Motorhome models

[MBC]

I am trying to learn as much as possible before trying to purchase a motorhome.
I am having trouble find out what the basic difference is between the models. What makes it a Cutter compared to a Land Yacht , or a 360 XC or a 390 Xl
Thanks for the help

[gloran]

Land Yacht's have a more aero dynamic front nose, while the Cutter's are more square in front. 360 are 36' in length the 390XL are 39 feet, XL refers to extra large. All Cutter's are fiberglas body, Land yacht's are mostly fiberglas but there were some aluminum bodies made in the 1990's

[MBC]

Thanks you The Xl [ extra large ] would that refer to extra width and if so how does that relate to the wide body. Also what does the LE series, XC and XLA mean? Cheers Gord

[masseyfarm]

Welcome to the AF Gord.

What are you looking for? If you are interested in a diesel pusher, go to this thread for varied examples of that style.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f313...ml#post1202572

If you want gas powered go to --
Land Yacht/Legacy Motorhomes - Airstream Forums for all kinds of info.

If you want a Classic go here for some ideas.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...ml#post1152532

Once you settle on a style then we can answer more specific questions you might have.

Under most Avatar's on the left column is "Images". Click on that to see that persons photos. Or go to photos in the top blue bar at the top of page, pick Motorhomes, then your choice from there for hundreds of pictures of the different units. When you get an idea of what you want, then "search" for that model information on this site and others.

Go to Classifieds in the above blue bar and pick motorhomes for some examples of units currently for sale on this site.

Camping World has currently a 36' and a 39' diesel pusher for sale on their RV sale site.
http://www.campingworld.com/rvsales/...-yacht/247970/

http://www.campingworld.com/rvsales/...stream/301106/

Any BRAND of used RV requires a complete on site inspection before exchanging CASH!

Merry Xmas

Dave

This is a photo of my CLIPPER, but I doubt if you will find one anywhere for sale. They were a short production anniversary year model.

Originally Posted by MBC

Thanks you The Xl [ extra large ] would that refer to extra width and if so how does that relate to the wide body. Also what does the LE series, XC and XLA mean? Cheers Gord

[masseyfarm]

Another thread you should check out Gord is an older one composed by "bfred" that had a lot of great information valuable to those looking.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f313...tml#post898539

Dave

[Isuzusweet]

What will dictate what specific MH you buy will be your budget and mechanical aptitude.

If you're into wrenching, fixing things, answering tons of questions and meeting all sorts of people, a Classic maybe for you.
If half the fun is taking things apart to find out how they work and then researching all the new products out in the marketplace to replace it with, a Classic MH maybe for you.
If you want to spend time outside while you camp and enjoy nature, instead of inside with the Satellite flatscreen TV and every comfort of your house, a Classic maybe for you.
If you don't want a $20,000 dollar rebuild charge for your Cat 330 and another $10,000 for your 6 sp Allison transmission, a Classic maybe for you.
If you want to get almost 20 MPG (Imperial gallon) a Classic diesel maybe for you.
The most important part…….If you want your Airstream to be an investment in your life and not loose money (other than operating costs), buy a Classic.

To each their own but a Classic buyer stands out in the crowd of slab sides.

[MBC]

Thanks Isuzusweet
I am a hands on kind of guy, and the classics do appeal to me. I actually used to own a 1973 28 foot trailer. Unfortunately some kids broke into it and burn it down. That was 20 years ago and now as i approach retirement I am thinking about another one. My friend thinks a trailer would be best because you can drop it and have the vehicle for getting around my thoughts are with a motorhome you are much more comfortable driving and can tow a small vehicle and accomplish the same thing. Do you have any thoughts on this?
Gord

[crazeevw]

Gord,
There are those that say that by having a Motorhome and a 'Toad' means having 2 engines to maintain. There are others that say by having a trailer, you can only maintain 1 engine.

It all boils down to personal preference. For me, at the moment, a motorhome is my choice. I can pull over, never get outside in the elements, use the kitchen, grab a soft drink, use the restroom, or if somewhere I feel safe, take a nap before continuing on my travels.

I've towed trailers (SOB) before. Don't misunderstand, I know exactly what's that's like. Figured it was time to try a motorhome. Will start out with no toad, simply because I will be traveling for vacations for now. Maybe when I retire, and hit the road full-time, I'll have something for local trips....

Good Luck, Derek

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by crazeevw

I've towed trailers (SOB) before. Don't misunderstand, I know exactly what's that's like. Figured it was time to try a motorhome. Will start out with no toad, simply because I will be traveling for vacations for now. Maybe when I retire, and hit the road full-time, I'll have something for local trips...

As an Interstate owner, my motorhome is the baby brother of the ones MBC is considering. But I can at least weigh in on the toad issue.

My first year, I had no toad. And considering that an Interstate is about the same size as a long-bed crew-cab pickup (except taller) it's small enough to drive to work if need be, or on any errands I might need to run.

But my second year, I traded in my 2003 Dodge Durango for a 2013 Honda Fit hatchback and set it up as a toad, with a permanently-installed supplemental brake system, supplemental wiring (including blocking diodes) for the turn/stop/tail lights, and towbar baseplates. The ability to make a grocery run without having to break camp is a tremendous help, especially considering how small an Interstate's galley is. And the ability to load stuff in the Honda and use it as a de facto trailer helps as well. All of my "outdoor" gear— patio mat, barbecue grill, lawn chairs, inflatable kayak, etc.— can be carried in the toad rather than cluttering up the aisle and seats of the motorhome; an Interstate also has no "basement" storage. By the time I finish setting up camp, all the gear has been taken out of the toad and it's ready for use as a car again.

Nowadays, for any trip longer than a three-day weekend getaway, I bring my toad.

Sure, there are two engines to maintain. But one thing the motorhome/toad combo has over the TV/trailer combo is that you can't drive a trailer when the TV needs repairs. If I have to put the motorhome in the shop, I tow my toad to the shop, drop off the motorhome, and drive the toad home. If the toad needs to go in the shop, I tow the toad to the shop, drop it off, and drive the motorhome home. No need to cadge a ride from anybody in either case.

[Sonia]

Great points. We had 3 Airstream trailers(19, 30 and a 34 with slide ) and now we only have a 25 ft Classic. Since our trips for the next few years will be short weekend rallies, we do not plan on a toad. If the need arises, we will call Enterprise rent-a-car.

[Isuzusweet]

As Crazeevw and others have stated, "To tow or not to tow" is the eternal question.

In my case I have a wife who will need to pee if someone so much as says the word coffee, or sees running water. So stopping every 10 or 15 miles to have her get out run back to use the loo in the trailer whilst we're trying to dodge tornadoes in a rain storm is not my idea of fun. Yes she could use Depends but we haven't got there yet, . I can pull into a site in the middle of a rain storm, automatically extend my Bigfoot levelling system (once installed that is) and boondock in comfort until the rain stops to allow my to hook up water and hydro.

I also wasn't too thrilled with having to go out and buy a 3/4 or 1 ton P/U to pull a trailer once in a while. The extra cost driving the P/U through out the year would be significantly higher than the cars we drive now. Also once a 31' trailer is attached to a 24' truck plus hitch, adds up to a monster of a rig and the reason there are so many damaged trailers for sale.

The final reason I bought my 310 TD was quite simply the rarity and possible increase in my investment as appose to massive depreciation.
Yes, it has required a lot of work to set things right, but as I fix things properly I get to know my rig inside and out which saves me having to pay a RV labour rate.

Goodluck with whatever route you take.
Cheers
Tony

[MBC]

Thanks Tony That is great information. I am definitely leaning towards a Motorhome and what you have said supports my feeling with actual reasons that make sense to me. I can just see my wife running out of the tow vehicle to the trailer for the bathroom in the pouring rain. Only amusing to one of us.
She might be amused watching me trying to get into a camping spot with something a truck and trailer some 50 feet long.
Cheers Gord

[Smartstream]

I agree with much of what has been said. We have a 28' Classic and travel mostly without a toad. We travel with a Great Dane and he pretty much owns the couch behind the drivers seat. We did 16,000 miles in 4 months with out a toad and really had no problem. There were a few places we couldn't fit into so we walked a little farther or I figured they didn't need my dollars that badly. On this trip we didn't stay that long in any one place so didn't miss having a car. The Classic doesn't have a lot of utility storage so I have an aluminum box mounted on the tow receiver to carry the BBQ, folding chairs and such. Any more storage and we would probably carry a lot of extra stuff that we don't need.

We use the coach facilities so the only reason to connect the power cord is to run the air if needed or charge the laptop and phone batteries. We fill the fresh water and dump the holding tanks as needed. We have leveling jacks so breaking camp to go out to dinner or shopping only takes a few minutes.

I will add that if we were to camp in one spot for several days a toad would be convenient. For now most of our Streaming is traveling however we do have one of our smart's set up as a toad when we might need it. Check out our avatar.

By the way we are planning a trip to Alaska this summer and it will be without the toad.