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04-22-2018, 06:28 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 367
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Would Manufacturer really matter?
There's an old saying: "If you've never had steak, hamburger is fine"
After 12 years of Live aboard boating, We are beginning to look for a 10-15 year old 38-40 ft. DP. Thinking of exploring the US for 2,3 maybe 4 years and then selling. We are looking to spend less than $60,000.
I see all brands, at all kinds of asking prices and the more I see the more confused I get.
I 'know' I want a full length Queen or King bed and roomy shower, (I'm 6'3").
I 'think' I want a side radiator, Cummins engine and Freightliner Chasis.
And at this point I'm not sure what else.
But, assuming I find a layout out that we like with complete records and it checks out OK, Does Brand really matter?
Thanks,
Wm Mayberry
Boatless and RVless
Palmetto, FL
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04-22-2018, 06:46 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Port Orchard, WA
Posts: 4,215
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wmiii
There's an old saying: "If you've never had steak, hamburger is fine"
After 12 years of Live aboard boating, We are beginning to look for a 10-15 year old 38-40 ft. DP. Thinking of exploring the US for 2,3 maybe 4 years and then selling. We are looking to spend less than $60,000.
I see all brands, at all kinds of asking prices and the more I see the more confused I get.
I 'know' I want a full length Queen or King bed and roomy shower, (I'm 6'3").
I 'think' I want a side radiator, Cummins engine and Freightliner Chasis.
And at this point I'm not sure what else.
But, assuming I find a layout out that we like with complete records and it checks out OK, Does Brand really matter?
Thanks,
Wm Mayberry
Boatless and RVless
Palmetto, FL
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yes, Yes, YES! There are a limited number of brands that just plain built better than the herd. Many of the same components are used, ie; stove top, fridge, water heater, furnace, radiator, engine, transmission, etc, but the difference is how they are all "held together".
Some brands just do a better job with the "fit and finish".
Personally, in the age range you expressed interest in, I would (in no particular order) put Ingegra, Newmar, Tiffin, American Dream, and Monaco toward the top of the list, quality wise.
Even if you are going to be doing some repairs/upgrades like flat screen TV's, newer interior, etc, starting with a coach that was better built is a better way to go!
__________________
Scot & Laura Kellersberger, U.S. Army (ret)
Newmar 4 wheel drive Dutch Star 3891, SOLD
Now RV'ing on the water in a Trawler!
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04-22-2018, 06:47 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wmiii
There's an old saying: "If you've never had steak, hamburger is fine"
After 12 years of Live aboard boating, We are beginning to look for a 10-15 year old 38-40 ft. DP. Thinking of exploring the US for 2,3 maybe 4 years and then selling. We are looking to spend less than $60,000.
I see all brands, at all kinds of asking prices and the more I see the more confused I get.
I 'know' I want a full length Queen or King bed and roomy shower, (I'm 6'3").
I 'think' I want a side radiator, Cummins engine and Freightliner Chasis.
And at this point I'm not sure what else.
But, assuming I find a layout out that we like with complete records and it checks out OK, Does Brand really matter?
Thanks,
Wm Mayberry
Boatless and RVless
Palmetto, FL
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I don't think it matters if you're buying used as it does buying new. Some of the worst today were the best years ago. I would buy from a dealer that you can negotiate a little warranty out of. Good luck!
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04-22-2018, 06:48 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 693
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It sounds like you have a done your homework already. If you find a unit that meets all of your wants / needs the brand will not matter. What I mean is if the MH is in GOOD condition and has the proof it has been well maintained then you found your MH regardless of the Brand. If the MH is 12 - 15 years old as your search requirements indicate and still in great shape then brand is not an issue at this point.
__________________
GRV We love to Roam
2013 Georgetown
2022 ENTEGRA - EMBLEM - 36T
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04-22-2018, 06:50 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Harlingen, TX
Posts: 938
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wmiii
There's an old saying: "If you've never had steak, hamburger is fine"
After 12 years of Live aboard boating, We are beginning to look for a 10-15 year old 38-40 ft. DP. Thinking of exploring the US for 2,3 maybe 4 years and then selling. We are looking to spend less than $60,000.
I see all brands, at all kinds of asking prices and the more I see the more confused I get.
I 'know' I want a full length Queen or King bed and roomy shower, (I'm 6'3").
I 'think' I want a side radiator, Cummins engine and Freightliner Chasis.
And at this point I'm not sure what else.
But, assuming I find a layout out that we like with complete records and it checks out OK, Does Brand really matter?
Thanks,
Wm Mayberry
Boatless and RVless
Palmetto, FL
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Wm,
We are new to the RV game and found ourselves in a similar position to you. Having never been spoiled by a top of the line RV, we were figuring a lower tier brand may be fine. Your timeline of keeping the RV is less than ours, but then you would have to deal with selling, so I feel the timeline is a moot point. I believe your research here and further responses to this post are going to point you to a quality brand, especially if purchasing an older coach. In addition, your want for a side mounted radiator will rule out a lot of the lower tier brands.
We were looking at Country Coach, American Eagle and Tradition, and Western RV Alpine Coach. That was based on quality, floor plan, ease of maintenance (i.e. side mounted radiator), and recommendations from here. Monaco also makes a nice, quality coach. We didn't like the layout and floor plans of the Monacos, so we eliminated them from our search. As you can see from our signature, we ended up going with an Alpine Coach. So far so good, but we've only had it a few weeks.
Hope that helps.
__________________
Tommy, Tiffany and Trace (along with the 4-legged children: Lexus and Chance)
2005 Alpine Coach 40FDTS
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04-22-2018, 07:35 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Official iRV2 Sponsor
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 8,305
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wmiii
I 'know' I want a full length Queen or King bed and roomy shower, (I'm 6'3").
I 'think' I want a side radiator, Cummins engine and Freightliner Chasis.
And at this point I'm not sure what else.
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No to quibble with your choices, but in the time period you specified Caterpillar supplied many RV engines and CAT makes a fine engine IMO. CAT doesn't currently make on-highway truck engines, but there are many thousands of them on the road in big trucks. Service, when needed, is very easy to come by either at CAT facilities or truck shops.
As for your choice of a side radiator and a Freightliner chassis, I strongly agree with the radiator decision, but doubt that you will find many Freightliner chassis built that way.
Furthermore, in the time period of interest there were many great proprietary chassis being used, the Monaco Roadmaster and the Magnum on which my Beaver is built, to name two.
Without denigrating Freightliner, I don't understand why you're fixated on that brand. Even when the choice in a particular RV line boils down to Freightliner vs Spartan, the Spartan is almost always the higher cost choice. If you've made this choice because you think it will make servicing easier, it's really not necessary. JMO
__________________
Joel (AKA docj)--
RV Technology Specialist
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04-22-2018, 01:18 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 6,544
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Joel makes a good point. Many new RV buyers enter the fight with a misconceived idea that a Freightliner chassis is superior. In fact, the large percentage of Freightliner chassis class A motorhomes are lower price point coaches with rear radiators.
You'll need to decide if you are going to tow a car or trailer behind your coach as this will require a few extra Ft Lbs. of torque. Ask for the torque rating on the engine over the HP. The small Cummins ISB (Dodge pickup fame) can be rated at 350hp as can the larger Cummins ISC, but the ISC will have over 1050 ft lbs and the ISB will be rated at 800.
Have lots of patience and take your time. Do not restrict your search to local only. Search nationwide. You will learn something from every coach you look at, even the bad ones.
Best of luck!
__________________
97 Monaco Windsor- Sold
07 Monaco Executive McKinley- Sold
04 Monaco Signature Chateau IV
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04-22-2018, 01:46 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
American Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 2,971
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wmiii
There's an old saying: "If you've never had steak, hamburger is fine"
After 12 years of Live aboard boating, We are beginning to look for a 10-15 year old 38-40 ft. DP. Thinking of exploring the US for 2,3 maybe 4 years and then selling. We are looking to spend less than $60,000.
I see all brands, at all kinds of asking prices and the more I see the more confused I get.
I 'know' I want a full length Queen or King bed and roomy shower, (I'm 6'3").
I 'think' I want a side radiator, Cummins engine and Freightliner Chasis.
And at this point I'm not sure what else.
But, assuming I find a layout out that we like with complete records and it checks out OK, Does Brand really matter?
Thanks,
Wm Mayberry
Boatless and RVless
Palmetto, FL
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Brand says a lot and vary with the year model.
However sticking with the side radiator chassis takes care of the quality throughout and from top to bottom, in most all cases.
As said, a Spartan chassis, that's also famous on firetrucks, would be the way to go and what you can find in your budget range, given the criteria.
I'd recommend what we have in an 05 LE model to fit your budget and with choosing a floor plan that suits you. We have the 1 1/2 bath model and the shower is a little tight for a large person.... 2005 Revolution Price, 2005 Revolution Values & 2005 Revolution Specs | NADAguides
You'll just have to make some offers and wait for someone to bite, is all.
__________________
07 Revolution LE 40E_1 1/2 Baths_Spartan MM Chassis_06 400HP C9 CAT_ Allison 3000
Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER
1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (SOLD)
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04-22-2018, 02:25 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: N.E. Florida
Posts: 1,396
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I agree with the input received so far.
With your budget you can focus on the models that were the flagships of their manufacturer's in the build year.
And yes, in the years that will comply with your budget the Spartan Chassis and side radiators will be found in most if not all of the flagships (the exception being some top line coaches like Country Coach, Foretravel and Monaco/Holiday Rambler with their proprietary excellent chassis designs).
Now for the equally important stuff:
-Driveability (Independent Front Suspension and possible tag axle)
-Displacement ( 8.3 liters minimum)
-Tankage (150 gallons fuel, 100+ fresh water, 60+ grey, 40+ black, 40 gallon propane)
As far as brands, my favorites are American (Eagle), Foretravel and Country Coach.
Have fun looking!
__________________
DaveS
1998 American Eagle 40EVS
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04-22-2018, 04:13 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Mariposa, CA
Posts: 3,926
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wmiii
We are looking to spend less than $60,000.
I 'know' I want a full length Queen or King bed and roomy shower, (I'm 6'3").
I 'think' I want a side radiator, Cummins engine and Freightliner Chasis.
And at this point I'm not sure what else.
Does Brand really matter?
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Yes, brand matters. I'm partial to Newmars. Here's a 2004 -- 2004 Newmar
__________________
2003 - 2010: 2004 35' National RV Sea Breeze LX 8341
2010 - 2021: 2001 41' Newmar Mountain Aire 4095
2021 - ???? : 2001 31' National RV Sea View 8311
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04-22-2018, 07:20 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 297
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Don't be worried about "proprietary chassis" used by Monaco, Beaver and others. The components used at typically off the shelf parts. On my CC they used Ridewell suspension. When I needed to replace the air bags, it was no problem getting the information from Ridewell for the replacement air bags.
__________________
Country Coach 2000 MAGNA C10
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04-22-2018, 07:28 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,984
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In that date range, some Spartan IFS chassis had ball joint issues. Our 2004 Newmar MADP has an IFS Freightliner XCR chassis with a side radiator. They are available. We love ours.
__________________
'04 Newmar Mountain Aire 4016
400ISL/Freightliner
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04-22-2018, 08:47 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,455
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I'm with those who have said not to necessarily limit yourself to a Freightliner chassis or even a Cummins engine.
Many proprietary chassis have good reputations as has been said.
Let's say you could get an Alpine coach like THIS for around $60,000.
I'd consider it ...has it's own proprietary chassis (Peak Chassis ...a bit about it HERE) but with a side radiator and a Cummins ISL.
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04-22-2018, 08:57 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Foretravel Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Home is Where WE PARK IT...
Posts: 6,007
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Within that price point limits..I have nothing to offer..
Happy hunting
__________________
Retired truckdriver,
'02 Foretravel... "This Shack will do"
being pushed by an '06 Scion xB
SKP's of Box Elder, South Dakota
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