Purchased a new Class C yesterday

dpkimmel2001

dpkimmel2001

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Something we've been planning for quite a while. Our original plan was to make the purchase next Spring but we decided to pull the trigger early as the price was right for the model we wanted.

We traded in our 2019 Jayco Eagle 336FBOK 5th wheel on a 2025 Jayco Greyhawk 29MV. Our 5th wheel unit was just over 40' in length plus the tow vehicle. Now we're sitting at 32.5' total and it's something that my wife will feel comfortable driving. She's driven a larger U-Haul a few times and this is much the same for handling, weight distribution wise.

A diesel unit would have been our preference but the price was far to high. The Greyhawk utilizes a Ford E-450 chassis powered by a 7.3L V-8 325 HP engine with 450 ft.-Ib. torque capable of towing 7,500 lbs. That's sufficient for our needs. Plan on flat towing our 2-door Jeep Wrangler behind.

Picked the unit up yesterday near Columbus, OH. Split the driving with my wife back to western PA. She was nervous at first but did awesome. It rides well and had the power needed. Looking forward to future plans with this unit on down the road.

Attaching a view of the floorplan and a pic I took before I headed back in on the road this morning. Not displayed are the theater seating that we got in leu of the couch. I'll post some pics from the inside at a future date. Two more weeks untill I get back and really have a chance to check things out thoroughly.....

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Interesting that you get to bring the "daily" home with you. Seems that is becoming uncommon from what i've seen for fleet drivers, unless truck parking has gotten that popular (several truck parking lots in the area, always assumed for OO's).

My aunt and uncle bought one of those Mercedes Sprinter MH conversions. It's nice inside, more room than I expected and runs off a Honda 2000 other than roof air. They drove it from their house near San Diego, stopped here for a weekend, then continued to their daughter's (my cousin) in North Carolina back in April, taking I-10/20/30/40 eastbound. They left NC late last week and made the trek across I-40 westbound and got home last night.
 
Yeah, I was surprised at the amount of room. Even with the slides in during transit mode. That's one of the reasons we went with this floorplan. The sides don't have to be extended to park overnight while in the move. Everything is accessable.

We downsized from this triple slide 5er with plenty of storage and 1 1/2 baths.

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dpkimmel2001 said:
Yeah, I was surprised at the amount of room. Even with the slides in during transit mode. That's one of the reasons we went with this floorplan. The sides don't have to be extended to park overnight while in the move. Everything is accessable.

We downsized from this triple slide 5er with plenty of storage and 1 1/2 baths.
Click to expand...

Only thing I'd miss on the 5er for downsizing is the outdoor kitchen and the 3/4-size fridge instead of 1/2 size.

Make sure you get the electric over hydraulic brake kit for the jeep if you're going to flat-tow it. It makes a huge difference.
rvibrake.com

RVibrake3 Portable Flat Towing Braking System

RVibrake3 Portable Braking System for flat towing a car behind a motorhome. Next generation braking with Brake Lock Detection. Supplement Flat towing braking system. Towed vehicle braking system. RVi3
rvibrake.com rvibrake.com

Stealth | Brake Buddy®

39530 Brake Buddy Stealth Built-in Tow Braking System
www.brakebuddy.com www.brakebuddy.com
www.demco-products.com

Stay-IN-Play DUO Braking System

An ideal supplemental braking system for every car and motorhome with a hydraulic braking system, the Stay-IN-Play DUO uses Demco’s patented technology to create a dual-signal system (brake lights and inertia) for progressive brake activation. This results in faster, more precise signals between...
www.demco-products.com

There's other such systems out there as well.
 
Magnethead said:
Only thing I'd miss on the 5er for downsizing is the outdoor kitchen and the 3/4-size fridge instead of 1/2 size.

Make sure you get the electric over hydraulic brake kit for the jeep if you're going to flat-tow it. It makes a huge difference.
rvibrake.com

RVibrake3 Portable Flat Towing Braking System

RVibrake3 Portable Braking System for flat towing a car behind a motorhome. Next generation braking with Brake Lock Detection. Supplement Flat towing braking system. Towed vehicle braking system. RVi3
rvibrake.com rvibrake.com

Stealth | Brake Buddy®

39530 Brake Buddy Stealth Built-in Tow Braking System
www.brakebuddy.com www.brakebuddy.com
www.demco-products.com

Stay-IN-Play DUO Braking System

An ideal supplemental braking system for every car and motorhome with a hydraulic braking system, the Stay-IN-Play DUO uses Demco’s patented technology to create a dual-signal system (brake lights and inertia) for progressive brake activation. This results in faster, more precise signals between...
www.demco-products.com

There's other such systems out there as well.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info on the brake systems. I've been pricing a Blue Ox system. A friend of mine has been happy with that setup. I've only been pricing things so far but will have to make a decision soon. My wife wants us to bee able to tow the Jeep to the beach this September.

The outside kitchen was nice on our last unit but we mainly used it as an outside bar. The fridge is downsized but it's large enough for the two of us. We didn't really pack the other one to full before.

This biggest thing I'll miss are the tank sizes, black/grey, and the half bath. I'll be sporting my Cousin Eddie outfit more often and nobody wants to see that.

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Good luck with the new unit. Nothing like a motorhome. A lot less finagling around to use. Our first class "C" was a Monaco 24 ft. on Dodge chassis. From there we went to class "A" motorhome stopping at 36" to use national parks. First class "A" was terrible and we were towed eleven times in two years
Next one was literally trouble free, of as trouble free as a motorhome can get. We put on a ton of miles with minor repairs. It is truly a home-on-wheels and it needs constant attention. Had many fun years and met some great people traveling when we chased the NASCAR circuit and helping Jimmy Means.
Nothing big time but still, a lot of fun. After 6 years it was too much for an old couple to drive to every race and backed off. Last coach was a 1999 Foretravel 36 ', 320 series. It was the most comfortable to live in for extended periods of time or drive under any conditions. I think if we were to consider another class "A" it would be an older Foretravel since it was so comfortable and the larger fuel, water and waste storage tanks a big plus.
 
A big issue with Class A's is engine fire. There have been SEVERAL (think dozens) of class-A engine fires in the racing community in the last few years. Being rear engine, you don't know there's a fire until it's wayyyy too late.

Many RV motorhome fires are either electrical or engine (rubber and heat build-up), and most race trailer fires are caused by golf carts (both electric and gas).

We have 2 of these in the enclosed trailer. One under the front cabinet where the breaker panel is and one over the driver side fender, next to where the golf cart sat with the dragster.

www.efireusa.com

E FIRE USA® Extinguishing 6" Ball (Bracket Included) | E FIRE USA

www.efireusa.com www.efireusa.com



 
As I watched part of the second video couldn't help but think how stupid someone had to be to try what he did.

BUT, back to the fire in rear engined motorhomes. My first class A, 1988, Monaco Crown Royale 36' with a Cummins diesel. It was underpowered and created so much heat in the engine compartment we had to lift the mattress from the box and keep the bedroom door closed and bedroom windows open as we drove to allow air to circulate the heat from the engine making mattress so hot it was uncomfortable to sleep on.
After two years of ownership and being towed in eleven times along with a laundry list of other problems, we traded it. In defense of Monaco, they did try to help us as much as they could. The next coach was of better quality all around and overheating the mattress no longer an issue and the underpowered situation corrected with a 3208 Cat diesel.
 
Had the base plate installed on our Wrangler for the Blue Ox Towbar. Used it a few times now. Everything's worked well. It's taking us ten minutes or so to hook up and verify all our connections before hitting the road.

Taking the RV today to have it undercoated this week before we head to the beach next month for a couple weeks.

A few pics of everything hooked up this morning.....

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We towed a Jeep Cherokee for several years. Were driving along near Charlottesville, VA, one afternoon when a car passed and motioned us to stop. The weld on the plate where the tow bar attached had failed and we were lucky we had good safety chains. We never felt the tow vehicle swaying and couldn't see it in the mirrors. The motorhome was so heavy it gave no indication the welds had failed. Luckily we found a shop to reweld the bracket and went on our way. Cameras to view the tow vehicle were not in vogue at the time. Just another of the experiences we encountered when motorhoming. :idunno:

That's a nice setup you have. Good luck and safe travels. You'll have many hours of enjoyment on the road and while camping. 👍
 
You'll like having full time rear camera. I'm trying to get it set up on my trailer - mostly for backing up but also for being able to see what's behind me. Half tons weren't designed to tow 7,000 pounds in the power or visibility departments.
 
Undercoating applied. I haven't seen it yet as my wife picked it up. I know they do great work where we had it done so I'm sure I won't be disappointed. Glad we were able to get it done before heading to the beach.

Finally received our PA License Plate and owners card. Next up, PA Inspection. Should be a formality.

Called the PA Turnpike this morning about costs associated with flat towing. Motorhomes under 15,000lbs are able to use the regular E-ZPass Transponder. I'm at 13,484lbs with the two of us and our Golden Retriever along with a full water tank and a full tank of fuel. This, according to CAT Scales. The rest of our gear will not exceed the weight limit.
 
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