Diesel pusher vs Super C

[cliffj]

guessing this has been discussed before...thinking of upgrading RV's. Current coach is a Monaco Diplomat 38', 2004. Looking at either a newer Allegro Bus 36' or a Jayco Embark or Seneca...class C. Original goal was newer coach (just because) and to downsize. Used to the quality and ride of the Monaco. Would I be happy with the Jayco is the question. I have had an Allegro Bus before and was happy with it, so I know what I would be getting there...just no real history with the super C's...Dynamax/Dynaquest unfortunately out of the price range. I do tow a trailer, approx 7500#. Any comments much appreciated. Thanks!

[RickO]

I can't help with your downsizing question, but welcome to the forum and best of luck in your search.

Rick

[doc]

Don't believe you will get the same quality ride with the C. Your Monaco rides on airbags and the C is going to be on springs. Lot of difference in the ride. Why don't you simply ask a dealer about a test drive in the C you are considering. You might like it and the dealer might make a sale

[ronjhall]

A new Seneca may have the towing capacity for 7500 lbs trailer. But older ones will not. Embark should have the towing capacity. Like has already been said, ride will suffer.

[Medico]

No question in my mind. The Class A is a better ride and more carrying and towing capacity. Go with the Class A.

[DAN L]

CLIFFJ

[az99]

Some bad info here so far.
The latest Seneca and all the Embarks are rear air ride NOT springs. I had a DP with full air ride and hated the poor handling and swishy ride. I got an Embark. It is on the Freightliner M2 truck chassis. I would NEVER even consider going back to DP of the size you are comparing. The ride is just fine in the truck. The good thing is it drives and handles like a real truck. With a 20,000lb. towing capacity.
They are a little noisier than a DP as the motor is in front. That is a good thing for service and an accident.
The Seneca may be a little weak for towing that much weight as it has the smaller ISB engine.
Renegade also makes a nice unit called the Explorer on the M2. It is priced about 1/2 way between the Embark and the Dynamax with much better quality than the Jayco.
A guy I know was pulling a similar weight trailer with a DP and traded for an Embark. After he did he wished he did it long before.
Good Luck

[B Bob]

Cliffj - First of all Welcome to the forums here.

I am not sure you can generalize. Each rig is engineered and made different. My current rig is a heavy class A with 10 air bags. Rides and handles like a dream. I love it. But my previous motorhome was a small class A with a front gas motor rear air bags and front springs. It rode wonderful. Like a big Cadillac. The gas rig was an old GMC motorhome.

My guess is that if you get a rig with a chassis that is also used for UPS trucks it will not ride as well as a class A air bag rig unless there are a lot of modifications engineered in.

As far as springs vs air bags. You cannot generalize. As I said my old GMC had springs and rode well. Lexus, Cadillac, Mercedes, BMW, and so on use springs with good results.

Weight is a factor in ride. Heavier coaches tend to ride smoother. A lot of weight cannot change direction as quickly as less weight. The motor being 40 foot away though in rear drive coaches is a big advantage in a quiet ride. Another big advantage of most class A vs super C is pass through basement storage compartments. You don't usually get those in Super C's. On the other hand I think getting used to driving a Super C is easier than a class A. Super C's are motor in front, steer wheels in front, usually a bit lower driving position, and that makes an easier transition getting from a car into a Super C. I am so used to driving our class A now though it does not matter to me. I really like driving our coach. Seams like you are in a big silent magic carpet.

By the way AZ99 - your comment about class A having poor handling and swishy does not include most of the better class A's I have driven. Many bus type coaches with air bags handle well and no swish. Mine drives rock solid and stays completely level around curves. That comes with 10 air bags and active air suspension.

[dukenrock]

I just picked up a 2009 Silver Crown triple slide (Super C) two weeks ago. It's a 45' tag Freightliner with a Detroit 515 12 speed. Rear air bags and 40,000 pound towing capacity. My previous MH was a 40' American Eagle ISL400. Other than the engine noise (which subsides at crushing speeds) I have nothing negative to say about this particular class C. I purchased it in California and drove it back to Indiana (over 2200 miles) and it was an absolute pleasure to drive. I really like the idea of the engine in the front for safety and ability to work on the engine more easily. Also, I am finding that Class C's may be cheaper to work on in general. I had to replace a windshield....$150.00!

[jimmyjnr]

Originally Posted by dukenrock

I just picked up a 2009 Silver Crown triple slide (Super C) two weeks ago. It's a 45' tag Freightliner with a Detroit 515 12 speed. Rear air bags and 40,000 pound towing capacity. My previous MH was a 40' American Eagle ISL400. Other than the engine noise (which subsides at crushing speeds) I have nothing negative to say about this particular class C. I purchased it in California and drove it back to Indiana (over 2200 miles) and it was an absolute pleasure to drive. I really like the idea of the engine in the front for safety and ability to work on the engine more easily. Also, I am finding that Class C's may be cheaper to work on in general. I had to replace a windshield....$150.00!

Could you post pictures and ball park price , sounds perfect

[dukenrock]

Here ya go...I purchased the trailer with the coach.....

This one was $325k asking with trailer. There is a 2008 2 slide out there with matching trailer for $350k. Same motor 6 spd Allison

[az99]

Originally Posted by B Bob

By the way AZ99 - your comment about class A having poor handling and swishy does not include most of the better class A's I have driven. Many bus type coaches with air bags handle well and no swish. Mine drives rock solid and stays completely level around curves. That comes with 10 air bags and active air suspension.

That is true but the OP was certainly not asking about units in the 10 air bag/active air price range.

[az99]

Originally Posted by dukenrock

Here ya go...I purchased the trailer with the coach.....

This one was $325k asking with trailer. There is a 2008 2 slide out there with matching trailer for $350k. Same motor 6 spd Allison

Now there is a motorhome! Nice unit. Congratulations and good luck with it.

[PushedAround]

Originally Posted by dukenrock

I just picked up a 2009 Silver Crown triple slide (Super C) two weeks ago. It's a 45' tag Freightliner with a Detroit 515 12 speed. Rear air bags and 40,000 pound towing capacity. My previous MH was a 40' American Eagle ISL400. Other than the engine noise (which subsides at crushing speeds)....

Exactly how fast is crushing speeds?