I'm a lifelong RV'er. My parents started out with a '72 VW Westfalia. They not only gave me the boating bug, but the RV one too.

Our latest is a new 2004 Winnebago. It's the 31C model, and it is the most popular floorplan of the Class C's.

Other MFG's have a similar floorplan.

As mentioned, whatever you get, get one with an island bed. You won't regret it.

You can check it out on the Winnebago site. Plenty of room for us and our four kids. We prefer the Class C versus the A due to the bed that is always available up over the cab.

Ours has the overhead bed, a sofabed, a dinette that converts to a bed, and a "queen" in the rear for us. We prefer that layout, since we always have the dinette available for us both before and after the kids are in their beds.

As far as quality goes, it is obvious as soon as you step in some how the units are put together. Go to a major show and hop into them. You'll quickly see the stapled trim pieces, the faux "wood" cabinets, the paper thin walls, etc...

I'd recommend a unit with dual glazed windows, that are factory tinted. The single ones build up condensation very quickly, and allow a lot of noise in at night.

Also, I'd recommend an invertor for the TV/DVD. That way, the kids can enjoy a movie while you are on the road w/o the genny running. Also, get the largest A/C unit that is available, and get it with the heat pump. That way, you can have electric heat to warm you up real quick in the mornings w/o having to burn propane.

As far as chassis go, we've been very happy with the Ford E450.

Yes, the "Super" Class C's that are on the market now are awesome. We might "upgrade" to the Road Warrior this next fall. It is built by Weekend Warrior. Awesome.

Lots of mark-up with RV's. Ours had a list price (MSRP) of $72,700. We hammered out a deal at 20K off that price. The invoice was $51K and change.

We came out OK...

Good luck!

Best of luck!

John Deere makes the CHASSIS, (or "made", not sure if they still do?) not the 'coach'.

Our motorhome--a 1987 32' CruiseAir (Georgie Boy) is a class A, on a John Deere Chassis, with 460/C6 Ford power. Considering how big it is, it does okay. But I LOVE how it drives and handles, the JD chassis is beefy. And as a side note about Class C's having the overhead bunk, ours (and the '78 CruiseAir we had years ago) has an overhead bunk up front too. It's spring-loaded and rides against the ceiling out of the way, you just yank it down when you need the bed. It's basically a big single (and the kids can't ride on it while driving), but it is large enough for 2 small children...

Echo GFC on buying used, it's not uncommon to find them 5 or 6 years old with less than 10k miles on them. As long as the plumbing wasn't froze up and they were fairly maintained, a 10k motorhome is a much better value than a new one!

Yeah, my parents finished up with a Class A that had that drop down bunk.

When we went from a fifth wheel to a motorhome, my first choice was a Class A with that feature.

But alas, as with the BMW stern drives, they are no where to be found.

Newer Class A's gave up the drop down bunk in favor of the entertainment centers which go across the front of the coach. No more room for the drop down bunk.

So Class C shopping I went...

As far as buying used goes, sure, there are deals to be found. No doubt.

But my wife does not want to sleep in someone elses bed, or use someone elses toilet (head, of course). And my job is to keep momma happy.

Thankfully, there's plenty of mark-up to be negotiated away, and I am a mooch, so I'll take the time to get a deal on a new one.

Excellent insight ABoater, thanks.