Hi everyone!
Mike and Deb here, we are new to the world of RV'ing, and just wanted to say hi! And tell all about our first RV purchase.
I am a truck driver, own my own equipment and company, and have been trucking for 16 years all over the U.S. and Canada. Which led me to get an RV. I go to all sorts of places, but never get to "see" anything, if you know what I mean. The wife is always wanting to go with me, but things never seem to work out time wise, so she stays at home, as she works also.
I was out in Iowa a few months ago, and saw a brand new Jayco Seneca 35'r diesel. Well, that was the beginning of my RV pursuit. I got home that weekend and told the wife we are getting an RV. We looked at the class A's, C's and B's. Our local dealer has the Jayco line, we looked at the Seneca, which I thought I really liked. Well, neither of us really cared for it for various reasons after checking it out. We hit various dealers in our area, but nothing really caught our eye, and we do have budget. I also know all about the maintenance costs associated with big vehicles, and that did play into our budget/purchase considerations.
We had to remind ourselves of why we wanted to purchase an RV. I already "live" on the road in a huge rig. So I wanted something that could go off on a two lane or dirt road to see what is out there. Or hit that goofy looking tourist trap that I have passed a hundred times. And Deb did not like the upper bunk overhang of a class C. So we looked at the class B's and the larger C/B+ units. The B's were to small for us, and I did not care for the sprinter chassis, or the price to what you get ratio. So, off to the C/B+ units. We looked at the Lexingtons, they were nice, but something did not feel right about them. Don't ask me why, just did not like them other then one particular floorplan with a rear kitchen. But the unit had the smaller Chevy chassis, and did not meet my weight to power ratio. I would have been near capacity with the toad, if not over.
Well, I found a vehicle that fit the bill, the Coachmen Concord 235SO. It has the towing and weight capacities, and is small enough on the outside to do what we want. We went to a local dealer, who had an 06, and test drove it. It fit the bill, this is what we wanted. Lot's of power on a 24 foot 20,000lb chassis, and would easily tow Deb's Jeep Liberty. And there is plenty of room on the inside for both of us and our little sheltie, aka "Baby". But, and this is a BIG but. I did not like the sleeping and dining arrangements. A jack knife sofa and a dinette are not what I would call comfortable. So, I called our "other" local coachmen dealer, Kline's RV, and Carl Kline informed me that the new 2007's have a sofa hide a bed and 2 leather euro recliners with a fold up table. That is exactly what we wanted! Coachmen listened to its customers, as this was the only complaint I had read of regarding the Concord 235SO. I told Carl, SOLD!
Yesterday, the wife and I went out and ordered one. It has a September build date, and we should have it by October 1st. We loaded it up with every option available including the sat. There are some cool new features on the 2007 models that really sealed the deal.
Deb is already planning our first big outing to Florida. She wants to hit the gulf side and finish up in the Keys. We will be heading out at the end of December. I wonder if we can even get a spot in a CG, have to start working the phones asap.
Mike and Deb
Mike and Deb here, we are new to the world of RV'ing, and just wanted to say hi! And tell all about our first RV purchase.
I am a truck driver, own my own equipment and company, and have been trucking for 16 years all over the U.S. and Canada. Which led me to get an RV. I go to all sorts of places, but never get to "see" anything, if you know what I mean. The wife is always wanting to go with me, but things never seem to work out time wise, so she stays at home, as she works also.
I was out in Iowa a few months ago, and saw a brand new Jayco Seneca 35'r diesel. Well, that was the beginning of my RV pursuit. I got home that weekend and told the wife we are getting an RV. We looked at the class A's, C's and B's. Our local dealer has the Jayco line, we looked at the Seneca, which I thought I really liked. Well, neither of us really cared for it for various reasons after checking it out. We hit various dealers in our area, but nothing really caught our eye, and we do have budget. I also know all about the maintenance costs associated with big vehicles, and that did play into our budget/purchase considerations.
We had to remind ourselves of why we wanted to purchase an RV. I already "live" on the road in a huge rig. So I wanted something that could go off on a two lane or dirt road to see what is out there. Or hit that goofy looking tourist trap that I have passed a hundred times. And Deb did not like the upper bunk overhang of a class C. So we looked at the class B's and the larger C/B+ units. The B's were to small for us, and I did not care for the sprinter chassis, or the price to what you get ratio. So, off to the C/B+ units. We looked at the Lexingtons, they were nice, but something did not feel right about them. Don't ask me why, just did not like them other then one particular floorplan with a rear kitchen. But the unit had the smaller Chevy chassis, and did not meet my weight to power ratio. I would have been near capacity with the toad, if not over.
Well, I found a vehicle that fit the bill, the Coachmen Concord 235SO. It has the towing and weight capacities, and is small enough on the outside to do what we want. We went to a local dealer, who had an 06, and test drove it. It fit the bill, this is what we wanted. Lot's of power on a 24 foot 20,000lb chassis, and would easily tow Deb's Jeep Liberty. And there is plenty of room on the inside for both of us and our little sheltie, aka "Baby". But, and this is a BIG but. I did not like the sleeping and dining arrangements. A jack knife sofa and a dinette are not what I would call comfortable. So, I called our "other" local coachmen dealer, Kline's RV, and Carl Kline informed me that the new 2007's have a sofa hide a bed and 2 leather euro recliners with a fold up table. That is exactly what we wanted! Coachmen listened to its customers, as this was the only complaint I had read of regarding the Concord 235SO. I told Carl, SOLD!
Yesterday, the wife and I went out and ordered one. It has a September build date, and we should have it by October 1st. We loaded it up with every option available including the sat. There are some cool new features on the 2007 models that really sealed the deal.
Deb is already planning our first big outing to Florida. She wants to hit the gulf side and finish up in the Keys. We will be heading out at the end of December. I wonder if we can even get a spot in a CG, have to start working the phones asap.
Mike and Deb
