After searching for a few months, I have narrowed down my search to Beaver and Country Coach, 2005-2006, 34-36 foot models. I have seen two Beaver models but haven't seen a Country Coach yet. I originally intended to spend about 100K, but have moved that up to around 110K, if necessary. The good thing about taking your time to find exactly what you want, is that your savings grows while prices go down.
From what I have been able to gather, here are the pros and cons for each:
Exterior Paint (Beaver wins)
Beaver -- Slide outs are fully painted with the paint scheme continued on the sides. Have seen some with paint peeling issues, small issue with a local California unit, much worse on a unit in Massachusetts
Country Coach -- Slide sides are painted solid, the paint scheme is not continued on the side of the slide outs. Have only read about some peeling paint issues
Windshield (Beaver wins)
Beaver -- One piece windshield installed starting in 2005
CC -- One piece windshield installed starting in 2006
Holding Tanks (CC wins)
Beaver -- 100 gal fresh water, 50 gal gray, 50 gal Black, 109 gal fuel
CC -- 99-105 gal fresh water, 69 gal gray, 53 gal Black, 110-135 gal fuel
Monitoring System
Beaver -- Aladdin
CC -- Not sure
Layout (variable, but slight edge to CC)
Aqua Hot (Beaver wins)
Beaver -- Have not seen a unit for sale without it
CC -- Have only seen one unit for sale with it
Rear Bed (Beaver wins)
Beaver -- Optional King Bed
CC -- Haven't seen one for sale with a King bed, not sure if it was an option
Cabinetry (Can't tell if there's a difference, both seem excellent)
Motorhome Construction (Not sure what's better)
Beaver -- Aluminum construction
CC -- Steel construction
Chassis (Not sure what's better)
Beaver -- Roadmaster M8S-Series
CC -- DynoMax chassis: semi-monocoque construction
New Price (Beaver slightly cheaper)
36' 2006 Beaver Monterey -- Base Price approximately 240K (with required Aqua Hot option+need to add about 2K for the Cat C-9)
36' 2006 CC Inspire -- Base Price approximately 250K, includes Cat C-9
Current Prices (CC is about 10K to 20K more, on average)
Anyone have any other comparisons I'm missing? Any features that are on the Country Coach that are not standard on the Beaver?
EDIT : This is my new signature!
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Your analysis is good, but have you considered stepping up to one of the higher level Beaver models even if it means moving back in age a couple years? Pre-2003 Beavers were based on the SMC Magnum chassis and I think there are some definite advantages to the older design. We have a Hurricane heating system which, from what I have read, appears to have far fewer problems than does the Aquahot. Also, we have Silverleaf engine monitoring systems rather than an Aladdin. Since Aladdin is no longer supported, the Silverleaf is a plus.
If you have specific questions about Beavers feel free to PM me.
Sandie & Joel
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docj wrote: Your analysis is good, but have you considered stepping up to one of the higher level Beaver models even if it means moving back in age a couple years? Pre-2003 Beavers were based on the SMC Magnum chassis and I think there are some definite advantages to the older design. We have a Hurricane heating system which, from what I have read, appears to have far fewer problems than does the Aquahot. Also, we have Silverleaf engine monitoring systems rather than an Aladdin. Since Aladdin is no longer supported, the Silverleaf is a plus.
If you have specific questions about Beavers feel free to PM me.
I have considered a few models in the 2003-2003 range, but I was so impressed with the one-piece windshield, I've been trying to stay with 2005 and above. But, I know they have their drawbacks--especially for replacement. From what I understand, it is twice as expensive to replace a full one-piece windshield as opposed to both haves of a two-piece. And if the two-piece gets damaged, it's likely that only one side would need to be replaced.
I didn't know anything about the Hurricane heating system or that it may have fewer problems. I also didn't know about the Aladdin system no longer being supported.
You are missing a big one. Which coach has the most carrying capacity - LEGALLY! Some Beavers are over 20Klbs on the drive axle. Regardless of the rated capacity, that coach is illegal to operate in many states. Some states are weighing everything as it goes through the toll booth. They will turn you away unless you have an over weight permit. Ohio will turn you away if you exceed 21Klbs. I have no idea if CC has this problem, but you need to know.
Dave
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Good input to step up in each lines food chain. Patriot and up on Beaver, and Allure and up in the CC. At those higher quality/content levels, you can then shop for floor plan and condition as the key decision point, as either line will serve you well.
Daveinet wrote: You are missing a big one. Which coach has the most carrying capacity - LEGALLY! Some Beavers are over 20Klbs on the drive axle. Regardless of the rated capacity, that coach is illegal to operate in many states. Some states are weighing everything as it goes through the toll booth. They will turn you away unless you have an over weight permit. Ohio will turn you away if you exceed 21Klbs. I have no idea if CC has this problem, but you need to know.
Good Point. I can find the weight ratings, but that doesn't do me much good when most of the owners have no idea about the unloaded or loaded weight of their coach. I have only found one person who knows the unloaded weight.
I am super concerned about this, and didn't list these values because I can't find anyone who knows the weight of their Country Coach. The other limitation is the total length of 65 feet allowable in California. That's why I need a 36' max motorhome, I need to legally and safely tow a 24' trailer.
The whole reason why I'm buying a new coach is because of the low tow capacity, 5000 lbs., and Gross Combined Weight Rating of my current Bigfoot. One of my requirements for a new coach is a 10,000 lb hitch, along with adequate weight ratings.
Weight Ratings
Beaver -- GVWR: 35,800 lbs., GCWR: 45,800 lbs., Front Axle WR: 12,800 lbs Rear Axle WR: 23,000 lbs. Unloaded weight: 28,654 lbs (including full tanks and 5 people) No idea of the actual loaded real axle weight.
CC -- GVWR: 32,800 lbs., GCWR: 42,800 lbs. Unknown unloaded weight. I found an ad that someone listed their unloaded weight of around 29,000 lbs, but of course I can't find it now. It was not the model I wanted.
Daveinet wrote: You are missing a big one. Which coach has the most carrying capacity - LEGALLY! Some Beavers are over 20Klbs on the drive axle. Regardless of the rated capacity, that coach is illegal to operate in many states. Some states are weighing everything as it goes through the toll booth. They will turn you away unless you have an over weight permit. Ohio will turn you away if you exceed 21Klbs. I have no idea if CC has this problem, but you need to know.
I have driven toll roads in several states with a rear axle weight of ~21,400 and have had no problems. The PA turnpike has weight sensors at its toll booths and uses this information to calculate toll rates. Believe me, I was charged the correct toll (I checked because it was ~$53) but no one bothered me about my axle weight.
Posts like this one are made periodically on all the RV forums, but, to my knowledge, I have never seen an actual report of an RVer being hassled about the rig's weight nor being required to go through the scales at a weigh station. There are lots of claims about this being possible, but we've been in 33 states in the past 18 months without problem.
tothetrail wrote: Chassis (Not sure what's better)
Beaver -- Roadmaster M8S-Series
CC -- DynoMax chassis: semi-monocoque construction
Are you sure the Beaver isn't semi-monocoque construction? " I know that Monaco built that way, but don't know if the Beaver is. One Hundred % of over the road passenger buses are built on monocoque or semi-monocoque chassis. Full monocoque chassis surround the complete vehicle with frame members. Semi-monocoque chassis use frame members on the lower half of the vehicle, and that provides a very strong base for the rest of the coach." It is said that you can roll a coach that is build on a monocoque or semi-monocoque chassis and put it up right on its wheels and drive it back to the factory for repairs.
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