Dkstall

The floor plan is a huge part of what we love about our coach. Slide-outs are all the rage today, so finding a motor home without too many isn't easy. Specifically I don't want any slides in the bedroom so you can get around the bed anytime. And, I want a full Queen size bed, not the shorter RV size mattress. Must have real nightstands on both sides of the bed. We also aren't fans of any slide on the passenger side where they impact access to basement storage and create head knocking hazards for grandchildren. The kitchen is another big deal. Linda really likes the U-shape counter where she can stand out of the traffic pattern. It also has more counter space than many of the others we looked at and in a spot that's good for serving too. The sink isn't pushed into the corner and there's a counter extension to the left of the sink. The counter top is Corian as is the range cover that lays flat providing more counter space when the stove isn't in use. And, we wanted the kitchen on the driver's side so we can have more window space on the passenger side. We also wanted a water closet that when in use wouldn't restrict access to the bathroom sink, closets or bedroom. We don't like dinettes. A table and real chairs please. Windows, lots please. Mostly on the passenger side. In the bedroom put them where you can see out while laying in bed (not above the headboard). Lastly we believe that our coach should be as usable with the slides in as with them out. We're thrilled to have everything we want, but to get there we couldn't buy any of the newer coaches. As a result we're happy with our 1999 Tradewinds and make no apology for it's age.

Welcome from another new member.

Welcome fellow Texan! I bet you'll really enjoy your trip to Arizona. Have a great time!

Dave has it right. It's not the police officer that concerns me, it's the attorney that wants in my pocket, or the insurance company that wants to get out of paying a claim. I just bought a coach in UT that was titled in CA. CA doesn't show GVWR on the title and TX does. I thought the Federal Certificate would do the trick, but no the Tax Assessor-Collector (that's who registers vehicles in TX) office sent me to get a certified weight ticket and used that weight for the GVWR on my new TX title. Of course that's wrong, about 5,000# light. My coach on it's Freightliner chassis has a GVWR of 26,350# no matter what my title says. The good news is that any officer that stops me will rely on the registration record that says I'm under 26,000# and I'll never get a ticket for not having a Class B license. The bad news is that if I'm ever in an accident, no matter whose fault, a sharp attorney or claim adjuster might make an issue of the real GVWR and my license class if it's not Class B. So I'm in the process of getting the TX non-CDL Class B license. And if you're in TX don't forget that your Class B vehicle is required to have a fire extinguisher and emergency signals (flares/reflectors) on board.

Congratulations! December will be a good time to head south. Come have a Great Time in Texas!

Congrats on your new Thor purchase!

Okay Musselmanphotos it's time for an update! Did you ever move in full time? If so, are you still living aboard? Did you get your Dream Maker out on the road? Do you still own your DP? Inquiring minds want to know! :-)

We agree with Herman. Our past infrequent use just didn't justify ownership but demonstrated what we liked and didn't like about the various units we rented. When the time came to buy we were certain about the features and equipment were important to us. I believe you said that you've owned a boat in the past. So have I. There's a lot in common with a MH. Maintenance needs and costs as well as that of storage are a reality of ownership and need to be a serious consideration IMHO. My advice is take your time, do your homework, rent first if you can, and find owners of the same coach you're focused on and ask them lots and lots of questions about their experience. Good Luck!

Hello! We're David and Linda from a very small rural community in central Texas about mid-way between Houston and Austin. Over the last 20 years we have rented motor homes for family trips across California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, and Texas. In the summer of 2015 we loaded up our adult daughter, our son-in-law and three granddaughters for a 4,300 mile, five state, excursion in a rented 2013 Fleetwood Bounder Classic. It was a wonderful experience that led us to think the time might be right to buy our own motor home.That started the process of identifying everything we liked and didn't like about all the RVs we've rented and seen. The list was long, and very, very specific. New motor homes just didn't fit our needs, so the search was on for just the right gently used even if nearly vintage motor home. It took a couple months and a national search, but we did find our Kismet. We're very happy with our "new" 1999 Tradewinds 7372 and have quickly developed a fantastic support network of several other '99 TW owners. Since we bought the Kismet a month ago we've driven her across five states and visited several cool places and state parks. She's going to see lots of use. You can see our progress and trips on our blog http://hwylife.us We're proud to be new FMCA members and look forward to participating with the Dolphins, FMCA-ARC and Diesel RV Club chapters.

Over the last 20 years we have rented motor homes for family trips in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, and Texas. In the summer of 2015 we loaded up our adult daughter, our son-in-law and three granddaughters for a 4,300 mile, five state, excursion in a rented 2013 Fleetwood Bounder Classic. It was a wonderful experience that led us to think the time might be right to buy our own motor home.That started the process of identifying everything we liked and didn't like about all the RVs we've rented and seen. The list was long, and very, very specific. Fortunately for us (because of the cost) new motor homes just didn't fit the bill, so the search was on for just the right gently used even if nearly vintage motor home. It took a couple months and a national search, but we did find our Kismet. We're very happy with our "new" 1999 Tradewinds 7372 and have quickly developed a fantastic support network of several other '99 TW owners. Since we bought the Kismet a month ago we've driven her across five states and visited several cool places and state parks. She's going to see lots of use. If you're interested you can read more about the start of our adventure at http://ourhwylife.blogspot.com/2015/09/taking-leap.html Bastrop State Park, Bastrop, Texas Little America, Wyoming Visiting grandchildren in Houston, Texas

David: We have rented for years. In July this year we rented a 2013 Class A and took our daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren from Houston to San Francisco and back. It was one of our best trips ever despite having seven of us aboard. By the time we got back we had decided that it was time to buy. We made a very long list of everything we liked and didn't like about that MH and every other one we had rented or seen. The hands on experience really demonstrated that there were things that we had not thought about needing or wanting. Armed with our fresh list we looked and researched to find the coach that was just right for us. We ended up with more MH for less money than we thought possible. A month ago we bought our 16 year old DP and have been thrilled with the decision. I don't think we would be nearly as happy had we not rented and experienced the differences in what otherwise might look like equal MH makes and models. Be sure to do your homework, lots of it, and don't short change the mechanical elements like chassis, engine, transmission, and generator. Good Luck with your purchase! You can see what we did and continue to do on our blog http://www.HwyLife.us David & Linda Fayetteville, Texas

Your right behind us Gene. We just bought our first RV, a 37 foot 1999 diesel pusher, a little more than a month ago. We bought it in Salt Lake City, Utah, flew out and drove it across Wyoming and home to Texas right out of the box. We had a great time and a great experience. Hope you do as well. I'm a former boat person myself and there are a lot of similarities between an RV and a boat for sure. I'll watch for your postings. We too started a blog with this adventure. You can catch up with us at www.HwyLife.us Good Luck and Great Travels! David & Linda