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Kayak32 · 11-01-2012, 07:19 PM

Just returned from first road trip with kids 3yr and 8month old. Drove from Colorado to Yosemite, the Santa Barbara, San Diego, finished at the Grand Canyon. We had a great time but learned a lot. We have a diesel Suburban and a travel trailer. We have had the trailer for many years. Traveling with kids is a different world though. Keeping kids cooped up that long and entertained was hard. I am not a big believer in kids watching videos but resorted to that for te 3 year old. We have decided we need to switch to a motorhome. That way potty breaks don't mean getting off the highway. Food is easier and so on. We want a used 34-38' diesel pusher w/ @ least a 330 considering the roads we travel the most and national park access. I am extremely safety minded with my kids, so this will be a change. My 3 yr old is still rear facing as it is the safest way for her to ride. We will still use carseats but allow her to get out from time to time as long as I am with her.
Planning next major road trip next May back to Yosemite, thus we have some time to find a rig.

jlfbatonrg · 11-02-2012, 08:26 PM

Kayak32,

Glad you had a good trip, and think you're making a good decision on getting a Class A diesel. I might suggest think about your requiremet for a 330 HP engine. The more vintage coaches weigh a lot less than the newer coaches. Many do quite well with 275-300 HP engines. Our current coach is a triple slide 39 footer with a Cummins ISB 300 HP diesel engine. We have travelled throughout the northern Rockies with no problems. Just something to consider.

Kayak32 · 11-02-2012, 11:17 PM

Thanks for the imput. We will definitely take this into consideration. We had not thought about this. I am hoping we can find some rigs locally we are interested in, this way we can test drive on a significant grade or two. We really don't want to end up going up the grades at 20-30 like we have seen some rigs doing. It makes the trip take too long with little ones.

jlfbatonrg · 11-03-2012, 08:33 AM

I understand what you'rw saying. To give you ome idea we were in North caroline in September. I know it's not Colorado (we lived in Arvada for 12 years). Black Mountain Pass is a 6% grade for 6 miles and curvy more the I-70 to the Tunnel. We started at the bottom at ~60 mph, and topped the pass at ~48 mph. No other coaches passed us for what that's worth. We crossed several passes in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming with similar results. Of note, we tend to stay on interstates as much as possible.

Our grandkids are a bit older than your children 7,7,12 but ours don't get bored in our coach. They watch videos in the bedroom can move around while we're on straight roads, play cards, etc.

AZ lists several coaches at what look like reasonable prices. you might check out RTV.com.