I would advise you buy the newest unit you can afford, but beyond that, I would recommend a Class C for 2 reasons: Construction and operating costs.
Construction:
If you buy a large Class A on a greyhound bus frame, you are getting a very solid, very tested, very well-thought out frame (that is very expensive to drive tho). If you get a smaller Class A, it well could be on a unique frame designed by the RV manufacturer, used only for 1 model. I would be the least comfortable driving one of these, considering how well it will fare in a "medium" accident/ wreck. A Class C will be on a (usually Ford or GM) ladder cut-away van" frame, designed for a step-van/ delivery truck/ large "U-haul" truck. There are tens of thousands of these around, they've been in many wrecks, and the frames are well-tested designed.
Operating Costs:
I drive a 22-ft Class C on a GM ladder frame chassis. It has plenty of sleeping space for my family of 6. It's the smallest size my family will be able to fit inside when all 4 kids become roughly adult-sized. We would be more comfortable in a larger rig for sure, and have less set-up time in late-night RV-lot stay-overs. I've rented larger, and did not like it for several reasons, and most of them have to do with operating costs. Here are my reasons. If they don't sound important to you, then you may be a "big-rig" kinda guy (as are most of the very friendly and helpful people in this forum). My personal reasons are:
* Gas mileage: I can drive at 63MPH and consistently get over 10MPG on the highway, or even winding mountain roads. Most big rig guys will probably tell you they drive at 55MPH if they are at all concerned with mileage, and most get less--some far less. Deisel rigs will have better MPG than gas rigs of the same weight, but you'll be paying a lot more for diesel than gas.
* At this size, I can cool the entire rig with the in-the-dash A/C unit only. Even if it's 100F outside, even if we're not TOTALLY on the highway. Stop-and-go traffic: forget about it, we're starting the generator and running the roof-top (house) A/C. We run our generator very little.
* The over-the-driver bed-space is awesome. No one going to sleep up there? Stuff it full of bedding and storage. Put a permanently-installed entertainment system up there. Make up for some of the other storage space you will be missing out on in a Class C.
* Maneuverability: This was a big one for me. My wife and I are very comfortable driving and *parking* it. If there is no bus/ RV parking, we can fit it into a standard parking spot, provided there is some grassy space behind the spot I can back the tail end of my rig over. Most parking lots we've been to have at least some spots like this.
Anyway, congratulations in your adventures ahead of you. I hope you find the perfect rig for your family.
jasonlowehvac said:
Hi everyone,
New to the site. In the spring I plan on purchasing a used RV. We have looked at a few class c's and we are fond of them. It will be used for seasonal camping for our family (2 adults and a 7 year old). Our limit is $15k. We are looking for something that is not going make us gas poor. Should we go with an a or a c? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!