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09-29-2014, 06:14 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 14
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Choosing the right RV
I'm trying to decide between 2 RV
Class A diesel. 2005 holiday rambler ambassador with cummins diesel or a 2005 Thor Mandalay bay 38b with a Cat diesel. Any input would be appreciated.
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09-29-2014, 06:24 AM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 525
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After having a diesel and a gas now, we much prefer the gas. The maintenance on a diesel is about twice (or more) than a gas. Ride on the diesel was a little better but the gas is good too. For me, I can work on the gas model if I had to, the diesel not so much. If we were going to do it again, we would get another gas coach.
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R & E
No RV at the moment
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09-29-2014, 06:45 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Full-timer/volunteer w/SOWERS
Posts: 3,955
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OSP1268
After having a diesel and a gas now, we much prefer the gas. The maintenance on a diesel is about twice (or more) than a gas. Ride on the diesel was a little better but the gas is good too. For me, I can work on the gas model if I had to, the diesel not so much. If we were going to do it again, we would get another gas coach.
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I respectfully don't agree. I do most of my own work on my coach. This is the third dp. Cummins and Allison are hard to beat but that is just my opinion. Getting the fluids tested (I happen to use Blackstone labs) is a good way to know the condition of your rig. But, as a fulltimer I may have different requirements and expectations than you. I like the ride and features of a dp, though many gassers are very well appointed.
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Rick & Melissa Young, 2011 Itasca Meridian 40U, Frtliner XCL, Cummins ISL 380HP/DEF, Allison 3000 MH, 2014 Honda CR-V, SMI AF1, Blue Ox, EEZ TPMS, TruCenter steering control
Servants On Wheels Ever Ready. Best job we ever paid to do . (full time volunteers)
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09-29-2014, 08:41 PM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Milford,CT.
Posts: 2,237
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After having a gasser for 14 years and now a diesel for a couple of months I would never go back to gas.
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09-29-2014, 08:46 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Oops, sorry. Post removed as it's not relevant!
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2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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09-29-2014, 08:48 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 14
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Thanks for input but my post was not about diesel vs gas. Both coaches are DP. Trying to decide between the 2 brands
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09-29-2014, 08:58 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 409
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I had a CAT engine and had my share of issues. On thing to keep in mind is CAT no long makes on road engines so service of on road CAT engines is slowly declining and parts are getting more expensive and scarce. Not a deal breaker, but something to keep in mind
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Rich & Michelle
2014 Journey 42E
Chip & Dale, our kitties
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09-29-2014, 09:11 PM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Milford,CT.
Posts: 2,237
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RotnRose
Thanks for input but my post was not about diesel vs gas. Both coaches are DP. Trying to decide between the 2 brands
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I wouldn't touch a Thor.
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09-30-2014, 06:56 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Gulf Coast, Alabama
Posts: 2,450
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike brez
I wouldn't touch a Thor.
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Sorry, but that comment is like saying that you wouldn't touch GM vehicles because you don't like a certain brand within the realm. Thor is a holding company that bought a lot of different brands/manufacturers, and it has very little to nothing to do with how they are put together.
The comment confuses would-be buyers.
I'll put my Mandalay up against all other mid-range MHs around, including HR. I'd also go with a Cummins over a CAT for reasons previously stated. Both coach brands the OP is considering are fine.
P.S. that said, I pulled the Thor stickers off of my coach and, oddly, never found a single "Four Winds" sticker on it. "Mandalay" is all that is on it.
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Rick and Sandy
2003 American Eagle, 59K miles
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09-30-2014, 07:03 AM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Milford,CT.
Posts: 2,237
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Sorry but after seeing all the problems and the way Thor treated my buddy with his Pallazo I wouldn't touch anything Thor. If your going to your name on it stand behind it. JMHO
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10-01-2014, 11:44 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Full-timer/volunteer w/SOWERS
Posts: 3,955
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I have read, on this forum, more negatives than positives concerning Thor products. Winnebago industries has it's problems but, for the most part, they work with the customer to resolve issues.
That said, as far as chassis is concerned I will repeat; Cummins/Alison and Freightliner and Onan for the generator. None are perfect but all have great reputations, and used even in the big money rigs. Customer service and parts availability are to be considered. When you buy a coach consider if the company has a good and functioning service line for you. Because I have had two Winne products I can speak directly to this about them. YES. Forest City, IA is available for service at the Winne facility or phone support. As far as other manufactures go? Others more familiar with them will need to comment.
Choose your brand wisely (as I see you are trying to do). Then pick the model/floor plan, year, etc. I drove 1200 miles to buy this coach. It is not without issues but we still love it.
__________________
Rick & Melissa Young, 2011 Itasca Meridian 40U, Frtliner XCL, Cummins ISL 380HP/DEF, Allison 3000 MH, 2014 Honda CR-V, SMI AF1, Blue Ox, EEZ TPMS, TruCenter steering control
Servants On Wheels Ever Ready. Best job we ever paid to do . (full time volunteers)
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10-01-2014, 11:59 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,580
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I think that Thor today is not the Thor of 2005. I would be hard pressed to compare the Pallazo problems of today to what was produced back then.
I know the Holiday rambler should be pretty rock solid - you never hear too much about the 05 Mandalay. I would think some deep searching on this site and google directly on both models would prove useful to you.
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RVM#78 - -USAF- F-15 Eagle Radar Vet
'5 Fleetwood Revolution- '15 Airstream Intl Sig. 27FB
Jay, Andrea, Stella '14 Ram 3500 Aisin '18 ORV F30RLS
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10-01-2014, 12:11 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3,059
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RotnRose, I don't know if this helps or not, but when we were down to two brands we were interested in, I spent hours on this site looking under the Owners Forum for the specific brands that I was interested in. What I compared was what problems each brand had, complaints from owners re getting them fixed, and how many owners were bashing their own brand either due to quality, service, warranty work, or how they were treated by the dealers or MFG customer service people, also how many people praised their brand vs the other. Once I did that it made my decision so much easier. Take your time looking and don't rush into anything it's alot of money to spend on whatever you buy...Good Luck
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Mike & Charlotte
2014 Newmar Canyon Star 3610
Orange County, California
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10-01-2014, 12:18 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike and Cha
RotnRose, I don't know if this helps or not, but when we were down to two brands we were interested in, I spent hours on this site looking under the Owners Forum for the specific brands that I was interested in. What I compared was what problems each brand had, complaints from owners re getting them fixed, and how many owners were bashing their own brand either due to quality, service, warranty work, or how they were treated by the dealers or MFG customer service people, also how many people praised their brand vs the other. Once I did that it made my decision so much easier. Take your time looking and don't rush into anything it's alot of money to spend on whatever you buy...Good Luck
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great! advice
__________________
RVM#78 - -USAF- F-15 Eagle Radar Vet
'5 Fleetwood Revolution- '15 Airstream Intl Sig. 27FB
Jay, Andrea, Stella '14 Ram 3500 Aisin '18 ORV F30RLS
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