[Gerald]

All you do is click the drop down under Coaches for Sale and List a Coach for Sale. I removed the price Chip, the place for your Ad is below.

List a Coach for Sale

[Art]

Thanks!

[Archived]

I did mobile RV service for 8 years and there is not a lot of 5 wheels that are built very good at all, from the under sized axles to the rubber roofs to bad siding, they might look good at first then reality hits. Just think hard about it theirs nothing built like a Prevost.

[DON]

There is no question that it takes money to properly maintain a Prevost conversion. They are all comprised of components and systems that wear out, age out, and just need attention.

Having said that however I have learned the cheapest way to own a Prevost is to bite the bullet and get it in as close to new condition as possible as fast as possible and then from that point on keep it in the best condition possible by never deferring maintenance.

The wallet ends up pretty empty when a coach is “zeroed” out, but for quite a few years the cost of maintenance amounts to little more than grease and oil changes.

Having watched conventional RV owners, especially 5th wheel owners in RV parks for 28 years I cannot imagine ever going from a Prevost to one. Even if I ignore the safety aspects it is apparent the units I see are all relatively new which suggests strongly as they age they don’t do very well. I bet the real cost of ownership of other than a Prevost is substantial. Consider the cost of ownership of a 20 year old Prevost including its very modest depreciation. Then consider what it is going to cost for an alternative especially considering almost every conventional RV has almost no value after a short period of time. I have a friend with one and for 3 years he has been struggling with maintenance issues that are beyond belief and shitty service.

[Art]

Best of luck Chip,

I’ve only owned this bus and class c motorhomes, so I have no personal experience with 5th wheels/trailers. I simply like driving in a motorhome much more than towing something down the road with a smaller vehicle.

But I wish you both well as you pursue your 5th wheel.

[Andy]

There are a few 5th wheelers that are better then most but if you are going to switch? If you are going to buy used the best one I’ve seen is a company called Carriage that is out of business now but they are built pretty well, If you buy new the list is short Grand Design makes a couple of models, Mobile Suites makes good trailers but pricey.

[Greg]

Also, buy one that is produced for Full Timing, better built than the normal sticks & staples.

[Art]

Here is one thing few people seem to understand about conventional RV, in this case a 5th wheel.

An empty Prevost shell weights around 31,000# and the completed coach around 55,000#. Keep in mind that difference is only what is the house portion interior and systems. The Prevost chassis already has the walls, roof, frame, wheels and windows.

So to create a “house” inside a shell takes about 24,000#

How much quality and how robust can the construction of an RV of similar size have if it can be built at a weight that not only includes the wheels, frame, walls roof and windows but the interior and still be towed by a vehicle smaller than the average Kenworth?

[Larry & Diane]

I can see the point of a 5th wheel only for two instances: You park in one location for extended periods or you have kids with you at all times. The travel part, towing a trailer with a heavy duty truck sucks and your limited to that for transportation while your there. No more wifey making a snack going down the road or making a quick lunch at a rest stop in AC comfort. No more pulling in for the night and being set up in 5 min. Geo.

[Andre & Kathy]

Chip

Having both a Marathon 40 footer and 5 airstreams, and a Bigfoot camper, al tho all are great tools for certain occasions, the bus is the top of the heap. Unless you currently have a stout tow vehicle, after a fifth wheel purchase your going to need a big truck to pull the fiver. Nothing less than a one ton truck Which with the size of the fually truck, your grocery getter will be tough to park at the supermarket and the national park car park.

Sit down if you havent already and list out the pros and cons of a fiver and a bus. Not change your mind, but you might find a rental trailer and spend a week in it.

[Dick]

George, you did not mention the most important comfort item to a wifey that is missing when towing a 5th wheel. That would be in motion access to a toilet, their own toilet, in the Prevost. Access to the toilet in a 5th wheel while in motion, I think NOT!

[Roscoeapproved]

We are looking at the Van Leigh 5th wheel. It’s made by Bob Tiffins sons in Mississippi. We have a new F350 to pull it. Don’t get me wrong, Bus living has been great. The catch is that we really had to sink a lot of money to get her up to specs. Most people tell us to keep it and drive on. I thought the same. Pam has a different opinion and one that I can see her point.

We are taping out and the bus will make someone a good home or getaway. If you know someone whom is looking for an XL, tell them I have ours for sale.

---

Jeff and Lindsay

91 Marathon XL

[Larry & Diane]

Geeeeee, 5th wheels are not class “A” so there goes all the great parks.

Ask Tiffins how long they’ll work on your new 5th wheel to get factory warranty service ?

[John]

Bought a brand new 2006 Alpha 35 footer with slides all over right before I bought my 91 XL. . Heck even had ceiling fans while building the Ranch house that i sold . Stayed in it until we got the place built and sold it and lost a ton of money. They for sure don’t hold the value and lost about $15,000 on that deal. Did like it as it was top of the line then, but pulling it with a Dodge Dually Quab Cab 4×4 Diesel was a pita as that 5.9 Cummins really got a work out. If you get one with all the slides I would go a little bigger truck. They are less expensive to maintain compared to your bus. Hope you have a place to store out of weather as that will kill them quick.

[Bernard]

Nothing wrong with a 5th wheel Chip if it fits your mission. You’ll for sure throw a hell of a lot less money at it. As to restricted campgrounds, there are plenty of alternatives that are accessible and usually less money then the premo class A parks. There are a lot of younger folks out there that can’t afford the premo campground rates especially during peak seasons.