A Question About Upgrading.

Bob Denman · 10-17-2017, 09:31 PM

It's already starting...

The Missus and I really love our 2018 Outlaw 29H...
But the Dealer just brought in a 2012 Outlaw 36T in trade.
It's only got 25,000 miles on it, and looks pretty clean.
My questions:
How much tougher is it to drive a 37 foot Class A, than a 31 foot Class C?
What equipment might be missing on the older rig, that we enjoy so much on the new one?

Mitch S · 10-18-2017, 01:08 AM

We've had ours since March, and my wife keeps showing me any number of class A's and C's. she hasn't said anything about getting another one yet.

Yvonnemarc · 10-18-2017, 01:46 AM

That will be a painful trade as you just got the Outlaw? I'm guessing they will knock 40% off your coach for trade value. When you really start looking you may find the newer features of the Outlaw to good to trade in.

vkb · 10-18-2017, 01:58 AM

If we were to consider giving up our 2016 Axis for a 2011 motorhome, we would want to know the differences and upgrades which we might be giving up. Also, are the tires ready to be replaced...how clean is the unit..check the hidden areas, electrical, hvac, generator, etc. closely. If you are willing to give up some of those upgrades, you might have a nice, longer unit. We have friends who recently bought a 1998 Airstream Land Yacht and are very happy with it...albeit it does not have a slide, it is like new !! Well taken care of.

So, there is a bit of feedback for you !

sonnyh99 · 10-18-2017, 02:15 AM

wouldn't this fall under downgrading? 2018 to a 2012?

Mr Sunshine · 10-18-2017, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

The Missus and I really love our 2018 Outlaw 29H...

I have no personal experience with either of these models, or a toy hauler, but your comment about your new coach seems to pretty much say it all. You aren't the first to buy something and then have deep buyer remorse.

You learned to drive a 31' Class C, you can surely learn to drive a 38' Class A. If you don't get comments from someone who can help you compare, you'll have to do your own comparison.

Even if the used rig is in top notch condition, it is still 6 years old. Regardless of wear, the tires will need replaced if they haven't been. Work that and an extended warranty into any offer to buy.

Just my humble opinion. Follow your heart, but keep your checkbook in mind!

Chance · 10-18-2017, 02:59 AM

Personally, I would have a tough time going from the 6-speed 6R140 back to the older 5-speed 5R110 transmission, especially in a larger rig that would require downshifts more often.

Gear spacing on the rigs I've driven are not even close to comparable. On hills the older 5-speed leads to high engine RPMs too easily.

Bob Denman · 10-18-2017, 12:43 PM

Thanks for the insight!

The trade-in shock will probably change our minds quickly, and I hadn't thought about the transmission...

bigben · 10-18-2017, 01:36 PM

When we get the upgrade "itch", I remind myself how well our 37TB does now and how painful working out the new MH kinks were. The itch goes away, way away.

Bob Denman · 10-18-2017, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonnyh99

wouldn't this fall under downgrading? 2018 to a 2012?

That's one way to look at it...

We chose to look at it as an upgrade from a Class C; to a Class A!

Druff · 10-19-2017, 11:58 AM

Read some people's posts about class A's. Problems with heat and noise from cheep doghouse cover, HVAC systems that don't work, or drip water on batteries. Leaky windshields. Front grills that warp. Wipers that fall off or become stripped. A Ford dealer won't even look at class A's. I will keep my class C, my cab area is engineered not just built out of sticks and upholstery.

jpmihalk · 10-19-2017, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Druff

Read some people's posts about class A's. Problems with heat and noise from cheep doghouse cover, HVAC systems that don't work, or drip water on batteries. Leaky windshields. Front grills that warp. Wipers that fall off or become stripped. A Ford dealer won't even look at class A's. I will keep my class C, my cab area is engineered not just built out of sticks and upholstery.

To each their own. After renting a Class C and driving it, I wouldn't ever buy one. I will keep my Class A!

JamieGeek · 10-19-2017, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Druff

A Ford dealer won't even look at class A's.

Not true, you just have to find the one. There is a Ford dealer near me that services RV's.

Of course it took me 3 or 4 phone calls to dealers--each one was very helpful. Went something like: "Hello do you service RV's?" "Um no, but I think dealer X can" call dealer X: "Um no, but I think dealer A can. Who told you to call us?" "Dealer A" "Oh, then try dealer B". Call dealer B: "Um no, but try dealer C". Call dealer C: "Sure, but only one a week and you have to schedule it--you'd be about a month out"

Note that my research indicated that they won't service Class C's either--it isn't about the RV's class its the size: many simply don't have a lift that can handle the wheelbase or the weight.

Chance · 10-19-2017, 12:22 PM

If you're going to compare As to Cs, not just how they drive which was original question, another major advantage I find with Cs is the two front doors with powered roll down windows.

As with other comparisons, I think it would depend a lot on how much you tour/drive versus stay put at campsites, but I really like being able to get out the driver's door for fueling, etc.

Plus the ergonomics of the entire cab area seem superior to me as well on Cs; granted it comes at expense of smaller size.

Bob Denman · 10-19-2017, 12:29 PM

I didn't mean to turn this into "class warfare"...

I was actually most concerned about:
The differences (read that as "difficulty") in how they drive... I'm legally blind in my left eyeball.
The amount of standard equipment that I might be giving up on a 2012...

I know that a Class A of this size would give us a whole lot more room for living.

Chance · 10-19-2017, 12:57 PM

As far as ease of driving, I'd guess that size matters more than RV Class.

I know a 30-foot generally takes more effort than a similar 24-foot, and that more than a Class B, etc. Even my 20-foot van takes more effort in traffic than a car, so the pattern seems to hold in my opinion. If I wanted something easy to drive, I'd stick to smallest rig that can meet all my needs.

gmc · 10-19-2017, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

...
I was actually most concerned about:
The differences (read that as "difficulty") in how they drive...

I expect you will get differing opinions here... I went shopping for a C originally years back... test drove an A the dealer had on the lot, and never looked back. I prefer its visibility, and maneuverability over a C of same size (it surprised me how different it felt).
I have seen some (not Thor) that have a door on the drivers side of an A...
There are others that will prefer C... Why they make and sell both. No right or wrong answer.

Quote:

The amount of standard equipment that I might be giving up on a 2012...

Here I think you will need to do some comparing... Can find several listings for 2012 Outlaw 36T's... compare their equipment list with yours.
Some things certainly haven't changed... but there are some new things every year. Need to decide if they are important to you (or if you can easily add them if desired).

Druff · 10-19-2017, 08:39 PM

What I meant about Ford dealers not looking at class A's is that most of the stuff is not there's. Only the drivetrain, and as a Ford that is already bulletproof.

I agree it is personal choice, we looked at both, and I just like the cab with doors as we drive a lot. We also have 3 cats with us and it seems we can go in and out the front doors and they don't try to follow like out the back one.

Wonderdog · 10-27-2017, 01:40 AM

Had a class c, now class A. Sorta. 2017 Axis. We like the usable cab space of the Class A. Wasted space in the Class C but we don't tote dogs, cats or kids. Bigger is not always better. Most important to us is to get out of one another's way on occasion.

axis earl · 10-27-2017, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wonderdog

Had a class c, now class A. Sorta. 2017 Axis. We like the usable cab space of the Class A. Wasted space in the Class C but we don't tote dogs, cats or kids. Bigger is not always better. Most important to us is to get out of one another's way on occasion.

So true. I was dead set on a Class C Winnebago View with the diesel until I drove it. Our 2016 Axis is still a pleasure to drive once we did the suspension mods that are still cheaper than what the Sprinter mods would have been. Whatever works for you is still my answer.

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