Community Forums

TJTravel10 · 07-18-2024, 02:37 PM

Hello All,

My wife and I are new to this forum so I apologize in advance if this post is not done right. We have been full timing in a Grand Design Travel Trailer for 7 months now. We want to upgrade to more space and we are making a commitment to full time for the next 5 years. We have done our research or at least the beginning research! We like the DP's from the golden era from 2004-2009. Pre-Def. We have been looking at Country Coaches, Monacos, Allegro Bus's, American Heritage, Holiday Ramblers and Travel Supreme to name a few. I have some questions about a few mechanical items but we are open to any feedback in regard to the search:

Do I need a tag? I have read forums where most like the tags and prefer their stability on the road. I am leaning towards this preference and don't mind the loss of storage space as these DP's have enough for us. Any thoughts on pros and cons with or without a tag?

Which cummins or CAT engine should we be focusing on? I want something with a minimum of 400HP. Is 8.8L ISL Cummins good engine? Are there engines to stay away from?

This is is for now. We are making our list of must haves and nice to haves!

Appreciate all the help.

God Bless,
TJTravel10

Skip426 · 07-18-2024, 03:01 PM

In diesel pushers , under 40' a tag axle is extremely rare , even at 40' rare but available in your preferred vintage , so tag requirement will put you in the 43/45' range .
Is that where you've narrowed your search so far ?

ViperJD · 07-18-2024, 03:57 PM

TJ,

Great questions. We got back to RVing in 2019 and bought a 2003 Dutch Star diesel pusher, 40' (no tag), 350 hp, no DEF. Loved it, but had to spend on the front end suspension to be safe on hwy when trucks blew past us. We decided we were sticking with RVing so last year we moved up/down into a 2022 Ventana DP with tag. Amazed at how the handling improved, from the tag. I do not even consider the tag taking away storage space, as we put everything from the 03 DS into the 22 Ventana and had empty bays left over. Our is now a 400 HP, but with DEF, gets around same as our 350 pre DEF, no issues.
As for coaches from the "golden era," we loved ours, but new avionics, no questions from RV parks (pictures needed to be sent before reservation was accepted), and very few mx issues so far, we feel like our 2022 puts us back in our golden times. All the best,

dons2346 · 07-18-2024, 04:03 PM

Country Coach built 38ft coaches with a tag. I believe that my 40ft Intrigue was one of the last built without a tag. If possible, go with a tag for better handling

Ray,IN · 07-19-2024, 08:25 PM

The Cummins ISM class 10.8L diesel engines were workhorses and relatively trouble-free. The Cummins ISL if the little brother and it too re relatively trouble-free. This 8.9L engine is actually a stroked ISC block, and is tunable to 450HP. This is the smallest Cummins engine that uses an engine brake.

jacwjames · 07-20-2024, 01:44 PM

Here is a very nice 2003 Monaco Dynasty 38' with tag, this is a great coach and pre emmissions and also the no fancy electronics.

https://www.monacoers.org/topic/8733...#comment-93974

When new this was a great coach that probably cost ~$300K new.

From the pictures it looks like it has been well maintained.