Aria vs Venetian

[Turtle3]

Hi all,

I am trying to weigh the benefits vs cons of the Aria 4000 vs Venetian B42. After a ton of research and looking, constrained by my budget, these are the two I have found. The floorplan is perfect for our needs.
Full time with my Mom and cat. I need second shower for his litter box. I need storage x2. I need sleeping options for me, mom gets bedroom, if I don’t use bunks they are more storage/wardrobe. I need second toilet.

This will be my fourth DP. Last was a tag with air leveling. I don’t want that large this time. But I know the benefits.

I have found both used…. 2022 with minimum miles, both at LARGE dealers. I plan on getting private inspector on either. I am trying to not make it about cost… but, if the price difference is 60,000. Is the larger engine, Jake brake, extra feet, tag, one additional pantry, DISHWASHER, slightly smaller basement worth it? Ok, dishwasher is major but simple to add to Aria.

I have also found new Aria for 45,000 more than the used. I don’t buy used normally. I doubt previous care, maintenance, and gives me the heebie jeebies… germ phobia alert! And no warranty.

If money no object I would do the B42 new. That’s not possible… and I really need to stay smaller. I think I want the new Aria but it’s 11 hours away. We could trade and do a switch making it easier. But I really wanted to get my companions comfortable before a trip like that. Or we could have it delivered but I don’t get to inspect myself…

I love opinions, looking for logical reasoning because I’m flopping back and forth. I know the talk about Thor. I owned a quantum sprinter we loved and have nothing but good memories of. I’ll take my chance with Thor because the floorplan at the price point. On forums it appears everyone loves their 4000 while the B42 was mixed mainly negative. Is that just personal expectations of a higher price point?

We own an RV lot locally, when traveling I prefer smaller CG or if possible state parks. Boondocking when seeing friends also.

So, logic says? I’ll take biased opinion also. Just please no different manufacturers unless floorplan is “exact” and this price point.

 

[Turtle3]

Well. Typing this out help me decide that I’d prefer the Venetian.

Getting ready to leave to go look at it when my salesperson texted me.
It only had 2300 miles yet. It smelled horrible like animals musty not a hint of new left to it.
Possibly a case of someone just lived in it down here this winter and has enough money not to care about cleanliness.

Needless to say I’m out. Back to the drawing board.

 

[Hoosier 26]

I just made this same decision.

We had a 2017 Challenger TB until last Summer when we sold it and started looking for the upgrade. We were set on the 2024 or 2025 Aria 4000 until we went to a dealer in Florida two weeks ago on a whim due to poor weather during our stay at Disney.

We found a 2023 Venetian B42 brand new at 40% off. After weighing out the minimal difference in price due to discounting I could not pass over the deal. The engine, braking, and extra length were our major points. Model year was of minimal significance because we are going to put tons of miles on the coach. We 65K on our last unit and this looks to be heavier use with 4 trips planned in the first 4 months.

We travel with two 55+lbs dogs and often have grown children and significant others with us. The sleeping options and ride of the tag axle is amazing.

Hope this helps. There are several 2023 B42 left around the country. Dealers are motivated to get them a new home. Maybe you can do better than 40%. Good Luck!

 

[Turtle3]

I just made this same decision.

We had a 2017 Challenger TB until last Summer when we sold it and started looking for the upgrade. We were set on the 2024 or 2025 Aria 4000 until we went to a dealer in Florida two weeks ago on a whim due to poor weather during our stay at Disney.

We found a 2023 Venetian B42 brand new at 40% off. After weighing out the minimal difference in price due to discounting I could not pass over the deal. The engine, braking, and extra length were our major points. Model year was of minimal significance because we are going to put tons of miles on the coach. We 65K on our last unit and this looks to be heavier use with 4 trips planned in the first 4 months.

We travel with two 55+lbs dogs and often have grown children and significant others with us. The sleeping options and ride of the tag axle is amazing.

Hope this helps. There are several 2023 B42 left around the country. Dealers are motivated to get them a new home. Maybe you can do better than 40%. Good Luck!

Thank you Hoosier!! You got a great deal. Funny how those wims make the happiest decisions

Yes, our situation is exactly the same. I’m running out of leftovers and am afraid I missed out. I had found a used Venetian 2023 with 2200 miles on it but as we were leaving to go see it my saleswoman called and said it was not good…. the aria is a leftover 2023 so that makes the price gap larger with the Venetians I have found. it’s a big difference and I need to stay below 300.

I really appreciate your reply. It’s only me, my handicapped mom and our cat but the extras we need for their safety and happiness requires a lot more space.

We looked at the Pasadena models yesterday. I love the loft, would sleep up there even if just me! Have you ever traveled in a super C? I’m afraid the cab noise will be too much.

 

[Hoosier 26]

FLWestCoast - Here's a link

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2022-Thor+Motor+Coach-Venetian+B42-5027491398

IF you check this one out talk with Phil Berghorn in the sales department. He treated us great and seemed genuinely happy to help us get what we wanted.

If this is not to your liking do a quick search on RVTrader.com, there are several in Florida brand new or low miles used. I feel like you could end up with a good coach for under $300K. I searched Thor Motor Coach Venetian B42 nationwide with no other restrictions.

Remember, you are choosing between two good options. Either way the motorhome will provide the platform to do the thing you want to do, be mobile with your family and pets.

All the best, I hope it works out.

 

[HMCSW]

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2022-Thor+Motor+Coach-Venetian+B42-5027491398

IF you check this one out talk with Phil Berghorn in the sales department. He treated us great and seemed genuinely happy to help us get what we wanted.

If this is not to your liking do a quick search on RVTrader.com, there are several in Florida brand new or low miles used. I feel like you could end up with a good coach for under $300K. I searched Thor Motor Coach Venetian B42 nationwide with no other restrictions.

Remember, you are choosing between two good options. Either way the motorhome will provide the platform to do the thing you want to do, be mobile with your family and pets.

All the best, I hope it works out.

Aria sliders blow. Not sure about Venetian. Look on the underside of slides when extended. Aria has open channels you can put you are through. Nothing to keep warm air in or cold air out not to mention flying insects. I would never get another bus with that type of slide.

 

[Turtle3]

That’s the coach we were headed to see when our saleswoman called to stop us.
It was in their service department with the trim dismantled and the slide not working with as of yet unknown issues.
It also had a horrendous smell to it like a pack of animals had been closed up in it for months.

Needless to say the smell alone would’ve turned me away. I had been pretty excited up to that point. But I should’ve known the low price was for a reason.

I’m not giving up

 

[DogLovers]

Living in an RV with Mom and a Cat

Besides the obvious issues surrounding living with mom and a cat in a small space consider this. Get the biggest roomiest most amenitee filled RV with everything you want and then some that you can afford. You will be surprised how fast it feels small. :hide:

 

[Turtle3]

Yes, I hope to get the biggest best I can.

We lived in 450 sq ft for a year while I was nursing mom back to health and were never happier so I know we will be fine.

With the coming hurricane season being mobile is number one on my mind right now. Living through Ian really changed my mind about staying. That and the influx of new residents.

We are looking at a Berkshire XLT 45CA OR 45E. Not sure I can swing it but looking. I saw a used one that had the covers removed from the return vents. I’m guessing that is a condensation problem. Anyone hear of that issue? I know this is Thor forum…

 

[Hoosier 26]

Venetian slide room seals

Aria sliders blow. Not sure about Venetian. Look on the underside of slides when extended. Aria has open channels you can put you are through. Nothing to keep warm air in or cold air out not to mention flying insects. I would never get another bus with that type of slide.

@HMCSW - You are correct about the slide mechanism leaving gaps in the seals on the underside of each slide room. I am working on a fix for that this weekend. The areas are not that big but enough to need action. I will likely make a rubber or foam insert for each location, number them and then make that part of the set up tear down procedure. should only add a minute or two to the process once the plugs are built. Thanks for the heads up, but I was already on this as I noticed it when I got home from the dealership.

We don't camp for extended periods or in extremely cold conditions so I don't see this as a big issue just something to fashion a fix for to keep critters out and the wife happy. False sense of security because no motorhome is immune to determined critters. SHHHH! don't tell my wife.

Enjoy your travels!

 

[HMCSW]

@HMCSW - You are correct about the slide mechanism leaving gaps in the seals on the underside of each slide room. I am working on a fix for that this weekend. The areas are not that big but enough to need action. I will likely make a rubber or foam insert for each location, number them and then make that part of the set up tear down procedure. should only add a minute or two to the process once the plugs are built. Thanks for the heads up, but I was already on this as I noticed it when I got home from the dealership.

We don't camp for extended periods or in extremely cold conditions so I don't see this as a big issue just something to fashion a fix for to keep critters out and the wife happy. False sense of security because no motorhome is immune to determined critters. SHHHH! don't tell my wife.

Enjoy your travels!

I ended up using upholstery foam. Cut the pieces to fit each one and stuff them in. It works for us.

 

[Turtle3]

Decided

Well I made my decision and in true form I have chosen something different.

This weekend I pick up a 2024 Forest River Berkshire XLT 45E…. We had good luck with our Forester so we stuck with Forest River. The floorplan is, for us, amazingly perfect. There is room for all three of us now and in the future the bunk area will convert to a master bathroom/closet area.

Thanks for everyone posting here. I did decide go with the biggest I could afford or rather not afford. Lol

 

[Hoosier 26]

Flwestcoast - Sounds like a great fit for you. Best of luck with it and happy travels.