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03-25-2015, 08:17 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 2
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Need some Experienced help to clear confusion
My first post ever on any type of forum so please excuse any blunders.
We have a 2011 Avalanche 5th wheel and want to get a class A. I research things to death and at this point just have myself confused.
Here is the deal: Want to trade 5th wheel, like to stay under $100,000. Son accepted to Grad school in Seattle WA. We live VA. Another son with first grandchild in CA. Sooo, July we want to visit grandchild and move son to Seattle. Over 5000 mile round trip. 6 people traveling so it will need to accommodate but really want reliability for long trip. Also traveling through the desert in July so overheating and staying comfortable a concern. After this, wife and I plan to semi-retire in next year and travel more.
Now confusion. Diesel vs gas. Read hundreds of posts, lean toward diesel. Smooth ride and handle, wife nervous about driving, she hates to drive pulling 5th wheel. Old vs new. Older seems way to go but then get into 10 year rule at rv parks and problems with loans over 10 years old. Length, what is really a good length? As you know I could go on and on...
Bottom line, current need for this summer and longer term use what do you with experience think we should focus on and look for? Thanks so much!!
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03-25-2015, 08:34 AM
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#2
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,771
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Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!
I think it mostly comes down to your budget figure. I would highly recommend a diesel pusher, around 40'. Do a LOT of searching to find the floor plan you want. That will make a big difference in how happy you are with the MH!
If you get a really nice MH, even it it's over 10 years old, most parks won't turn you away.
We love our 2002 Windsor 40PBT! It has the perfect floor plan for us, Roadmaster 8-airbag chassis with full air leveling, side radiator, and a dream to drive and ride in! You will probably find this model at around $70K. We have made a lot of improvements for added comfort and safety, but that's a personal choice.
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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03-25-2015, 08:46 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,899
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Just make your list of what is important t o you.
What is a great feature to me, may be useless to you.
But here are a couple of things that the majority will agree on.
Diesels are expensive on maintenance. Most take about 6 gal. of oil and a $40 oil filter.
Tires are huge ($$$). $100 for a air filter.
Usually have more coach batteries, again more $ when replacing.
They do ride quiet and smooth.
My opinion is a diesel coach is a higher end rig, so you generally get more "fancy features".
Like a macerator toilet, really nice for short 2 & 3 day trips.
Our Phaeton is geared for two people, but can sleep 4 with the pull out couch. Not the best for a larger family.
if you buy used from a dealer make sure everything is working and make them fix stuff that is not as part of the deal. Don't settle for the "as is" pitch.
Good luck, it is always a hard decision.
__________________
2014 40QBH Phaeton DP Cummins 380HP ISL, Freightliner XC, 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk TOAD
Blue Ox Aventa tow bar, SMI Air Force One -Cave Creek, AZ.
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03-25-2015, 08:47 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: So.Cal.
Posts: 297
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You're in the same boat everyone else was at one time. Budget vs. Desire. At $100g, you will end up with a diesel that's several years old. MH's loose value faster than bowling ball off the empire state building. I would lean (and did) towards "newer" (within budget) which means it had to be 'gas'. Although people take care of their rigs, older models can have hidden problems. I also found it difficult to get a decent loan for anything over 6 years old. At 10 years old, it was a no-go period. For desert travel, you'll want to make sure you have dual a/c units and a decent size generator (5kw).
The newer gas rigs have 5 speed trans. World of difference when driving.
Size.. always a personal question.. but like breast implants.. get one a little bigger than you think you actually need. "Buy it nice, or buy it twice". Check out where you plan on stopping and see if there are any size limits. Too large (do I need to make breast references again??) can be a problem too. Difficult to maneuver, blocked out of smaller campgrounds, inter-city gas stations..etc.
__________________
2013 Itasca Sunova 30A
2006 Crownline 250cr
2012 Ram Laramie Longhorn
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03-25-2015, 09:15 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 310
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IMHO Make Your Lists . . . Must Have List, Would be Nice List and Don't Want or Need List. Then find the Floor Plan you like!
Questions: Will 6 people be traveling with you when you semi-retire? Or are the 6 just for this trip? If 6 is for that trip only, might want to rent a MH and focus on the long-term MH selection for your semi- retirement. If it will only be you 2 when you retire, you might look at shorter MH. We love our 36 foot for my husband and I and grandson. Our MH can sleep 4 adults and 2 kids; has seat belts for 6. Just a thought.
Good luck in your fun journey and keep us posted.
~ Kay
__________________
"Living Our Dreams and ❤️ The Ride!" Kay & Richard, Austin TX
2019 LTV Unity FX 25'
2014 Honda CR-V EX-L FWD
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03-25-2015, 09:22 AM
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#6
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Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 61
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Class A
I don't know if you can get a good diesel pusher for under $100,000, but for going back and forth across the Rockies, a diesel pusher will give you much better performance than a gas MH. We have been full-timing for almost 6 years, and have crossed the Rockies 6 times without a hitch in our 2009 Newmar Dutch Star 3623. Good luck with your search!
__________________
Barbara and Tom Palmer (Shelby the Border Terrier- over the rainbow bridge 28 Apr 2021)
2009 37' Newmar Dutch Star - full time for 9.5 years
2019 Newmar Bay Star Sport 2702 - our cute little thing NKK#19080
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03-25-2015, 12:50 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 470
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Here is a thought. If your 5th wheel can accommodate everyone during your trek across the nation and back, why don't you wait until you get everyone and yourselves where they need to be THEN go purchase the MH you need to accommodate fewer folks. The only problem would be 6 people in a Pick-up for hours at a time.
Depending on what you can get for your 2011 5er I would go with Diesel. more expensive yes but you may be sorry a few years down the road and wish you would have bought the diesel..Good luck to you guys and happy trails
__________________
Charlie & Diane Amato
2015 Winnebago Tour 42 QD
Ferndale, Arkansas
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03-25-2015, 12:52 PM
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#8
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Community Administrator
Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Marquette, Michigan "Da UP" & Lehigh Acres Florida
Posts: 21,827
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Quote:
Originally Posted by unicus5
My first post ever on any type of forum
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Good luck with your outcome.
__________________
John & Cathy R.
06 Pace Arrow 38L Workhorse W24
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03-25-2015, 01:18 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 7,114
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From my observations when we were looking to upgrade, I believe the DP units are generally higher quality construction, they tend to cater to a higher end customer, and they garner a higher resale value than a gas unit.
I am a tinkerer and like to screw around with the systems, and we did not require that level of quality, so are quite happy with our gasser, at this time.
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03-25-2015, 03:14 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Sterling Heights, MI
Posts: 2,723
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__________________
Tricia & Dennis Lockhart
2010 Ventana 4333
Spartan MM w/Cummins 360 ISC
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03-25-2015, 03:36 PM
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#11
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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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In my shopping, found many more gas RV's were set-up for larger groups (like bunk beds units).
Interestingly, the Diesel Pusher's were often focused on the 6-4-2 rule...
...6 for drinks, 4 for dinner, 2 for the night.
Often Families do not have the $300,000 and more for a DP at initial purchase, so are not as well catered to in the DP market.
Best luck
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03-25-2015, 04:16 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 982
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There are very nice DP in the 100k range. We traded up from a 5th wheel to A 2000 Monaco Dynasty and haven't looked back. Alliart Credit Union loves doing RV financing and will do older than 10 year in age. They know how to get it done on lune asnd fast. Yes tires are pricy but we expect to run these longer than the ones we had on the truck so in the end its a wash.
Yes the service (oil etc) is more but we do it once a year as opposed to several time for the truck. Again its a wash. Sleep 4 and suggest a couple of those young folks sleep in a tent
__________________
Ron & Linda
2000 Dynasty 38PBS
Full time since 2007
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03-25-2015, 05:08 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Henrico, VA
Posts: 421
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Depending on where you live in VA there are several used RV dealers in the Richmond/Ashland area which sell both gas and diesel units in your price range. You may be able to view a number of units to better educate yourself prior to looking at for sale by owner units. I did a bit of viewing and shopping for used diesel pushers and did okay with my purchase.
Some great advice from the other members.
Good luck!
2009 Fleetwood Expedition 38F
2013 Scion XB toad
Sent from my iPhone using iRV2 - RV Forum
__________________
Good things come to those that wait.
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03-25-2015, 05:46 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Solo Rvers Club
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: The Constitution State
Posts: 4,584
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I'd recommend diesel due to the better ride along with the other benefits mentioned. I purchased mine a year ago, got a loan without issue, 8 years old now and still get lots of comments on how nice it looks. As noted above, a lot of owners take good care of these vehicles as they purchased new and paid a lot. I lucked out and got a one-owner unit which is in great condition. Look a lot, don't limit where you might buy one, there is an RV out there for you.
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