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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / November 2005what's a good place to start?
Hi. I am interested in buying a class I motorhome and would like to know where is a good website to compare all the different types that are out there. Thanks. >Hi. I am interested in buying a class I motorhome and would like to know >where is a good website to compare all the different types that are out >there. >Thanks. Hi Wayne, There's no designation in motorhomes for a Class I. I think you mean a Class A? There's class A,B and C motorhomes. I suggest you go to a large dealer, or even better yet a big RV show in your area. Go in all the kinds. Hunter -- http://members.aol.com/hhamp5246/roadtrip2005.htm Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh.t...what a ride!" >I suggest you go to a large dealer, or even better yet a big RV show >in your area. Go in all the kinds. And when you talk to the sales people believe everything they tell you. They never lie and know everything there is to know about every rig they have on the lot. But if they should lie for some reason you will know it, their lips will move.  SignatureGypsy Bill & Jo Ann Full timing RV'ers reply to: az9b13d4j located at earthlink dot net > Hi. I am interested in buying a class I motorhome and would like to know > where is a good website to compare all the different types that are out > there. > Thanks. Hi Wayne, I would suggest that you take a look at this site. http://www.rv.org/ or http://www.rv.com/ The first of the two is more objective, but in their own way are good. A small point, but I guess by type I motorhome you mean the bus style? Take a good look at what RV.ORG has to say about both the Class A's and Class C's. IMHO the well made Class C's offer more safety than a Class A in the event of an accident. Just a few days ago in the evening during a downpour an older fellow came up on traffic that was going slow due to conditions. He tried stopping, but realized he could not so severed to avoid rear ending a semi trailer. He caught the left corner of the trailer smack dab in the middle of his Class A I beileve a thirty plus foot Alpha. Don't quote me on the brand, but it was a large Class A. To make a long story short it split in two and were there a passenger in the right seat it was not survivable at all. We have a smaller Class C, and if kept lightly loaded I get 10 or so MPG going to the Coast or the same up and over the Cascades and the mountains streams I like to fish. Good luck and seek out owners and take with a grain of salt what most sales people say especially when it comes to capacities and what something can tow. Regards, Ed >> Hi. I am interested in buying a class I motorhome and would like to >> know where is a good website to compare all the different types that [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > Regards, > Ed Thanks for your help. I did mean a class A. Can you tell me why a class C would be safer in an accident than a class A which is larger? I'm looking in the 38 to 40 ft long. Thanks > Can you tell me why a class C would be safer in > an accident than a class A which is larger? A Class C "mini" motorhome is built on a cutaway van chassis. That is, it is just like a full-size van up front where you and your copilot sit while underway. Aft of the driver and passenger seat is "cut away" so the motorhome body can be added. A Class A motorhome is built on a chassis from the rails up from bumper-to-bumper. In many cases, the driver and copilot seating area is built more-or-less like the rest of the coach. I am unaware of much (any?) empirical evidence to support a claim that a Class C is safer than a Class A in an accident, but I believe it based simply on having viewed the wreckage of several RVs. They generally disintegrate in a severe accident, especially involving a rollover. Many believe that the front end of a cutaway van/chassis is inherently safer than many Class As in this regard. > I'm looking in the 38 to 40 ft long. In that case, your only choice is a Class A. I wouldn't give the safety comparison another thought. Buckle up. :) JR >>> Hi. I am interested in buying a class I motorhome and would like to >>> know where is a good website to compare all the different types that [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > looking in the 38 to 40 ft long. > Thanks Read what the RV.ORG web site has to say about them. I have seen several accidents not the least of which was one this week. It would have been fatal for the person in the left front seat. While the number of accidents I have seen first hand is not large there were no fatalities in the Class C's. But please read what the web site I cited says about them. If you are looking into a Coach that long money would seem to not be an issue, then look at a Prevost as I would tend to think the front end would have more integrity. Ed >>>> Hi. I am interested in buying a class I motorhome and would like to >>>> know where is a good website to compare all the different types that [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > > Ed There is a big jump from a class c to a Prevost at $1,000,000 plus. As far a safety is concerned Country Coach, which I own, has as do most moderate and up Class As, ABS. Further you are higher up that in a Class C. The fact that someone can kill himself in a Class A doesn't make it likely. After all a Class Z (non-moving house) won't ever be in an accident- unless there is a flood or a hurricane or a tornado or .... I suggest that you read the specs carefully as regards length of 40' coaches. Some are actually >40'. California according to some postings bars >40' coaches on local roads. Someone claims this has changed but check it out. That is why we bought a 36. Good luck. > > [quoted text clipped - 64 lines] > > Good luck. Bus conversions are not in the accident survival class that other class A rigs are. They were built under much more rigid guidelines. In fact I have my doubts that many of the standard MH coaches were built under any safety rules. This is my opinion on the latter. On the Bus conversions that is a positive and the school buses are included in that. SignatureBILL P. > > [quoted text clipped - 64 lines] > > Good luck. I agree with this, and wide body coaches,and travel trailers are banned in all States. But that doesn't mean they are ticketed. > I agree with this, and wide body coaches,and travel trailers are > banned in all States. But that doesn't mean they are ticketed. Not so. You can take wide body rigs on any road you see an 18 wheeler on in all states. Most have also corrected their regulations to allow 45 foot motorhomes, including California. Don't believe all you read in newsgroups! Tom J I see where Ed <ektared@att.net> contributed: >. . . .wide body coaches,and travel trailers are banned >in all States. Poppycock & bafflegab. It is true that some number of states have rules against "wide" rigs (over 96") on some roads and even some US highways. But 102" rigs are legal everywhere on the Interstate system and (at last count) over half of the States on other roads. Ticketing is rare AFAIK. Will Sill The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill >I see where Ed <ektared@att.net> contributed: > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Will Sill > The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill ---So Will, 102" is legal in over half the States? How about the other half? Don't you ever think before you post? Geoff. On Sat, 12 Nov 2005 17:55:47 -0500, "GeoffP" <Geoff@nospam.com> wrote:.. >> Poppycock & bafflegab. It is true that some number of states have >> rules against "wide" rigs (over 96") on some roads and even some US [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >Don't you ever think before you post? >Geoff. Note he said 102" is legal everywhere on interstates. Only on other highways is there an issue. I have been in 35+ states with my 102" rig and never gotten a ticket. unk >---So Will, 102" is legal in over half the States? How about the other half? >Don't you ever think before you post? >Geoff. That's not what Will wrote..... Read it again. Hunter -- http://members.aol.com/hhamp5246/roadtrip2005.htm Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh.t...what a ride!" I see where "GeoffP" <Geoff@nospam.com> contributed: Ed <ektared@att.net> contributed: >>>. . . .wide body coaches,and travel trailers are banned >>>in all States. Will: >> Poppycock & bafflegab. It is true that some number of states have >> rules against "wide" rigs (over 96") on some roads and even some US >> highways. But 102" rigs are legal everywhere on the Interstate >> system and (at last count) over half of the States on other roads. >> >> Ticketing is rare AFAIK. GeoffP: >---So Will, 102" is legal in over half the States? How about the other half? >Don't you ever think before you post? Often. Do you? Also, though my record is not perfect, I usually read a post before insulting the writer. ===================== ALL interstate highways, in all States, permit 102" widths. No States "prohibit" widebodies, but MANY jurisdictions restrict or prohibit vehicles over 96" wide on *certain* roads. These restrictions vary widely. Jurisdictions with restrictions include AL, AZ, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, KY, LA, MD, MI, NE, NJ, NY, NC, OK, PA, VA & WV. Source: 1998 "TRUCKERS ATLAS FOR PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS" ====================== Obviously the above information is dated, but the point was and is that the statement "wide body coaches,and travel trailers are banned in all States" is incorrect. Will Sill "A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices." William James > But 102" rigs are legal everywhere on the Interstate >system and (at last count) over half of the States on other roads. My trailer is 102" wide.... but technically the awning arms make it a few inches wider... Hunter -- http://members.aol.com/hhamp5246/roadtrip2005.htm Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh.t...what a ride!" >>But 102" rigs are legal everywhere on the Interstate >>system and (at last count) over half of the States on other roads. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Hunter Yes Hunter but I think they wrap around the side and allow the awning to not extend out beyond the side. But does your arms still stick out beyond where the clearance lights are at. SignatureBILL P. Just Dog & ME >>>But 102" rigs are legal everywhere on the Interstate >>>system and (at last count) over half of the States on other roads. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >awning to not extend out beyond the side. But does your arms still >stick out beyond where the clearance lights are at. Yes. SignatureFrank Tabor > >>But 102" rigs are legal everywhere on the Interstate > >>system and (at last count) over half of the States on other roads. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > awning to not extend out beyond the side. But does your arms still > stick out beyond where the clearance lights are at. What about mirrors? Our widebody coach measures 101" from outside mirror edge to the outside of the other one. Leanne >>>On Sat, 12 Nov 2005 20:46:33 GMT, Will Sill <will@epix.enet> > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Leanne I do not have reference to it right now but as I remember all required safety equipment is not considered to be within the 102" requirement. I cannot remember where the reference to that is but I will do a little research and see if I can locate it. SignatureBILL P. Just Dog & ME Correction.... >> What about mirrors? Our widebody coach measures 120" from > outside mirror edge to the outside of the other one. > > Leanne > Correction.... > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >> >>Leanne What state are you in? Best I can see you could be 114" wide in Hawaii, you are even to wide for them. Me Thinks ;-) SignatureBILL P. Just Dog & ME >> Correction.... >> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > What state are you in? Best I can see you could be 114" wide in Hawaii, > you are even to wide for them. Me Thinks ;-) Mirrors--since they are safety equipment--are exempt from the width requirement. Rubber fender flares are also exempt, and--in some states-- so are awnings on RVs. SignatureD.J., N8DO; FMCA 147762 dj[underscore]osborn at yahoo dot com . > What about mirrors? Our widebody coach measures 101" from > outside mirror edge to the outside of the other one. Your RV is not a full wide body. If it was, you would be 102" PLUS the mirrors. Tom J >>>On Sat, 12 Nov 2005 20:46:33 GMT, Will Sill <will@epix.enet> > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Leanne Federal Vehicle Regulation Part 658.15 sub paragraph (c),(2). (2) A State may allow recreational vehicles with safety and/or non-cargo carrying appurtenances extending beyond 3 inches from the side of the vehicle to operate without a special use over-width permit. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.as p?rule_toc=778§ion=658.15§ion_toc=2134 The above is where the feds allow a state the 3 inch leeway but I did not come up with where the feds allow it, Dont think one would need to. Or maybe they set limitations and the state sets the basic standard within the feds guidelines. ??? SignatureBILL P. Just Dog & ME >> But 102" rigs are legal everywhere on the Interstate >>system and (at last count) over half of the States on other roads. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >Hunter My mirrors extend out more than 6" past the edges. But they do collapse/shatter on impact. >> >> [quoted text clipped - 67 lines] > I agree with this, and wide body coaches,and travel trailers are banned > in all States. But that doesn't mean they are ticketed. I am not sure you are correct about wide body coaches being banned. The usual allowed width in 102", I think this is what the wide body term means. Most states allow clearance lights to exceed that but if you have an awning hanging out over it they have been known to give tickets. I would think it would be considered a warning type ticket, but it is put on the record and could show if you continue with out making adjustments. http://www.wecamp2.com/size.html SignatureBill P. |
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