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07-30-2016, 07:43 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 269
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I'm also in the same boat, 3 young kids, just wrapping up 5k miles from the summer. I have been leaning towards a palazzo 33.3, smaller motor, any pitfalls? We are in a gasser bunkhouse now, hoping for a big upgrade when we jump to a dp.
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2007 Itasca Sunova 35J - Ford Chassis
Tucson, Arizona
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07-30-2016, 08:17 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 691
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc Vegas
I'm also in the same boat, 3 young kids, just wrapping up 5k miles from the summer. I have been leaning towards a palazzo 33.3, smaller motor, any pitfalls? We are in a gasser bunkhouse now, hoping for a big upgrade when we jump to a dp.
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Storage might be an issue with the xcs chassis. There is pass through storage technically, but the frame rails go right through the storage space. I like the mid entry and front bunk, but not the chassis. Wish other companies would come out with a raised rail mid entry coach (other than Newell of course)
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07-31-2016, 09:09 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Leander, TX
Posts: 151
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We just picked up the Fleetwood Discovery 40G after looking at a lot of bunks, the 2016 models can be had brand new at around 212k, which to me is probably the best deal you can get.
- allison 3000 transmission
- ISL9 motor (upgradeablea to 450hp, still 1250tq)
- fleetwood custom chassis
We looked for a while and eventually settled on this, the sportscoach had some nice models but lacked the allison 3000 that I wanted for hills.
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08-12-2016, 09:15 AM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Elida, Ohio
Posts: 7
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I own a Forza 38R and have traveled from Ohio to Colorado with 6 adults, 2 children and 3 dogs. There was adequate room in the galley and living area
while traveling down the road. With the bunks and convertible dinette worked awesome. Easy access to 1/2 bath going down the road. A drawback is the driver seat is almost rendered useless while parked. No tv options in the bunks, but can view main tv from them.
I like the Forza 38W layout a bit more with the extra shower and kitchen slide...which might make drivers seat and tv viewing more useful...if you can get the seat turned past the steering wheel. You loose the bunk dinette.
The Discovery 40G and Tiffin Allegro Red 38QBA have really narrow aisles when navigating down the road. The Red also has a small refrigerator for accommodating many mouths to feed on trips. The bathrooms are relatively small for the motorhomes size.
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08-13-2016, 08:54 AM
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#19
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Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 61
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looking to upgrade myself. today we have the storm 32BH gasser. would like to upgrade to a DP,.It fits our needs but ride is terrible on La. roads (21000 steps on the FITBIT while driving) If they (any company) would make it one with 1.5 bath opposing slides, 360+ 3000 tranny, booth dinnette and a drop down queen in front (grandkids use it for play area) and bunks that can hold up to 300 lbs.. It would be MH of the year.When dropping 200k+.seems like the companies would listen. Pretty much looked at all that was available down south La.(Fleetwood, Tiffin, Sportcoach, thor)
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08-13-2016, 09:18 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 691
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Agreed. Need bath and half with booth dinette, good sight line to tv while driving, residential fridge, and either bunks or drop down overhead upfront (like the Thor Venetian), and have good ccc and towing capacity (that leaves sportscoach and Berkshire out). Discovery would be great but only single bath. Newmar ventana le 4042 checks all the boxes except for booth dinette. :(.
Hate to say it but the Thor Venetian comes closest to what I'm looking for....just wish newmar had something for me
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08-13-2016, 12:06 PM
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#21
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Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 61
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gtsum2, I have to agree the 40BX is about as close as you can get. The walk through bath may have to take the place of the 1.5 bath. I did ask the sales to make sure you can walk around the pull out sofa when being used and you can. I looked at the pace arrow and you cannot walk around, you have to climb over.
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08-13-2016, 12:34 PM
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#22
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Moderator Emeritus
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 19,203
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I submit that the OP's desires are not so uncommon, but the desire for a Diesel Pusher puts you in a smaller market...4 gas motorhomes are sold for every 1 Diesel in North America.
If you want more choices, you might consider gas...
https://thormotorcoach.com/challenger/floorplans/
Like the Challenger 37TB.
The 360+ HP desire puts you in the ISB-XT or bigger engines = even less floor plan choices. These RV's are made for a customer that more usually lives the: "Six for drinks, four for dinner, and two for overnight" lifestyle...and these RV's have a matching price point.
IMHO, the much more common 6.7L six cylinder Diesel vs. 6.8 V10 gas with Ford's new 6speed are not as different in day-to-day operations as previous DP/Gas comparios.
Safe travels
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08-13-2016, 01:46 PM
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#23
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Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Mills NC Basecamp: Crestview FL
Posts: 96
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Consider another option to satisfy your needs?
Have you considered a custom motorcoach such as Haulmark, Showhauler or Renegade. I have visited the Showhauler plant and was impressed with the price point and what you got.
You have the options of custom floor plans, one heck of a CCC, and in many instances, less cost than a Class A DP.
Having 7 kids ourselves, that would have been a definite option way back then. Although back in the 70's, they actually designed coaches for large families, but not necessarily all the creature comforts we have become accustomed to now. Amazing how we survived with a 31' Class A and a pup tent, and no tow car. What were we thinking?
__________________
Dick and Karen
2005 HR End 40 PRQ / 2007 Saturn Vue / 2017 Honda FWD Ridgeline using Stehl dolly
US Navy Retired - 32 years
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02-22-2018, 02:04 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 108
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I totally agree. The Ventana LE 4042 is amazing, and would pull me over the 40-foot barrier for sure. I would want to buy one *right now* except for one thing: the lack of a booth dinette is a deal breaker. What genius thought that was a good idea?
Granted, a custom shop might be able to make that happen, if the space is big enough, but that would be costly. Another option would be to rip it out and put two captain's chairs with seat belts there (inline, like on the older Newmar All Star models, a floor plan I love!), and put a removable table in front of the sofa for dining. However, having to spend a whole bunch more money after plunking that much down on a new motorhome doesn't exactly give me a warm fuzzy, especially when the spend would be to correct what I view as an egregious factory design error.
Newmar, I hope you're reading this. You could sell a lot more Ventana LE 4042s if you fixed the dinette situation. I can't speak for others, but I'd be willing to give up that TV if that's what it took to make it happen. I don't go camping to watch TV.
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JB, wife, 3 daughters, my dad, 3 cats
'08 Bounder 35H towing 2009 Honda Odyssey
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02-22-2018, 02:39 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Western NY
Posts: 3,809
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I think you will find that the bunk house market has more possibilities than what you might think. Entegra has both the Insignia and Aspire that are bunk models that can sleep six comfortably. The Berkshire 45A can be had for amounts near what your budget is. The Ventana and Dutch Star lines both have bunk models that might fit your profile. We had our Berkshire 390bh for six years and it was a great unit. If you are willing to leave the comfort zone of a 38-40 foot rig, there are a lot of choices that may fit your needs.
__________________
2018.5 Entegra Aspire 44R-Sold, 2019 Chevy Blazer-Sold. 2022 Genesis GV-80.
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02-22-2018, 05:45 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 691
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Agreed on the vle 4042... it a fan of the dinette situation...otherwise love the layout
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02-22-2018, 06:14 PM
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#27
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 95
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Best bunk floor plan out there is the holiday rambler 40G
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02-22-2018, 07:05 PM
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#28
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 89
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Take a look at the Thor Aria 4000.
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Ron & Bridget
2017 Thor Aria 3601
2016 Jeep Cherokee, & Harley Trike
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