I've seen alot of comparison and favorites in boats discussed around here; what about motorhomes? I've looked at used Jayco, Coachman, and Fleetwoods so far in the <60,000 price range.

What is your favorite class C Motorhome manufacturer?
Why?

Have you checked on rv.net?

I think the bigger question is which chassis is it built on especially if you plan on towing your boat. Some of the Class C's are almost exceeding the GVWR and/or GCVWR before you even put beer in the fridge. I'd look for a 450/4500 chassis over a 350/3500.

The Ford F450 with a V10 is the most attractive so far and the most common; but I would settle for the Chevy 6.0 for gas milage.
The ultimate would be the Duramax if diesel prices would settle down.

My concern is the quality of the overall construction of the "box" and its contents.

Of the 3 you've listed, I put them in this order of quality: Fleetwood, Jayco, Coachman.

When we were looking to purchase MH's a few years ago, we also looked at many brands. If I were you, I would look at the cool new Class C's w/a Kodiak (GM) type chassis. Go diesel if you can. We have a 32' Class A v/a V10 that I've chipped and added cold air intake and larger exhaust. That said, it is still underpowered and gets poor gas mileage. We did prefer the way the Ford Chassis drove (steering, brakes) over the GM Workhorse.

Look at as many as you can.

I dislike them all. They seem put together okay, but just pray you never have to take one apart.

Doesn't matter what chassis it's built on, they'll all sit if you don't like it... My advice is to go out and see as many RV shows and dealers as you can. Actually pretend you're camping as you look... have the admiral at the sink and you on the couch watching football.. LOL!! Just kidding, but not by much. Whoever does the cooking has to like the layout of the galley. Go sit on the head... try standing in the shower... LIVE IN IT FOR 15-20 minutes on the lot. If anything is uncomfortable on the lot, it will be amplified by thousands camping.

Look at used as well.. Now is a good time to pick up a low miler, I see alot of them for sale private party. If you live in an area where there is a retirement center, don't forget to check out the bulletin board... Don't forget repos either.. the economy is taking it's toll on RVers as well.

It took us the better part of 2 years before we finally bought a nicely maintained, low mileage 'pre-owned' 31ft C. Fleetwood Jamboree on the E450 chassis. In all honesty, we waffled back and forth on a trailer or MH, decided MH was the way to go for us.
Forget about gas mileage, because you'll get 10-12mpg at best and less than that when towing. Can't discuss diesel as I know nothing about them.

We settled on the Jamboree for the layout and the interior color scheme... alot of them reminded us of old mobile homes, dark paneling, funky linoleum, grandma style curtains, etc. And that was on some new ones! Get what's called an island bed if you can... alot of them have one side of the bed that butts up against the wall, and the last one in bed has to climb over the first one in!!!

One last tip... as HotByte said, check out RV.net.. it's the BABC of RVers!

Good Luck!

The other thing I'll address is rubber roofs. They need to be "resealed" every so often, (all roofs need that apparently)and seem to have a 10 - 15 year max lifespan. They are HUGE money to replace. ($5000+ for large M/Hs) Just a thought if you are looking used.

I went through a lot with my parents having one, but they only had Class A.
thier first was a gasser on a Ford chassis, 32'. Engine was a 460. It really didn't have enough power, replaced the steering pump once a year, and finally traded it off when a brake caliper exploded.
Their second was a diesel on a Freightliner chassis, 34'. As I am sure you know, difference was night and day.

To somewhat answer your question, the second one was a TradeWinds. While not extravagant, it was well built. Not sure if they make a Class C.

They now have a quite small RV on a 2500 Sprinter. IMO it was WAY too much money, it is a POP as well. I think they realize thier mistake in trading. Can't remember its make though.

Thanks for the tips; anyone experienced a "Dutchman Express"?

I think GFC used to sell RVs . Maybe he will be along shortly.

just a couple weeks ago i posted a similar thread at iRV2.com on what is a good setup for a truck camper,
i might be looking at a slide-in camper on top of a dually but a recomendation i got has me now including an MDT in my search as well as the one-ton truck

i don't have any personnal experience in Class-C's and i assume you are wanting to maybe tow a boat behind? if you aren't towing a boat behind your RV then the old 'MH vs. trailer' debate has raged forever

i'm kinda inbetween getting another trailer but sure am intrigued by the truck campers as well

anyone ever made the trip up to Alaska with any kind of trailer?

I know nothing of newer motorhomes I'm afraid. Late 70's to early 90's I'm familiar with...Of those, the old 440 Dodge's were gas eating dogs with bad front ends... the 454 chevy's run like dragsters compared to the 440 (and gets double the MPG), but the flimsy "breadbox" chassis makes the crappy Dodge chassis feel like a Ferrari in comparison. The John Deere chassis, now there's a bulletproof beast, it's sturdy, you can steer it, and it rides halfway decent... too bad they didn't put the 454 chebby in it instead of the FoMoCo 460/C6, which feels all too much like the 440 (at the gas pedal AND gas station)...

Even tho I DON'T know much about the newer units, I have a feeling that things haven't changed all that much--- choose your compromise!

FR, I have never heard of a John Deere motor home; does it look like and sound a tractor?...LOL

FatDog, I am looking to pull the boat, I have to take 2 vehicles if I want to camp and boat; I could pull doubles but have heard too many horror stories. I guess with my old stuff it would be less loss. Then I would have an excuse for new!
BTW... Been to alaska but never drove; I understand the road is pretty good nowdays. My experience towing for long distances takes its toll on the average quality trailers; make sure your wheels are well balanced!

My dad has a 40' Holiday Rambler that is on a pusher type chassie with a CAT mated to an Allision 6 speed. I took it on a 80 mile trip yesterday, power was fine.
The quality and dealer support is lacking. The steps and other things have broken and it is on 8 months old with 12,000 miles on it. Also the amount of rust on the frame work is something that most people here would consider unthinkable.

I've seen alot of comparison and favorites in boats discussed around here; what about motorhomes? I've looked at used Jayco, Coachman, and Fleetwoods so far in the <60,000 price range.

What is your favorite class C Motorhome manufacturer?
Why?

Sorry this took me awhile to chime in. I like the Class C's but from what I've seen most people use the cabover bunk for storage if they don't have kids.

Amen to the comment about an island bed. It's so much more user friendly than a side bed.

As to the chassis selection, IMO the Ford chassis are better than the Workhorse chassis. (Workhorse used to be sold as GM chassis). I think both still come in two different lengths...always pick the longest wheelbase. The short wheelbase chassis' (both in 'A' and 'C') are often overloaded as they are delivered from the manufacturer. When you add your "stuff" and water, food, etc, you're really overloaded.

If you're looking at a long coach (40' or so) consider a tag axle. They give a little better ride and better sway control, but there is more expense for tires an maintenance.

If you plan to spend a LOT of time on the road consider stepping up to a diesel pusher. Go with a chassis from one of the major truck makers like Freightliner, etc. With a lot of people dumping their diesel pushers it's not impossible to find a nice coach in the low $100K range.

The Dutchmen products are at the 'entry level' of RV's. They're the 'cheapies' of the RV world. I would avoid them if possible.

Now, all that being said, consider this.....

Like BillyB said, just hope you don't every have to take one apart. There's a reason why many people in the industry call them "wobbly boxes." With many of them, the strongest part of the structure (the house part) is the aluminum or fiberglass skin that holds them together. With gas prices rising RV makers are trying to make them as light weight as they can. What that means to the buyer is they're being made as cheaply as possible. Shortcuts are made by using cheaper wiring, cheaper plumbing fixtures, cheaper materials in flooring, cabinets, carpeting, vinyls, etc.

It's the old story that you get what you pay for. If you want a quality coach don't go with an entry level RV. Step up to one of the better brands and you will be happier.

Also, like with boats, I would NEVER buy a new RV. They depreciate at least as fast as boats for the first 3-5 years. If you take your time in the buying process you will be much happier. Spend the time determining what you want/need in an RV, then spend time finding the right one at the right price. When I bought my first bigger boat it took me over 6 months to determine the length/make/model I wanted. Then I spent another 6 months finding the RIGHT boat and an additional month and a half buying it.