Super C or Class A

[nsraja]

Hello,

It was during the pandemic we tried renting an RV and immediately fell in love with the concept. We rented twice and the marathon was on to purchase one. We first looked at used RVs and decided to get a new one. I nearly begged Houston dealers to be reasonable but flew down to Florida and got the same new RV for $12k lower. We have owned ours for 3 years now. I am not in a hurry but I think I should start my second marathon to upgrade. I was very sure the second one was going to be a Super C on Freightliner chassis but now I am having second thoughts, why not also look at Class A which I once thought I would never buy. My neighbor had a super C, he traded it in and got a new Tiffin Phaeton with all the bells and whistles. I dont think I will get something that expensive but if I am willing to spend money on a Super C on Freightliner then you get my ballpark budget. I think for that kind of money you get more value on a Class A.

I would very much appreciate if fellow RVers could comment on pros and cons of either type. Then a couple of models to look into. Prefer something around 35 ft long. My Class C is 29 ft long with king bed, I have started driving it like minivan now, I take it into any shopping complex, fast food, restaurant parking lots, drive into most narrow roads (even Santa Fe downtown once). I would hate to give up flexibility I have with the existing Class C, so shorter is better.

Thanks
Raja

 

[Jimbo57]

Super C would give you more clearance in more rugged terrain. I would be looking for one that can tow a vehicle so once you are set up you can see sites not breaking down RV . We have Palazzo 33.2 Class A Diesel pusher but it doesn’t have the power to pull a bigger toad. It comes with 300 hp and does alright by its self not towing. The Palazzos run pretty low to the ground so driving out of a driveway sometimes the hitch scrapes. For us considering going back to 5th wheel they have more storage and the truck is quieter while driving then listening to rig squeaking and creaking though ClassA has motor in the back so I don’t hear it. We had a 28’ 5th wheel and it was bigger inside then the Palazzo but Palazzo has washer and drier inside. Everything has a trade off

 

[ghnl]

We've had everything - from a VW Westfalia, pop up trailer, pickup truck campers, a 28' Class C & now a 30' Class A. The Class C seemed easier to drive, the doors in the 'cab' were easier to get in & out but the Class A has more interior room - with swivel seats the cab area becomes part of the "camper". We've had 7 or 8 adults in the MH for dinner. The Class A drives fine - just that the seating is higher so you feel the motion more.

 

[16ACE27]

OK class, today's assignment is to write a 3 page essay comparing and contrasting Class A and Class Super C motorhomes.

This assignment can go any direction the author wants due to the variety in each class. Class A MHs can be as small as 26' on a gas van chassis up to 45' and longer on a DP diesel bus chassis.
The Super Cs are all diesel (AFAIK) FREDs but again can range from 30' on a pickup truck chassis with 4WD up to over 45' on a Freightliner tractor trailer chassis.
And there are a myriad of floor plans across both spectrums.
And neither will drive like your Class C.

So figure out what you really want in a floor plan
What capabilities you really want in the chassis
What the maximum budget is
What other features you want/need and their importance in the decision process
And go put eyes-on and begin the internal compromise process.

 

[blw2]

I went from a pop-up tent trailer to a 32ft class C, so no class A experience (and no TT experience, although I do have quite a lot of large gooseneck trailer towing experience)

I have thought about our eventual next RV, and I used to think that I'd love to make it a super C
But it seems like the choices are far fewer in that class. Also, I feel like class C's are really a niche thing...even the super versions...great for families, and better suited for weekend or an occasional week or so trip.... not for longer term use. Can it be done, sure, but they seem better suited for that niche in my thinking.
Class A's on the other hand, well at least for the larger ones, pushers, etc... seem to be a little better suited for a bit longer trips...and that's where I see my mission going

As far as pivoting to a 5th TT or a bumper pull TT... Even all these years later since buying the motorhome, I'm still very thankful that I didn't go with a TT/5th wheel. It's just easier in the motorhome to pivot and adapt what we're doing when travelling, quick lunches or bathroom breaks while on the road, etc... and if I don't want to set up when I finally pull into an RV site at the end of a long drive, I can be laying on the sofa in about 3 seconds after setting the parking brake! I can choose to set up the site, or just keep it simple and plug in the power. No hitching, no unhitching, etc...

 

[ducksface]

Except as a compromise I can't find any reason for a c class.
If you're wide or infirm getting from the front to the back between the seats is an exercise in excercise.

I sway easily.

 

[Jimbo57]

Except as a compromise I can't find any reason for a c class.
If you're wide or infirm getting from the front to the back between the seats is an exercise in excercise.

I sway easily.

Very early in Rv experience in laws had a 73 Fireball Class C yes they were different back then but heat off doghouse and the gymnastics to get in drivers sit from the back was enough to never go back to a C again

 

[16ACE27]

Lotsa comments in this thread about a Class C RV. The OP already has a Class C RV. He is thinking about a Super C which is a whole different animal.

 

[ducksface]

It's for others to consider when they're considering.
A super c is harder for the wide or infirm to get into the passenger doors.

Big bulbous overhang that might not be needed unless you group too many in an rv or have kids.

 

[m1noel]

I liked some aspects of the Super C-easier to get to the engine for maintenance, etc. But the main difference and biggest reason we went to class A's was interior space and exterior storage for the total length. A Super C has quite a few feet of unusable space up in the front for that engine.

 

[Lt Keefer]

Hello,

It was during the pandemic we tried renting an RV and immediately fell in love with the concept. We rented twice and the marathon was on to purchase one. We first looked at used RVs and decided to get a new one. I nearly begged Houston dealers to be reasonable but flew down to Florida and got the same new RV for $12k lower. We have owned ours for 3 years now. I am not in a hurry but I think I should start my second marathon to upgrade. I was very sure the second one was going to be a Super C on Freightliner chassis but now I am having second thoughts, why not also look at Class A which I once thought I would never buy. My neighbor had a super C, he traded it in and got a new Tiffin Phaeton with all the bells and whistles. I dont think I will get something that expensive but if I am willing to spend money on a Super C on Freightliner then you get my ballpark budget. I think for that kind of money you get more value on a Class A.

I would very much appreciate if fellow RVers could comment on pros and cons of either type. Then a couple of models to look into. Prefer something around 35 ft long. My Class C is 29 ft long with king bed, I have started driving it like minivan now, I take it into any shopping complex, fast food, restaurant parking lots, drive into most narrow roads (even Santa Fe downtown once). I would hate to give up flexibility I have with the existing Class C, so shorter is better.

Thanks
Raja

Make sure you read all the posts about unhappy Super C owners. All the movement of the over hang and the cracking issues.

 

[nsraja]

Make sure you read all the posts about unhappy Super C owners. All the movement of the over hang and the cracking issues.

Thanks - this is the kind of keywords I look for to do more research. As for the overhang I am living it. Not sure about the cracking issues, will research.