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I am in a unique business that helps first time diesel pusher buyers decide what to start with and what to pay the first year. In other words, "The Cost of Ownwership"

First, Are you camping or are you touring. What's the difference?

Types of Camping:

1. Camping in state parks or close to nature.

This type of camping can be done an a smaller coach that can maneuver around trees and through small parks and campgrounds. Sizes range from 32 to 36 typically. State parks have limitations on coach sizes. I love to visit state parks, but prefer a large (43ft-45ft) bus type of camper. I park where the tour busses park, un-hook my 4 wheel drive tow vehicle and go exploring nature. When I am done, I am on the road again looking for my next adventure! Remember, think comfort as well as size.

Camping down south for the winter.

The type of diesel pusher needed for this type of camping has as many slides as legally allowed by law. If your are only using the coach for going down south in the winter and back home for the Spring, Summer and Fall, then a motor home may be over kill for you since while it is in storage up North, it could drop in value about what you could pay for a 2 week (or longer) European Vacation. A much more economical comfortable way to go is purchasing a fifth wheel and having it stored down south and delivered by someone else to the site for the winter. I often wonder what some people are thinking when they sink $200,000 - $500,000 into a new motorhome just to park it for the winter. Actually, it's really the salesmans fault for not mentioning the alternatives. I had a dentist come in wanting to spend huge money on a high end ($400,000-$500,000) coach that he and his dad could park in the Florida Keys in the winter. (I sold him instead, a brand new 5th wheel that listed for $150,000. I had it delivered to his lot in the Keys for $1,300 from Tampa. He stores it near Miami inside in the summer. He could have spent the money, I showed him the alternative. Most good 5th wheels cost between $55,000 and $90,000 ( actual sale price is 15% to 20% below retail if not trading.

Touring

Touring to work related venues on a weekly basis. 15,000 - 40,000 miles per year.

If this is you. You definely want the coach that drives the best and can fit where you are parking. You may fid yourself parking in a rest are between 3 and 10 times per month. (I prefer Walmart). You will need a coach that you can easily live in with slides in. Most 4 slide coaches are hell to maneuver inside of with the slides in. (Prevost makes mostly 2 or less slide coaches) My coach has 2 slides that are not deep. when they are in. I can stay comfortably for several nights with them in. Examples af people in this catagory are race teams who tow their own car and stay hooked up while at the race, touring musicians who park at the venue and travel more than once per week. Trade show participants, Dog shows, vendors at festivals. Some venues charge by the square foot of space used. (Calgary Stampede $$$$)

Leisure Touring

Touring to get the most out of 4 to 6 weeks at a time. It is possible to see half of the US in Six Weeks, especially while driving while you are seated 8-9ft above the road. Driving the coach is the best experience. You do "NOT" have to get there to start your vacation. You can watch the sun set while heading west and pull into the Walmart or rest area when you are ready to turn in. Every morning you can wake up to a different view out side your windshield. I camped out in a rest Area in Oregon and found thet I was at one of the five wonders of the West when I went out side the next morning to do my walk around the coach and heard Multnomah Falls in the background. Wow, what a memory. We stayed there and had breakfast, climbed the falls and shot lots of photos. Normally when I wake up, I get on line and visit the local chamber of commerce website and see if any thing significant is within a few miles and go visit it before heading out to the cracker Barrell. This type of camping is the one that gives us the best wow for the buck.

I tell all of my customers this story to give them something to think about. Today a 2 slide Monaco Signature, Country Coach Affinity, American Eagle, U320, can be purchased for less than the cost of a new Class A gas Coach.

Think about it!

Joe Bruno

http://www.rvbuyersadvocate.net