Class A vs C August 22, 2017, 12:01:01 pm We recently sold our '91 RB with intentions of buying a newer version of the same. While shopping, my wife noticed that the Class A 27' ers had a much roomier feeling and more storage capacity. She fell in love with the Class A. I, on the other hand, would rather stay with a newer LD as planned. I know that many of you have owned both class A and C motor homes and have experienced the differences in the many aspects of each. Can you share your experiences and preferences? If you were to buy another motor home, what would it be?Dale from Downey.
Re: Class A vs C Reply #1 – August 22, 2017, 12:20:47 pm Haven't owned or used a class A, but investigated both a couple decades ago. Here are a couple suggestions:If you use the bunk for sleeping, then when you look at class A models, close off the bedroom. An open bedroom may make it feel roomier, but if you won't be using it in the daytime, that may just be an illusion of room you don't actually have.Consider how much you appreciate your bathroom - few 27' class A models will come close.If you find yourself still gravitating to the class A, check carefully for quality of design and construction. It will be a difficult search.Steve 5 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #2 – August 22, 2017, 12:39:57 pm Quote from: dollinsdale - August 22, 2017, 12:01:01 pmWe recently sold our '91 RB with intentions of buying a newer version of the same. While shopping, my wife noticed that the Class A 27' ers had a much roomier feeling and more storage capacity. She fell in love with the Class A. I, on the other hand, would rather stay with a newer LD as planned. I know that many of you have owned both class A and C motor homes and have experienced the differences in the many aspects of each. Can you share your experiences and preferences? If you were to buy another motor home, what would it be?Dale from Downey. What 27' Class A are you looking at?Jim
Re: Class A vs C Reply #3 – August 22, 2017, 01:08:10 pm "If you find yourself still gravitating to the class A, check carefully for quality of design and construction. It will be a difficult search."----If I were to buy another rig, it would be another LD; not only do the new LDs have many chassis and coach improvements over my 2003 (and a few I don't like), but the overall build quality and support of/for the product, the simplicity of the deal, i.e., it costs what it costs; no screwing around with some clueless salesperson or dealer, and model/floor plan choices are on the top of my list. The big downside for me and for a lot of people is the 12-month wait for delivery; this can be a deal killer. LD is not perfect; no rig is. But, IMO, aside from a few somewhat 'alarming' cosmetic choices, it's definitely ahead of other class C rigs in design, engineering, and overall build quality. 'Butt ugly' or 'inconvenient'can be covered up or changed by the buyer, but no way would I want to have to rebuild, rewire, or correct sloppy design, engineering, or workmanship and materials. What people buy is their choice, but, as Steve said, it pays to be very diligent in one's search and look past the 'shiny bits' to the ultimately far more important build quality. There is a LOT of thrown-together junk flying off the lines, more and more every day; caveat emptor. 4 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #4 – August 22, 2017, 01:40:32 pm I have never had an LD but have had a 25 foot class A which we were falling in love with when we got t boned in Mississippi. Also had several shorter class C and both have their advantages so it really depends on what you settle on. Our class a survived the tboneing better than I would have expected. We also got better mileage out of it than any class C we have owned. I don't think anyone can tell you what works best for you. One way we are different than many is the last thing we want is a bed taking up a third or more of the room. It takes less than 10 minutes a day to make and put up a bed so in a short RV it seems a terrible waste of space. Only you can decide. 3 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #5 – August 22, 2017, 03:05:24 pm For what it's worth I'm unaware of a newer Class A 27' that is built to the same high standards as Lazy Daze. Perhaps some European or Aussie Class A models? Nevertheless, as mentioned by Steve, I'd also suggest a careful analysis of the build quality. Best of luck in your search. 2 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #6 – August 22, 2017, 04:45:45 pm When I recently took my 2004 30'IB into a detail shop the owners first comment was; "Wow, I really like the low profile!" Matter of fact, so do I! 6 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #7 – August 22, 2017, 05:09:36 pm The three small class A's that we have seen are Newmar, Itasca and Fleetwood. I drove the Fleetwood Terra. They were all of the 27-29' models.
Re: Class A vs C Reply #8 – August 22, 2017, 08:23:10 pm We have owned 2 different Class A moho's; our first was a 32' Hawkins diesel pusher, which we got after our beloved 25' Airstream trailer. I liked it a lot at the time. It was super well built, just like LD. They made just a handful each year, just like LD, and sold direct, just like LD. The chassis was a super strong Gillig bus chassis, the same chassis used for many school buses in California. Cat diesel, air brakes, quality build -- even came with a built-in, hidden floor safe! It was a dream to drive, had a very tight turning radius, but had no slides, which in those days we soon tired of and "thought" we would prefer a roomier model. That roomier model came in the form of our second Class A, a 32' Winnebago Adventurer, V-10 gas Chevy chassis, two slides, etc. Also a well-built, albeit mass production, product. Lots of power, easy to drive, plenty of room. After this model, we began our down-sizing, both in length of moho, as well as number of kids and dogs going with us as we all aged.We have never regretted the down-sizing. Looking back, we wonder what we were ever thinking? Those Class A's were soooo big. . . I do understand why a nice Class A would be attractive to some folks, and I have nothing against them. They just aren't for us anymore. If we were full-timing, it would make a lot more sense to go larger, but we enjoy the smaller rig and all that it entails as many before us have already noted.I will say one other MAJOR consideration between the two models is the safety of a Class C truck frame and engine compartment in front of the driver and passenger rather than just fiberglass end cap and a bit of barely reinforced metal frame work supporting it. 2 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #9 – August 22, 2017, 08:46:37 pm Quote from: dollinsdale - August 22, 2017, 05:09:36 pmThe three small class A's that we have seen are Newmar, Itasca and Fleetwood. I drove the Fleetwood Terra. They were all of the 27-29' models.Yes Sir, you are correct.
Re: Class A vs C Reply #10 – August 22, 2017, 09:19:49 pm Quote from: Ray S. - August 22, 2017, 08:23:10 pmWe have owned 2 different Class A moho's; our first was a 32' Hawkins diesel pusher, which we got after our beloved 25' Airstream trailer. I liked it a lot at the time. It was super well built, just like LD. They made just a handful each year, just like LD, and sold direct, just like LD. The chassis was a super strong Gillig bus chassis, the same chassis used for many school buses in California. Cat diesel, air brakes, quality build -- even came with a built-in, hidden floor safe! It was a dream to drive, had a very tight turning radius, but had no slides, which in those days we soon tired of and "thought" we would prefer a roomier model. That roomier model came in the form of our second Class A, a 32' Winnebago Adventurer, V-10 gas Chevy chassis, two slides, etc. Also a well-built, albeit mass production, product. Lots of power, easy to drive, plenty of room. After this model, we began our down-sizing, both in length of moho, as well as number of kids and dogs going with us as we all aged.We have never regretted the down-sizing. Looking back, we wonder what we were ever thinking? Those Class A's were soooo big. . . I do understand why a nice Class A would be attractive to some folks, and I have nothing against them. They just aren't for us anymore. If we were full-timing, it would make a lot more sense to go larger, but we enjoy the smaller rig and all that it entails as many before us have already noted.I will say one other MAJOR consideration between the two models is the safety of a Class C truck frame and engine compartment in front of the driver and passenger rather than just fiberglass end cap and a bit of barely reinforced metal frame work supporting it.Actually vans are considered very unsafe as there isn't much protection in a frontal collision. Newer versions may be some better, not that most class A's are any better.Garry 1 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #11 – August 22, 2017, 09:38:17 pm Quote from: Garry Foster - August 22, 2017, 09:19:49 pmActually vans are considered very unsafe as there isn't much protection in a frontal collision. Newer versions may be some better, not that most class A's are any better.Class Cs are built to a Federal Safety standard, including roll over protection.Class As and DP are not.An LD's coach has three steel roll bars plus a substantial wood frame.With the exception of rigs built on commercial bus frames, few Cs And DPs have any roll over protection or useful frames.Class As and DPs start life as flat frames and two seats. That is what can left after a major rollover. The exterior of many Cs and DPs are just shells, with little structural strength.An E450 LD is loaded with structural strength.Having seen several that were involved in major crashes, they don't die easily.From a maintenance point of view, Class Cs are much easier to find parts for and qualified mechanics.Larry 3 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #12 – August 22, 2017, 09:43:45 pm We owned a 1997/8 mid-bath for three years, and sold it to buy a 2008 31-foot Class A, which we've had for a year-and-a half.We wanted a couple of features that the mid-bath didn't have:1) A "dedicated" bedroom (no twice-daily conversion between bed and couch)2) More elbow room (our mode of "camping" had shifted towards sitting in the same place for several months a year)We considered the LD 31-foot island and twin-bed models pretty seriously, but could not close on one we liked. We ended up with a two-slide coach by a quality manufacturer.We learned from owning our LD the values of simplicity, reliability, and quality. There's a satisfaction to owning one that is difficult to describe, except perhaps to certain classic boat owners.It's a Ford chassis and V-10 under both coaches, so what wiring and mechanical knowledge I amassed with the LD transferred well to the "A."I do miss the low-profile. The "A" is two feet taller, and I keep the body shop in business buffing out tree scratches! On the other hand, my wife and I agree that not having the Class C cabover gives a more "open" feel going down the road.As far as what we would buy next, if anything, I'd say that if we kept the same "camping" mode we'd stay with an "A." If we went to a move-around mode, we'd consider another LD. 4 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #13 – August 22, 2017, 10:11:35 pm This has been a great discussion. Lazy Daze is a good "all-purpose" motorhome for weekenders and longer term living. 2 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #14 – August 22, 2017, 10:17:11 pm Quote from: l1v3fr33ord13 - August 22, 2017, 09:43:45 pm We learned from owning our LD the values of simplicity, reliability, and quality. There's a satisfaction to owning one that is difficult to describe.Actually these qualities of the LD along with the WINDOWS, are the items that continue to give us warm fuzzies. But as mentioned in the quote, it "is difficult to describe" and I've tried and failed. 2 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #15 – August 23, 2017, 01:41:13 pm We went into motorhome ownership with an open mind, looking at Bs, Cs, and As as objectively as possible. We were certain a B was for us, till we had a chance to pick up a used Lazy Daze. After narrowing down our choices, we found we compared everything we saw to the big windows of the Lazy Daze that made it feel like you are not cooped up in a bunker. I would rather drive a B, or an A. I would rather tour in a B. I would rather spend long times in a midbath. The windows, the separate lounge and dinette. The cab crash worthiness is a bonus, and would be more significant in a newer model equipped with airbags. For us making up the beds is not an inconvenience, even though we spend several months a year on the road. 3 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #16 – August 23, 2017, 05:24:14 pm When we were shopping for an RV and comparing Class As Bs, and Cs, safety became a major focus for us. At least a few years ago when looking, we found most Class As had only one entrance/exit door, while the Cs had 3. The Cs also had two airbags up front, whilest the As had only one. Lastly, we toured several Class A gassers that would have exceeded the CCC of the chassis with only the four members of our family on board without food, water, clothes, and stuff. So, a Class C and specifically the LD became a clear choice for us. I should add that I began my RV experience with my Father In Law's Class A, which I frequently drove on our family trips. This vintage 1980s era rig was a real dog compared to our LD. Handling, power, storage capacity and fit & finish of the A paled in comparison our LD. I recognize things may be different now. 3 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #17 – August 23, 2017, 05:59:24 pm Quote from: l1v3fr33ord13 - August 22, 2017, 09:43:45 pmWe owned a 1997/8 mid-bath for three years, and sold it to buy a 2008 31-foot Class A, which we've had for a year-and-a half.We wanted a couple of features that the mid-bath didn't have:1) A "dedicated" bedroom (no twice-daily conversion between bed and couch)2) More elbow room (our mode of "camping" had shifted towards sitting in the same place for several months a year)We considered the LD 31-foot island and twin-bed models pretty seriously, but could not close on one we liked. We ended up with a two-slide coach by a quality manufacturer.We learned from owning our LD the values of simplicity, reliability, and quality. There's a satisfaction to owning one that is difficult to describe, except perhaps to certain classic boat owners.It's a Ford chassis and V-10 under both coaches, so what wiring and mechanical knowledge I amassed with the LD transferred well to the "A."I do miss the low-profile. The "A" is two feet taller, and I keep the body shop in business buffing out tree scratches! On the other hand, my wife and I agree that not having the Class C cabover gives a more "open" feel going down the road.As far as what we would buy next, if anything, I'd say that if we kept the same "camping" mode we'd stay with an "A." If we went to a move-around mode, we'd consider another LD.Would you mind sharing the make and model?Jim
Re: Class A vs C Reply #18 – August 23, 2017, 06:07:01 pm Quote from: Jim & Gayle - August 23, 2017, 05:59:24 pmWould you mind sharing the make and model?JimNot at all. We have a 2008 Holiday Rambler Admiral 30PDD. It's actually 31 feet long.Mark H.
Re: Class A vs C Reply #19 – August 24, 2017, 02:48:08 pm We are newbies to RVing, but I spent a lot of time researching the pros and cons of A's and C's before finding LD. The RV Consumer Group is an excellent resource for rating various makes and models throughout the years as well as providing great literature on various aspects of safety, reliability, purchasing and maintaining an RV. It was through this group that we learned about LD and found out that not all A's or C's are built to standards that could be comfortably lived in for more than a few weekend jaunts a year. And many A's and C's are not built to withstand roll-overs or other crashes. Safety, reliability and value were big concerns in our decision making process and everything we learned kept pointing us to LD and Born Free (dodged the bullet on that one). We ordered our 27' MB from the mothership in early August of 2016 and patiently waited until June 12, 2017. The wait was totally worth it.We wanted the ability to go to National and State Parks, so keeping it under 30' was important. We are based in Florida and will do a "reverse snow-bird" lifestyle, leaving in April/May and coming back in October/November and the RV Consumer Group rated the 27' MB LD as a "snowbird", easily lived in for 6 months a year. We love the big windows in the back and I can easily make up the super-king bed at night and break it down in the morning so the back area can be used for lounging during the day. (We bought a king-size 2" Serta-foam cushion we put down at night and roll up and store in the over-the-cab area so we have a very comfortable sleep; the sofa cushions were acceptable, but this makes the sleep even better for us). We have now been on the road since we picked up Bossa Nova on June 12th, except for a couple of weeks back in Florida to attend to some personal business and we've had a great time. We've stayed in a lot of State, County and City Parks from Florida up to Minnesota, through the U.P. of Michigan and now heading for the Detroit area along with a scattering of KOAs and other private campgrounds with everything from FHUs to electric only (we haven't boondocked yet, and even towing our small Sonic feels like there's nothing there. (I'm glad we have the back-up camera; I use it to watch the Sonic from time-to-time to make sure she doesn't try to escape). We were worried that there would not be enough space, but as mentioned above, the bathroom door can be used to block off the front area from the "bedroom", so when Marie sleeps in, I can sit at the dinette and read or surf the web without disturbing her. Now that we've been on the road for a couple of months, we know we will have no problem living in our LD for five or six months at a time. Finally, service is a snap. We got a recommendation for a Ford Commercial Truck service station in Apple Valley, MN when we were there visiting family and it was just a matter of driving in and an hour later, the oil was changed and fluids checked. We think LD is awesome and we're looking forward to all the adventures we're going to share together. 7 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #20 – August 24, 2017, 03:43:33 pm LD is the only manufacturer that I'm aware of that doesn't use a jack knife sofa. To me those are horribly uncomfortable. Our MB sofa's are comfortable enough with a 2" memory foam topper. Years ago we had a National Seabreeze 34' that had a sofa that made into a double bed that was pretty comfortable but haven't seen another like it.Like others here I feel the large windows are one of the nicest features. 2 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #21 – August 24, 2017, 05:09:21 pm Super helpful comments regarding the sofa-beds in the midbath (and I suppose the same situation of good comfort is in the 27' rear bath model). I'm so worried about:1. getting a good night's sleep and 2. having the correct size motorhome for ease of use and best appearanceI like the looks from the exterior of the 27', it seems more balanced and sized-right from a design and appearance than the 31'. The 31' seems so long looking in the photos, but I have not seen one in person.Just like a 25' Airstream travel trailer seems more esthetically pleasing from a "looks" standpoint than a 30' trailer...Maybe I'll sleep better than I do now just being in my Lazy Daze... 3 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #22 – August 24, 2017, 07:18:57 pm Jay,A quick look at the specs for both the MB & RB dual couches shows them to be about equal in length although neither floor plan's couches are equal in length & width for their respective floor plans. And the longer couch is on the opposite side from one model to the other.That being said, the RB has the ability to slide both the driver & passenger seats forward approx 8-10" giving a lot of extra "stretch out" space. I use the drivers side couch for my slumber zone which is already longer than the passenger side couch. Add the additional space allotted by moving the captains chair forward and a 1 1/2" memory foam pad and Mr. Sandman and I are close buddies.I'm not sure if the MB has the ability to gain those extra inches if the couches are abutted by the rear wall and the bulkhead.I stand at 6', nowadays, so the extra inches are sure welcome when I'm really stretching out.Just a thought.Kent 2 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #23 – August 24, 2017, 08:56:04 pm When we owned the mid-bath, I got the shorter of the two "twins." My wife and I are both 5'-9", so there was no matching taller person to longer mattress; we picked "sides" to match the side we normally exited the bed at home. (I just revealed what stage of life we're in.) I found the short bunk, at 71 inches long (per Kent's table), a bit tight.We had no problems sleeping in the LD. The cushions, even before we added a 2" foam topper, were very comfortable for sleeping. And the breeze through the big windows a few inches overhead was wonderful.Six more inches of berth length would have been nice. Oh well... every RV design contains compromises.Mark H. 3 Likes
Re: Class A vs C Reply #24 – August 24, 2017, 09:21:29 pm Jay, Or anyone else that would like to see a 2006 30ft Island Bed we are going to be in Oregon, Mid Coast and possibly Columbia Gorge area September/beginning of October. And then in Arizona end of December through February 2018. 1 Likes
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