Have F/T for 5 years in a variety (3) 5ers. Each one was a little larger and the last two had second bedrooms/bunkhouse arrangements due to my sleep apena and tossing and turning in bed. We have looked at several m/h but can't find any with a true second bedroom which is our most important requirment. Only having one motor vehicle to insure and care for helps on cost but having the toad might be helpfull in some situations. Quality of our 5er has been as good as any m/h we considered. Travel safe
The RV Consumer Group has excellent information on what it takes to be an RV made for full-timing. Note the word `made' since many RVers full-time in rigs that are not necessarily made for that purpose.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
...and another perspective. We have had both - a 33' 5th wheel and for the past 8 years, a 40' motorhome. The 5th wheel served us well for 8 years and the size was o.k. because we are "outside" folks who don't watch any T.V. Friends got us hooked in 4-wheeling and that's why we went to a motorhome - to be able to tow our Jeep. Why a 40'? Given its wheelbase it was the most comfortable to drive and ride. Why a Newmar? Its track record..everyone we talked to were very satisfied with it, as we have been. Good luck in your choice!
Extremely Happy Full-Timers for 16 years
.... now trying to adjust to 3-season traveling - and it isn't easy!
2004 40' Newmar Dutch Star Diesel Pusher
2004 Jeep Liberty
We bought our rig with the expectation of eventually fulltiming in it, but for the next few years, we still spend 7 months (April thru October) in it. We chose a higher end, but slightly older coach, for several reasons........
Finishes - Solid wood cabinets and drawers with excellent hardware, that will last and last.
Ceramic Tile flooring.
AquaHot, which is something that we will never be without, not that we've experienced it.
A couple of things we should have held out for:
All electric Coach - At least a residential fridge, but this will be one of our next mods.
3 or 4 slides - We have two slides and have good space, but there's no comparison to a well built 4 slide floorplan.
Separate washer & dryer. We use our Spendide every day, but because the capacity is so small, we have to.......
Paul & Sandra
New Bedford, MA
2003 Monaco Executive M43 DS2
Dick_B wrote: The RV Consumer Group has excellent information on what it takes to be an RV made for full-timing. Note the word `made' since many RVers full-time in rigs that are not necessarily made for that purpose.
This was what I was referring to. Making sure I found a MH that could stand up to rigors of constant use.
Ivylog wrote: Yes, there are MH's that are built more like a 5er where everything is chip/partical board, put together with staples, and a rubber roof. Most manufactures make several models with some cheap and some better built. You get what you pay for. I would not be afraid of buying a 5+ year old upperend DP as it's a buyer's market in used rigs.
I'll put what Dennis said a different way: Twice the husband, on 1/2 the income, in 1/10th the space will test any marriage. I learned the hard way ($$$$) that you should buy more RV than you think you need...ONE TIME!
For fulltime, CCC is king. Since you are new here (and welcome) Cargo Carrying Capacity is how much stuff you can put in with full fuel, people, and water (plus a few other things) already in the MH.
Why a MH? Most on here will agree that a MH is the nicest way to fulltime and the most expensive if you are not careful. No way would I go back to a 5er, others will disagree. I look at towing a car as a plus because I put more miles on it and it gets 3X the MPG. You need to test drive and park a one ton dually long bed before deciding to go with a 5er. Yes, I'm biased towards a DP.
The 2008 Fleetwood Discovery looks like a nice rig but my concern is that it uses a Cummins ISB engine which is a great LITTLE engine without much torque (750 ftlbs) for a 350 HP engine. Most 350's will have 1,000. With a GCWR of 31,000 and add a 4,000 lb toad, 750 is on the low side. I'd want to see the CCC sticker that should be behind a cabinet door. Some say you can get by with 3,000 lbs of CCC but we part time and use 6,000 lbs.
I am going back to the dealer on thursday I will check for the sticker.
Gross vehicle weight 31,000
Towing capacity 10,000
Gross combined weight 41,000
Manufacturered weight.. full fuel,oil, coolant 25,7844
Full fresh water tank, full propane, and 6the people at 200lb each you have
Cargo Carrying Capacity 3,100 pound
With 2 people at 200lbs. You are at 3,900 +- CCC
As for the engine. It has preformed well for me. I travel a lot with friends with the 8.1 1000 something torque and he doesn't run off and leave me on steep grades (Rockies, Sierras) and we arrive at our destinations together. Plus I think I get a bit more MPG. He has a Monaco Dynasty which is a nice rig but we both agree I have more storage and larger inside cabinets. He has driven mine and said they both ride about the same
Look at them all and find what is right for you.
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