Community Forums

SarahW · 04-16-2014, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compute42

I'm sure this is asked a thousand times, but what would YOU do?

I would buy a new (Fleetwood Bounder) gasser, which is exactly what we did.

It suits us fine as vacationers, and we love it. No regrets here.

GaryKD · 04-16-2014, 02:17 PM

Hi compute42,
Trying to keep this simple consider the first three items to consider are:
1. Floor plan
2. Will the coach carry all your stuff, and all your people? (GVWR minus unloaded weight)
3. Will the coach tow what you want to tow? (GCWR minus GVWR, hitch rating)

The main reason to buy a diesel is to haul more weight. After these items the decision can get as complex as one would like. If a company will accept the coach, a service contract would be a good item to consider.

DD788Snipe · 04-16-2014, 04:22 PM

As the owner of 2 gas rigs and now an owner of a DP, hands down buy a DP. You will be much happier in the long run.

Craig & Carolyn Roberts 2006 Kountry Star 3910KSDP

Steve N Sal · 04-16-2014, 04:39 PM

8 to 10K miles a year would probably lean toward a Diesel. We travel about 5K so our GAS coach works just fine. I can't agree with one post regarding the gas units being underpowered. I've passed many a diesel going up hills and mountains. If you know how to drive it, it gets the job done. Maintenance???? I also can't agree that a gas coach costs are much higher. If something breaks on the diesel platform, you BETTER hang on to your wallet they are not cheap to repair. A gas rig won't go 100,000 miles??? Our last one had 116K when we traded it four years ago and being we know the new owner it's still going. If you maintain them you'll get your mileage out of either one but in the long run you can't convince me that a diesel is much cheaper to operate. Besides, true a diesel can go a million miles but how many people actually ever put that on a coach?? I surely don't know of any. Well good luck in your search and hope whicheve you decide on you enjoy all your travels.

Steve N Sal · 04-16-2014, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahW

I would buy a new (Fleetwood Bounder) gasser, which is exactly what we did.

It suits us fine as vacationers, and we love it. No regrets here.

Sarah makes a very valid point as that 116K mile coach I mentioned previously was a gas Fleetwood Bounder and we had a great time with it.

compute42 · 04-16-2014, 05:41 PM

116k on a gasser is not bad... looking at used motorhomes it seems even the nicer gassers don't have the fit/finish and features/amenities of the diesel's. Wife is very observant of that...
We both hate the typical print fabric trims found on some new and old coaches, and figure to budget some money to change this if we get a used coach.

Wife and I are leaning towards the used Diesel since the price gap between gas/diesel isn't really that large.
Also looking around here, seems like quite a few more people wish they went diesel sooner. You don't find many that had Diesel and switched to gas.

smiller · 04-16-2014, 05:50 PM

Personally I've just given up on all the gas/diesel cost analyses. Diesel just works so much better in heavy vehicle applications that I'm at the point where it just costs what it costs.

MRUSA14 · 04-16-2014, 06:08 PM

If you are on the fence, drive them both and then decide. My money says you'll take the diesel. There is a world of difference in the driving. Mostly the same when sitting still.

vsheetz · 04-16-2014, 06:08 PM

[QUOTE=compute42;2012762]116k on a gasser is not bad... looking at used motorhomes it seems even the nicer gassers don't have the fit/finish and features/amenities of the diesel's. Wife is very observant of that...
We both hate the typical print fabric trims found on some new and old coaches, and figure to budget some money to change this if we get a used coach.

Wife and I are leaning towards the used Diesel since the price gap between gas/diesel isn't really that large.
Also looking around here, seems like quite a few more people wish they went diesel sooner. You don't find many that had Diesel and switched to gas.[/QUOTE]

I had a diesel for 7 years, albeit a FRED. Per my post above, now have a gasser. The gasser is the right choice for us at this time. Next at retirement and usage changes/increases will likely be then a DP.

JFXG · 04-16-2014, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compute42

Oh also, many of the DP's are sold through a private party (probably not wanting to get murdered on trade-in)... so no extended service contract. I'm a big believer in the PPI

This is not the case. You don't have to buy a service contract through a dealer, they are readily available from several sources to private purchasers. I bought a contract from Wholesale Warranties, and we're very pleased. I recommend them unequivocally.
As to the mx budget, I'd say we spend about $2k annually, but that's with scheduled checks and servicing at Freightliner. If you DIY to some extent it could be lower.

compute42 · 04-17-2014, 02:37 AM

The coach I REALLY want is the new Palazzo 33.3 Take a bunch of friends, and kids friends (when he gets older) too bad $150k is outa my budget for now (but perhaps the palazzo will be down in 2-3 years for a nice used one)

compute42 · 04-17-2014, 03:01 AM

well now we're thinking about a (used) fleetwood tera LX 34N (with the bunkhouse).

Big deal that we didn't think about.... where's the car seat gonna go for a 3mo old...
This floor plan has a lockable chair with seat belt right behind the passenger seat.
Wife can turn around and tend to child easily without having to go to the sofa.

nbargolf · 04-17-2014, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahW

I would buy a new (Fleetwood Bounder) gasser, which is exactly what we did.

It suits us fine as vacationers, and we love it. No regrets here.

Sorry to disagree but we would never buy new again unless we were truly commented to it for the rest of our RV lives. The deprecation is murder on these units gas or diesel.

kb9tf · 04-17-2014, 08:30 AM

I have had a 31 foot gas Ford V-10 and now a 39 foot Cat diesel. The gas was a high rpm screamer and was not too stable driving. It kept me white knuckled all the time. The bigger diesel is like driving my car. It is quiet up front and the trucks going by do not whip me around. The shorter gas MH would whip around pretty bad when a truck passed me. Maybe some of the newer ones are not as bad. It was a 2001 Allegro. My diesel is a 2005 Discovery. Just got back from a 900 mile trip. Really enjoyed driving it and this time towed my car. Didn't even notice it back there except a little less takeoff power.