Hawdy Y'all

[duffysjim]

Hi to all.
I'm Jim and I'm an xxxxxxxxx. No, no, no; sorry, wrong forum. I need to be made smart and who better that the guys (and girls) in the trenches?
I have been camping and enjoying the outdoors and travel for almost 60 years now. I have every intention of retiring in December 2012 and hitting the open road. I was born in Wisconsin and spent 30 years in Europe (damn, half my life). I have also lived in 7 stated and traveled 43 with compliments of the US Army and DoD. I have a wanderlust that will not die. I ride a Harley Davidson RoadKing (and a small tent) when I go solo. I have a Fleetwood Scorpion S1 pop up SURV that can transport 3 bikes and sleep 4.
Girlfriend and I are looking to get us a Class A about 28 - 34 ft and towing the bike in an Ironhorse trailer. We want comfort and economy. Is that an oxymoron?
We visited the Louisville RV show in January and saw some very nice FREDs & Diesel Pushers but the nicest was a Tiffin Phaeton 42QRH. Unfortunately @ 42 ft it's too long and @ $204K too expensive.
We intend to be on the road most of the winter and go off the "beaten part", i.e. Area 51, The Burning Man, Space Shuttle launches, Key West, Cape Cod, maybe concert trails and many MC Rallies.
I have seen (only on paper and digits) the Damon Avanti, Fourwinds Serrano and the Sprinter Class A's
Of all I like the Serrano best but Tiffin is bringing out the "Breeze" @ 28ft later this year.
I’d like diesel torque, an island queen bed, nice/comfortable couch/dinette and place for a washer/dryer (if possible)
Ok, have at me but please be gentle. Hope to meet you on the road.
Jim

[louiskathy]

Hi Jim, Welcome! I think you know what you like... now it's the problem of affording what you want. There's some great deals out there and other webpages and forums that specialize in matching things for sale to those that are seeking to find it. We'll be waiting to see pics of what you get and where you get to go with it!! We seem to be in a transition phase of moving pics back into the threads right now. So as you look through the older posts, some of the pics might be missing at the moment. Again, Welcome to the group!

[audmars]

Welcome . . . I can see right now that you are going to be a great addition to our forum . . . We own a Tiffin and cannot say enough good things about it. The Breeze sounds perfect for you and they are do a 30' and 32' foot from what I hear. Stay tune to the Tiffin site. They are suppose to come out in March. The factory is here in Alabama a well worth the trip . Post some pics of your travels and jump right in . . .

[edjunior]

Welcome Jim! Good to have you aboard. Hmmm, looking at your want/need list there, I'm not sure the 28' side of your desire is going to work. You may be able to cram a queen island bed in the back, but I don't think you'll find one with a washer/dryer. It sounds like you'll need to get up to at least a 32' for something like that. Unless you are dead set on a brand new one, I might suggest you consider a used one. There are some terrific deals out there on some low mileage class A/C units. I would also highly recommend getting at least one slide in whatever you get. Even a small slide can make a huge difference in the amount of space you have (perceived or real). And I think you are on track with a diesel since you'll be pulling a trailer with that bike pretty much full time. While a nice big V8 or the V10 would work, the diesel will have a much easier time of it.

Again, welcome...looking forward to more from you!

[MikeWeidig]

Welcome aboard Jim. Sounds like you have the biggest majority of it figured out. I think Edjr is right in that the smallest you are going to get and have a W/D combo is 32'. As for the shuttle launch, you need to hurry up on that one as that program is drawing to an end, and it is most definitely worth the trip to see. Not sure what's in store for a replacement, but they can't just scuttle the whole space program, got way too much invested in it for that.

[TexasTraveler]

Hey Jim, welcome to RV Pics. I pull a 5'ver so can't comment on the coaches, but wish you luck in your search for the right one.

We have several retired military and/or DoD guys on here, so you'll be in good company.

But one question ... your retired military/DoD and you WANT to visit Area 51? You KNOW it doesn't exist ... right?

[Junebug]

Welcome welcome!!!! Sounds like you have a plan underway. Look forward to your sharing some of your pics from your travels.

[bellebustersmommy]

Welcome Jim sounds like you have a plan. I saw an articial about the new Breeze in the motorhome mag. It sounds nice but just a little to small. The 30 and 32 foot sounds nice. Post some pics when you get them.

[Bill & Lisa]

Welcome Jim,
By now hopefully you will have had a chance to look at some other posts and realize that, unlike some sites, we don't get our kicks out of flaming on other's posts or opinions. We will tease and joke like we would with family but any overly strong opinions (to the exclusion of all others) is quickly taken to the side, counseled and allowed to remain or banned based on their subsequent actions. So, let that breath you been holding out, relax, and enjoy one of the best sites on the web!