[Dana]

We lived full-time in our coach for nearly 10 years, and it was terrific. Our last 5 years was in a 2000 (1999 bus chassis) Liberty Coach. It was a 45′ non-slide XLV.

We traded a 43′ triple-slide Beaver motorhome for it and couldn’t have been happier. For us, being “slide free” was the way we wanted to go, after owning several motorhomes (Safari and Beaver) that had single, double and finally triple slides.

We enjoyed more storage, more closet space and a much better floor plan that perfectly suited our lifestyle by going with a Prevost bus. And, in our opinion, no one dies a better job than Liberty Coach.

If you take this plunge, it will be the adventure and experience of a lifetime, and one that few people ever get to enjoy.

[Deleted User]

We began full timing last August. We intended to buy a coach similar to what you are looking for. Legacy Coach in Rockwall, TX had several we were interested in. They also had the Monaco Signature we bought. It’s not a Prevost, but its one of the few fiberglass coaches that can come close. The additional living space offered by the four slides, floor plan, 10 air bag suspension, and identical engine and transmission as a Prevost, is why we chose the Monaco. It could have gone either way for us, but the additional space won out.

You can’t go wrong buying a well maintained Prevost. And the folks on this website are tolerant of us SOB, (Some Other Brand), owners.

[Chas]

We have been homeless by choice for 3+ years. We had several “stix & staples” DP motorhomes with slides (before we sold the farm) and decided that we were tired of the associated leaks & drafts, so wanted something that was solid, and would hold up over the long haul. When you eliminate slides, it narrows your search significantly. We found a ’98 XL Country Coach that we liked, appeared to have been well maintained, and had been kept inside shortly before we sold out – we haven’t looked back. About the only thing I really miss is having my own “bus barn” and doing much of my own maintenance. We are very happy & would do it again without hesitation. You’ll also want to factor into your decision the type of places you want to go and how you’ll use your coach. We do pretty much ” power pole to power pole” but can stay off the grid for a week or so without discomfort. We have also found that “size DOES matter” and it may make a difference where you choose to stay for the night or longer.

PC is an excellent source of information and help, should the need arise. We learned a bunch the hard and expensive way before we found PC – it’s an ongoing process. As you go through your evaluation process don’t hesitate to ask questions and read previous threads. A wealth of info is here, and folks are more than willing to help. I will echo several comments in other threads that these things are indeed a different type of beast. If you go into a purchase unprepared, you will, in fact, feel like you’re trying to drink from a firehose. A good many times you really “don’t know what you don’t know”, and it can be a stiff hit to the ol’ checking account when you finally find out!! Don’t ask how I know that!!

[Charles]

M&C,

So your CC has no slides, right? And, full-timing, you don’t find that too cramped?

[Tommy]

Jake…

Correct – no slides. That is not to say that sometimes space to “spread out” is not at a premium. 😉 We travel with a couple of “fur kids” (a cranky 20 year old cat, and a 3 year old high energy Jack Russell mix, both rescues) and at times it does get a little cramped, truth be told. But, as with most things in life, I view it as a trade-off. We could have gotten a newer coach with slides, but the trade is more complication, greater weight, loss of basement storage, and the potential for needing to have the bladders (slide seals) replaced at some point. Not an inexpensive, easy proposition from what I understand. I like simple, and it works for us. When it’s time to move, we make sure all the cabinet doors are secure, latch the ‘fridge door, check the roof vents, make sure the sat dish is stored, unhook, & that’s pretty much it. When we had slides, in addition to the above, we had slide clearances to check coming into some sites, extra furniture that had to be put out & stored when we left, wipe down the outside of the slide w/microfiber when leaving to help prevent paint abrasion from the wipe seals, check for water or twigs under the topper if we had been stationary for awhile…you get the idea.

If you do alot of entertaining in your coach, that is another consideration. Slides provide the ability to have more folks in for chats or drinks much more comfortably than we can handle. However, Karen & I are Charter Members of the “6 / 4 / 2 Club” – Drinks for 6 (outside); Dinner for 4 (outside); Sleeps 2 (inside – unless I’m in the dog house). Maybe not for everyone, but for us, it works well.