I may be back in the market for an RV again. I'm back in USA (seems like we are the only ones that really get into rv's.. maybe Australia also). Of course I have a love for Chinooks and have been on the casual look out. I did about 2 years "full time" in my concourse. I put "full time" in quotes, because I was in hotels for work about 35% of the time. If I find a deal I can't say no to, I'll buy another chinook of course (feel free to post up any deals you know about.. I"m searching craigslist with searchtempest.com as I write this).
However, what if you longed for more space? I know I'd be giving up the maneuverability and all the nice things that come with a chinook. My mind keeps coming back to class A diesel pushers. Has anyone here had a class A before?
What if you wanted a Class A?
Re: What is you wanted a Class A?
I probably would get a one-ton truck, and get a 5th wheel instead. Many of the places I want to go, you can't get there with a class A.
2000 Concourse dinette, on 1999 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis
Re: What if you wanted a Class A?
I came very close to getting a Class A at one point. But I wanted to be able to boondock easier, and in places besides the wide-open desert. Also I don't always want to tow a car.
I would reconsider if I always travelled with a co-pilot, or if I wanted to change to a style of staying in RV parks and exploring out with a toad. The Chinook seems needlessly cramped to me if one doesn't use the nimbleness.
I would reconsider if I always travelled with a co-pilot, or if I wanted to change to a style of staying in RV parks and exploring out with a toad. The Chinook seems needlessly cramped to me if one doesn't use the nimbleness.
1999 Concourse
Re: What if you wanted a Class A?
I've had three Class A's, all gas engines, no diesels.
My first was a 1984 28' Airstream Classic, with the classic aluminum body. Had it for 13 years, twin beds in back for my boys and the Goucho sofa for me. Loved the ability to just get up from driving and walk to the back. One can really stretch out in a Class A. 28' is surprisingly maneuverable.
Sold it when they grew up, missed it, and bought a '92 LE 30' aluminum body Airstream again. It had an island queen bed in the rear, and it was comfy and convenient. But someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse and I sold it only after a month. It was sweet when I did travel in it, but a little too big.
The 28' is the max I would want. Aluminum Airtream classic motorhomes are the bomb, and people would think I was towing a trailer until they passed me and realized this "trailer" had a 454 big block in it! I wouldn't get a fiberglass one, as they have roof issues. The classics are kind of pricey nowadays too, bc they're rare.
Then I bought a 25' newish Winnebago. It was a nice size with rear side bed and bath, pretty much like the side entry Chinooks, only slightly bigger inside. For some reason we just didn't click and I sold it to a nice lady for what I had in it. I think it had to do with the fiberglass appearance most SOB's (some other brand) share. Also, since it was only 25', it looked kind of squatty. A class A, with it's height, should be proportional to it's length for cosmetics, and since I am OCD, this didn't cut it. But it was nice to be able to stand up right from the driver's seat.
I've had two Chinooks, a '78 18+ and my current 2000. Although the '78 coach was cool and similar to the current ones, I did not like the Dodge cab.
Sold it to a pair of mechanics for what I had it it...around $8500 back in 2016. It was in good shape.
Since I am currently single, the Concourse is perfect for me and how I travel. I mostly overnight or RV park. Haven't boondocked or dry camped yet. So I suppose I can be categorized as a "wet camper"? I hate having to go outside in the cold to use facilities, so I tend to use my head as often as I need. That's what it's there for, right? I don't mind dumping especially when I can find a free dump site. I don't like to squeeze into my john though.
The Destiny head would have been better for osmo-regulating and meditating, but too long for parking, and I like that about our 21's.
Yes, I have to do pirouettes and am forced to do squats when I want to go to the rear, but I suppose at my age, that's good since I really don't work out constantly.
I heard diesel pushers sometimes do what they call "porpoise", so watch out for that if you find one. Finding a gas station with diesel can be tricky if way out there I heard. You can get some real nice $100K+ ones for cheap when older folk stop travelling.
My first was a 1984 28' Airstream Classic, with the classic aluminum body. Had it for 13 years, twin beds in back for my boys and the Goucho sofa for me. Loved the ability to just get up from driving and walk to the back. One can really stretch out in a Class A. 28' is surprisingly maneuverable.
Sold it when they grew up, missed it, and bought a '92 LE 30' aluminum body Airstream again. It had an island queen bed in the rear, and it was comfy and convenient. But someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse and I sold it only after a month. It was sweet when I did travel in it, but a little too big.
The 28' is the max I would want. Aluminum Airtream classic motorhomes are the bomb, and people would think I was towing a trailer until they passed me and realized this "trailer" had a 454 big block in it! I wouldn't get a fiberglass one, as they have roof issues. The classics are kind of pricey nowadays too, bc they're rare.
Then I bought a 25' newish Winnebago. It was a nice size with rear side bed and bath, pretty much like the side entry Chinooks, only slightly bigger inside. For some reason we just didn't click and I sold it to a nice lady for what I had in it. I think it had to do with the fiberglass appearance most SOB's (some other brand) share. Also, since it was only 25', it looked kind of squatty. A class A, with it's height, should be proportional to it's length for cosmetics, and since I am OCD, this didn't cut it. But it was nice to be able to stand up right from the driver's seat.
I've had two Chinooks, a '78 18+ and my current 2000. Although the '78 coach was cool and similar to the current ones, I did not like the Dodge cab.
Sold it to a pair of mechanics for what I had it it...around $8500 back in 2016. It was in good shape.
Since I am currently single, the Concourse is perfect for me and how I travel. I mostly overnight or RV park. Haven't boondocked or dry camped yet. So I suppose I can be categorized as a "wet camper"? I hate having to go outside in the cold to use facilities, so I tend to use my head as often as I need. That's what it's there for, right? I don't mind dumping especially when I can find a free dump site. I don't like to squeeze into my john though.
The Destiny head would have been better for osmo-regulating and meditating, but too long for parking, and I like that about our 21's.
Yes, I have to do pirouettes and am forced to do squats when I want to go to the rear, but I suppose at my age, that's good since I really don't work out constantly.
I heard diesel pushers sometimes do what they call "porpoise", so watch out for that if you find one. Finding a gas station with diesel can be tricky if way out there I heard. You can get some real nice $100K+ ones for cheap when older folk stop travelling.
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2000 Ford E-350 415CI/6.8L V-10 Triton Superduty 4X4 Chinook Concourse XL Club Lounge
Re: What if you wanted a Class A?
That's for the comments guys.
Astro, can you identify the airstreams in your pics please? red strip vs blue strip. The one with a quenn bed might be of interest (I'd repower the 454 with an LS, but that's just me).
Astro, can you identify the airstreams in your pics please? red strip vs blue strip. The one with a quenn bed might be of interest (I'd repower the 454 with an LS, but that's just me).
Re: What if you wanted a Class A?
The Blue/Silver One is the 1984 28', with two twins. Dallas Cowboys anyone?
The Crimson/Grey is the 1992 30', with island Queen in rear. How about those Washington State Cougars! My son goes there!
Both had the 454, 19" tires. But both were great. The 30' was a mansion on wheels. All the bells and whistles.
The Crimson/Grey is the 1992 30', with island Queen in rear. How about those Washington State Cougars! My son goes there!
Both had the 454, 19" tires. But both were great. The 30' was a mansion on wheels. All the bells and whistles.
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2000 Ford E-350 415CI/6.8L V-10 Triton Superduty 4X4 Chinook Concourse XL Club Lounge
Re: What if you wanted a Class A?
https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/rvs/d/ ... 45422.html
bigger and pricey, but interesting.
bigger and pricey, but interesting.
Re: What if you wanted a Class A?
Yes. You don't need more than 30'. When I would walk back to the bed, I could feel air rushing past my face, that's how long it is/feels.The longest one made of that type (aluminum) is a 32.5 I believe. It's the longest one with single axle duallies. Do not get the two axle models. Lots of problems with those, and expensive to repair.
2000 Ford E-350 415CI/6.8L V-10 Triton Superduty 4X4 Chinook Concourse XL Club Lounge
Re: What if you wanted a Class A?
If you're interested in more info about these bad boys, go to:
http://www.airforums.com/
They have a classified section like we do.
http://www.airforums.com/
They have a classified section like we do.
2000 Ford E-350 415CI/6.8L V-10 Triton Superduty 4X4 Chinook Concourse XL Club Lounge
Re: What if you wanted a Class A?
Thanks. I'm just day dreaming/thinking at this point. I'm so undecided that I also am considering a sail boat. As great as they sound, they seem even more expensive then RV's (to buy and/or maintain).