Country Coach Owners Forum Country Coach Motorcoach Forum

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Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2003 12:56:48 -0800 (PST) From: Sheryl Gassamn

Subject: What 1st Time Buyers Need To Know???

OK, we've decided on a Country Coach... because I'm allergic to formaldehyde and this coach is low on that list. In talking to owners and the dealer in Tucson I'm also finding out that it's a very well built coach - which is a good thing, since we're selling our house and going to live on the road for a year or so in it.
Do we get a 36' or 40'? Do we need a slide out? What about resale value? What do you wish you'd known before you started out???

Any help - advice, etc. is appreciated!

Thanks! Sheryl

Hi Sheryl

Lots of things to think about. I recommend that you find a rally in your area and go and talk with others who have had a coach for a while. Ask them about their likes and dislikes, storage requirements, campgrounds, etc. Also go into the campground laundry rooms (no kidding) people are just waiting for their stuff to finish and they have nothing to do, so they are more than willing to give you their RV philosophy.
If you buy a coach that was built on or after 2000 you will get the independent front suspension on the Allure and Intrigues. That means a slight better ride but more importantly a short turning radius. That means it's easier to back up and park in the campgrounds.
I would definitely recommend at least one slideout.....Both for livability and resale. If you can find a coach with the Nuheat floor, that would be a big plus to us. Nuheat is an electric heat under the tile floor. We use this heat source alone until the outside temp drops into 30s. Then we put on our ceiling heat pumps. It's so, so nice to wake up in the morning and put your feet on a warm tile floor.
Another thing we did when deciding on our first coach was to walk thru the day in a showroom coach without the salesman present...... Pretend your in bed, get up, go thru your morning routine, bathroom breakfast, etc., and then your dinner and evening routine, showers, etc. That told us we didin't want an "open bath/bedroom design. But your needs might be different. Just remember that everyone's needs are different and what someone says is a "gotta have" might not be your "gotta have." We really like the 40 foots size coach, it gives us the extra topside and basement storage for our needs, we spend about 6 months (2- 3 month trips) a year in our coach, A 36' coach will be a bit easier to get into and out of campgrounds, but the extra maneuvering time requirements for a 40'er might be a good tradeoff for the extra storage you gain, but that is your personal decision.
Another luxury we really enjoy is the in-motion sat. system. We can listen to CNN or Fox News, and check the weather channel as we travel. I can travel when I want -- so that Gayle can watch her tennis tournaments and still be a happy traveler.

Hope this helps with your decision, good luck