than I EVER would've thought when we bought it.) It's nice to have "the kids" up front and we get the back to ourselves, behind a locked door. Lot's of people LOVE the new bunk set-ups, so don't pass them by, but for us, we'd opt for another dual-sofa floorplan if we were to buy again.
Good Luck,
~Rick
2005 Georgie Boy 3625 DS on a Workhorse W-22 (Class A)
Rick, Gail, 1 girl (12-Angel), 1 girl (7), 2 boys (8 & 5), 1 plump Golden Retriever.
2001 Honda Odyssey with Demco Aluminator tow bar & tow plate, SMI Silent Partner brake controller.
We started in a 31' single slide "C" and we were 7 at the time. We thought we could sleep two in the bed over the cab but the kids were bigger and didn't want to sleep together and really it wasn't big enough for two kids. The dinette really is no good unless you have a 4 or 5 year old child. I didn't like using the dinette because when I wanted to use it, it had to be converted. Within a year we realized that this was not big enough for us. 31' is a good length but we moved to a 36" class "A" with bunks and a full size pull out bed. With two slides and the added usage of the front area we were very pleased with our decision. It seems we have a ton of extra room. We are still happy with our "A". The "C" also had very limited storage and we had to store much inside. The "A" has much more storage and we only need to carry clothing and food inside.
We've had the pleasure of owning both. First was the A and then the C. Yes, you do get more square footage in an A but the cab over bunk in a C is ideal and out of the way. Just close the curtains when you want to hide all the toys and books and clothes. Also, I didn't want to have to take the dinette apart for sleeping. I realize your kids are still small but they grow FAST, so keep that in mind. Ours were your childrens age when we started rving and now they are pre-teen.
We own a 31'ft. with a super slide so there is plenty of room. Check the kitchen counter space. You want to be able to do your food prep with counter space.
Most A's in your price range won't have a slide and only 1 sofa. That can get pretty small too. There are some older C-class bunkhouse models out there that might work.
Renting each for a week will quickly sort out the conveniences/problems issues. Probably the best money you will ever spend.
Class C is great up to about 26 feet. Beyond that, they are getting very heavy with huge rear overhangs. My 24 ft is the easiest-handling rig I have ever had. Figure 2 sleeping in the back corner bed, child-only if the dinette lor jack-knife measure less than 6ft long, and one adventurous adult (or 2 "friendly" young adults in the overhead).
Lomger than that, go Class A because the chassis should be designed to handle extra weight with your belongings.
Above 34 ft, look to a pusher ---no competition if you ask me.
'99 Glendale Royal Expedition 24' Class C
2003 Subaru WRX wagon as toad.
Offline
