To try and answer one of your questions, I too have never heard of a park turning anyone away because they had a W/D. Regardless, I would suggest that having a washer and dryer is not worth the space they take up. Most parks have a laundry, and on the occasions that one is not available, the inconvenience still does not make it worth while to have one on board. If you do decide to have one, make sure that it is a vented dryer. The unvented dryers take forever to get even the smallest load dry.
As for the different models, it is pretty much like anything else. You generally get what you pay for. I have friends that have Newmars, and they are all very pleased with them. That is a very small sample of all the Newmar owners, so take it for what it is worth.
I think buying a used motor home is the way to go (again, just an opinion) as new units loose value very quickly.
I would suggest you take your time, visit as many dealers as you can and examine the features and quality of the different models. It may be less expensive to buy from a private party, but you will need to know what you want, and which features are important to you.
One final suggestion. There are areas where many RVer spend a lot of time, and the cost of used RV's are a lot less than say, Nebraska. Some of these places would be the RGV (Rio Grande Valley) near Brownsville, Texas, or the Phoenix area in Arizona. Lots of elderly people get there and sell their units in favor of "park models".
Hopefully, there will be some nice people respond to your post and offer some useful advice. Take the rest with a grain of salt.
RVing can be a wonderful lifestyle, whether you go full time or just an occasional weekend. I wish you success and enjoyment in what ever you decide to do.
Ken Gasbarri
* This post was
edited 08/03/08 11:55pm by an administrator/moderator *
I haven't worked my way towards a Class A yet, and may never do so. But we were looking a little while ago, and we extensively studied these three brands among others, and decided that Monaco was the best in terms of value and having floor plans and ammenities that we liked. We also found a dealer that bends over backwards for his customers, which is equally important. Just spend some time with the different brands, and pick the one that feels best and fits you best!
As for the washer and dryer question, we would hate to be without the set. We have separate washer and dryer, they are much like household type units and can be purchased at Home Depot or Lowes and will wash anything. I don't like using public washing facilities, so having our own is much more than a simple convenience, they are a necessity! Never been asked by a camp ground one way or the other about what we have inside the coach, so no problems with the washer or dryer there.
I do understand that the combined units stink. If you can get a "stacked" washer and dryer, you'll be much happier.
2007 Mountain Aire 4528
2006 CRV SE
Based in Memphis area
All of the brands you mentioned are quality MH's.
We fulltime and have never been refused campground entry because of a washer dryer onboard. Never have been asked if we have one.
hershey - albuquerque, nm Someday Finally Got Here
My wife does all the driving - I just get to hold the steering wheel.
Expedition - Suzuki Grand Viagra
Well said, Ken. I, too think you can't go wrong with any of the three, of course I have a Monaco so I am somewhat jaded. Look at all three extensively as their floorplans vary somewhat. Decide what is best for you and go from there. I really like PPL Motorhomes' website as they post the diagrams of the coaches interiors which gives you a rocking chairs view of the inside. DW would not have another coach without the W/D and we've never been asked in four years traveling...Best of luck in your search...Dennis
Quote: How important is it to have a washer/dryer ?
Not at all for us, but some people cannot live without them. What do you want???
We prefer the space for storage, carry 2+ weeks of clothes, go to laundry mat, fire up 5 washers then dryers, fold and we're out of there doing something else.
Plus WD requires full hookups and often we don't have them. Requires as in WD not practical otherwise.
Nothing wrong with those that want to have the small WD running all day/night for multiple days, just not our choice.
Since noone has suggested it yet, let me offer an opinion - rent first. I hear all the time about "a waste of money." We rented Class Cs a couple of times for extended trips (nearly 6 weeks and 7,000 miles combined) and learned a lot about we liked and didn't from watching others.
- the idea to read the first time buyer sticky is a good one. IMHO, the first thing that you need to do is decide how you want to use it. Long trips? Weekends? Alone or with family?, State Parks or RV Resorts? On the latter, State Parks often have a limited number of larger sites. Even at 36 feet, we have to start earlier than others to get a site big enough for us because most SPs are first come first serve. Size does matter, at least sometimes.
- practical experience, even in a type of RV that you won't necessarily buy will teach you a lot about the floor plan. We learned that we prefer the toilet in a room by itself, rather than open to the rest of the bathroom. You will also quickly decide about things like television placement, satellite, etc. Depending on whether you are the cook in or eat out type, the layout of the kitchen will be important.
It took us a couple of years after our rentals to find the right RV for us. We're as happy with it 4 years later as we were the day that we bought it because it suits our needs (or we have made some mods to correct the problems that we couldn't live with.) It is surprising about the number of people who trade a couple of times in the first year to end up with what they want. I'd almost promise that the costs of those trades was way more than all of our rentals combined.
Never heard of a CG asking about a WD. How would they know or care if you have one?
Scenario: Do you have a WD? Yes. You can't stay at our park, even though the park is partially empty and we're desperate for rigs. Get my drift?
Now years of experience tell me that there are parks with limited electricty, water or sewer, etc. Parks these also days have a habit of wanting to charge for everything. So anything is possible.
On the other hand we've seen a high number of empty sites on the OR coast and there are few more desirable areas in the US. Bottom line: they won't ask.
I drive my coach about 200 hours per year. I live in it about 5,000 hours per year. So, if I live in it 25 times as much as I drive it, should I be focusing on drivability or livability? I do prefer diesel, but not just because of drivability..thought that is much better, it seems. Diesel coaches also seem to be more livabable. However, in the floorplan vs horsepower, floorplan will win every time. Full paint seems to be an excess, but it is certainly worth a boatload when it comes to cleaning and resale. So, IMO, find one you would love to live in. If you can stand to drive it one hour for every 25 hours you live in it, and it is a good buy, it would be on my short list.
Jerry and Katie
More than 20 great years motorhoming and still loving it...
2004 DSDP 3810 (more than I needed...less than I wanted)
2004 Trailblazer (too heavy but well worth dragging)
The small combo washers will do 4 T shirts, 2 shorts , a few undies and some socks, wash and dry about 1 hr 15 mins. I don,t usually dry, hang the underwear in the shower and the others on a rack on the back of the MH. I hated the time in the laundry so wanted a W/D. We have a power management system but still watch our voltage and amps especially on 30 amp so read as much as you can about everything on these forums before you buy.
Bea PA
2004 Winnebago Journey
2008 Saturn Vue
1998 Venture Van
Brake Buddy/Remco Pump
2003 Gold Wing 1800 (Big Red)
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