Bounder vs Holiday rambler endeavor-Diesels

[patpro23]

We have decided to switch from our gas coach to a diesel pusher. We have narrowed the search to a 2000 fleetwood bounder with a floor plan that my wife loves, and a 2000 holiday rambler endeavor that is a little smaller but is absolutely pristine. Links for both are below:

00 Diesel Slide Bounder RV Motorhome only 53K miles 39995
2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor Diesel Pusher RV - $39995

Can anyone provide any insight into which is better from a mechanical and build quality sense? This will be our first diesel and I want to make the right decision. Right now I am leaning toward the endeavor, but the wife likes the bounder.

Thanks to all in advance

[ahicks]

I like the Bounders, they're pretty popular, but I don't think they'll compare well with an Endeavor. I've already made this same call, and am obviously partial, so I'll just suggest differences in floor plan and length aside,the more you know about the differences in how they're built, the more you'll like the HR.

But justifying that to your wife might be interesting?

[flaggship1]

Well right off the bat - the 49 foot Bounder is a full 14 feet longer than the HR. Well that's what i think it says anyway. It is late - Lol. And no mileage stated on the HR that I saw. Not a big factor but a missing detail. Neither states which engine. I have a Bounder - would I own a HR? You bet. When I was looking / buying the stars lined up that way. Price / floor plan / condition etc were all in line with our punch list. If you can see and drive them go do so. If they are "correct" you will need to dig into to the details yourself and there are many. And if all is correct either one will serve you well. Also not sure why the two are priced the same as HR is usually a little higher - may be the 3' difference. Attention to details can't be overstated and it doesn't look like either of the sellers is too much into that. Just my initial thoughts.

[JimM68]

Bounder is Fleetwood's "entry level," nice sure, but built to a specific low pricepoint.
Back then, Bounder was almost a brand in itself, with several models of both gassers and DP's.
And even of the gassers, Southwind and Pacearrow were Fleetwoods "high end" products.
Bounder was their attempt to get people to say "hey look, a real motorhome doesn't cost so much!"

Don't get me wrong, they are good solid coaches, like all fleetwood products (and yes, my first MH was a '99 pacearrow).

Endeaver, the HR Equivalent of Monaco's Diplomat, is a whole 'nother animal. Several rungs up the foodchain ladder even from Fleetwoods "big" Evolution and revolution DP's, and a whole nother critter as compared to a same year DP Bounder.

Still, when looking at a decade old motorhome, it more comes down to condition and maintenance. Which coach has been better taken care of? Which has been "road hard and put away wet?" Will either need new tires and/or batteries right off the bat? Do all the appliances, refrigerator, a/c's, furnaces, all work?

And then the trump card... Does the floorplan fit YOU? do you spend 30 minutes in the coach wondering "why did they do that? or "why is this here?"

Or do you just settle in (to the couch, the kitchen, the bathroom, the bedroom) and just feel at home?

[Tha_Rooster]

That's apples and oranges not even close on level. I'm sure bounder doesn't make a 49 ft as on previous post. It doesn't make since they are the same price does the endeavor have slides?

[SarahW]

LOL...that Bounder is not 49'. As the others have stated...the important comparison is condition and maintenance. If the wife likes the Bounder, your decision is probably already made. Good luck; you probably can't go wrong with either choice.

[flaggship1]

LOL - it was late when I read the two links last night so just checked again and this is what it says:

"Wow! Wow! Rare Florida find 2000 Fleetwood Bounder, 49 footer, home on wheels, huge, huge deep slides"

The ad title does say 39' and the HR says 35'. My point was that attention to detail is important since 1 overlooked item can cost thousands. And both ads were slapped together - and didn't reflect (to me) very informed sellers and not much seriousness about their ads. Most of the posts I read here are better written - proofed and informative and we're not selling anything.

[jlfbatonrg]

The boundr most likely has a Cummins 5.9L 275 or 300 Hp engine. MPG should be 10-12. the Endeavor might have a Cummins 8.3L 330 HP engine. Don't know about miles per gallon, would guess ~9. What I would tell you to check is the space in the overhead compartments. We have friends who have Endeavors, A bit newer, but in both cases. the overhead inside storage was considerably compromised, only half on the compatrment behind the doors were useable because of the way the slides were constructed. The Bounder's cabinets will be completely useable. But your main consideration should be condition of the coaches today, and how either fits your needs for a coach. I don't think you would go wrong with either.

[Fred Cooper]

I can't comment on the Bounder since I've never owned one.

The HR endeavor is a quality motorhome. For the 2000 year, it may be on a Freightliner chassis or monaco's own chassis. My 2000 is on the Freightliner chassis.

Generally, longer motorhomes are more stable, so be sure to drive that 35ft model on the highway with some crosswinds or 18 wheelers passing you before you buy if you decide to go after the HR Endeavor.

Fred

[flaggship1]

Originally Posted by Fred Cooper

Generally, longer motorhomes are more stable, so be sure to drive that 35ft model on the highway with some crosswinds or 18 wheelers passing you before you buy if you decide to go after the HR Endeavor. Fred

Fred makes an excellent point. And without getting into specific make and model - do your homework on chassis - and you will be fascinated. The same basic chassis with a model can be used under boxes of 2 - 5 feet +/- in length which = weight. With the DP this is less an issue - but in gassers it was clear to me that as you added feet to the same chassis you were losing carrying capacity in pretty good clips. Some were to the point that a weekend of groceries and couple pair of water wings and you were overloaded. Not your issue with the two your looking at but understanding what your riding on and where it fits in the scheme of things is a good idea - not just for winds. And definitely drive them both.

[Davdeb1]

Originally Posted by patpro23

We have decided to switch from our gas coach to a diesel pusher. We have narrowed the search to a 2000 fleetwood bounder with a floor plan that my wife loves, and a 2000 holiday rambler endeavor that is a little smaller but is absolutely pristine. Links for both are below:

00 Diesel Slide Bounder RV Motorhome only 53K miles 39995
2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor Diesel Pusher RV - $39995

Can anyone provide any insight into which is better from a mechanical and build quality sense? This will be our first diesel and I want to make the right decision. Right now I am leaning toward the endeavor, but the wife likes the bounder.

Thanks to all in advance

The post on the Bounder was flagged for removal. Not a good sign.

[flaggship1]

And the OP has been heard from either. Perhaps they have been deployed to The Nigerian Widows Financial Defense Squad.