A class vs. C class

[MikeA]

We had a 38 foot class A gasser on a Ford V10 chassis and now have a 24 foot class C diesel on a MB Sprinter chassis. The class A was fabulous, but every manouver you made had to be planned. The class C drives like a mini van and can even be parallel parked (I've done it a number of times)and can do a U turn on most streets. The class C is so manouverable and driveable that we do not bother to pull a car. If I watch my speed I can get almost double the mileage out of it as well. I really miss the size and comfort of the class A, but there are definitely major postive things about the class C.
We will likely buy another class A if we retire and full time, but travelling in a class C is much less complicated.
Mike

[bend302]

When looking at Class C's, I always felt that the cockpit area was a waste when set up at a site. In our Georgetown, we turn the drivers seat 180* and use the passenger seat + dash as a computer desk. Makes the full length useable.

that said, most of the Class C's seemed to cost less than the A's.

Bill

[alparmer]

It's just me, but if I could get a Class A for the same amount of a Class C, I would definitely go with the A.

Class C = More aerodynamic, less expensive, if shorter easier to drive

Class A = No wasted cockpit space, bigger means more stuff and more space, I would think better resale value

[camaraderie]

We settled on a Georgetown 280 after looking at every C and small A on the market.
I'm a big guy and the C cockpit in all of them cramped me in the passenger seat and turning the seats 180 degrees (where available) was a good days exercise and not nearly as comfy as the A's we sat in.
The choice of a 280 was largely personal taste (it has now been discontinued in favor of the 270 so...so much for our taste! LOL) ...but we did want the fiberglass roof that a lot of other small A's don't offer.
With the FR3's and ACE's and other small A's gettable starting right at around $70k...it has now become much less about a price difference and much more about the kind of RVing you want to do it seems.

[PSUFan1]

What about class B's? They always seem to miss out on these discussions. Easier drivability right? What are the cons? Smaller?

[VinceU]

Less space, less storage, same cost!

[howzball]

Having just bought a 32' class C I will say the biggest deal really is the wasted cab space when setup. On a Class C the cab is useless where as on an A class you get usable captains seats. Not to mention the cab is certainly smaller when driving the thing.

No one has mentioned this but I think you get a heavier, more stable ride out of an A class as opposed to the C class. When a truck passes us in our C class on the highway it can be a white knuckle experience.

[Dovetail]

so much info --- thanks for all the comments. The cab usability hit home as one of the things we are looking for is evening sitting around comfort. The small units are usually limited to a sofa and dinette for seating. The ability to pin the cab seats around are a huge factor in decision.

for once we are really taking out time with this and we will find the right one.
thanx

[bend302]

Originally Posted by Dovetail

so much info --- thanks for all the comments. The cab usability hit home as one of the things we are looking for is evening sitting around comfort. The small units are usually limited to a sofa and dinette for seating. The ability to pin the cab seats around are a huge factor in decision.

for once we are really taking out time with this and we will find the right one.
thanx

Just a word of warning. Have the seller turn the seats for you.

Some owners of some Georgetown models cannot turn the drivers seat. It sure is nice in our unit and I have seen lots of others where they were turned.

Bill

[jevanb]

Originally Posted by zook

When I went to my dealer the sales person greeted me and asked if I knew what I wanted.. my answer was "yes a great big class A,, but that's not what I need."

For me, the wife and a couple of big dogs a 31' class C with the entertainment center up front instead of the bunk was our best way to go. Has the same Ford V10 and the class A and has all the power to tow our Wrangler Unlimited.

People ask us, how many people can you sleep in there? the answer is always the same..2 people and 2 dogs..

these are really nice class C`s buddy at work just picket up one. has the TV above the cab

[motodude79]

true that you can't use the cab on a class c but you get the huge permanent bunk over the cab. On a class a you can get one with the bunk but its not permanent it has to fold down.

[alparmer]

Originally Posted by motodude79

true that you can't use the cab on a class c but you get the huge permanent bunk over the cab. On a class a you can get one with the bunk but its not permanent it has to fold down.

It doesn't matter if it's permanent or not. Sleeping quarters are sleeping quarters. The truth is that you loose that space in a Class C no matter how you look at it.

I think were the Class C shines is for people that don't like the big feel of a Class A. The Class C is more like driving a regular truck which most are used to. Even better yet, it feels like a regular truck without the rig issue while backing up like a TT or 5er.

[motodude79]

Originally Posted by alparmer

It doesn't matter if it's permanent or not. Sleeping quarters are sleeping quarters. The truth is that you loose that space in a Class C no matter how you look at it.

I think were the Class C shines is for people that don't like the big feel of a Class A. The Class C is more like driving a regular truck which most are used to. Even better yet, it feels like a regular truck without the rig issue while backing up like a TT or 5er.

It matters to me and my wife that the beds are permanent. We have 3 small kids. We're the ones that have to do all the work setting up the beds. That is one of the main reasons I went with a class C bunkhouse. We looked at a class A georgetown and hurricane and both had fold down bunks over the cab. The other reason was just the size. We didn't want something that was larger when the class C fit our needs and got better mpg.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by jevanb

these are really nice class C`s buddy at work just picket up one. has the TV above the cab

Isn't that the Super C class they just introduced?

[jevanb]

Originally Posted by Cajun Po-Boy

Isn't that the Super C class they just introduced?

yes, it is pretty nice but way over priced...and it has the junk 6.4 diesel.

[RamblerGuy]

Class C has a crash worthy front end. Class A has fiberglass between you and the crash.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forest River Forums mobile app

[alparmer]

Originally Posted by RamblerGuy

Class C has a crash worthy front end. Class A has fiberglass between you and the crash.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forest River Forums mobile app

That is absolutely true if you are riding in the cockpit. The only thing we have going in a Class A is that we sit higher...but it isn't much.

[redneck 92]

We went from 26' TT to 35' A class last year. We liked them both but like everything else, nothing is perfect. With the TT we had the truck to get around in. With the A class you need a towable. Otherwise we have really enjoyed our Coachmen Encounter Class A.

[oldsmasma]

We love our B+ C- or whatever they call them. 28' with three slides. Queen walk around bed. It is just the two of us plus a largish dog and we have lots of room. Cabinets and tv over the cab area. I like that it is not as high off the ground as some A's and like the three entry doors. We use it for a short trips throughout the year and some time south in the winter.

[MikeRP]

Originally Posted by howzball

No one has mentioned this but I think you get a heavier, more stable ride out of an A class as opposed to the C class. When a truck passes us in our C class on the highway it can be a white knuckle experience.

If that's the case your handling is not setup right. I have a completely stock Sunseeker 32 ft class c and have no handling issues. I don't even notice a semi passing me whether going in the same direction on a freeway or coming at me in a two lane road.

We love out Class C and we frequently have the debate on whether to go with a Class A or not in 4 or 5 years. The only only thing we'd like to have in our C is a bigger shower and vanity area, otherwise it's been perfect.

The ease if getting around will be missed if we move up. We have decided no more than 36 or 37 feet tops on our next motorhome if we go class a. I personally would like to go super c.