Legacy

DebbieMH · 01-01-2014, 10:43 AM

We have a FR Solera now and have decided RV'ing is a great hobby. We are going to look at a Berkshire and Legacy tomorrow. Am leaning toward a Legacy because of the floorplan (340KP). Couple of things concern me, and wanted to get advice ... one is on the Legacy specs it says a "continuous gas water heater" ... does that mean that the water heater doesn't run on gas OR electric? The Legacy has a diesel generator and I don't see in the specs where it says anything about a propane tank...does that mean the water heater's "gas" is the diesel fuel? And one more thing, the specs say a fiberglass roof but also says down farther, Layered Vacuum Bonded Roof. Thoughts?

I've never driven a Class A MH ... my Solera is only 24 (almost 25 ft) and it drives more like a very smooth truck. Does someone who is a total novice with a Class A eventually get comfortable driving one? Or would it always be that you are very glad to get to your destination, because the drive is stressful? The Solera is a dream to drive and half the fun of getting there is the drive.

Again ... my DH and I (and two dogs) ... are really enjoying the freedom and seeing new places that the MH brings - just need a couch, regular bed and bigger bathroom! Actually, need no, want yes

hkreck · 01-01-2014, 10:51 AM

Debbie

You trading in your Solera?

DebbieMH · 01-01-2014, 11:06 AM

Not sure yet ... we are going tomorrow to look around. We love the Solera, but we originally bought it to commute back and forth from our work in Alabama to our "retirement" home in New Orleans. Well ... as you know, we have had many, many "camping" trips in it the last 14 months. We have decided we really like the extended trips, but would like a couch, a bit bigger bathroom and a bed that we can both get out of easily!

We aren't going to do anything in a hurry and will take it to the Frog St. Augustine rally in a couple of weeks ... but giving it some thought on getting a bigger MH. We will see ... an A scares me a bit on the driving aspect.

Mikegjax · 01-01-2014, 11:30 AM

What model Solera do you have R, S, or M?

mackman1994 · 01-01-2014, 11:30 AM

You will be pleasantly surprised how nice and easy it is to get around with a class A. I delivered them from the factory to the dealers back in 2008 and they drive nice, and with all of the side cameras and backup cameras the visibility is greatly improved!!

hkreck · 01-01-2014, 12:11 PM

Debbie

I can understand what you're saying as much traveling as you do in yours. Good luck with your decision.

tmmar · 01-01-2014, 12:40 PM

Debbie,
The water heater in my Berkshire is a continuous feed water heater and it runs on propane only. It does not run on electric. We have only used it 1 or 2 nights when we first picked it up and it seems to do a pretty good job. If you go that route just note that you should turn on the shower and set the temp you want and leave it on. Do not turn the water off or down while showering or the water heater will cycle off and it will take a few minutes to get hot again. The vacuum bonded roof is how they make the fiber glass roof. The roof and side walls are vacuum bonded because it supposedly is a better construction method.
Good luck making a final decision.
Tom

DebbieMH · 01-01-2014, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikegjax

What model Solera do you have R, S, or M?

We have a SE - which is an S with the upgrades. Like I said, we really like it, but see ourselves doing lots and lots of trips, so are looking for something a bit bigger. We are also somewhat thinking about selling our house in Alabama and living in the RV during the week. Just another thought .... oh what 2014 will bring!!!!

tmmar · 01-01-2014, 12:47 PM

Wow! Seems like you have many big decisions to make! Heck of a way to start off the new year!

Good luck with all your decisions!

DebbieMH · 01-01-2014, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmmar

Debbie,
The water heater in my Berkshire is a continuous feed water heater and it runs on propane only. It does not run on electric. We have only used it 1 or 2 nights when we first picked it up and it seems to do a pretty good job. If you go that route just note that you should turn on the shower and set the temp you want and leave it on. Do not turn the water off or down while showering or the water heater will cycle off and it will take a few minutes to get hot again. The vacuum bonded roof is how they make the fiber glass roof. The roof and side walls are vacuum bonded because it supposedly is a better construction method.
Good luck making a final decision.
Tom

Wow .. that is interesting. So, it wouldn't matter if you were hooked up to shore power or not, every time you used the hot water, it would use propane? The specs don't show a propane tank on a Legacy, but most things on a Legacy are listed about the same as a Berkshire ... so, I'm assuming it has a propane tank. Wouldn't you go through quite a bit of propane?

Phil57 · 01-01-2014, 12:49 PM

Debbie I highly recommend the Berkshire. I love the room and I love to drive it. We will also be in St Augustine and we can talk about it then. Looking forward to meeting everyone. Have you heard anything from Cindy. I was wondering who else would be there.

Phil57 · 01-01-2014, 12:51 PM

We don't use much and I think less than a regular tank would. You only hear what you use.

DebbieMH · 01-01-2014, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil57

Debbie I highly recommend the Berkshire. I love the room and I love to drive it. We will also be in St Augustine and we can talk about it then. Looking forward to meeting everyone. Have you heard anything from Cindy. I was wondering who else would be there.

We got an email from Cindy right before Christmas. They are putting together the final touches on the St. Augustine Rally and should be emailing them in the next week or two. Our best friend, Ed with a FR Lexington will be coming to St. Augustine with us in his rig. Looking forward to meeting you! Yes, we do have some major decisions to make, but that is part of the fun of it!!

Phil57 · 01-01-2014, 01:05 PM

Talking about a new MH is more fun when not spending the money. You are welcome to look at ours all you want but it is a 2011 and much has changed in three years. The chassis and drive train is the same and I have some experience with the weight issues we went through. Looking forward to seeing everyone and some warm weather. It's 12 degrees here and snowing.

tmmar · 01-01-2014, 01:10 PM

Phil,
We will be in St Augustine also. And we share your pain. it is about 20 here and expecting 8" of snow and temps will be dropping to the single digits over the next few days.
Looking forward to Florida and hope its warmer there!
Tom

Phil57 · 01-01-2014, 01:13 PM

Looking forward to finely meeting you Tom. We have helped each other out so much on the forum it will be nice to but a name to a face.

tmmar · 01-01-2014, 01:25 PM

Phil,
Same here. Should be fun.
Tom

Dbt803 · 01-01-2014, 04:43 PM

Not going to the FROG but attending the Tampa rv supershow. Debbie you will have no trouble driving the bigger class A. Check out the Lazy Day videos for driving. They are a great help. I look forward to checking out the new rvs side by side. I love my berkshire but would like to change a few things like the step up near the bed, the loveseat,and the tv hidden behind the slide. I too have to address the weight issue, hopefully in March.
Some much has changed in the last 3 years and they keep getting better.
Debbie

tmmar · 01-01-2014, 05:26 PM

Debbie,
If you are going to the Tampa show why don't you come to the St. Augustine rally? It is only about a week later. Would love to see a fellow NYer there.
Tom

Phil57 · 01-01-2014, 05:28 PM

Tom are you in Fl now. We leave Mi around the 10th. We would leave now but working to get the house ready for sale. We will be full timing for a little while.

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