This is not the dealer that the wife and I saw this model at, they just had the best photos. I visited the Coachmen website and could not find any information on this new model. I was trying to find the MSRP in order to determine if my local dealer offering me $59,9 was a good deal. We really did not start hard negotiations so they just might go lower. I heard take the MSRP, chop 40% or X percentage off and start negotiations.
The MH does not have powered or any type of jacks. How important are jacks, and is this something I should work into the deal?
I know it had the Entertainment pkg, but do not remember if it had the rear airbag opt.
The only issue I had was the fit and finish on the interior trimwork around the rear bedroom slide. The dealer stated that we would go over the entire MH after they do their pre sale inspection. During our inspection we would point out all issues we have with the MH that they have not noted. All items would then be repaired under warranty.
Hmmm. Wonder where the 16,500 gross weight comes from. Certainly is higher than Ford
s 14,500 GVWR. So hopefully it doesn't really weight that much unless they did some sort of up-rating (which used to be common before the E450 came out). Nice floorplan though.
* This post was
edited 09/18/09 08:18am by carringb *
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, 250,000+ miles
Had: Weekend Warrior 41' FSW
They don't have 2010 models listed, maybe they are not going to carry them because they should be out by now unless the takeover by Forest River delayed them. It will give you an idea of pricing, the crossed out prices are the MSRP, the other price is CW's standard sale price.
If you want jacks then try to work them into the deal. Just be careful of the CCC you have to work with since they will eat into that and CCC is often in limited supply on a 32 footer. We did not have jacks on our first MH and on our current one I installed manual scissor jacks because discussions here got me thinking I should have them. I rarely use them though and plastic blocks would serve as well when I do. Everyone's opinion on them is different and level campsites may be much harder to come by where you live so do what seems best to you.
The Freelanders are "entry level" so the fit and finish will never be up to the standards of the industry leaders. We have a CW Freedom Express, the 23 foot model, and we love our entry level coach. This is another area where everyone is different and you need to do what seems right to you. The lowly Coachmen has been working perfectly for us!
We went back to another dealer, not in our local area, but recommended by a fellow FF from My House. That dealer's owner is a classic Camaro lover he is interested in purchasing it. Of course money talks. Well we viewed all the A's and C's on his lot. It was our first look at Itasca by Winnebago. Very nice, much better fit, finish, and overall construction. He did not have what we were looking for in the price we are looking for. He has a few potential prospects for us. He is trying to complete a few deals in which he will take in some 07/08's on trade. So we are just in a wait and see mode. I figure we will be waiting around till the Chicago Boat/RV show in Feb.
CCC is short for Cargo Carrying Capacity. It is the difference between the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and the weight of the MH full of gasoline, propane, water, and engine oil. CCC is the amount of weight you have left over for your passengers and gear before the chassis is overloaded. Unless your leveling system was factory installed it will not be included in the CCC the manufacturer gives you. It's weight will have to be subtracted from the factory CCC, assuming the factory number is accurate. People find two things about the manufacturer's CCC figures that are not universally true but which should be checked before you buy. First is that manufacturers often exaggerate the CCC ratings of their MH's, some would say lie. Second is that the biggest class C's, and a 32 footer is about as big as they come, are often quite limited in CCC.
Traditional class C chassis' only go up to 14,500 pounds GVWR and they would need to be around 16,000 pounds to give a generous CCC for a 32 footer. So you might have only a few hundred pounds of CCC if you get a 32 footer and there have been reports that some class C's this large have zero or even negative CCC when the new owners weigh them. You would want to have your prospective MH weighed before you sign a contract so that you will know where you stand.
Winnebagos and Itascas are generally more upscale in fit and finish. If that is important to you they are good brands to look at.
We have been looking for months. We have seen a great number of coaches. At that dealer we looked at the 2010 Itasca Impulse 31C. They are definately a better product in some respects. We looked at the Coachmen because it had bunks for the two kids. This still left us room for guests. We are still keeping our options open for both a C or A but we would prefer bunks. I am not sure out budget allows for bunks. We will see.
I think we are holding out for the RV show this winter. That way we can see all of our options in one place.
The Winnebago with bunks is an Access 31J, one of the best places to buy one according to price is Lichtsinn RV in Forest City, Iowa. This is what I have heard not what I have experienced. If you can go with an Itasca (by Winnebago)without the bunks, it's an Impluse 31C (Itasca doesn't make a 31J) and I know Lewis RV in Dayton, Ohio is one of the best prices avavilable. Very straight shooting folks, the lowest price I have found on an Itasca Navion. Something that was a factor the last time I compared these two models but probably wouldn't be an issue for most folks, is the 31C in the Access or the Impulse have a step up when you go into the bedroom. I didn't like that. The 31J in the Access doesn't appear to have that same step up. I think 40% off is a little much to ask for, I don't think there's that much margin in a class C to start with. I would not add the jacks to any of these class Cs because of the limited amount of carrying capacity on most Cs. Winnebago was offering some additional money off until Sept. 30 of this year on Navions and Views, but I don't know about thier other class Cs. Good Luck!
I would do my EXTENSIVE inspection BEFORE paying for the unit. ALL repairs would be made PRIOR to my paying for the unit. They will get all get done quickly and properly that way.
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