shlemon said:Even though the 2010 brochure says otherwise the Avanti 31' still has the 16000 GVW chassis and only carries a total payload of 1665 lbs. Not good. The local Damon Dealer rep tells me that the Avanti is discontinued. I have moved on and bought a Tiffin Phaeton 36QSH. I think I made a good choice.
Karsty said:. . . the 3106 does have double the exterior storage. I am a light traveller. I am not a campground type of person. I am basically a traveller and won't be staying in any one place for long periods of time. I won't be taking some of the usual items that others might take when they go camping.
Pierat said:Just a thought, for extended back-country travel, the size of the water and waste tanks could be an issue to compare. Also factors such as whether you need a generator.
Mike911 said:I am considering the Damon Avanti also due to its good gas mileage claims. Does anybody have any knowledge on its quality?
I test drove a Thor Ace 29.1 that was slightly used and I was sorely disappointed. I saw that the ceiling vinyl was bubbling around edges. The drop down bed had small cuts at the mechanical hinges, and it was already rattling and squeaking.
Is this normal? I am considering more heavily on the sprinter era since my wife and I have a 5 yr old and 3 yr old. However, it sure would be nice to be able to invite grandparents, etc.
Mike911 said:Karsty,
Thanks for the quick reply. I have been working like a dog, and had to put the RV thought aside. Well I made an offer today, and I'm picking up my new 2012 ERA Monday! (I am new to forums, and I don't know how to PM.) Regardless, I am pretty excited. My kids sleep with us at home on the king bed, and I figured it would work similarly. We don't plan to stay longer than weekends at the beach or lake, and we hope to take many trips to my wife's hometown of Orlando (where we have family and a place to stay). I'm partial to the sprinter because it looks like a big van. I figured homeowner associations won't give us too much grief wherever we go. When I can find two weeks of time, I will adventure to San Francisco to visit other family. I think I can rig the two front seats for possible sleeping arrangements for grandparents without the (folding mattress of the roadtrek), if they wanted to tag along. It reminds me of when I was young with humble means, and my blue collar parents took us and the cousins in a work van to the beach for the weekends (just laying carpet and sleeping bags on the floor). Gas mileage will be awesome! If you have any unique advice, it would greatly be appreciated.