Greetings.
We are considering a class C. In the forums, I've seen people lament using rvdirect since they might not be able to guarantee service in my area.
Then, I've seen others chastise local dealers for their scary tactics or poor quality follow up or service . . .
Further, I want to buy the best quality rig for the lowest price and the longest life; I don't want to buy up in under 5-8 years if you catch my meaning and not all "high quality" brands (according the comments here) are necessarily sold in my area!
If anyone knows of a combination dealer: sales AND high quality service, please post! I live in Southern California, San Bernardino County, and don't want to travel to Torrance for a rig or service, but anywhere east/south of Los Angeles area might be beneficial.
So far, it seems many can concur with the others' comments so please let me know if you know of a quality place!
I have heard good things about McMahon RV, they have several locations in SoCal. Family owned, and they've really grown in the past few years. From what I have received input on, they do not "forget your face" after you've bought.
I like Jayco myself, and they don't carry Jayco. Richardsons RV carries the Jayco Class C's, also in SoCal and it was a great place to buy an RV, but their service department and customer service is not that great anymore!
Jayco will, however...allow an owner to take their RV to any RV repair facility for warranty service, with prior authorization, if you have issues with a Jayco dealership that refuses to honor the warranty. Good luck!
From what I've heard, RV-Direct sells the RV....Jayco warranties it, so you can go to a local dealer for service/repairs. The problem may be that you are not on the dealer's priority list, so you may end up waiting for service that you would get sooner, had you bought at the dealership. You're on the "Left Coast", I'm on the right, so I can't help much with dealers in your area, but I wouldn't discount RV-Direct because of where they are....I've read others from California who have bought from them.
Bill, Claudia, and the Paps
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie and Annie
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April Fools Day, 2008 The Pets
"Further, I want to buy the best quality rig for the lowest price and the longest life; I don't want to buy up in under 5-8 years if you catch my meaning and not all "high quality" brands (according the comments here) are necessarily sold in my area!"
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If you want the "best", get a Lazy Daze; factory-direct (in Montclair), several models, very fair pricing, superior service.
Thank you for all the replies! I hadn't thought about the Jayco warranty issue. I also had not thought about a Lazydaze. I'll need to check into them further
wecova wrote: Thank you for all the replies! I hadn't thought about the Jayco warranty issue. I also had not thought about a Lazydaze. I'll need to check into them further
check out http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/lifewithalazydazerv/ and ask any questions that you can think of. This is a very active group and very helpful. I found my previously owned LD there. This is my 2nd LD. Good luck in your search
One question: How come lazydaze don't have slide outs? We live close enough to go visit the showroom, but I'm concerned that they are so "old school." They also have very bright (not sure I like that) paint on the exterior. Only bonus is that it seems they don't fade . .
I sure do agree with you about the hidious paint job. As far as no slide, I think it is because it maitains its structural integrity whatever that is worth. It is listed as one of the best along with born free, but I'm not sure I want to buy into something with no slides either. Good luck in whatever you decide, and remember, they are all built on mostly the same chasis, and have the same appliances, etc that they all have.
I believe LazyDaze and some others with out slides are built more for traveling, and maybe retired couples that dont need the extra room when your parked. Slides are great when your parked, and if you go to some CG and stay put, and or have a large family.
But if your traveling and sightseeing and have less than three people there of no benefit, but rather the opposite. They are costly, heavy, they increase your chance of problems and leaks.
So there will always be a market for non slide rigs. And Im on my 5th RV, and one had 2 slides, but now that there's only two of us, and we seldom stay over 2 days in any one spot, we dont want or need them.
So it depends on your situation.
2001 27' Four Winds Class-C E-450 V-10.
Buick Park Ave Ultra, Ford Ranger PU, JD 500 backhoe.
1941 Farm All "A"
As you stated, it is very wise to buy a new or used RV that is built to last. A couple good examples are the Phoenix Cruiser and Coach House. There are many more good ones out there, but check these two by clicking on the blue names above. They both have on their websites, video and slide show tours with sound, explaining their construction methods. It will help you understand and identify good construction methods. I would look for these things in a well built motorhome.
1) If you can live without the over-the-cab bunk, get the one-piece front aero-dynamic cap. This eliminates a lot of water leak-&-rot potential that you read about in conventional class-Cs. Those have lots of caulked seam work in high stress corners.
2) Look for a fiberglass & crowned/arched roof. Flat roofs sag over time. Then water puddles up there. Sure enough water puddles around the roof vents and heavy a/c unit. Then water enters through old failed caulk.
3) 5 sided rear fiberglass cap. This eliminates the caulked corner seams where RVs see a lot of stress and water entry. This is the same principle as my first point.
4) No wood used in exterior walls or roof. If any water gets inside, the wood rots quickly. By the time it is discovered, it's often too late. Wood also expands and contracts more than fiberglass with temperature changes, so that contributes further to failed caulk in corners & joints.
5) Look for prefabricated walls and roof with aluminum framing and thick vacuum bonded fiberglass exterior side walls, with styrofoam insulation for a strong, warm, and quiet RV.
6) Insulated glass windows. This is two layers of glass with space in-between for sound and insulation. This is very good in colder weather, critcal if your bed is under a window. It is also benefitial when sleeping in noisy rest areas, Walmart parking lots....any place where you are trying to get a good night sleep in an active area. We noticed how beneficial the insulated glass is on the open road. The steady stream of huge trucks passing are much less of a noisy irritation.
In the case of the Coach House, that is the best construction method available. It's all one piece of fiberglass with no seams at all. But it has a much higher cost too.
As far as chassis selection and coach mechanics are concerned......a $120,000 RV or a $50,000 RV.....they use the same chassis, a/c, stoves, fridges, generators, etc. The difference in cost is construction and finish materials.
Let the RV construction be your first mission, then find the right new or used price and floor plan. A better built motorhome will cost more though, so don't get sticker shocked. You'll be paying more for less square footage. Remember though, these are not houses. A tiny Mercedes Benz sports coupe costs more than a big Ford cargo van.
I copied some of this out of reply I made to someone else.
Bought new in June 2007, Phoenix Cruiser-2350
Fits inside our garage.
Dingy towing a red Toyota MR2 Spyder
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