Community Forums

Jorjan · 10-15-2005, 05:35 AM

I am interested in comments on ride and handling characteristics between different Diesel Motor Home chassis. I have owned RV's for 42 years. I have never owned or driven a Diesel Motor Home. Short drives will not be effective in evaluating how a coach will drive in adverse condiitions, ie wind, rough and windy roads, and road grooves produced by trucks and studded tires and all of these combined. I presently have a '98, 35', gas with a ford (460) chassis. I tow a Honda Accord. I thought I might go extravagant this time and get a Diesel Pusher. The only real advantage I can conceive that a diesel has is its road manners, and perhaps a quieter ride. I believe today's gas engines have plenty of power for a 35' coach. I have been looking at a 36' or 38' Diesels. Based on internet comments of Alpine being the best handling coach, I looked at them but came away disappointed. I think Alpines up front storage is lacking in the three side configuration, and the small roadside side slide makes it confining in the two slide configuration. The Alpine is also on the high side of the price that I want to pay. The two caches that I am presently looking at are the Beaver Monterey and Holliday Rambler Endeavor. The online comments have been disturbing for the Beaver (Poor handling and smoking/overheating Cat engines). I have not been successful in finding any comments on the Endeavor. Your comments on Diesel coach Handling, and particularly, the Beaver Monterey, And Holliday Rambler Endeavor would be greatly appreciated.
Jordan

Jorjan · 10-15-2005, 05:35 AM

I am interested in comments on ride and handling characteristics between different Diesel Motor Home chassis. I have owned RV's for 42 years. I have never owned or driven a Diesel Motor Home. Short drives will not be effective in evaluating how a coach will drive in adverse condiitions, ie wind, rough and windy roads, and road grooves produced by trucks and studded tires and all of these combined. I presently have a '98, 35', gas with a ford (460) chassis. I tow a Honda Accord. I thought I might go extravagant this time and get a Diesel Pusher. The only real advantage I can conceive that a diesel has is its road manners, and perhaps a quieter ride. I believe today's gas engines have plenty of power for a 35' coach. I have been looking at a 36' or 38' Diesels. Based on internet comments of Alpine being the best handling coach, I looked at them but came away disappointed. I think Alpines up front storage is lacking in the three side configuration, and the small roadside side slide makes it confining in the two slide configuration. The Alpine is also on the high side of the price that I want to pay. The two caches that I am presently looking at are the Beaver Monterey and Holliday Rambler Endeavor. The online comments have been disturbing for the Beaver (Poor handling and smoking/overheating Cat engines). I have not been successful in finding any comments on the Endeavor. Your comments on Diesel coach Handling, and particularly, the Beaver Monterey, And Holliday Rambler Endeavor would be greatly appreciated.
Jordan

Gary RVRoamer · 10-15-2005, 05:55 AM

My buddy has a 2002 Monterrey and has none of the handling problems or smoking you refer too. I think he has a Cummins 8.3 in his, though.

Another friend has an older single slide Endeavor and it has been very reliable as well.

I think motorhome "handling" is very much a mater of personal opinion/preference. I repeatedly see one person bad mouth a rigs handling and another give glowing reports on the same model of rig. One variable is the loading, which can make a huge difference, and another is their expectations. It ain't like the family car - big rigs will hndle beter in some was and worse in others. Since you've been driving them many years already, you no doubt are well aware of that.

In my opinion the advantages of a DP are quieter ride (rear engine), better (air) suspension on most models (however, there are entry level DP's with leaf springs, just like the gassers) and the superb Allison 3000MH 6 speed transmission, which will be standard on nearly all diesel chassis.

rvingsuz · 10-17-2005, 04:45 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">The two coaches that I am presently looking at are the Beaver Monterey and Holliday Rambler Endeavor. The online comments have been disturbing for the Beaver (Poor handling and smoking/overheating Cat engines). I have not been successful in finding any comments on the Endeavor. Your comments on Diesel coach Handling, and particularly, the Beaver Monterey, And Holliday Rambler Endeavor would be greatly appreciated.
Jordan </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi Jordan, I am a new Holiday Rambler Endeaver owner (05) having had mine for about 2 months. It is my first MH and thus the first I have driven. I recently drove it from S.E. Idaho to Las Vegas, traveling through many adverse road conditions including steep grades and high winds. I was very pleased with its handling and power in both conditions, not having any trouble and enjoying the trip. (At least until my small dog wanted out to go potty and without thinking I pulled to the shoulder of the road, forgeting that my coach weighs 33,000 lbs. and road shoulders are often very soft which proved to be the case in this instance.) I suggest you test drive a HR Endeavor and see if you like it as well as I like mine. I would be happy to answer any further questions you may have but am very much a novice in this area.

RV Wizard · 10-17-2005, 11:30 PM

Susan, welcome to iRV2.com. We are glad to have you join us here and look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. Thanks for posting of your new coach and congratulations. Take care and enjoy!