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Purchasing Motorhomes

259 messages,  Last post on Jun 02, 2013 at 9:23 PM

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Messages Page 1 of 26

#1 of 259 Purchasing Motorhomes by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

Jun 19, 2006 (9:28 am)

The crowd clamored, we responded. If putting gas into your motorhome hasn't eaten all the cash you'd otherwise spend on Internet access, post away!

#2 of 259 Uh-oh! by michaell

Jun 19, 2006 (10:08 am)

We'll never see mark156 post anywhere else!
 
I will admit to have given thought to purchasing a motor home down the road as an alternative to a second (vacation) home.
 
The appeal is the freedom it offers; you can take your second home anywhere you want.
 
But, is there an invoice price on these things? I've been to an RV dealership once and the list of options for these things is mind-boggling!

#3 of 259 Vacation by corvette

Jun 19, 2006 (1:28 pm)

Call me spoiled, but when I'm on vacation, I want someone else to keep the room clean and someone else to cook my meals. And in no case do I want to have to attach a hose to empty "grey water" and "black water" into some sort of receptacle. I guess I'm not one of the ones who "gets it."

#4 of 259 Motorhomes by mark156

Jun 19, 2006 (1:31 pm)

Thanks Kirstie....
 
You guys should see the owners manual to a Motorhome (my rental unit was a 38 ft. 4 slide diesel unit; 300 hp). Every separate installed component has it's own manual (Leveling jacks, TV, DVD, VCR, satellite system, refrigerator, microwave, etc). The actual chassis manual is not all that large. In the unit I rented, I needed to refresh my memory on how to put the leveling jacks down and release the air in the airbags.
 
There is a lever on or near the dash that will release the air in the suspension. Once the air is gone, you can hit the button to start the Atwood leveling system. The levelers come down slowly and once they hit the ground, the unit shakes a little as the computer finds the best position for the stands.
 
Once you get the Motorhome positioned, you have your own Marriott suite to enjoy!
 
Mark

#5 of 259 Long Distance Sale by cccompson

Jun 19, 2006 (3:43 pm)

My in-laws may hold the record for the long distance purchase of a motorhome.
 
One December they drove from Columbus, Ohio, via Los Angeles, to Seattle to trade their dually pickup/Airstream trailer rig for a new (left-over) Airstream motorhome. Going out they made it to Seattle in a very impressive 5 days but then got caught in an ice storn right after they made the deal and it took longer for them to get back (just in time for Christmas).
 
They kept that Airstream for about a decade before trading it to a SW Ohio dealer on another new Airstream. Amazingly, the folks who then bought their traded-in Airstream at the out of town store lived on my in-laws' block, right around the corner!

#6 of 259 Re: Long Distance Sale [cccompson] by mac24

Jun 19, 2006 (5:21 pm)

Replying to: cccompson (Jun 19, 2006 3:43 pm)
I didn't know Airstream made motorhomes. Do they have the same unique appearance that their trailers do?

#7 of 259 Airstream by mark156

Jun 19, 2006 (6:16 pm)

It just so happens that my friends bought the last year model (2006) of the Airstream motorhome. Airstream has decided to get out of the A-class motorhome business and stick to the Travel Trailer business.
 
The unit that my friends bought listed for $321,000... has three slides and is 37 ft. long. Very nice unit; also has a dishwasher in the kitchen!
 
This unit looks very much like the other A-class units that are around... several tones of tan/brown in the paint job.... no aluminium.
 
Airstream was also using the Sprinter chassis in their class C units and I'm not sure if they will keep making those or not.
 
Mark

#8 of 259 Motor Homes by steine13

Jun 19, 2006 (7:45 pm)

I've always kinda liked motor homes. They're sort of the ultimate toy; endless combinations and things to worry about and plan for...
 
In the end, though, I gotta ask. If you really have to take it all along, wouldn't it make more sense to stay home and just get the video?
 
-Mathias
Who draws the line at a Sportsmobile Class B

#9 of 259 Re: Motor Homes [steine13] by mark156

Jun 19, 2006 (8:53 pm)

Replying to: steine13 (Jun 19, 2006 7:45 pm)
Mathis...In the end... if you are in control or your destiny and not worrying about tomorrow, then you can live the Motorhome life.
 
Motorhome life is not a cheaper way to travel, it's just a "different" way to travel! And yes, you want to take everything along because you will never know what you will need!
 
I look so forward to my next Motorhome trip. I spend at least two months planning the trip and reserving Motorhome parks that I want to stay in. Part of the fun is the adventure.
 
Class B units are great but get "long in the tooth" right quick. You have to have room to spread out! Nothing like sitting under your awning having a cocktail watching nature (and other motorhomers). I have found that other Motorhome folks are so nice and friendly.
 
On one of my stops near the Sequoia National Forest, I was backing my unit in the parking spot and several of the surrounding campers came over to watch me maneuver my 38 ft. behemoth in a small spot. It made me rather nervous with everyone watching but I made it OK. I barely had enough room to let out my four slides as trees were so close on either side. The Motorhome park knew I had a large unit but there didn't seem to be very many spots that would accomadate a unit such as mine but we managed. The water and electricty connections were easy to reach but the sewer connection was WAY too far way (maybe 20 ft), so I didn't connect to it just relying on my holding tanks.
 
The satellite worked perfectly where ever we were and I also had a chance to catch up some DVD's that I've been wanting to see!
 
Obviously, Motorhomeing is not for everyone, but it's good for those who appreciate it.
 
Mark

#10 of 259 very impressive by biancar

Jun 19, 2006 (11:34 pm)

The only way I've ever thought about doing something like this would be to rent a conversion van or something like the Dodge Sprinter (is that what it is?) that was mentioned earlier. I could visualize a six weeks, maybe two month trip, and then give the thing back to the dealer or rental place.
 
It has its appeal, staying in or near national parks and that kind of thing.
 
I have generally been of the same school of thought as Corvette - let someone else pamper me while on vacation!
 
And yet - some of my best trips when I was in my early 20's were camping trips. I'd kinda like to do that again, but sleeping in a van instead of on the ground.

Messages Page 1 of 26

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