We started by attending a local RV show where we were able to review many different manufacturers in one place. What we didn’t realize was that only local retailers would be there and only displaying what they had to sell. Talk about newbies!
We knew early on that we wanted a Class A diesel pusher because we are traveling with two mid-size dogs and wanted space for them to move around during the trip. Our goal was to narrow our search down to a few manufacturers and then start an on-line in-depth study of lengths, layouts, features, finishes, and cost. From the show we learned about the Tiffin brand and so we started our search there.
Deciding on the length was very difficult – we wanted the longer size for room, but the shorter length for maneuverability. We also heard that the National Parks limited the size of the RVs if staying on-site due to the age of the campgrounds. Ultimately we went with the bigger size as we could not fathom the four of us cramped into a smaller space – it’s a hard decision when you are moving from a large house into an RV. We decided on a 40 footer.
The floor plan layout that really spoke to us was the master suite in the rear of the coach with a half bath, kitchen and dinette in the middle, with two recliners and a couch up front. We thought that this setup would suite our needs and allow us to house visitors along the way.
Features vary from layout to layout and we had determined the must-haves, the nice-to-haves, and the not necessary. Must haves: king size master bed, large shower, full size refrigerator, couch capable of becoming a queen size bed for guests, automatic levelers, dinette with free standing chairs, tile floors, washer & dryer and a dishwasher (not Ed). Nice to haves: exterior TV, exterior refrigerator and awnings. Not necessary: fireplace, heated floors, nor automatic awnings.
Picking the interior and exterior finishes really add your personal flair and make the coach feel like home. On the interior we wanted darker wood cabinets, wood looking tile flooring and lighter wall treatments and fabrics. We really liked the “NASA” inspired gray paint on the exterior.
The final decision (and probably deciding factor) was cost. Since an RV is a depreciating asset it is very hard to look at brand new ones. However, the new ones are very shiny and carry the full warranty. The MSRP is no where near the price that you will pay so shop wisely.
The actual Busse Bus:
Brand new 2017 Newmar Dutch Star 4369
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