Community Forums

Bob86ZZ4 · 12-13-2010, 06:45 AM

AZgl1500, yes the maintenance costs will likely be somewhat less on a t/c. The bigger factors are the safety for me, and towing ability. Having that engine out front is huge in a front end accident. Also having the bailout doors for both driver and passenger add safety. The brakes are huge on these things too. I like the looks of those Powerhouse Coach trucks. I've never seen one in person. I wouldn't limit your search to them tho. There are lots of other builders, and dealers. One good place to look for rigs is www.racingjunk.com. Scroll down the catagories and there is a section for "totorhomes/rv's/motorhomes" then you can find the class 8 truck conversions. www.busesandmore.com also has a handfull of t/c's. www.hawkengineering.com is a high quality builder. www.eldoradotrailersales.com has lots of nice t/c's. There is a forum site that caters exclusively to t/c's: www.truckconversion.net .

There is also a group of people that use class 8 trucks to pull their 5th wheel campers. They have a rally every year that draws a pretty good crowd. www.hdtrally.com We went this past Oct. and had a great time.

Good luck.

AZgl1500 · 12-13-2010, 10:39 PM

For those of you with the larger T/C coaches and the extra long MHs....

A friend of mine called me today saying that finding parks to stay in is more limited than with say a 32 ft TT.

His particular point was that he likes to stay in state park campgrounds dry camping, or sometimes they have electric only. A close friend of his had a 52 ft T/C and was disenchanted that he could not stay in the state and federal parks with it. Sold it and bought a 32 ft 5th whl.

Is this more a matter of your RV lifestyle rather than a real implied problem?

..

Bob86ZZ4 · 12-14-2010, 07:07 AM

The bigger you go the less spaces it will fit. My t/c is only 36' bumper to bumper so it's smaller than most. Dry camping (or boondocking) I think is better in a t/c than a A or C. My t/c carries 200 gallons of fresh water. Not many A's or C's or t.t.'s that you'll find with 200 gallons of fresh water. My 8k Onan diesel generator burns about 1/2 gallon an hour under moderate load. And I carry 120 gallons of fuel. But yes, some parks don't have sites for a 40' rig. But it wouldn't matter what chassis it is, they don't care. But there are some fancy parks that only allow A's.

AZgl1500 · 12-15-2010, 03:24 AM

Thanks for that. 200 gallons fresh water? That ought to do dry camping for a full weekend and more w/o cramping her style tooooo much

This has widened my search parameters quite a bit. I am sure beginning to see why so many have advised to do the "due diligence" for an extended time. I am more convinced than ever that buying the first thing that catches your fancy could prove to be a huge mistake.

Bob86ZZ4 · 12-15-2010, 05:39 PM

If you live anywhere near a race track you should make a visit there during a race. You'll see lots of t/c's at just about any track. I just walk around and talk to guys about their trucks. It's fun. Unless they're tense about their races or something.

Ray,IN · 01-19-2011, 11:15 PM

Bob, I see what you mean about finding them on racingjunk.com. 2003 Kingsley Coach Custom RV Toy Hauler For Sale
I can only dream of this one.

Bob86ZZ4 · 01-20-2011, 07:50 AM

Don't dream, do! Hahahahaha. That's a nice Kingsley for sure. I've seen it in person. Here's the web site for that sales place: www.busesandmore.com then click on "rv's." Ralph, the owner, is the founder of Kingsley Coach. They no longer build t/c's. Economy killed them. But he's still selling them. He's got lots of nice coaches available. You fly to MN. I live about 10 minutes from MSP airport. I'll pick you up and we'll drive up to Ralph's lot and you can check out all the t/c's he's got. Make the deal and drive one home. I have no horse in this race. I just think Ralph is a nice straight up guy and sells good trucks. I was very close to buying that Showhauler T2000 he's got on consignment but couldn't get the deal closed with the seller. An inside tip (don't tell Ralph) those prices are "asking" prices. Money talks.

bbeane · 01-31-2011, 08:03 AM

The T/C's have always been interesting to me as well. I have talked to severial builders that will put a coach on your truck and there are a LOT of used class 7-8 tractors out there for cheap. But as nice as they can be, unless you need to haul a big load they can't compare to a highline D/P. Issues like ride quality, noise, camp ground issues, fuel mileage, storage, and most T/C's have about 8 big steps to get in and out. If you use it as an RV thats about 5k miles per year. But lifes all about what you want.

okie-dokie · 01-31-2011, 08:44 AM

What does D/P stand for ?

RustyJC · 01-31-2011, 09:04 AM

Diesel Pusher - a conventional Class A motorhome.

Rusty

Eskimo · 02-10-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbeane

The T/C's have always been interesting to me as well. I have talked to severial builders that will put a coach on your truck and there are a LOT of used class 7-8 tractors out there for cheap. But as nice as they can be, unless you need to haul a big load they can't compare to a highline D/P. Issues like ride quality, noise, camp ground issues, fuel mileage, storage, and most T/C's have about 8 big steps to get in and out. If you use it as an RV thats about 5k miles per year. But lifes all about what you want.

I'd say there's as many advantages as disadvantages to converting a Class8 truck.

Noise is relative depending on where you are. Up front? it's noisier going down the road. In the back, it's quieter.
Ride quality - Some people get nauseous with the cadillac ride and prefer a firmer ride. My wife is one.
Water Capacity - most T/C's have tanks much bigger than an A.
Performance - T/C's typically have more power at the wheels, even for the same engine rating, but they do typically weigh more.
Maintenance - You can get a T/C fixed at any truck shop, at TRUCK rates, not the inflated RV rates.
Floorplan flexibility - Hardly any Class A's have the ability to have a garage in the back, if you need/want that.
Looks - subjective, but a nice T/C looks just mean. I'm younger, so it means more to me.
Crash Safety - T/C, hands down.
Interior Room - Class A's have it here.
Storage - Class A's have it here too.
Braking - Basically all Class 8's will have engine brakes, Many D/P's only have exhaust brakes.

etc., etc.