Well, I have given you my opinion while noting that others make this work...of course, once you own one you kinda have to, I wasn't trash talking current owners. It's all part of the adventure I guess
Not to beat this up but the devil is in the details-
-things would depend where you go and on your rig. As said, a huge key is length, anything over 25' and you are looking for trouble. I have problems at 24' parking at the Hatchery, Doug's I barely fit and only cuz I have good ground clearance, super great turning radius, The Wall I don't bother even trying, no turn around, Swell City they will have a fit if you pull in. Downtown Hood River I have about 4-5 spots I check where I can park, am reasonably level and won't get ticketed or I have to go to Windance and bike over
Florence Jetty I can just barely turn around and have people get past, clearance is an issue there too but doable, same with Pistol River. Safeway parking lots barely let me into a 2 stall but it's the swing length that's the sticky part as with downtown areas like HR.
-Yes, the rack is cool, ~2 right?, hitch is flush usually with the bumper, then add 17-3/4" for the bar, then the overall 26" of the basket as per the specs, you are now at almost 4', ferries round up. BC ferries 5.35, Coho 5.25/ft, 2.5% fuel surcharge, taxes, return = you do the math, $55 each trip?
-dust and abuse of gear...I was thinking about the trips to the Nat or even Florence Jetty. NO dust then?? When I store roof stuff, no issue as dust/sand flies off, from pothole impacts I have seen board bags chafe right through, board tails split, masts chip (nasty if @the ferule or base). And there is the drag from the boards sticking above the rig. Sails store ok on end as long as you remember to keep the battens up
so then with all the padding you need to add the salt water collects in the basket from wet sails and rusts out the base of your basket. If you don't do rough roads I guess not much worry.
-security... without a ladder (I use a portable boat ladder, not the best solution, dropped one board because of it
) I'd like to see you try to get up on the roof of most motorhomes easily, certainly mine...thieves are generally not that clever (like to drive their vehicle...if they have one... beside yours and climb up.....ooops)
-The hitch is the strongest link, the frames on the motorhomes are usually only butt welded, not even lap welded right onto the existing frame. It's then like a bowlingball on the end of a bamboo pole, check it out. Usually also your water tank and heater are back there adding to the load. If you are a one board quiver guy, great. I carry 3-5 boards, 6-7 sails, 3-4 booms, 4 masts, kayak, paddle, rigging gear. Gonna add a SUP. All adds up to close to 300lbs. The rack also weighs, the basket alone is 60lbs.. Alternatively, if you bolt all that perhaps with walls yet onto the back of your 2x2" pinebeetle motorhome wall, it will eventually rip the whole back end right off....and you may hurt somebody in the process too. I drove my old C class around with a full load back there and it felt like the front tires were coming off the friggen road, handling was noticably affected.
bottom line, the shorter the better! If you plan to add 2+' I'd advise to get a 22-23' moho and they are rare.
-backing accidents also tend to happen up higher, I have clipped several tree branches I hadn't considered, hanging flower baskets and a gutter on a building
Boards sticking up vertically are a bit of a target. But then you are probably a much better driver than me
-C vs. A class, the biggest difference I think is in the view and space
You have a commanding view while driving. I have an overhead bunk I can drop for the kids so I don't lose out on that cool feature (great to have the kids up there) but that is very rare. When they are not in bed I can turn the front seats so they face the living area and make use of this space. The glass is all around the front and sides. The windows can breathe better via vents and the domed laminated roof promotes proper run off and not a bird bath. The heater is forced air and wonderfully silent, also keeping your tanks from freezing up in the ski area. The dust free basement storage also adds warmth in winter and space for skis or sails and can be locked. Once you have had that it is tough....no...impossible to go back.
Anyway, just food for thought.
always liked this one for its cool alu cabinet, mega weight on the frame tho