Okay, I have another question (already!).

I am wondering what features I might want to shop for when picking out our RV. We are shopping for a class A, probably diesel, but I'd love to hear suggestions on that. We will be fulltiming with our 4 young children. I already have a wishlist, which I don't think I'll actually find on one vehicle:
bunk beds
king bed (room for kiddos, too)
bath tub
washer/dryer
large/side by side refrigerator
lots of storage, relatively speaking

I'm also very interested in solar panels, but haven't learned much about them yet.

So, are there any particular things that you would recommend having (or avoiding) in an RV for fulltiming?

Thanks,
Joanne

Class A with 4 kids - probably not the way you want to go. Generally speaking, Class As sleep 2, dinner for 4, cocktails for 6-8. While you could certainly have a great vacation in one, what you would be willing to put up with in terms of daily inconvenience for 2 weeks is entirely different that day-to-day living. Having to remake the couch and dinette ever night (and reverse every morning) doesn't sound like much fun over the long haul. Bunk beds are not all that common in Class As, so that will be real hunt. Solar panels require a significant investment to set up. An onboard w/d is going to have difficulty keeping up with 6 people - they are really great for 2, but for 6, I'm not sure.

I think that you need to really investigate all of the options out there and think this one through.

Barb

Hi..
Thought I'd add my input. Wow, your adventure sounds exciting. We hope to begin ours in January (after house is cleared out and sold). Anyhow, we originally planned on buying a class A. In fact we bought a car specifically to be the toad. but then after lots of research and talking with people, we decided that a fifth wheel would be safer and more livable. I know there are some out there with bunk beds as well. We used the consumer reports on safety to help us decide on ours as safety is a big thing for me.
good luck and let us know what you decide. Sounds like fun and an adventure no matter what. And life should be full of adventures!
Loralie

Hey Barb,

If you don't think a class A would fit our needs, what do you suggest?

You seem really concerned that we are being impulsive. You also seem to think that we haven't thought this through, or that we don't know what we want/need. Perhaps it would help reassure you if I gave you some more information.

We have looked at the options, and determined that a class A would work best, because it will allow us access to the full living space while we are traveling, rather than being stuffed in a smaller vehicle for long trips on the road. It will also allow us to park for long periods and use a more fuel-efficient and comfortable car than what we would need if we were towing a trailer (imagine a vehicle that can tow a trailer home and seats 6 - what a beast!). Anything in the motor home category smaller than a class A would not be big enough to live in full-time, in my opinion. The reason I would like to find an RV with a king bed and bunks is because that would fit us all right now without needing to use the fold-out bedding options in the living area, which, I agree, would be a hassle. As for the washer, I don't think it will be enough to keep up on all of the laundry, but it's better than nothing.

I can assure you, I have been in a class A RV and it is more spacious that the hotel rooms that we are used to living in. We have traveled a lot, and are used to being in close quarters.

I appreciate your input,
Joanne

One very important feature for any full timer is CCC. See this SITE for the definition.

We have 2800 pounds and would like to have 3600 pounds.
The kids may not require as much as an adult but I don't know what they might require.

CCC is important because overloading can cause blowouts according to the tire manufacturers.

Don't assume that just because it's a diesel pusher that the CCC will be adequate.
I have seen diesels with a CCC as low as 380 pounds and 1200 to 1800 pounds or so is not all that uncommon.

quote:

Originally posted by DohertyClan:
We have looked at the options, and determined that a class A would work best, because it will allow us access to the full living space while we are traveling, rather than being stuffed in a smaller vehicle for long trips on the road.

Do you *really* want your children moving around unrestrained in a moving vehicle???

Joanne, we just started fulltiming in April, and here are a few things we have learned about our choice of class A. We, after much research, bought a Tiffin Allegro Bus (used), four slides, and are very much satisfied with our purchase. It has enough counter space (a must), large 4door fridge, queen bed (king is available, you lose one closet & two drawers, but gain a window. Separate sinks in the bath and bedroom (big plus). Aqua hot heating system (unlimited hot water) buffet table in kitchen (room to set things next to the table) handy when eating plus it just gives you more places to set something down. We have the couch/computer desk setup in ours, but you can get the double couch setup also. Good wheelbase to length ratio which gives you better handeling in windy or truck passing situations. The same setup is available in a Tiffin Phaeton also for less money. Also as a bonus the company has a really good reputation. One thing we don't like is the way the underneath storage doors open. They open "up" on the 05 models like we have, but in 06 they changed to "side" opening doors. Saves a lot on your knees. Also another point the 32" tv option gives you a lot better view from the couches, you can even watch from the kitchen table and see the ball in a tennis match!! Will tow any kind of car you want to tow. Steve

quote:

Originally posted by DohertyClan:
bunk beds
king bed (room for kiddos, too)
bath tub
washer/dryer
large/side by side refrigerator

A bathtub is probably going to be hard to come by no matter what RV you get.

By the same token, bunk beds in a Class A are probably going to be hard to come by, too...have you considered a toy hauler Class A where you could make the garage into a bedroom/play area for the kids?

I disagree with Barb about the washer and dryer. We have a front load washer and dryer (two separate units) that have close to the same capacity as the units we had in our S&B. We have a king size bed and can wash both sheets and 4 pillowcases in the same load.

Many of the Class A's I've seen have side-by-side refrigerators, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Another RV you might consider is a bus conversion...you could pretty much arrange the space as you wanted.

quote:

I'm also very interested in solar panels, but haven't learned much about them yet.

Almost any Class A you get is going to come with a generator. I'd stick with just using that to begin with and wait on the solar panels until you find out how much dry camping/boondocking you really want to do. If you find that you really enjoy dry camping and want to do a lot of it, then spending the money on having a solar system installed would be worth it. On the other hand, if you're going to go from one RV park to another, solar would be a waste of money.

Joanne, I think a Class A (Diesel) would probably be a good bet due to more storage capacity and ease of travel. Many come with a solar panel for assistance in recharging of batteries, which is beneficial if you boondock without using your generator.

Most of the options you are wishing for can be found in Class A's. We recently saw one with bunk beds (I can't remember the model however).

The washer/dryer is a definite asset. I would suspect you would be able to keep up with laundry in most cases by doing 1-2 loads a day. It's doable

We installed a computer desk in ours and that serves as a file cabinet and work area for the laptop and printer. The sofa was originally a queen hide-a-bed which we chunked and replaced with just a fold out.

The aqua hot is a benefit due to the higher volume of hot water.

I agree with you, that living in a RV would be a huge improvement over motels. Good luck to you.

quote:

Originally posted by DohertyClan:

bunk beds
king bed (room for kiddos, too)
bath tub
washer/dryer
large/side by side refrigerator
lots of storage, relatively speaking

I'm also very interested in solar panels, but haven't learned much about them yet.

Joanne, You're right--it's probably going to take a lot of searching to find everything you need in one rig--especially for a family of 6! Both King and bunk beds in a Class A may be the hardest on the list. There are actually a lot of them that have a "Garden Tub" (most Tiffin products for sure) which serve well for kids although not as big as a regular tub for adults.

They're putting in more and more stackable washer & dryers but they do eliminate a lot of storage. The combo units would probably work if you did a VERY small load (which is all they hold) once or twice a day, especially for the kids' things.

The large fridge is a must, but shouldn't be too hard to find if you're looking at newer, larger Class A's...may not be that easy in older rigs.

The one thing that's NOT on your list is one that caused us to trade what was supposed to be our full-time rig for another is COMFORTABLE living room furniture. Yes, it COULD have been changed a lot cheaper than trading. But it just wasn't something we paid that much attention to when we bought the first rig--it was comfortable enough for weekends and vacations. But when it became our HOME, we had more time to sit and watch TV or read and the furniture became a real issue.

Like Linda said, solar needn't be on the first list of necessities--it can be added later if you see you're going to be "off the grid" enough to justify the expense. You're not likely to find it as an option (other than the tiny panels that really don't do much), so having that on your list would just make finding the right rig more difficult.

Good luck--and keep us posted on your search!
Brenda

I was just reading my new issue of Motorhome magazine and one of the showcase motor homes was a new Winnebago sightseer 35J. It has a king size bed and also bunk beds plus the couch bed in the front. Gas on a ford chassis. Steve

I know that Newmar has a coach with an upstairs downstairs arrangement in the back. Master downstairs and a couple of bunks upstairs. I think they call it the All Star.

As one who owns a motorhome with a bath tub, you should know that no RV water heater supplies enough hot water to fill one. We very seldom use ours to bathe because in order to do so we have to heat water in some other way to fill it enough to soak. You can get enough to put a few inches of water before you run out of hot.

bathtub king bed and bunks hmm thats a lot on a list for must have along with washer drier. ive got a Class A 31 ft with no slides . after using it for 3 weeks straight we have decided when ge go full time its a 5TH wheel toyhauler. the cargo space holds our motorcycles extra stuff [roll away toolbox clothes etc]and the can convert to a bedroom for guests. or just a spare room if we decide to have some space between the 2 of us. dont limit youself to the single though train look at all the options before putting the cash down .Could save you money later,

Hydronic heating ie Aqua Hot products, offer the advanages of diesel heating for the MH as well as endless hot water. These units have grown quite popular in the higher end Class A MHs. As always, oRV