We're in the market as well so I'm interested to hear responses. My friend has a huge PaceArrow and it really is a nice way to go to dog shows. We went to the National in it and was very roomy with 4 people & 6 dogs. We laid the table down and you can fit 3 crates in that space. (Well, in this motorhome anyway). Outside storage was great and very important.

I don't know anything about motorhomes so I can't picture what you're describing, but it sounds like the kind of thing we're looking for. We don't need to house 4 people and 6 dogs, just 2 people and 3 dogs, but I'm very tall and like the idea of "very roomy."

We are looking for a used one. Preferably with a couple of slide-outs, for that "very roomy" feeling. And also plenty of space for crates and for living when not showing. An awning is a great idea. I hadn't thought of that, but it sounds like a necessity. Wood or tile floors rather than carpet sounds like a good idea. The whole thing about being very high loading and unloading is a consideration because I am ancient and not gettin' any younger! But none of the online photos or descriptions seem to address that. If anyone has a good make or model to look for, I'd love to hear about that.

I saw a used 36' Fleetwood that is a Class A (meaning it's kind of like a bus, where the driving and living areas are connected) that sounds pretty good, and we might go look at it. My biggest insecurity is that I don't really know what I'm looking for.

Diesel fuel is widely available in the areas that I travel, as are truck stops. Diesel gets better mileage, but it is also more expensive to repair or get worked on (my son was a diesel mechanic).

Renting would be an awesome option, but most of the rental places specifically exclude pets (I looked into it when we were deciding between a lake house and a motorhome).

Don't get one without a rearview camera and automatic levelers.

http://www.rvweb.com/rvimgs/four_win...ear_garage.jpg
this is a picture of the type of rear storage that I have seen, those I have talked too love the storage.

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Tink
Bridge dogs, Tuffy, Blueboy, Pudge, Shasta, Maddie, Broker, Jet, Baily, and Reva

http://www.rvweb.com/rvimgs/four_win...ear_garage.jpg
this shows another style, some call it rear outside storage some call it a garage all though it is not one you can drive into like a toyhauler style
These come in pull trailers and in motorhomes

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Tink
Bridge dogs, Tuffy, Blueboy, Pudge, Shasta, Maddie, Broker, Jet, Baily, and Reva

a Class A with garage so you can see. You can find older used models and different style garages most acess from inside too like ours
RV Trader Insider - Official blog of RV Trader.com: 2009 Canyon Star 3920 by Newmar offers room for toys and more living space

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Tink
Bridge dogs, Tuffy, Blueboy, Pudge, Shasta, Maddie, Broker, Jet, Baily, and Reva

Things to think about, have a generator, they are expensive to add later even if the unit is plumbed with one. They come in handy for the shows listen to it run some are very loud you want one of the quiet one. You can hear them all but you don't want to be chased out of your own place running one. Most motorhomes have them that can run on fuel or propane. think about length how familar is the driver with running something that long. You don't want to buy something so big its hard to get around in it. Once you are out and about that is your source of transport so if you want to go to the store you have to tear down and take it unless you pull a car behind. For insurance motorhomes are more expensive then a pull trailer because they have an engine and it will need full coverage if you get a loan. But if you use them alot you can write them off or you used to be able to as a second home. Visability some have better visability then others sit in the seat as a driver to get an idea. Does it have a back up camera very useful! Understorage is it easy access the doors open well and close easily. Some have very heavy doors and can be ackward to open but most are good so check.

If gas watch the miles sometimes low miles on a older unit is not always the greatest as it may have sat around a lot. If it did was it stored in dry storage, garaged or gas motors don't like to sit around. What kind of roof does it have membrane or metal. Roofs can dry out over time and if metal they require reqular maintence for sealing them. Disels can have a lot of miles and still run strong, they also are better on hills and for towing. More expensive to work on but they can last for years and years of heavy towing. And we never have problem finding diesel for our truck.
have any unit inspected before purchase by outside person, check tires, check the roof for any dry rot, the inside ceiling for any stains that may show they had a leak. Have the generator run, motor gas or diesel inspected. You may pay a bit to have a mechanic go over it but it can save you thousands. My MIL had everything checked but the roof and it turned out to be toast took my husband hours to fix it. Have the title checked, look for crashes, flood damage lots of flood vehicals got moved around after Katrina, it is already showing up here in WA for vehicals from Sandy.

On flooring if it has carpet but is otherwise what you are looking for you can have it replaced with wood laminate, my friends just had a regular flooring guy do it for their very expensive coach and you could not tell it was not factory. You have to go thin. Also check that the fridge is in good repair to replace one can run you about 1500 to 2000 easy.

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Tink
Bridge dogs, Tuffy, Blueboy, Pudge, Shasta, Maddie, Broker, Jet, Baily, and Reva

One last things Class A are taller, C are some of the shortest

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Tink
Bridge dogs, Tuffy, Blueboy, Pudge, Shasta, Maddie, Broker, Jet, Baily, and Reva

Dana,

You should check out our friend Jodi's motorhome at the next show she is at....I will find out when and where. Her motorhome is a Class A, has a queen sized bed in the back and a sofabed (with an air mattress in it) in the front. It has slideouts in the bedroom and main room so it's very good sized. She took out the kitchen table and put 2 crates in and another crate easily fits on the ground in the living room area. It's carpet/tile and I think that's perfect. The dogs don't slip and slide all over the place and it is cozier than all tile/wood IMO.

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Thanks! I hope she will be at the Costa Mesa show. That sounds like exactly the kind of motorhome we've been fantasizing about.