Thor experiences

[Noreaster]

Hello!
Single parent of one child and four dogs thinking of buying a 2017 Thor 28z today! I have done the car/travel trailer (22ft and way too cramped!) life for two summers (New England to the Rockies then Yellowstone the first summer) and think I will enjoy a motor home more.
The 28z seems manageable in length to drive around the US as I had a 38ft total with the car and trailer combined!
What is your advice to a first time potential Thor buyer?
Thanks in advance!

[nosticks]

You are going to need another vehicle when you get to your destination. That will increase your overall length going down the road. I think you will find anything the size of the 28 to still be too small. We have two standard Poodles and it gets a bit cramped for moving around once on site in our 29.

[coachray]

Ours is similar in size and we love it. Whatever dealer you buy from, make sure they do a thorough walk thru with you. Have them demonstrate everything to you and make sure EVERYTHING works before you take it home. Welcome to the forum.

[Noreaster]

Nosticks.....I have a 150 Vespa for when we get there! Not sure how I will carry it yet though!

[Bob Denman]

Welcome to the forum, and happy shopping!

[vegas25.5]

Simple means to carry a scooter without adding too much additional length or hassle...

https://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb...ier-62837.html

We have one and use it on occasion. Pretty decent quality, stores pretty easy and reasonable price.

[paulwadley]

Welcome to the forum. Make sure to try out each and every system, switch and check the tires for wear. You should also check the engine battery and the coach batteries. The coach batteries may be near the end of their useful life. Look for any leaks on the ground where ever it is parked. If possible go up on the roof and check the seams and seals around the vents/air conditioner.

Good luck and enjoy the new ride.

Paul

[Travelin' Texans]

Once your in the motorhome of that length minus the cockpit area there's not any more room, possibly less, than your 22' TT. Unless your 4 dogs are chihuahuas you'll still have wall to wall pets.
As far as the Thor brand they are typical RVs same as any other brand on the market.

[ducksface]

Can you hire a pet sitter?
I don't think those dogs care much about Mt Rushmore....

We looked at a very clean rv once.
We thought it had an insulation package we'd never seen.
Nope.
A mat of doghair completely filling the gap at the fridge.
Detail crew had missed it.

It looked like an alpaca poncho.

[Noreaster]

Thank you this is perfect!

[Noreaster]

Originally Posted by ducksface

Can you hire a pet sitter?
I don't think those dogs care much about Mt Rushmore....

We looked at a very clean rv once.
We thought it had an insulation package we'd never seen.
Nope.
A mat of doghair completely filling the gap at the fridge.
Detail crew had missed it.

It looked like an alpaca poncho.

That’s hilarious! These dogs have lived in two different countries and been all over the USA! No they didn’t care about Mount Rushmore one bit but a month on the road with a tween and without my pets is no fun for me!

[ducksface]

I don't know a thing about the rv you're interested in
But
It would take almost no work to replace one of the hatch bins with a wire mesh door and use it as a travel crate.
The 24.1 I have would allow for the HUGE rear bin to be used as a kennel and an access Doggy door between the beds. (just a hint to 24.1 people)

[Homer3]

We have a similar model to 28z and love it. It was fine with 2 corgis but I am not sure about 4 dogs unless they are very small. And while your dogs might not care about Mount Rushmore, they would not enjoy being in a kennel and without your companionship. We are currently corgi-less but hoping to remedy that situation soon. And they will go where we go!

[bjslifeline]

Welcome to the forum. I have a 28z and travel with my husband and 2 Great Danes. They love traveling. I open the jack knife sofa, put a mattress protector over it then 2 2x4’ doggy Mats on top of that. That is where they lay while I’m driving and where they sleep at night. We also flat tow a Jeep grand Cherokee. I have had no issues driving just with getting gas it’s sometimes a tight turn. Most camp grounds only allow 2 dogs though so check that out. We will be retiring in 2 yrs and plan to hit the road for some long trips. Enjoy yourself!

[GreenFallsHollow]

Hi fellow nor'easter and dog lover from CT!

We started our motorhome ownership with 22' Gulfstream Class C... with EIGHT dogs! We bought it specifically for travelling to dog shows. We've since upgraded to a WindSport 29M Class A and are down to three dogs but I think you'll be fine. We always set up a huge ex-pen under the awning when we're just hanging out. They love it... we love it!

Gotta say I'm absolutely shocked at Ducksface's recommendations to repurpose storage bins as "kennels"....

Good luck with your search for a new way to see the USA... with your two legged and four legged fam!

[71_340]

Originally Posted by Noreaster

Hello!
Single parent of one child and four dogs thinking of buying a 2017 Thor 28z today! I have done the car/travel trailer (22ft and way too cramped!) life for two summers (New England to the Rockies then Yellowstone the first summer) and think I will enjoy a motor home more.
The 28z seems manageable in length to drive around the US as I had a 38ft total with the car and trailer combined!
What is your advice to a first time potential Thor buyer?
Thanks in advance!

We have a Four Winds 24BL which is has plenty room for my wife, myself and our 80 lbs Doberman (he goes where we go).

As far as Thor is concerned.....you are buying used so all the bugs should have been taking care of.

[Bob Denman]

I don't think that I saw any description of the dogs...
What,sizes are we talking about?

[Lt Keefer]

We traveled in a 30" class c with no slides for 15 years. At the time we had 3 dogs, one was a boxer, the others toy breeds. The boxer was almost always in the way, the toys no so much. A slide would have helped and the rig you described has one. Since you are buying used, manufacturer is less important. All the poor workmanship from Thor should be fixed by the original owners. Go for it and enjoy your travels.

[kwplot34]

Originally Posted by GreenFallsHollow

Hi fellow nor'easter and dog lover from CT!

We started our motorhome ownership with 22' Gulfstream Class C... with EIGHT dogs! We bought it specifically for travelling to dog shows. We've since upgraded to a WindSport 29M Class A and are down to three dogs but I think you'll be fine. We always set up a huge ex-pen under the awning when we're just hanging out. They love it... we love it!

Gotta say I'm absolutely shocked at Ducksface's recommendations to repurpose storage bins as "kennels"....

Good luck with your search for a new way to see the USA... with your two legged and four legged fam!

I agree, using a storage bin as a kennel is a terrible suggestion, don't do that.
We lower the table into a bed and cover it with a sheet, that's where our German shepherd rides and sleeps.

[Bob Denman]

We travel with "five pounds of hair, and a hundred pounds of personality"