Community Forums

swimref · 12-29-2014, 04:00 PM

Hi all.
my wife and I are newbies to this. We are looking at a Holiday Rambler Vacationer 36SBT. We have been looking around the different web sites and various RV shows. Thought we haad settled on a Coach from Thor the Miramar
34.2. Had some issues with the full wall slide. Talked to the Thior Rep at the RV Show in Pomona, Ca. change looked good. In the trip we took over christmas the wife found the Holiday Rambler Vacationer 36SBT. Wow fits us perfectly. need and info from those who own one or a different version of Holiday Rambler. have done some internet searches, but not alot of info, both from the manufactor or others. Would love some feed back. Thanks SwimRef

blahargoue · 12-30-2014, 05:02 AM

2 questions: 1) Is this a brand new rig? 2) Is this it on a gasoline powered chassis?

If the answers to the above are yes, then the rig should be fine. If it is one of the few Vacationers built by Navistar, I'd really think twice before buying. Navistar never really understood the RV industry and how to build a coach.

If it is a mid to late 2000 era Diesel pusher built by the old Monaco Corporation, do not buy it. The coach body was fine but the leaf spring RSR Roadmaster chassis is probably one of the most ill handling coaches ever built. I know, I own a 2006.

Bruce LaHargoue
2006 HR Vacationer 34PDD/Cummins ISB
Clovis, CA

kjburns · 12-30-2014, 07:18 AM

After three diesel coaches, we bought a 2015 HR Vacationer 36DBT floor plan. It is about 15" longer than the SBT and has a longer wheelbase. Our experience has been good with the coach. It drives well, handles grades with no problem and has almost all of the amenities. The engine is a lot louder when it downshifts and starts turning 5000 RPM, but that's normal. Over the first 600 miles, it has averaged 6.7 mpg, which isn't bad.

Traps90 · 12-30-2014, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blahargoue

If the answers to the above are yes, then the rig should be fine. If it is one of the few Vacationers built by Navistar, I'd really think twice before buying. Navistar never really understood the RV industry and how to build a coach.

Bruce LaHargoue
2006 HR Vacationer 34PDD/Cummins ISB
Clovis, CA

Not sure I can totally agree with that statement
There are a lot of owners of the Navistar coaches who are really happy with there coaches and the build quality.

ScottyB410 · 12-30-2014, 12:05 PM

Hey

My wife and I just picked up our new 2015 36 sbt a few weeks ago. Like you, we looked at many different models but found this one the best. There are only the two of us so we found the larger living room area, single washroom and lack of sofa-beds gave us more space for US.

We had a Blue Ox TruCenter steering control installed as well as the TigerTrak TrakBar at the rear. It made a great improvement in the steering and handling.

Drop me a PM if you need more info.
Cheers
Scotty

swimref · 01-05-2015, 01:20 AM

We are planning to buy the coach new. Love the floor plan. the key to the time to buy will be fall 2015 at one of the shows. Most likely we will be buying what the dealer has in stock at the show, but may be ordering one at the show price.
Are there any Pro's or Con's on a residential Refer with ice maker or a Propane Refer with ice maker. I am a newbie to this type of equipment. Unit has inverter for the domestic power to the TV's and 110 appliances.
Just asking for input.

kjburns · 01-05-2015, 04:18 PM

I'm pretty sure they do not offer a residential refrigerator in the Vacationer. The optional refrigerator is a 4 door that uses electric or propane power. The optional refrigerator has more space, but eliminates the narrow pantry.