I'm surprised that no one mentioned a Safari Trek.
They've been available in gas or diesel for a number of years and range in size from the mid 20ft length to about 32feet. They are high and wide, but the footprint on the ground is quite compact.
There is at least one Trek group on the internet. Check them out. They are a real high quality solution.
UltraKen
Ex -1968 Ultra Van
NOW - 1996 Safari Sahara 35' - Cat 300 - Model 3530 Pictures of my Coach Used MH Checklist
Toad: Dodge Grand Caravan on Tow Dolly or 1981 Vespa on utility trailer
Timing is everything! If you are truely looking for that small class A coach, here is a Craigs List listing I just discovered here in Northern Califonia. 1973 FMC which has been upgraded.
Based on the description it appears that a lot of work has been done to this coach so a lot of the possible "things to do" when buying an older coach have already been done by someone else.
Go for it!
BigRabbitMan & DiamondGal
Dixon,CADiamond Gal's T-Tapp fitness site
76 FMC #1046, Gas Pusher W/Chrysler 440-I
Edelbrock MPI fuel injection, Allison 545
Toad: Red '87 4x4 Subaru Brat, Lorance IWay 500c
DataStorm Satellite internet / I am here-click to see
Thanks for the input. I would love to have a fully modernized version of a 23 ft GMC motorhome. The GMC coop web site was interesting. It shows that some people are willing to go to great lengths to avoid great length in their motorhomes. I will try to contact Jim Bounds to get more info on his shop.
The FMC was a nice rig too, but a little larger than I want. A 26 ft Trek at a consignment lot appealed to me until I thought about crawling in and out of that "magic bed" 2 or 3 times during the night.
It appears that manufacturers will be introducing more models in the 25 to 30 ft range, but for a Class A shorter than 25 ft I think a rebuilt classic is the only option.
I realize that the cost per square foot is higher in a smaller rig, but the ability to manuever and park on city streets is worth it for people who are more into touring and making spontaneous stops along the route.
Salianron --Sally and Ron
2003 Roadtrek 200 Popular
Salianron wrote: Thanks for the input. I would love to have a fully modernized version of a 23 ft GMC motorhome. The GMC coop web site was interesting. It shows that some people are willing to go to great lengths to avoid great length in their motorhomes. I will try to contact Jim Bounds to get more info on his shop.
I just recently bumped into a friend of mine who had a GMC for years. He then "upgraded" to a 40' diesel pusher four or five years ago. In talking, it turned out that he didn't like the loss of the "go anywhere" nature of the smaller coach and resurrected the GMC and sold the bigger coach.
I have a 99 georgie boy pursuit that's 26' and just love it.... modern 454 provides plenty of power and very smooth. I'm a film maker and travel with a lot of my grip, lights, dollys, and camera gear locked up in the lower storage.
I was looking for something smaller and this size seems just perfect.
I get between 9 and 12 mpg... and usually cruise along at 70.
I know it is a bit outside your 30' number, I LOVE my 32 foot Journey.... I previously had a 40' Fleetwood Revolution but with the current rig I find myself asking where the other 8 feet went. Initially I was looking for something in the 28ish foot length but really wanted a diesel, so I got the smallest/best diesel I could find. Take one for a drive, you just might be surprised!!!
I'm a bit curious about the 25 ft cut off. At 25 ft, you still need to consume 2 parking spaces. I just can't think of anywhere a 25 footer can go that a 30 footer could not go. I do realize that some of it is just what you are used to. I drove a Revcon that as 2 feet longer than mine, and I did notice it when pulling out on a side street. But then on the other hand, I've driven in downtown Chicago on city streets and don't think much of it. About the only time I think about the length is when I'm towing a car. I think some of the perception of size has also to do with the width and height. Driving my dad's '04 Allegro, it is only 3 feet longer than mine, but is night and day more difficult to maneuver. Its the bulk - height, width and mass/handling. Find a coach under 10 feet tall and less than 8 feet wide, and I think you won't notice the length much.
Dave
FMCA F298817
'83 Revcon Prince 31' FWD
502 w/Howell/Edelbrock MPFI,Thorley's & Magnaflows,
KoniFSD,Class A built for gear heads My Revcon Revconeers Forum
If spending too much money got us into this mess, why is spending more money going to get us out.
Daveinet wrote: I'm a bit curious about the 25 ft cut off. At 25 ft, you still need to consume 2 parking spaces. I just can't think of anywhere a 25 footer can go that a 30 footer could not go. I do realize that some of it is just what you are used to. I drove a Revcon that as 2 feet longer than mine, and I did notice it when pulling out on a side street. But then on the other hand, I've driven in downtown Chicago on city streets and don't think much of it. About the only time I think about the length is when I'm towing a car. I think some of the perception of size has also to do with the width and height. Driving my dad's '04 Allegro, it is only 3 feet longer than mine, but is night and day more difficult to maneuver. Its the bulk - height, width and mass/handling. Find a coach under 10 feet tall and less than 8 feet wide, and I think you won't notice the length much.
Two Campgrounds, Burnt Oak and Cibbets Flats in the Cleveland Natioanal Forest are two max lenght 27' that we like. Yes there is Burnt Rancheria that accepts 40'. Alot of other choices we cannot use are 17', 20' and 22'. One reason we bought the rig we have. Your Revcon can go down some of the side streets where we have to watch the tree limbs. We are not as high as a bus coach and not as wide but the 102" width and a Queen bed slide makes it camp a lot larger than the 25' Diplomat II we owned before. More counter space, larger holding tanks,more storage bays and space than a C. Easier to get to house batteries even with no slide tray. If we ever move far away from these fine spots we like close to our stick home, we likely will go longer. And yes, we use the camps with the big rigs and never unhook the toad. And if we could have found a Safari Trek, when we found the Flair, we would have jumped on it. Short Class A's are very difficult to find. New or used. Also C's tend to block views when sitting at the dinnette.
Tommy USMC,Susie USN Ret, Dog Buddy
2000 Fleetwood Flair 25F WH P32 7.4L 19.5"
2002 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0L 5 Spd Man
Blue Ox Base,Aventa II,4 PIN Locks
US Gear UTB, Power Gear Man Lev, Onan 4KW
Tent,GP Tent,Tent Trailer,2 Class A's
Are We There Yet?
Yes GMC Toyman, the 7.5 ft wide Winnebago Via is what got me reconsidering a Class A. The posts about restored and modernized GMC coaches made me think about asking to check yours out to see if I would be comfortable driving one. Have you considered having yours finished out and modernized?.
As to the reason for the 25 ft limit, that is just the shortest currently available Class A. My 20 ft class B can be parked anywhere, but any new Class B that offers more room will be at least 22 or 23 feet long. That additional length will restrict my parking somewhat so 23 ft or 25 ft doesn't seem much different. The via is 2'-5" taller than my Roadtrek. That has me concerned about the additional sail area. The short GMC with tandom axles probably handles better if the steering components are tight. However I would consider a 35 year old motorhome only if it had been totally rebuilt professionally.
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