Community Forums

mariahpines · 09-19-2015, 09:12 PM

We have camped for years in our horse trailer w/living quarters, but are now ready to travel further with a motorhome, capable of pulling a 3 horse aluminum horse trailer. We have just started looking at used motorhomes in the range of $30-$40K, and have been impressed by the Winnebagos with the Ford V10 engine. We were advised not to go smaller than 31'. We are looking at a 2003 Coachman Rendezvous that is 34' w/GM Workhorse. Does anyone have an opinion on the quality of the Coachman vs Winnebago and the Chevy vs Ford engines for towing?

jfran304 · 09-19-2015, 09:24 PM

In my personal opinion (which everybody has one) I think Winnebago builds a better quality coach than Coachman but they also cost more.

As far as the 8.1L Workhorse vs the Ford V10 I'll take the 8.1L Workhorse. It is quieter and it has the Allison transmission. It gets more power at lower revs than the Ford V10 does.

Jon

KEH · 09-19-2015, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariahpines

We have camped for years in our horse trailer w/living quarters, but are now ready to travel further with a motorhome, capable of pulling a 3 horse aluminum horse trailer. We have just started looking at used motorhomes in the range of $30-$40K, and have been impressed by the Winnebagos with the Ford V10 engine. We were advised not to go smaller than 31'. We are looking at a 2003 Coachman Rendezvous that is 34' w/GM Workhorse. Does anyone have an opinion on the quality of the Coachman vs Winnebago and the Chevy vs Ford engines for towing?

In my initial search I too was looking at gas coaches, but changed my focus to diesel for the durability etc. Worth consideration especially since you will be towing the horses.

cb1000rider · 09-19-2015, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KEH

In my initial search I too was looking at gas coaches, but changed my focus to diesel for the durability etc. Worth consideration especially since you will be towing the horses.

The issue is going to be the 30-40k range.
The other thing is "stay away from small units" and towing a trailer that holds 3 horses.

What does said trailer weigh?

Most V10 (or V8 Chevy) RVs at 31' or greater are pretty much maxed out without a trailer. And in terms of power, they'll be OK straight and level as long as it's not hot outside, but beyond that, forget it...

If I had to do V10 gas and tow, I'd be looking for smaller - 24' or so, and verify that they tow capacity was there.

Diesel IS better.. But the DP market in the 30-40k range, you'll be 5-10 years older than the same thing V10 gas... and there may be a power issue.

I'd think, in the 30-40k range, that a nice diesel truck with a horse trailer and living quarters IS the answer... At least until you can step up to the price range of a Super-C.

A Jayco Senica (diesel) might fit the bill... In the 2005-2008-range... Maybe.

Nomad Mike · 09-19-2015, 09:59 PM

How much do horses and the trailer weigh? Be careful in your search as some gas MH's can leave you with a very low tow capacity - like #3500 or worse.

Irishbleueye · 09-19-2015, 10:41 PM

We have a 33' and I do wish it was 36. Another 3' wouldn't be any trouble at all. It's gas and has no power on hills. 35 max on uphill and that's without any tow. So the big ones are maxed out on power without towing. DP is the way to go for towing, be patient you'll find the right one.. good luck

Mr_D · 09-19-2015, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomad Mike

How much do horses and the trailer weigh? Be careful in your search as some gas MH's can leave you with a very low tow capacity - like #3500 or worse.

Beat me to it!! Even our Dutch Star 40' 4090 W/Cummins ISC only had a 6,000# limit. Our present rig has a 15,000# tow rating.

Scatterbrain · 09-19-2015, 11:50 PM

95-04 Class A diesels under 45k on RVTrader:

Class A RVs Motorhomes For Sale-New or Used on RV Trader

powchazr · 09-20-2015, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Beat me to it!! Even our Dutch Star 40' 4090 W/Cummins ISC only had a 6,000# limit. Our present rig has a 15,000# tow rating.

Was your DS hitch limited at 6000lbs?
Our MA Cummins ISC has a 5000lb hitch, but GCWR is 10,000lbs higher than GVWR (41k/31k).
I don't tow over 4k. But I assume I could upgrade the hitch and pull 10k if I needed.

Melmoses · 09-20-2015, 07:39 AM

First check out the hitch rating. These hitches on motorhomes have a max rating on them. Second, check out the tow capacity of the motorhome. Most shorter gas coaches have a low tow capacity. From my experience hauling my 4 horse trailer with 2-4 horses, aluminum-lite trailer, you will be over the tow rating of a gas coach. My horses weigh between 1100 and 1200 lbs each. Then I carry all my tack, feed, hay, which adds more to the weight. So quick answer in my view is that you would be unsafe towing 3 horses with gear behind a gas coach. Going over the hitch rating is very unsafe and can result in breakaway of the trailer if the hitch fails. Not to mention that axle rating also plays into it and if you have a rear axle failure you are in big trouble. Don't do it!

If you can find an older diesel coach with a 10,000 lb hitch on it with towing capacity that exceeds your total weight of the loaded trailer you would be just fine.

mariahpines · 09-20-2015, 09:27 PM

Thanks SO much for the input! We have shifted our search to the diesel, older Winnebago models. We're pretty much sold on the quality of the Winnebago. We have found some at a dealer in Ringgold, Georgia. Will call them tomorrow. Any experience buying across state lines? Also, is there an organization similar to AAA for RVs?

Mr_D · 09-20-2015, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powchazr

Was your DS hitch limited at 6000lbs?
Our MA Cummins ISC has a 5000lb hitch, but GCWR is 10,000lbs higher than GVWR (41k/31k).
I don't tow over 4k. But I assume I could upgrade the hitch and pull 10k if I needed.

Yes, the hitch had a 6,000# sticker on it but Spartan said I could change the hitch to a 10,000# unit and tow the higher limit with no problem.

TMan59 · 09-20-2015, 09:40 PM

AAA offers a "plus rv" option.

jfran304 · 09-20-2015, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariahpines

Thanks SO much for the input! We have shifted our search to the diesel, older Winnebago models. We're pretty much sold on the quality of the Winnebago. We have found some at a dealer in Ringgold, Georgia. Will call them tomorrow. Any experience buying across state lines? Also, is there an organization similar to AAA for RVs?

Here is a few organizations for you to check out.

AAA - AAA Road Service. 24 hours a day/7 days a week

Home Page - Coach-Net.com

Good Sam RV Club – RV camping discounts and memberships

FMCA is for motor coach and motorhome owners. Motorcoach articles, motor home blogs, motor coach advice and motorhome videos.

Jon