COACHMAN LEPRECHAUN CLASS C MOTORHOME

[world travelers-not]

MY HUSBAND AND I ARE RECENTLY RETIRED AND LOOKING TO FULLFILL OUR DREAM OF TRAVELING THE USA. WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT A 2003 CLASS C COACHMSAN LEPRECHAUN WITH FORD E450 V10 GAS ENGINE. WE HAVE HEARD SOME PRO (FROM DEALER) AND CONS (FROM A FRIEND WHO DOES NOT HAVE THIS MOTORHOME) TO STAY AWAY FROM COACHMAN IN GENERAL. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INPUT WE CAN GET SINCE WE ARE REAL NOVICES AT RVING.

[C Nash]

Welcome to the forum Robin, I would rate the Coachman somewhere in the middle. I would be more concerned about the care it had received. Look for any signs of leaks especially around the front top cab area. Check for any soft spots. Is it from a dealer or owner? How many miles? Does it have service records? Be sure to stay in it long enough to see if it will be confortable living fulltime in? Even a 2003 can have serious problems. Look around and never buy the first thing you fall in love with. Shop around. Good luck and keep us posted.

[TexasClodhopper]

I agree with Chelse, a class C with a window in the cab-over bunk area is going to leak there. You'll find rotted wood.

[world travelers-not]

THANKS FOR THE INFO, WE WILL DEFINATELY CHECK OUT THE CAB AREA OF THE CLASS 3'S WE LOOK AT. I KNOW THE FORD V10 IS A GAS GUZZLER, THAT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. WE HAVE JUST BEGUN TO LOOK AT RV'S AND IT'S A LOT TO TAKE IN! WE ARE NOT SOLD ON CLASS 3 MOTOR HOME, BUT THOUGHT THSAT MIGHT WORK BEST FOR US. WE COULD BE WRONG! WE ARE OPEN TO ANY SUGGESTIONS OR ANY EXPERIENCES YOU MAY HAVE.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP!

[C Nash]

I would not rule out the class A or maybe a fifth wheel for fulltiming. Most fulltimers chose one of these but, I have seen fulltimers in tents so go with what suits you just do your research.

[TexasClodhopper]

The Ford V-10 is not any more of a gas guzzler than most other gassers. It all depends on how hard you push your foot.

[C Nash]

I have a 32 ft Hr class A V10 Ford and average 8MPG. Best I have ever got was 13 and worse 6 while using generator driving so kids could stay cool in rear.

[tnarvs]

well i have a class A also ,, and a DP ,, and i get about 6mpg ,, but as tex and nash have said ,, look at every detail u can ,, u don't want to be out on the road ,, and then decide this is not really fun ,, or the really bad one ,,,, damn ,, how come the front of the class c is drooping ??,, yes tex is right ,, i have seen it more than twice ,, window over cab is a good area to have a leak ,, and many do not think to take care of it in time ,, and by that time ,, the cab over bunk is now in the driver's area

[brodavid]

sounds like a messy problem and a expensive fix

[H2H1]

IF U BUY AND THEN FIND SOME ROT,,,, just take it to Ken he is getting a lot experience on rebuilding from the ground up.