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Chinook alternatives?
Posted: October 14th, 2020, 4:17 pm
by CharlesKuralt
Hi all. I had a 1998 Chinook Concourse that I regrettably sold after touring the country for a year. I'm getting the itch to hit the road again and I'd like to explore all RV brands that are similar to the Chinook. I don't like the narrowness of the sprinter van class B type RVs but I want something in a 21'-24' length. So far, the only thing I could find comparable in size and layout to the Chinook is the Gulfstream BT Cruiser 5210 at 22'. The Coachman Cross Trek 21xg and 20xg are interesting too because you would have room to store a bicycle (I had mine stolen off the back of my Chinook). Just wondering if anyone else had considered another RV brand before deciding on the Chinook. A short class b+ seems like a rare breed!
Thanks,
Charles
Re: Chinook alternatives?
Posted: October 14th, 2020, 6:14 pm
by chin_k
Sorry to hear what happened to your bike. At least they did not damage your rig, I guess. I looked at other rig too, but settled on the Chinook because I like the layout, and I do not want anything longer than 21 ft. I also looked at Rialta, but it did not worked out.
The Cross Trek and the BT Cruiser are class C rigs, as well as most Chinook before 2005. The newer "Chinook" vans are class B.
Re: Chinook alternatives?
Posted: October 15th, 2020, 6:58 am
by sm350bl
IF I didn't have my particular Chinook I would be on the hunt for a Revcon Trailblazer.
edit, just watched some of the show, I was not familiar with it. I am digging the FMC motor home. I always thought those were neat.
Re: Chinook alternatives?
Posted: October 15th, 2020, 7:32 am
by deppstein
Mr Kuralt—I have been a fan of yours forever! I followed your “On the Road” series religiously. A Chinook fan to boot...who knew!
We have a 2004 Premier that has made several cross-country trips over last couple of years. If only I had your talent for conveying what we have seen—especially during our last run from Boston to Colorado back in March at the onset of Covid. I’ve often wondered what we would do if something really major went wrong. Would we fix or go newer? If newer, I think I would lean into a Leisure Way Unity. Decent size, well constructed, a variety of nice layouts (my favorite is corner queen in back). I agree with you about the Sprinters...too narrow. Fine for getting from here to there in a hurry...but to linger requires more comfortable living space. A new Unity will set you back $160k at least, but I’ve seen some nice used ones for $80K or so.
Good luck...and someday perhaps, I’ll see you “on the Road!”
David Eppstein
Boston
Re: Chinook alternatives?
Posted: October 15th, 2020, 9:27 am
by chin_k
Got me interested, so I googled. I read that *the* Charles Kuralt passed away years ago, and buried among other alumni from his Alma Mater.
Re: Chinook alternatives?
Posted: October 15th, 2020, 1:18 pm
by caconcourse
Someone on the Facebook group just pointed out that Coach House RV makes a similar B+ in Florida, which might be worth checking out as an option.
Re: Chinook alternatives?
Posted: October 15th, 2020, 5:54 pm
by 68camaro
Sadly, nothing new is built like our older Chinooks.
However, I really like the Provan Tiger, built on pickup Chassis, they are really nice. If I move away from Concourse it would be to the Tiger.
Re: Chinook alternatives?
Posted: October 15th, 2020, 6:22 pm
by Warthogg
I looked at 2 (Coachmen?) Starflyte. Not a one piece upside down boat hull like ours but they were similar to the concourse side entry units. Seemed like very nice units. I was just set on a Chinook.
Not sure what years they were produced?
Re: Chinook alternatives?
Posted: October 15th, 2020, 10:49 pm
by chin_k
caconcourse wrote: October 15th, 2020, 1:18 pm
Someone on the Facebook group just pointed out that Coach House RV makes a similar B+ in Florida, which might be worth checking out as an option.
I like their bathroom, Clay. However, I took a quick look, and it seems like they are longer rig. Maybe that is why the bathroom is larger.
Re: Chinook alternatives?
Posted: October 31st, 2020, 1:22 pm
by Kirah
My mother had a Phoenix Cruiser that she took up to Alaska a couple summers back. I was really impressed with the quality and the way it drove (much more like our Chinooks than her previous class C). They charge premium prices, but it was a pretty big step up from most. Their smallest is about 21 feet.