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Educate me about Class A RVs

Shaggy

Shaggy

Zoinks!!!!
Joined
May 8, 2002
Location
Northern California
Moto(s)
are my drug
Name
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My parents want to buy a used RV for a sight seeing tour across the country. They looked at renting one and it would allegedly cost about $10k to rent for the distance/time they would want it.

So now they are looking at buying a used one for the trip and then selling afterwards thinking it won't depreciate the $10k it would cost to rent. I've got a few questions about RVs since neither them nor I have any clue about them.

  1. What does it take to get a Class A license? Written test, driving test, etc...?
  2. What are the financing options like? I've heard RVs can qualify as a "second home" which means they could finance for a longer term if they decided to keep it (say 15-20 years).
  3. What is the depreciation like on a 3rd hand RV? If they bought for say.... $50k, could they sell it for $48k after putting like 7-10k miles on it?
  4. I might buy it off them 3rd hand and throw a motorcycle hitch carrier and use that for race weekends. Any disadvantages to that that anyone can think of?
  5. Any other info that would be helpful?
 
Don't forget that most of the countries most interesting and beautiful places are up roads that will be an absolute bear to drive in a rig that large.

10k will buy a lot of nights in a decent hotel.
 
bpw said:
10k will buy a lot of nights in a decent hotel.
Click to expand...

You're in to something there.


RV's have to be one of the most depreciating things you can buy. I've never been in the market for one buy I remember looking through a used RV lot, in Redding I think, and prices were a fraction of new.
 
Tell her to get a used Sportsmobile 4x4 camper van. They don't depreciate much and can go where other vehicles can't. A beast of a Sportsmobile might not be something she needs but seriously look into class b RVs.

Or like stated above, use the 10k for hotels/airbnb.
 
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caideN said:
Tell her to get a used Sportsmobile 4x4 camper van. They don't depreciate much and can go where other vehicles can't. A beast of a Sportsmobile might not be something she needs but seriously look into class b RVs.

Or like stated above, use the 10k for hotels/airbnb.
Click to expand...

I have always thought the small camper/hotel every few nights would be the way to go. You can spend a few comfy nights in the woods, don't have to drive a monster rig and then hit a hotel every couple nights for a proper shower and break from living in a small space. Just the fuel and insurance savings could well pay for the hotel nights.

Sorry were going off track Nick, but, well, internets.
 
Does it have to be a class A, Nick?
 
Holeshot said:
Does it have to be a class A, Nick?
Click to expand...

Not really. They just need something they can travel in with two dogs. Queen size bed, kitchen, toilet, shower, etc... They don't want a truck/trailer combo though.

I'm not looking for advice on how to travel the country for less than $10k, folks. My parents are 70 years old. They're not sleeping in a van conversion. I'm asking for info on RVs. Bring the tech!
 
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I have nothing of use to add, but I LOVE RV's!! I don't think that I will ever own one, but I am fascinated with them. I drool whenever I see one.

I recently found a show online called "Big Time RV" I only found the 3rd season, but it is fun to watch. It's like House Hunters, but for RV's.
 
requires a 3/4 - one ton pu diesel powered pu truck. (or a good used single axle commercial tractor, reg as a rv.). but a 34-40 ft fifth wheel. fits this bill.
plus at camp can ditch the rv and just use the pu to get around.
 
packnrat said:
requires a 3/4 - one ton pu diesel powered pu truck. (or a good used single axle commercial tractor, reg as a rv.). but a 34-40 ft fifth wheel. fits this bill.
plus at camp can ditch the rv and just use the pu to get around.
Click to expand...

Already said they weren't interested in that set up
 
The 5th wheel idea will suit them a lot better than the class a unless they tow a car behind the class a camper.

My parents just went across the US in a class a and their biggest gripe was that they couldn't easily go explore where they were because they didn't have a secondary form of transport.


As for taking a hit on depreciation, parents also just traded their camper into a dealer and got twice what I thought the thing would be worth. But agreed they are very hard to get rid of if you're trying to sell to private buyer.
 
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I know a few folks who swear by the Rexhall brand. A quick perusal of Craigslist turns up a lot in the 9-15k range. Seems a lot of RV for the money.

Most of the people I know tow a camper/5th wheel
 
JesasaurusRex said:
They don't sell easy
Click to expand...

This unfortunately. My parents bought one and it took probably close to 2 years to sell it. YMMV. They also towed a car behind theirs for easy trips to the store, etc.

It sounds like a fun trip and I hope your parents find the perfect vehicle to take them there. :) GL!
 
There's no special license for an A class.

We bought a used A class that new sold for $100,000, for $20,000. Had 40k miles on it and was like new. 33 ft long/ford v10. Try for one that has hydrolic levelers, and at least one pop out. Did not finance. Sacramento has lots of used RV lots.

We lived in it on the beach in Baja for months, went to Maine for another few months, Canada and back. Lived in it for a year while house hunting at a friends property. Loved every minute of it and would do it again.

Yes, some sort of secondary trans would have been good.in mexico, but we managed. Rented something or borrowed occasionally. For Maine, I had a DRZ 400 on a Joehauler on the back. Perfect.

Sold it for $16k to another dealer on the day we decided to do so. That's wholesale price, could have done better with a sale to a user.

Make sure all the tires are good, they're expensive. Don't get one with double axles in the rear, its just lots more expensive tires. Diesels are great on gas and power, but add $10,000 to purchase price

The RV market/ business is totally booming right now. Might help, might not.
 
PS my last trip to Baja was in a REALLY well set up 4x4 Sport mobile. It was awesome, but I'm sure its not what the average 70 yr old couple wants. The things are expensive, $50,000 for a '90s van, no bedroom, no bathroom, yes we cooked, but its not the same as having a kitchen. Still Baja was our playground, and it went anywhere. Hundreds of miles off the pavement. I'd do that again in a minute too!
 
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Nick said:
My parents want to buy a used RV for a sight seeing tour across the country. They looked at renting one and it would allegedly cost about $10k to rent for the distance/time they would want it.

So now they are looking at buying a used one for the trip and then selling afterwards thinking it won't depreciate the $10k it would cost to rent. I've got a few questions about RVs since neither them nor I have any clue about them.

  1. What does it take to get a Class A license? Written test, driving test, etc...?
  2. What are the financing options like? I've heard RVs can qualify as a "second home" which means they could finance for a longer term if they decided to keep it (say 15-20 years).
  3. What is the depreciation like on a 3rd hand RV? If they bought for say.... $50k, could they sell it for $48k after putting like 7-10k miles on it?
  4. I might buy it off them 3rd hand and throw a motorcycle hitch carrier and use that for race weekends. Any disadvantages to that that anyone can think of?
  5. Any other info that would be helpful?
Click to expand...

I'll take a shot at these questions - we've owned RVs since 1978, everything from a micro-mini to travel trailer, cabover camper, fifth wheels, and a Class A:

1. Licensing: for motorhomes less than 40 feet in length your regular Class C license is good. Over 40 feet you should have an endorsement, but most people don't worry about that. If you go up to the maximum 45 foot length then you need a Non-Commercial Class B license, but again few people worry about that.

2. Financing: on new units you can get up to 30 year financing depending on your credit rating. Twenty years is common. On used units most dealers can arrange up to 20 years; for private sales it'll be whatever your lender wants to do. IRS rules state that you can deduct interest payments on a second home - if the motorhome has permanent eating, sleeping,, and pooping facilities then it qualifies as a second home. But if you already are deducting the interest on your cabin at the lake, then the motorhome doesn't qualify - you can only have one second home. But, if you've already paid off your home, or are renting instead of buying your home, then you're good.

3. Depreciation: Mostly it's just like a car (and expensive car!) - you take a big hit when you drive it off the lot. Once that first hit is done it'll depreciate depending on your location, the season, and the economy.

4. Carrying a bike: if you're looking at gas-powered rigs then you might be restricted. Up until about 2005 the manufacturers were installing Class III hitches, with a 350 lb tongue weight rating. After 2005 most went to a Class IV hitch which increased the tongue weight rating to 500 lbs. So, your bike AND carrier would have to weigh less than that ratin for you to be safe. It adds that weight way out at the rear of the frame, and reduces the weight on the front axle. You'll probably experience handling issues if you hang too much weight off the back. If you go with a diesel powered rig then most likely you'll find tongue weight ratings of 1000 lbs - they use a completely different chassis than the gas rigs, but they're generally higher priced both for new AND used units.

If you're wanting to look at different models, both new and used, a good place to start is See Grins down in Gilroy (behind the Outlets off of Leavesley). They carry many different manufacturers of new units, and have a large inventory of used units - both trade-ins and consignments. Their prices are good, and they provide a good "starter pack" of things you'll need. You can use their pricing to get an idea of what the unit will cost, but be aware that list prices generally include about a 35% margin so negotiating is possible.

For new units you'll be getting a Ford chassis, with their V10 engine and 5 speed transmission. For units from the '90s through the 2000's you have a choice of Ford with the V10, or Workhorse with the GM 8.1L V8 and Allison transmission. GM discontinued the 8.1L engine several years ago and Workhorse dropped out of the RV industry as a result, which is why Ford now has the market.

Sorry for the length of this - hope it helps!
 
If your not interested in over the top luxury. Just comfortable traveling and likely find something nice for $10K. Check the Class C RVs.
Less spacious then Class A but not wanting in features.
In our experience with Class A and Class C. Class C is more economical to operate and easier to maneuver. Found fixer upper used RVs the Class C holds together better.

Only thing wanting with a Class C is more Storage. Class C has a modest amount of storage may require aftermarket on the roof or on back bumper storage. For the outdoor stuff used while camping.
 
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