Community Forums

CampingcrazyShirley · 02-17-2015, 02:58 PM

HELP! My DH wants to get rid of our current MH, which we bought new back in 2007. It's a Damon Challenger bunkhouse model. He wants to go to a DP for lots of reasons, mostly being comfort and we don't need the bunkhouse any longer. We only have 31,000 miles on it, and last year replaced the fuel pump on the genny and recaulked entire coach. We have replaced an inverter, the hydraulic pump for levelers, and minor things over the past few years. It's an entry level coach I know, but it's served us pretty well. Oh yes, and we just put new tires all the way around less than 6 months ago. We are quite a few years away from retirement, so anything we purchase at this time is going to be around the same vintage or probably older due to the cost of the DP. I'm not sold on the idea of buying someone elses headaches, as I know everything that we have done to ours as we purchased new. We have purchased used 5th wheels and trailers over the years, so it's not that I'm opposed to purchasing used. He loves the Fleetwood Discovery 38' model. I'm fine with this unit, just can anyone give me pros and cons of this unit OR does anyone else have suggestions? I would assume this would be our second to last MH, as more than likely we would buy new or close to it at retirement. His biggest complaint on the Damon is the ride and the drivers seat is so uncomfortable on longer trips. I get it, but I want to be prudent before I go off and sell ours. Any information you may have on this produce good and bad is apprecaited, and anything we must be on the lookout for. Thanks for all the help.

PeaceOwl · 02-17-2015, 03:12 PM

Try to find enough time to drive them. I really think it makes it easier to decide on the make and year. Do a lot of reading, narrow it down to two or three brands first, it helps the confusion that keeps getting thrown at you from all directions.

Have you read any of the "gone with the Wynn's" articles and reviews? They have a Fleetwood diesel. We almost bought one, but my DH wanted the Tiffin. We are on our way to yosemite right now, and there is a difference in comfort from our previous itasca Sprinter. You will like the diesel.

Good luck, Shirley! You guys probably know more than most with your experience, so go for it. Just take your time and check them out closely.

krivanj · 02-17-2015, 03:17 PM

You will find on this site, Don't drive a DP unless you want to buy one. They drive much nicer than the gas RVs, kind of like a greyhound bus feeling.
Also, sometimes a used one has all the new factory problems worked out. Many think this is so, including me.
Discovery is a good unit. Fleetwood has great customer service from the factory, even if you bought it new.
I would drive a few first at a dealers.

Mr_D · 02-17-2015, 03:23 PM

We went from a 35' gas Santara to a 2000 Dutch Star DP, then a 2002 Dutch Star DP and just about to take delivery of a used 2009 Country Coach Magna. Each has driven, handled better and been quieter than the one before it. And each has been bigger and more powerful than the one before it.
Both of you need to agree on floorplan and gas or DP before you buy anything.

USMC1968 · 02-17-2015, 03:43 PM

I made the mistake of driving a DP two years ago and finally found the unit I had to have... LOVE my 2004 National Tropi Cal T370...

jerryhawkins · 02-17-2015, 04:56 PM

The DP will have air brakes with air suspension just those two extras makes it worthwhile not to mention the jake brake for descending hills. It also is so much more stable when meeting or passing trucks Etc. With the air suspension. My cousin is on his second Discovery and has been very pleased with both. I have a Travel Supreme and it would be very difficult to go back to a gas coach I drove eleven hours last Thursday and wasn't that tired even though I'm 72 years young. Good Luck in your decision.

Steve Ownby · 02-17-2015, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CampingcrazyShirley

HELP! My DH wants to get rid of our current MH, which we bought new back in 2007. It's a Damon Challenger bunkhouse model. He wants to go to a DP for lots of reasons, mostly being comfort and we don't need the bunkhouse any longer. We only have 31,000 miles on it, and last year replaced the fuel pump on the genny and recaulked entire coach. We have replaced an inverter, the hydraulic pump for levelers, and minor things over the past few years. It's an entry level coach I know, but it's served us pretty well. Oh yes, and we just put new tires all the way around less than 6 months ago. We are quite a few years away from retirement, so anything we purchase at this time is going to be around the same vintage or probably older due to the cost of the DP. I'm not sold on the idea of buying someone elses headaches, as I know everything that we have done to ours as we purchased new. We have purchased used 5th wheels and trailers over the years, so it's not that I'm opposed to purchasing used. He loves the Fleetwood Discovery 38' model. I'm fine with this unit, just can anyone give me pros and cons of this unit OR does anyone else have suggestions? I would assume this would be our second to last MH, as more than likely we would buy new or close to it at retirement. His biggest complaint on the Damon is the ride and the drivers seat is so uncomfortable on longer trips. I get it, but I want to be prudent before I go off and sell ours. Any information you may have on this produce good and bad is apprecaited, and anything we must be on the lookout for. Thanks for all the help.

Sounds like you have out grown the Damon because you family has grown enough that the bunkhouse configuration is not needed anymore. These floorplans are in demand so why don't you sell the Damon. You will get more $$ than trading to a dealer and then you will be able to negotiate for another unit without having a trade involved.

Do some soul searching about what your wants, needs and expectations are for the next few years & go kicking tires and test driving.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

homeless · 02-17-2015, 05:07 PM

Only real men have DP!

Crasher · 02-17-2015, 07:11 PM

Ask yourself how much time do you spend "Driving or Riding " in the Damon? Then, how much time is spent parked and living in it? For just a few hundred dollars, your husband can replace the drivers seat with a comfortable Flexsteel one. How far are you from retirement? Will buying a DP now, that you say you would replace at retirement, impact your desired lifestyle after retirement. Will keeping your Damon, which has been well cared for, allow you to purchase a better quality DP at retirement? Although my last four coaches have been DP, and they are nice, without knowing the answers to these questions, I don't feel qualified to encourage you to go looking for one.

Mr_D · 02-17-2015, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerryhawkins

The DP will have air brakes with air suspension just those two extras makes it worthwhile not to mention the jake brake for descending hills.

Not necessarily, most DP's have exhaust brakes, not jake brakes although Jacobsen does make exhaust brakes too but they are not the same.
Our Dutch Star has the ISC 350 and it has an exhaust brake and it's OK, the Magna has a variable vane brake with three positions and off. The lowest setting is equal to the exhaust brake on the ISC.

Clayobx · 02-17-2015, 07:20 PM

Welcome,,let him buy the DP, enjoy , life is way too short!

Gordon Dewald · 02-17-2015, 07:24 PM

Changing to a DP will be good for your comfort and his soul.

Nothwithstanding all of the pros and cons the best thing to do is change ONLY if you find a floor plan that suits both of you and fits the lifestyle you anticipate using if for.

adamfolger · 02-17-2015, 09:29 PM

Woman...Happy man, happy plan

Ray,IN · 02-17-2015, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crasher

Ask yourself how much time do you spend "Driving or Riding " in the Damon? Then, how much time is spent parked and living in it? For just a few hundred dollars, your husband can replace the drivers seat with a comfortable Flexsteel one. How far are you from retirement? Will buying a DP now, that you say you would replace at retirement, impact your desired lifestyle after retirement. Will keeping your Damon, which has been well cared for, allow you to purchase a better quality DP at retirement? Although my last four coaches have been DP, and they are nice, without knowing the answers to these questions, I don't feel qualified to encourage you to go looking for one.

I agree with your outlook. Making all the desired upgrades to the Damon that are as-yet still needed, will be about 2 months payments on a new DP.
Then save the anticipated payments for when retirement arrives for a larger down-payment on the new MH.