On the way back from our recent Barth gathering in Mass. (thanks again Bill G for putting it together), we were having a discussion on the difference between a motorcoach, a motorhome and a RV. I do not know if there is an actual difference other than what someone may refer to his or her motorhome as. I thought that maybe a motorhome was a "production, mass produced" unit where a motorcoach was custom made. I assume that a RV can be a multitude of items, including trailers. Can anyone tell us? We have noticed that some folks get offended when you refer to their "motorcoach" as a motorhome or RV.
Thanks, Bruce

Some of those terms are more specific than others, the way I've learned them:

RV (recreational vehicle): covers any kind of camper. Motorhomes (Classes A, B, C, and all the hybrids), all varieties of trailers (5th wheel, travel trailer, pop-up, newer hybrids), and truck campers.

Motorhome - an RV with a motor, simply put. You drive it instead of tow it.

Motorcoach - a high-class, expensive luxury motorhome. Probably a diesel pusher if it's a late model version. Monaco, Tiffin, and Prevost are three SOB makes that jump to mind and fit this category. One of these new will cost more than most of our houses do.

So technically a motorcoach is both a motorhome AND an RV in the broad sense, but given the amount of money that it takes to purchase one... I can see why a motorcoach owner would want their own category.

Just a guess, but perhaps "motorcoach" refers to a coach built on or from a true "bus" chassis. This would include some of the top of the line Barths, but the old Euro probably couldn't join the club. My feelings are NOT hurt.

If the sales tax on a luxury motorhome would be more than you have in your Barth, it's a "motorcoach"...

Sometimes I've seen the term "motorcoach" just to mean a big conventional long-distance bus. This is one on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-Prevost-H3-41-Motor...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

In the RV context, maybe the motorcoach term means the chassis used to build the vehicle.
Matt

This is just a personal thing, but I have always thought of a Barth as a "Coach" rather than an RV, Motorhome etc.

Most long time Barth owners or the Barth Ranger group refer to their Barths as "Coaches".

Interesting. I was in for repairs this past winter at a place in Las Cruces NM. A woman asked the owner about the Barth, he said it was like a Grey Hound Bus !

Jim

"Coach" or "Motorcoach" is an upscale term for "Motor Home."

The vehicles in Family Motor Coach Association's magazine, for example, are more upscale than those in Motor Home magazine. Judging by the ads in each magazine, the target audiences are more upscale in the former, as well.

Prevosts and Newells are Coaches. Winnebagos and Coachmen are Motor Homes.

And to add to the absurdety, a coach is what you travel in, a home is what you live in!

quote:

Originally posted by bill h:
"Coach" or "Motorcoach" is an upscale term for "Motor Home."

The vehicles in Family Motor Coach Association's magazine, for example, are more upscale than those in Motor Home magazine. Judging by the ads in each magazine, the target audiences are more upscale in the former, as well.

Prevosts and Newells are Coaches. Winnebagos and Coachmen are Motor Homes.

I find it interesting that FMCA has been decrying the chronic loss of members, yet the whole magazine is dedicated to old people with huge "motorcoaches".

quote:

yet the whole magazine is dedicated to old people with huge "motorcoaches".

That is so true Rusty, no matter how old I get those FMCA guys seem older. I am not knocking the Masons, but I bet they all are Shriner guys.

Oh crap, now Lee Merriman will never come on this web site... sorry BillNY

The FMCA Rally in Fl. last Feb. was huge! If they are going down in numbers it isn't very apparent at a rally like that one.
There were only 2 Barth's there though, Don Scalzo's Breakaway and a beautiful 1990 Regency 32' owned by a man from Tampa, it's the one that kind of sealed our fate ... we went and found our own Regency.
Don

Some very interesting thoughts here folks, and I welcome more input! It seems that there is NO real difference in the two terms of motorhomes and motorcoaches, other than what you personally want to refer to yours as. I did a google and yahoo search to see if there was a defined explanation of the two terms, but came up with nothing. I have realized that those who spend big $$$'s (i.e. Prevost and Newell) do NOT want their RV's referred to as motorhomes. I guess when you spend that much money, you want to differentiate (did I spell that right???) yourself from the rest.
I still wonder if a motorcoach would be a "custom" (as Barth's are) compared to a motorhome that would be "mass produced and all look the same"? As for me, I have referred to my Breakaway as everything listed here!
Bruce

P.S. Dave---it is good to see that you are still checking in!!! Hope all is well with you.
Bruce
ooop's, this might be a thread alert?

....and there is the FMC motor coach!!