Community Forums

stepside454 · 03-20-2016, 01:20 PM

We are reaserching buying our next motorhome, possibly our full time rig. Currently we have a 96 36 ft single slide Fleetwood Bounder on a Ford F53.
I've been casually shopping around for used rigs in the 30-50k range , 10-15 yrs old . I've found that DPs in that price range are as common as gas units , & of course I realize there are some benefits to a DP over gassers, however I also understand DPs have higher maintenance costs. So here's my question .
Assuming things are basically equal, 2 well maintained Rigs, one gas, 1 diesel, both to be driven say, 7500 miles a year. How much more is yearly maintenance on average is a DP over gasser . Excluding actual repairs, as that's another topic. Thanks, John

**CLIFFTALL** · 03-20-2016, 01:23 PM

Here's a link to some previous threads on this that should assist.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=D...I4PBmAX804b4Bg

stepside454 · 03-20-2016, 01:25 PM

Thx

mel s · 03-20-2016, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepside454

We are reaserching buying our next motorhome, possibly our full time rig. Currently we have a 96 36 ft single slide Fleetwood Bounder on a Ford F53.
I've been casually shopping around for used rigs in the 30-50k range , 10-15 yrs old . I've found that DPs in that price range are as common as gas units , & of course I realize there are some benefits to a DP over gassers, however I also understand DPs have higher maintenance costs. So here's my question .
Assuming things are basically equal, 2 well maintained Rigs, one gas, 1 diesel, both to be driven say, 7500 miles a year. How much more is yearly maintenance on average is a DP over gasser . Excluding actual repairs, as that's another topic. Thanks, John

stepside454
If you exclude repairs methinks it depends more on whether you do your own required maintenance or if you pay to have it done than whether its a DP or a gasser.
Either can, (and probably will), be a "money pit".
Mel
'96 Safari

stepside454 · 03-20-2016, 01:40 PM

Oh I understand money pit . On my gasser I've been doing my own oil filter changes . When we go full timing I don't know if I'll continue to do it myself or not .

palehorse89 · 03-20-2016, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepside454

Oh I understand money pit . On my gasser I've been doing my own oil filter changes . When we go full timing I don't know if I'll continue to do it myself or not .

When I retire so will the yearly maintenance on the Coach, no house/garage to preform it in..........Speedco will take over then

Speedco

lllkrob · 03-20-2016, 01:45 PM

To answer your question, you can figure on the annual maintenance cost of a DP to be in the range of 3X to 5X what you spend to maintain your gas rig. I've had both and tracked the cost of each.

MSHappyCampers · 03-20-2016, 03:52 PM

If you're asking about routine maintenance, it's no big deal! I pay Speedco less than $300 per year for the maintenance on the MH AND generator!

stepside454 · 03-20-2016, 04:01 PM

Now the next question is actual repairs.
Generally are repairs more frequent ?
More expensive ?

Mr_D · 03-20-2016, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepside454

Now the next question is actual repairs.
Generally are repairs more frequent ?
More expensive ?

They certainly were on our rig!

jacwjames · 03-20-2016, 04:14 PM

IMHO the diesel pushers are usually more complicated with bells and whistles, all of which increase the possibility/probability of having to have repairs done.

I own a 2002 Windsor, bought used in 2008, not including any upgrades we've done (TV's, flooring, lighting) below is most of what I've had to deal with in the last 7 years

ECU for the transmission, $3K
EMS circuit board $500
Water Heater $600
Exhaust Manifold $600
Radiator caused by road debris $5.5K (most covered by insurance)
Thermovalve damaged my Cummins $265
CAC repaired while radiator was out $1650
Water Pump $125

The last 4K mile trip we took in 2015 was uneventful.

Haven't driven it yet in 2016 so will the "story continues"!

Will probably have to have new tires at the end of 2016, at least the front.

I have informed my wife that if any major issues arise we may have to hang it up, can't afford this lifestyle for long.

mel s · 03-20-2016, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepside454

Now the next question is actual repairs.
Generally are repairs more frequent ?
More expensive ?

stepside454
RV repairs on a DP are not any more expensive than on a gasser...but engine, chassis, drive train and engine repairs usually are.
Mel
'96 Safari, 147k miles

stepside454 · 03-20-2016, 04:43 PM

Jacwjames, that's scary.

jacwjames · 03-20-2016, 07:42 PM

Most of these repairs were done in the last 3 years, the first 4 years we owned the coach there were minimal problems. I'm hoping we are over the hump.

Last year with the radiator failure was stressful. The first trip after getting the coach back after it had been in the shop for 6 weeks is when I found the exhaust manifold broke.

I think one of the previous post compared owning a motorhome and a boat were about the same. I'd say they are right.

BUT still wouldn't trade it for nothing, I do enjoy being out traveling. My ear's perked up today when my wife mentioned a trip up through Michigan and across the UP to Wisconsin this summer.