#102 Sep 2015 We Love our 38' Class A Motorhome

Three years ago we made a life changing decision. Let’s retire and RV full time!

Next came the questions: when and how.

When became November 2013 at which time we became Snowbirds and escaped to a warm, sunny winter location.

How was a much bigger question. We had not camped/RVed since we moved to Surrey 14 years before. Would a fifth wheel trailer or motorhome suit us best? Neither our Nissan van nor Toyota Yaris would be suitable to tow a trailer or be flat towed by a motorhome. Our vehicle options were open.

A fifth wheel trailer would require a big truck. My vision would not allow me to drive such a truck even without the trailer. One possibility eliminated.

A motorhome towing a small car would allow me to drive the car comfortably. How big a motorhome? The September Snowbird RV Show and Sale in Abbotsford was the perfect opportunity to explore every kind of camper and RV imaginable. We started with camper vans and kept increasing the size.

Living in an RV full time would be very different from vacations in an RV. In our years of camping we progressed from a tent trailer to a 17’ travel trailer then a van conversion. A Class A motorhome was for old people who often didn’t know how to handle such a big unit!

Well, maybe we are a bit older and want the comforts of home on the road.

Ralph has had a Class 1 driver’s license for over 40 years so he knows how to drive the big ones. Maybe we could look at a few Class A motorhomes but we really had no idea what features would suit our proposed lifestyle.

We talked to friends and salespeople to gather information. We have now learned the following from conversations and almost 2 years of living in our motorhome.

1.    Many campgrounds cannot accommodate units over 40 feet. That would eliminate some points of  interest.

2.    Some units, diesel in particular, have the entrance door in front of the passenger seat. That means every time the driver exits the unit the passenger must move. The access is often awkward when bringing in loads of groceries, etc. Mid entry door is much easier when going in and out several times a day.

3.   In a Class A the driver’s compartment is part of the living area. The seats turn around and the front windows allow lots of natural light.

4.    Most newer units have windows on all 4 sides which allows a view of the weather in all directions.

5.    Our unit has slide-outs on both sides of the living room. This makes the room feel spacious and welcoming.

6.   The couch in most motorhomes is a hide-a-bed with seat belts, which allows overnight company to travel with us.

7.    Our toilet is in a separate room, which allows us to comfortably use the shower at the same time.

8.    The 4 door fridge gives us lots of room for groceries and leftovers.

9.    The double sink allows us to wash dishes easily.

1.  We have not seen another motorhome with as much counter space as we have. Preparing meals 365 days a year is much easier with space to spread out.

Now for the more technical perspective.

1.    Gas or diesel? That decision required a great deal of discussion. Ralph has been in the bus industry for decades and is very familiar with diesel equipment. However, the purchase price and the maintenance costs are higher with the diesel. But the ride is smoother and the power is greater with the diesel. In the end cost won since it would take several years for the overall costs to balance out. Who knows what we might be doing in 10 years. We hope to continue this lifestyle for many years but we don’t have a crystal ball.

2.    Our search ended when we received a phone call from O’Connor RV in Chilliwack. They had just taken on consignment a 2008 38’ Georgetown XL by Forest River with only 4,400 km. Wow, it still smelled new and was in great condition.

3.    The Georgetown has good construction and minimal road squeaks.

4.    It has a short wheelbase with a wide turning radius but Ralph quickly learned the parameters.

5.    During our first trip south we stopped at Henderson Line Up in Grants Pass, Oregon. They have a very good reputation across the country.  No sales tax in Oregon is an extra bonus. Henderson provided a comprehensive estimate of upgrades that would improve the performance and comfort of our new home.

6.    Before leaving Surrey we had a 2-axle wheel alignment but Ralph was still not satisfied with the handling, particularly when being passed by large vehicles. Henderson’s installed sway bars and track bars that improved the road handling of the unit.

7.    Our next expenditure was the installation of the Banks intake/exhaust upgrade and adjusting the transmission shift points. That provided enough additional power that Ralph is content on the hills.

8.    Our next step was to upgrade the shock absorbers at Hendersons. Now the ride is noticeably smoother.

These upgrades have made our travel more comfortable. We have a gas motorhome that handles well but has not cost as much as a diesel.

Retired life in a motorhome suits us perfectly.