We went from a 9.5 foot slide in camper to a 38 foot 5th wheel to get some room and a bed we didn't have to climb into. After just 2 trips with the fiver, we went back to a 29 foot B+, so we can get into the at least some of the places we like to camp.
We "upsized" from a 10x10' tent to our Sprinter-based Navion. It is really hard to beat the maneuverability and ease of driving. No Toad needed for most places. We have been very pleased and use ours nearly every weekend.
Getting as short an RV as possible, yet maintaining a dedicated bed on the main floor, will be a rear corner bed at around 24 feet over-all length.
There are a number of RV companies that offer 24 foot rear corner bed units. We found the Phoenix Cruiser 2350 Details Here, to have a comfortable spacious interior including a nice sized bathroom & shower. There is more indoor and outdoor storage than we can utilize. We don't have the slide-out option either. The RV is very well made with high quality fit and finish.
Don't miss this point....If we were big people, our PC-2350 wouldn't work as well. My wife is 5'-1" at 110 pounds, and I am 5'-10" at 180 pounds. The RV including the bed size is just right for us. The low 6'-4" ceiling height is never an issue. The over-all exterior dimensions are small, even by Sprinter standards, with a small width & height. The over-all height is only 9'-10" to the top of the a/c unit, which improves gas mileage and handling. Our PC-2350 is very easy to drive and get around in. We tow a small convertible sports car for the extra convenience and lots of sight-seeing fun. If we wanted, we could get around in the RV all by itself too.
If you and your wife both physically fit it's dimensional criteria, I advise you put a PC-2350 on your list of considerations. It is as small of a dedicated (not a convert-a-bed) main-floor bed I know of, built on a standard Ford chassis. They are sold nationally, including where you are located.
With the V10 gas engine, it's gas mileage is around 25%-30% less than an equivalent Sprinter, but diesel fuel costs 20% more, so that is something to think about. The Ford chassis offers more stability control, more load carrying capability, and a greater towing ability. As with any gas RV, you have a whole lot of gas available for your gas generator.
You can buy a new PC-2350 for around $65,000. Can you buy the same quality built Sprinter based RV for that? My point is....Don't blindly rule a small Ford chassis RV. On the other hand, don't blindly buy a PC-2350 either. Do your research, and get what works best for you and your wife.
And Have Fun finding that ideal RV!
PS: We up-sized to the PC-2350, not down-sized. Maybe it's all about what you are used to.
* This post was
edited 08/11/08 05:59pm by ron.dittmer *
Bought new in June 2007, Phoenix Cruiser-2350
Fits inside our garage.
Dingy towing a red Toyota MR2 Spyder
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Two years ago we sold our 45' Monaco Executive and I swore to the heavens above I would never, ever get involved with rving again. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy the trips, or even full timing in it. I just got tired of messing with something so big, so expensive to maintain, and having to find "big rig" parks to put it in.
Three months ago my wife and I set out to buy a pickup camper that we could park along some of my favorite streams in Oregon so that we could go fishing. Long story short, we found a used Chinook Summit 27' class C with very low mileage. The price was right, so I am now the owner of a very nice class C and couldn't be happier. We don't miss the awsome room of the Executive at all, even though I really thought we would. It is so easy to drive, to park, to get into parks that we had to drive past before, etc. that every trip is a pleasure. Try a C class. You will like it!
My goodness...the Sprinter-bashers have remained silent...thought I was about to see another thread that disregraded the question and went for an MPG analysis!
Anyway...we downsized to a Navion and absolutely love it. We enjoy our trips far more and are more spontaneous. Also make you realize that you shouldn't bring anything you don't need.
Smitty
2008 Itasca Navion (hopefully the "Keeper!")
2005 Winnebago Minnie 31C
2003 Coleman Tacoma Pop-up
Fort Monmouth, New Jersey
We have a 31' C and the one thing that I can think of that you should realize is that the big class Cs are heavy for the E-450 chasis. The more slides the heavier. Given that all operate near gross it is best to slow down. I don't think you will ever find us going 70 mph in ours. I'm comfortable at 60 mph. If you want to hurry and do it safely then maybe a smaller C will work for you.
Going 60 mph all the time can be a problem with so many rude drivers on the road.
younchem wrote: We have a 31' C and the one thing that I can think of that you should realize is that the big class Cs are heavy for the E-450 chasis. The more slides the heavier.
I also have noticed this.
Our short 24' RV on a 2007 Ford E350 chassis, was offered with an optional 6 foot wide slide-out that weighed an extra 400 pounds. We didn't want a slide for a multitude of reasons, so we special ordered ours without one. The weight savings happens to be equivalent to traveling with our 41 gallon water tank empty.
My point is......a big class-C on an E450 chassis with 3 huge slide-outs must be adding around 1500 pounds, compared to the same RV without slide-outs. That extra weight added to an already heavy RV, cannot be ignored. You really gotta examine that sticker in the RV with the weight details. You may have a lot of storage space in a huge class-C, but unable to utilize it safely. The same concerns are more prevalent on the Sprinter based C's.
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