RVers love their traveling homes … which often are the key to fun, freedom, and flexibility. Below, FMCA members showed their affection by responding to this month’s question:
What do you like best about your current motorhome?
The thing we like best is the rear room. The coach is a 2004 Safari Trek. It has the signature bed in the ceiling, but our rear bedroom is also a den, or a lounge, or a solarium, because of the three walls of window glass in the rear. It has a second TV, so two different channels can be seen at the same time, or one person can be up while the other is in bed. And we don’t have to haul around an additional 8 feet of bedroom during travel time.
Thomas and Shirley Lynch, F238025
San Jose, California
After a 43-plus-year career as a pilot, I now travel in a 1996 Rexhall Aerbus. Judy just says it’s “comfortable,” but she also likes the kitchen layout. I say it’s simple to operate with no slideouts and handles well on mountain highways. I can maintain some of it and can fix a few things. I understand it enough to tell a tech what might be a problem. Our dogs love it. Plus, it’s white with blue trim — our favorite color. And it’s paid for.
Dan and Judy Fregin, F389328
Chico, California
People always tell us that children will outgrow the need to travel with you. We have four children: two in college, one in middle school, and one going into first grade. Well, they all still travel with us. For 2 1/2 years, we looked for a motorhome that would fit all our needs. Last February at a show in Boston, we found our new home: a Type C with a double-door refrigerator. Food storage is a big thing with two grown children, and we always have leftovers that need to be saved. The fridge in this motorhome was just the ticket. With four trips last year and three scheduled this year, it will get a workout.
Richard and Phyllis Cicchetti, F387705
Plymouth, Massachusetts
We own a 2008 Itasca Ellipse 40TD. We like the floor plan! We like that it does not have a DEF tank. Also, it is “boondockable” — no residential fridge, electric stovetop, etc. Finally, it’s paid for!
Bob and Sandi Swanson, F401013
Box Elder, South Dakota
We decided it was time to RV full-time, and we wanted a coach that was “us.” Beaver Coaches Inc. was the answer, with a custom-designed 1994 38-foot Beaver Grand Patriot. A Lexington floor plan was our choice, with whitewashed cabinetry, light and bright colors, larger LR tires, upgraded front air bags to complement a Spartan Mountain Master chassis, and a custom paint scheme. A huge galley area, a large bath and shower, an island queen bed, and a powerful rear pusher diesel topped off the project. Pass-through basement storage was more than adequate for full-timing “stuff,” especially with a 9,000-pound occupant and cargo carrying capacity (OCCC). We spent eight-plus fun-filled years touring the United States, meeting and making new friends, visiting all the wonderful areas that make this country so special. We are off the road but still have our coach and the memories from those years.
Allen and Patricia Spousta, F119971
Fredericksburg, Texas
We currently own a 2009 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH diesel pusher. We have enjoyed the Tiffin warranty and backing, including the best customer service we have ever seen. We cannot say enough about Tiffin service at the factory and at repair centers the company uses. The parts and service departments when you call are very helpful as well. We also would mention the ride on the Freightliner chassis, the Cummins engine, and the quality of construction. We have more than 50,000 miles on our motorhome and are very pleased.
Hank and Shirleen Smith, F400254
San Antonio, Texas
When we purchased our motorhome, it had many features I loved and still do … a central vac, an outdoor barbecue and fridge, the dishwasher, etc. However, after nine years, I have found out the most important feature to us, and it still surprises me. Having large, plentiful windows to let in sunshine and the outside world is my favorite feature. When we’re stuck inside because of bad weather, how nice it is to open all the curtains and have a window on the world! How wonderful to awake and enjoy a view of the ocean from the foot of our bed. And our dogs love looking out the window at the head of the bed in the morning as well as playing a game of “looking for woofs” (something or somebody to give a woof to!). We never get the feeling of being boxed in. This is one feature we will be sure to have when we purchase our next motorhome.
Lisa Hammond, F376481
Madison, South Dakota
Economy and flexibility. Being new to RVing, I admit I purchased my Winnebago View without fully understanding how I would use it, or considering future needs. I soon realized the benefit of having more living and storage space, but I also learned how efficient and flexible it is. The mileage I get from the diesel engine is great, and I haven’t had to tow a dinghy, since it can go just about anywhere. Now that I have finished my sixth year of camping, I am still happy with my decision (and now am much smarter). I look at pictures of the places I’ve been and the experiences I’ve had and realize that those memories (to me) are more important than what got me there. I’m thankful I can enjoy an RV lifestyle and keep to a modest budget while traveling around the country to places I’ve only dreamed of.
Tony Trimarco, F408182
Grand Forks, North Dakota
We have a 2012 Fleetwood Terra, and there are several things we like best about it. One is that it has a split bath — the toilet and sink are across the hall from the shower. This allows use of both areas with privacy. Another thing we especially like is the motorized drop-down queen-size bed in the front that holds up to 500 pounds. Many motorhomes with this option had a limited weight of 200 to 250 pounds. Therefore, even though it was queen size, it wouldn’t accommodate the typical weight of two adults. The motorized front window blind saves crawling over the front console to pull curtains around at night for privacy. We also like the full-length closet space and the under-bed storage in the bedroom.
Jon and Sharon Miller, F415845
Dillsburg, Pennsylvania
Future questions:
1. What’s the most unusual food you’ve eaten while on a motorhome trip?
2. Describe your favorite “app” for your smartphone or tablet.
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