Hello All,
Today is my first day on the board. I've been a Thor Motor Coach owner since Memorial Day 2012. I bought a 2012 Challenger 37DT from Giant RV in Murrietta, Ca. We had been looking at the 37KT model for about 3 months prior, but then fell in love with the 37DT with the walk through bathroom, dual sinks, seperate toilet room and a location for a combo W/D. After test drive, sale incentives and haggling, we paid $103,000 + tax and license. We are very happy with the dealership and they have fixed the small issues that come up, not bad though. We love our 37DT and when my college daughter and high school son go with us, there is still a place for them to sleep; even though the wife and I bought it to suit us when I retire in about 4-5 years.
Being a first time class-A owner I have to say, "Wow", what a difference in traveling and camping. It's so easy now, set up in about 5 minutes hooking up or just the time to press the automatic leveling jacks button when dry camping. We've already taken it to the Grand Canyon, Park Moabi Colorado River, Newport Dunes, Buena Park for Knott's Berry Farm New Years Eve, and dry camped in Lompoc/Santa Maria, the Joshua Tree desert and Chaffey College when my son was in football camp. The V10 engine is plenty powerful; I just haven't pulled my toad yet, 2011 Nissan Murano, waiting to purchase a vehicle tow dolly. I average 8-9 mpg, but I expected that with such a big coach. We'll see what it does when I pull my toad.
I was a former TT man, having 2 of them (31' Layton and 33' Rockwood) in the past 10 years pulling them with my 1994 Chevy Suburban. The truck pulled well with 4:56 gearing, but hooking and unhooking up, plus setting up and breakdown time became a pain. So I by passed the 5th wheel route and went straight to the class-A. So far no regrets. I have to blame my former co-worker who retired last year for this transition though. He went from his 5th wheel to a class-A and gave me his comparison; which of course was no comparison, he and his wife loved it. I have to say, it's nice when the wife can make me a sandwich along the way or she can lay down or watch TV. Oh and bathroom stops; no more. Well enough said. I will be checking the board now to get ideas and see how others are living and enjoying the RV lifestyle.
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