What are the quality Class C's?

[REVRON-FRF]

Yes, I know I've opened another can of the same worms across this Forum, so I will be a good listener. Changing form a bumper pull to Class C. Can do a lot of my own maintenance and repairs. Have been looking for a used one for weeks with Azdel siding and bunks for the grandchildren (which highly limit my choices.} Hopefully, the newer Ford V-8. No, will not get in the flesh & pay $100k or more for one. Budget of $85k??? Questions.

1) Here on Feb 1, 2025, what are the better quality Class C's? I've concluded that Coachmen is entry level, if you know what I mean. I like the floorpan of Thor Four Winds, but I've read across this Forum and it has stopped me in my tracks in regards to quality, too. IS THERE ANYTHING NEWER IN THAT PRICE RANGE THAT IS CONSIDERED GOOD QUALITY? (AZDEL / BUNKS!).

2) I'm almost scared to buy anything now since so many people have lived in theirs. It may have low miles from sitting there, but it can be worn out inside from 24/7 use for months at a time. How can I know it has/hasn't been lived in... no matter what the seller says?

3) Am I better off finding an older unit that has been well cared for and has lower miles than a newer unit with the new Ford V8? I like real wood cabinets, not cheap pressboard covered in wall paper ... stainless steel sinks, not plastic ... better quality upholstery, not paper thin ...

Thanks for all input, thoughts, experiences and opinions... but be nice, pls.

 

[Kirk]

How can I know it has/hasn't been lived in... no matter what the seller says?

When buying any used RV, unless you are an expert on all parts of the motorized RV, you would do well to get it inspected by a certified, pre-purchase RV inspector.

I like real wood cabinets, not cheap pressboard covered in wall paper ... stainless steel sinks, not plastic ... better quality upholstery, not paper thin ...

This is going to be difficult to find. You might find it in a Lazy Daze or Born Free RV but Born Free closed in 2017 and Lazy Daze in 2022. Either of them will be difficult to find.

 

[REVRON-FRF]

I hear you... so what Class C's are quality built ones today?... as I see it, quality isn't just about money, but pride in what you do... I know there must be some manufacturers who have good quality control... no, not perfect control, but 'quality' control...

 

[Boat Bum]

Put this in Google and do some reading.

best production class c rv

 

[Sunnyfalls]

Frankly, using quality and RV in the same sentence is delusional at best...and at any price point.

If you want a quality RV, you need start with the best quality baseline you can find and then modify it in a quality manner to your specific needs and desires yourself. Anyhow, that's what we did and we are happy with the end result.

 

[Boat Bum]

Frankly, using quality and RV in the same sentence is delusional at best...and at any price point.

If you want a quality RV, you need start with the best quality baseline you can find

So, then you would agree that there are levels of quality w/o being delusional?

 

[REVRON-FRF]

Good point. I have had a few bumper pulls. It's the very same, not too much quality. Maybe I'm expecting too much... but will keep looking.

 

[Sunnyfalls]

So, then you would agree that there are levels of quality w/o being delusional?

There are certainly different quality levels of people... However, given the low quality of people designing and manufacturing RVs in the US, one should expect to get a low quality RV and just plan on refining it themselves to their desired quality level. Of course, many people are not even capable of doing this either.

So, what one gets, may well be what one will have to live with. And then you can come to this forum to seek help fixing all your never-ending RV issues...

 

[ButchW1]

Don't know if this will help, but...

https://azdelonboard.com/brands-using-azdel/

Butch

 

[Sunnyfalls]

By all accounts, Azdel is a good product. But it is used to build panel RVs. Panel RVs will always fail at the panel seams. So unless you have stock in seam adhesive companies, a panel RV is a bad investment.

 

[Sunnyfalls]

Good point. I have had a few bumper pulls. It's the very same, not too much quality. Maybe I'm expecting too much... but will keep looking.

We went through this process a couple years ago...

We concluded that any class motorhome would be inconvenient in that we would have to move it just to get a few supplies when camping or to do sightseeing. Or worse, we would have to bring along another vehicle to avoid this. And we didn't want to become another member of the more money than brains big bloated pig club either.

So a trailer made much more sense for us. Then the question became how big and what brand. Since we like to dry camp in very remote locations as much as we can, a small trailer accomplishes this mission best. And fiberglass trailers are aerodynamic, lighter, last forever and hold their value well over time. We went with the Casita brand because they have been around for 50 years and thereby time tested and still provide the best bang for the buck. And we then modified it to meet ALL our specific needs.

So bottom line, you first need to carefully figure out how you will use your RV. Then the solution will be revealed and you will then just have to select the best starting point. Best wishes in your endeavor!

 

[CharlesinGA]

Winnebago. Consistent quality and design. Added value in that the parts diagrams and listings, wiring diagrams and equipment installation drawings, and the plumbing installation drawings, are all available online, free.

Winnebago does certain things the same way in virtually all models. A minor, but important example, is that they figured out long ago, that the black tank doesn't get enough water, so they design the drains so the bathroom sink drains into the black tank. You can look up any of their Class C and many of the Class A's and they are all done this way.

Winnebago is not without their problems, but they are much fewer and usually less of an issue than other brands.

Charles

 

[jymbee]

...we didn't want to become another member of the more money than brains big bloated pig club either.

Heyyyy... I'm not sure we would even accept you as a member.

 

[Ohiosnowbird]

We bought a 2023 Thor Quantum KW29. We’ve had many problems, but members on this forum pointed out it was probably built during the pandemic greedfest. When were fixing/improving things it became clear that Thor used whatever they had or could get when they put ours together. Case in point the shower enclosure. They’re not using the same enclosure we got in later models. We replaced it, that project I documented here: Thor 2023 KW29 shower upgrade

There have been many other things that proved it was built during the greedfest.

That said, it could be things have improved with the manufacturing at Thor. How would one determine that? Beats me. We’re improving the one we bought and will probably hang on to it for a while. It will be better than the one we bought.

Quality is in the eyes of the beholder, IMHO. They told us the theater seats are “luxury”. They are the most uncomfortable POS and too short. They were designed for midgets. You have to determine what qualities means to you. Quality for us would have been a shower you could actually take a shower in.

I don’t get the hangup with a used RV being lived in. If you find a good one and the lived in thing gives you the heebegebees, rip out the mattress(s) and potties. I had a friend would never buy a used car because he didn’t like the idea that someone besides him farted in the driver’s seat. So I can see the logic, but it’s an easy fix IMHO.

As far as the definition of quality in newer RV’s that remains to be seen. My hubby was in construction his whole life and when working on our shower upgrade said he hadn’t ever seen such crappy workmanship as far as construction went. They aren’t teaching “shop” anymore, so trades aren’t being encouraged. If you’re looking for a new RV, ask the ages of those who put it together. Might give a clue about quality these days…

 

[Professor David]

Winnebago. Consistent quality and design. Added value in that the parts diagrams and listings, wiring diagrams and equipment installation drawings, and the plumbing installation drawings, are all available online, free.

Winnebago does certain things the same way in virtually all models. A minor, but important example, is that they figured out long ago, that the black tank doesn't get enough water, so they design the drains so the bathroom sink drains into the black tank. You can look up any of their Class C and many of the Class A's and they are all done this way.

Winnebago is not without their problems, but they are much fewer and usually less of an issue than other brands.

Charles

Totally agree. We have and are currently using our 2007 Winnebago class A. It is built very well with the understanding that it was designed to not have the weight of a tank. We can still get most parts, which was important after some serious hail damage. All the wiring is well marked and diagrams are available. Most of the wood is solid maple. The appliances work well and are higher end. The finishes still look new. I could go on. Most importantly, we did not have to touch retirement funds to purchase the unit. With that said, I did have to “bring it up to speed” when we purchased it like replace tvs, update sound system, do some body work, upgrade the suspension, fix this and that, etc… Also, the decor is fairly neutral and simple. It’s not over the top like some rv interiors.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

kkk

2) I'm almost scared to buy anything now since so many people have lived in theirs. It may have low miles from sitting there, but it can be worn out inside from 24/7 use for months at a time. How can I know it has/hasn't been lived in... no matter what the seller says?

That's actually pretty easy - just look closely for wear on flooring, upholstery, and cabinets. That won't tell you if the water heater or a/c was running 24/7 with no people present, but IMO that's not much to worry about vs "people wear".

As for quality vs MSRP price, there is a strong relationship. RV sales are highly sensitive to the price and the features popular with buyers at the moment. The more features delivered delivered at a given price point, the better the sales. Manufactures know that features & price sell better than quality, especially quality that is hidden under the covers and quality that pays back in the long term.

A quality build requires more time on the assembly line, higher skill level workers, and enough trained workers so that there is always a skilled worker available to fill in for the inevitable sick-days, vacation time, whatever, thus providing consistent quality. All of those requires more $$ upfront. That increment is a smaller percentage of a high end, high feature model than entry level, so it can be covered in the selling price. That doesn't mean high end models have zero defects, but they will generally have superior cabinetry, upholstery, wiring, plumbing, and chassis. All that pays off in the longer term.

And when buying used, depreciation becomes your friend. The high end models become quite affordable due to steep depreciation, so you can benefit from both features & better quality.

 

[ButchW1]

We went through this process a couple years ago...

We concluded that any class motorhome would be inconvenient in that we would have to move it just to get a few supplies when camping or to do sightseeing. Or worse, we would have to bring along another vehicle to avoid this. And we didn't want to become another member of the more money than brains big bloated pig club either.

Kind of an elitist statement, no?… Because others have different needs than yours they have “ more money than brains”.. . I’m a member of “big bloated pig club”.. I started out with sleeping on the ground with just a sleeping bag (Our honeymoon), later a tent, a camper van in the early 1970s, then graduated to a couple of different cab over campers, then to a bumper pull, on to a 5th wheel, and now a class A MH.. They all made sense at the time for their intended purpose… Now at 77 yrs of age, ease of set up, and convenience are paramount to me… I still dry camp in the CA deserts, and 4 down pull a old Suzuki Samurai to make grocery or ice runs.. Also to putt around all over the desert.. It works for me.. “To each their own”…
Butch

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I'll agree with others that Winnebago does a good job of balancing features and price. But so do Tiffin and Newmar. But you are looking for a Class C, and Winnebago has more C models than the other two.

 

[RV_Lee1]

Most motorized rental RV's are class C's and many are built just for that purpose. Particle board kitchens with stickers over it to appear like real wood, flimsy mattresses, plastic toilets, plastic-like coverings on the dinette and seating etc. If someone was living in one you'll know in about 10 seconds from walking in.

A couple manufacturers make (or made) class C's with full body paint and the same interior components as their class A diesels. Real hard wood cabinetry, porcelain toilet, corian counter tops, dual pane windows etc.

Unless the grandkids are going with you every time I would bypass the bunk beds, those will seriously limit your options. One could sleep over the cab and another on the dinette / fold out couch if needed and almost all class C's have those.

 

[Professor David]

Kind of an elitist statement, no?… Because others have different needs than yours they have “ more money than brains”.. . I’m a member of “big bloated pig club”.. I started out with sleeping on the ground with just a sleeping bag (Our honeymoon), later a tent, a camper van in the early 1970s, then graduated to a couple of different cab over campers, then to a bumper pull, on to a 5th wheel, and now a class A MH.. They all made sense at the time for their intended purpose… Now at 77 yrs of age, ease of set up, and convenience are paramount to me… I still dry camp in the CA deserts, and 4 down pull a old Suzuki Samurai to make grocery or ice runs.. Also to putt around all over the desert.. It works for me.. “To each their own”…
Butch

Agreed. I started out sleeping outside waking up with snow on me (or worse rain) with no tent because my Dad and Grandpa got to sleep in my Grandpas small truck camper. Didn’t bother me a bit. They were older and deserved better sleeping conditions. As a young family, we loved our well equipped truck camper. At 67, it’s a different story. I want to be comfortable. We also go to AZ for 2 months and need some space from each other (even though our marriage is a good one). Also, being tall, I need some room to move around, to stand up straight and not be constantly hitting my head on stuff. We have a nice little crv to tool around in and park the class A. To each his own.