You don’t know what you don’t know!

[62_inrightlane]

Years ago when our kids were little we loved to go camping. When they became teenagers they didn’t want to be seen with us so going camping became a struggle. We sold out Yellowstone 24 ft trailer and found other interests.

In 2010 the DW and I started thinking how much we used to enjoy the RV lifestyle. After just a few days we decided to buy a new travel trailer. We went out and bought a 29 ft with a slide and thought RV’s have come a long way since the late 80’s. We really enjoyed the travel trailer, however after traveling with 3 dogs we started wishing we had purchased a motor home instead. We went back to the dealer and worked out a pretty good deal to upgrade to a Class A gasser. We knew going into the gasser that if it worked for us, in the way we hoped, we may eventually upgrade to a diesel pusher.

The time to upgrade came a little sooner that anticipated; yesterday! I will not bash our previous coach the 2011 Coachman Mirada since it was a great coach and the quality was good for the price I paid for it new. It ran like a top and we had very few issues with it.

The DW and I developed a list of wants over the last 1.5 years. When we upgraded we wanted a King Bed, 4 door fridge, insulated windows, washer / dryer, day / night shades, AC / Heat pump, tile floors, surround sound, free standing dinette, more counter space in the kitchen and a diesel that could handle a little more cargo. We got all of that and more!

I always thought our Class A gasser went down the road very well and since I was getting about 6.5 to 7.5 MPG it was pretty economical for the size and weight. While it was good, our new Berkshire 360 FWS on the freightliner chassis makes it look bad. What I found on the 200 mile trip home after taking delivery was a coach that is rock solid. The new coach is 3ft longer and went down the road so much better than the Ford chassis. It really felt like I was just driving a car. The air ride smoothed out all the bumps in the road. You felt the bump, but there was no bounce after that. Noise was almost non existent in the cockpit area. Just a slight bit of wind noise.

Now one of the things that got me the most excited was the fact that I no longer need to get in line at the gas pumps with the cars and wonder if there is enough room to maneuver with the toad. Just pull into a truck stop and drive right up to the diesel pumps. Fuel up and go!

The second biggest thrill was the mileage I got. I traveled about 400 miles, round trip, on I-95 and I-16. The section I traveled was all flat interstate and calm winds. Going east & north in the gasser I averaged 7.5 mpg at 62 mpg with the toad attached. I used to think this was good! Coming home in the new DP, with toad in tow, going south and west the computer was telling me that I was averaging 11.1 mpg. I didn’t really believe it. I thought for sure it had to be wrong so I stopped to refuel and calculating mileage the old fashioned way it worked out to 11.0 mpg. I never expected to get that much of an improvement. I sure hope the mileage continues.

If I had known what I didn’t know I would have skipped the gasser and went right to the DP! So far I’m a happy camper!

Yes; all you DP folks, I should have listened to you. I know you have been posting about DP vs. gas advantages for years.

Here’s a picture of the new coach.

[paz]

Congrats on the new coach!

I used to have a business associate who, upon hearing we planned to buy an RV said, "Buy the biggest one you can now because you're going to end up with it anyway." How true. We started with a 16' TT many, many years ago. Now we have a 37' Class A.

PS: Don't forget to update your avatar and your signature. You'll want to show off that new coach.

[JimM68]

Congrats, and welcome to the club.

[wa8yxm]

7.5 mpg.. Gee, my Gasser gets 8-10 depending on when I last waxed it. Of course I only have a Queen Bed (more than big enough for my 6'3" and room left over for the wife)

(We could fit a 3rd in if we had to)

I can tell you one thing about this Class A however that I absolutly, beyond a shadow of a doubt LOVE and if I ever trade up will insist on in the new house....

2-holes, no waiting... It is a bath and a half model

I'd like larger waste tanks though.

[wizzo442]

Beautiful coach, 62. Congrats and enjoy. Welcome to the land of diesel pushers.

[firedoc]

And now the kids come around and want to go camping again.....right

[cmpncrsaider]

Congrats on the new Motorhome! It's a beauty!

[toadog]

Love the new home, I can only dream. The king bed would be great have the two dogs a share the bed with.

[historyljc]

Hi Marc & Jan, congratulations on the new coach. It looks great.

[Automobilist]

Three new RV's in two years. The dealer must LOVE you.

[62_inrightlane]

Originally Posted by firedoc

And now the kids come around and want to go camping again.....right

Yes! In the 2 days since owning the new coach and the kids have come out to the campground both day's!

[62_inrightlane]

Originally Posted by Automobilist

Three new RV's in two years. The dealer must LOVE you.

Yes he does!! I'm putting him down as a dependent on next years tax return!

[AGP]

Greetings and welcome.
Nice rig.