yomin66
Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2007
- Posts
- 9
So, as the subject line says, I have two months to go before purchasing my first Class-C RV.
Why 2 months and not "within two months"?
Well, I happen to be a Canuck living in Germany (for over 15 years by now), and I've given myself a one-week-window to travel to Alberta or BC and pick out a unit. I have about ? 12,000 USD to spend, as a lic. wrencher I can assess what's needed mechanically and fix it. I have read lots and lots about RV-specific issues (especially the delaminating and tire-aging), so I SHOULD be able to avoid a money-pit. We're planning our first travels in the summer. After that, it just gets winterized and sits in a fenced lot with a hundred of its brothers.
Where to buy?
Well, before I hit this forum, I ran across the www.rv.canadatrader.com. Only about 2-3 units that matched my criteria. Same on the US-Side. So I guess I either have a very detailed idea of what my RV is supposed to look and be like or I am way too choosey. Take your pick!
When I get closer to departure, I'll begin to pick viewing dates and times and contact the sellers, get more detailed pics and other tidbits.
What to buy?
24 ft. min, 26-27 ft. max., I'd love a Chevy chassis, but Ford seems to be the standard. 350 vs. 460, TH-??? vs. C-??? - trust me, I've heard them all. I just believe, that Chevy stuff remains cheaper to replace and is more universally available. 30% more cubic inches are not to be disregarded either, though. Gas or Diesel? In Germany, this would be a no-brainer. The diesels up to the end of the 80s were not all that desirable and maintenance-heavy. It'll be gas.
Interior layout / features?
When asking the sig. other, her priorities differ from mine. No problem, they differ from one day to the next, so the chances, that they meet mine at some point are good ;D. Most of it has to do with colors and textures - oak, gold handles, clear-plastic faucet-knobs and curtians with colorful floral designs are intolerable - but can be changed forthe most part. Soon mind you, not right now.
As far as the layout is concerned, a bed in the back for the grown-ups, the bunk for the kids or the converted dinner area, if they cannot get along.
Everything else is negotiable. I'd like to get rid of the two chairs one sometimes sees on the entry side across from the dining table, and mount a big toolchest there and have maybe a folding chair (on demand) next to it. Seems with four people, that's sufficient. And for putting on / taking of footwear, the box is sturdy enough to sit on anyways. Carpet / lino / laminate: Carpet is nice (and stains easily), laminate is trendy (but not waterproof) and lino is practical. I don't really care at this point.
Questions:
While at the subject, how would one fasten such a toolchest (a twelve-drawer top-part, not the rolling stock)? My first thought was bolting it with 4 heafty bolts each side through the floor and have the bolt sets on either side supported with some sort of steel girdle to add some strength. There can't be any way, that the thing gets dislodged during a crash and hit (flatten) the passenger.
Insurance in Canada: Any experience with certain companies, what to look for, what to avoid?
Winterizing: Read elsewhere a lot about the pink stuff, that you cannot and should not really use the RV in the winter (moisture, condensation, mold). In Calgary it can get down to -40 to -50 Celsius in the wind, does anyone have experience in the cold climates?
Wheels and tires: Read the debate here and from my point, there is not really an alternative. Tires are pricey and the need to be protected. Covers against the sun and tire pressure at its limit with wheels on the ground (2nd choice) or wheels up via lifts (can they even lift an RV straight off the ground?) or the rear axle and lower control arms jacked up, so they can be fixed in that position (blocks, wood, whatever). It's worth the effort. Time spent there will offset the time spent at the tire store, trying to balance the "set" the tires have taken. If you don't care, buy one set, leave all as is and let the next guy owning the RV worry aout it (3.5 years average ownership?) - Wait, that wasn't a question, more like a statement. Oh well...
Internet Access: How do you manage?
Well, this should be it for now - I am glad to have found this place to hopefully get some "smarts" on the subject before shelling out the bucks - I hope you can share some of your experience with me! 8)
Cheers from Bochum, Germany,
Volker
Why 2 months and not "within two months"?
Well, I happen to be a Canuck living in Germany (for over 15 years by now), and I've given myself a one-week-window to travel to Alberta or BC and pick out a unit. I have about ? 12,000 USD to spend, as a lic. wrencher I can assess what's needed mechanically and fix it. I have read lots and lots about RV-specific issues (especially the delaminating and tire-aging), so I SHOULD be able to avoid a money-pit. We're planning our first travels in the summer. After that, it just gets winterized and sits in a fenced lot with a hundred of its brothers.
Where to buy?
Well, before I hit this forum, I ran across the www.rv.canadatrader.com. Only about 2-3 units that matched my criteria. Same on the US-Side. So I guess I either have a very detailed idea of what my RV is supposed to look and be like or I am way too choosey. Take your pick!
When I get closer to departure, I'll begin to pick viewing dates and times and contact the sellers, get more detailed pics and other tidbits.
What to buy?
24 ft. min, 26-27 ft. max., I'd love a Chevy chassis, but Ford seems to be the standard. 350 vs. 460, TH-??? vs. C-??? - trust me, I've heard them all. I just believe, that Chevy stuff remains cheaper to replace and is more universally available. 30% more cubic inches are not to be disregarded either, though. Gas or Diesel? In Germany, this would be a no-brainer. The diesels up to the end of the 80s were not all that desirable and maintenance-heavy. It'll be gas.
Interior layout / features?
When asking the sig. other, her priorities differ from mine. No problem, they differ from one day to the next, so the chances, that they meet mine at some point are good ;D. Most of it has to do with colors and textures - oak, gold handles, clear-plastic faucet-knobs and curtians with colorful floral designs are intolerable - but can be changed forthe most part. Soon mind you, not right now.
As far as the layout is concerned, a bed in the back for the grown-ups, the bunk for the kids or the converted dinner area, if they cannot get along.
Everything else is negotiable. I'd like to get rid of the two chairs one sometimes sees on the entry side across from the dining table, and mount a big toolchest there and have maybe a folding chair (on demand) next to it. Seems with four people, that's sufficient. And for putting on / taking of footwear, the box is sturdy enough to sit on anyways. Carpet / lino / laminate: Carpet is nice (and stains easily), laminate is trendy (but not waterproof) and lino is practical. I don't really care at this point.
Questions:
While at the subject, how would one fasten such a toolchest (a twelve-drawer top-part, not the rolling stock)? My first thought was bolting it with 4 heafty bolts each side through the floor and have the bolt sets on either side supported with some sort of steel girdle to add some strength. There can't be any way, that the thing gets dislodged during a crash and hit (flatten) the passenger.
Insurance in Canada: Any experience with certain companies, what to look for, what to avoid?
Winterizing: Read elsewhere a lot about the pink stuff, that you cannot and should not really use the RV in the winter (moisture, condensation, mold). In Calgary it can get down to -40 to -50 Celsius in the wind, does anyone have experience in the cold climates?
Wheels and tires: Read the debate here and from my point, there is not really an alternative. Tires are pricey and the need to be protected. Covers against the sun and tire pressure at its limit with wheels on the ground (2nd choice) or wheels up via lifts (can they even lift an RV straight off the ground?) or the rear axle and lower control arms jacked up, so they can be fixed in that position (blocks, wood, whatever). It's worth the effort. Time spent there will offset the time spent at the tire store, trying to balance the "set" the tires have taken. If you don't care, buy one set, leave all as is and let the next guy owning the RV worry aout it (3.5 years average ownership?) - Wait, that wasn't a question, more like a statement. Oh well...
Internet Access: How do you manage?
Well, this should be it for now - I am glad to have found this place to hopefully get some "smarts" on the subject before shelling out the bucks - I hope you can share some of your experience with me! 8)
Cheers from Bochum, Germany,
Volker