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12-01-2020, 11:17 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 28
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Need some input on Pre Owned Class A
We are looking at Class A in the 34 foot range.
Looking at pre owned 3-4 years old. We are looking at Tiffin, Newmar, and Winnebago.
What others should we look at ?
With the F53 Chassis V10 will I be able to flat tow our Jeep 4 door on the hills will I be happy with the performance ? I see a lot of 2 doors being flat towed.
Thank u
__________________
Joe Denver North Carolina
22 Newmar Dutchstar 4081 (Spartan)
2017 Jeep Wrangler JKU
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12-01-2020, 12:36 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 617
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To know if any RV will pull your vehicle, first get the weight of your car.
Get the following two numbers for the RV:
GCWR
GVWR
GCWR - GVWR = how much you can tow.
Our 4 door Jeep is 4500 pounds empty weight.
See if your car is lighter than the amount you can tow.
Those numbers are different for every RV.
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12-01-2020, 01:41 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: North Ridgeville, OH
Posts: 2,455
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If it were me, I'd stick with one of the three you've mentioned. I think it's hard to beat the quality of Newmar or Tiffin, and Winnebago depending on the model.
Our Newmar has a 5K limit on towing capacity, which is typical. As you look at rigs, check carefully the hitch and ratings.
__________________
Retired but busier than ever!
2012 Newmar Bay Star 3302
5 Star Tune, SumoSprings, Roadmaster Steering Stabilizer, Blue Ox Avail
Brake Buddy, 2015 Chevy Malibu
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12-01-2020, 02:59 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: On the continental divide
Posts: 2,621
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Joe,
No matter what make you choose that has a V-10, stay at 2009 or newer.
Has a thicker cylinder head casting and does not blow spark plugs out of the hole.
Count on buying a $500,00 "chip" to wake up the V-10. And try to get a 6 speed Tx rather than a 5. Big performance difference. Also 19.5 tires are a whole lot less $$$ than 22.5's.
I'm looking too and I require a driver's door, so the Winnie's are in the lead.
Mike in Colorado
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12-01-2020, 03:09 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: The Bluegrass State
Posts: 8,886
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JosephA
We are looking at Class A in the 34 foot range.
Looking at pre owned 3-4 years old. We are looking at Tiffin, Newmar, and Winnebago.
What others should we look at ?
With the F53 Chassis V10 will I be able to flat tow our Jeep 4 door on the hills will I be happy with the performance ? I see a lot of 2 doors being flat towed.
Thank u
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Have you considered a diesel pusher in that size range?
__________________
Good Luck, Be Safe and Above All, Don't Forget To Have Fun
Pete
Central Kentucky
2006 Fleetwood Discovery 35H, 2014 Honda CR-V, M&G Engineering Braking System
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12-01-2020, 03:51 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 427
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Just bought a 2016 Tiffin 32SA (34’ 3”). We love it so far. We looked at well over 100 coaches of every brand (except Thor), and our top 3 were your top 3. You won’t go wrong with any of them.
We didn’t find any other brands with the quality of the three you named, and we looked at them all. Fleetwood (Bounder) and their sister/clone Holiday Ramblers are close, and we considered them as an option, but passed when we decided we could afford a Tiffin.
We tow a ‘17 JKU with no trouble. Slow going up and down hills, but no issues. If you go with Tiffin, be sure to get the 24,000 lb chassis. You’ll be at or over weight limits with the other option, the 22k.
Good luck in your search. Shoot me a note if I can answer any questions.
Regards,
Randy
__________________
2016 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 32SA
2017 Jeep Wrangler JKU
2014 Thor Axis 24.1 & 2012 Spyder on Aluma UT10
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12-01-2020, 05:48 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 123
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For those who recently purchased used MH's, what kind of inspection process did you go through? Did you hire an independent inspector? If it was a diesel Cummins for example, did you bring it to a Cummins service center for an inspection?
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12-01-2020, 06:02 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 317
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ludmilla
GCWR - GVWR = how much you can tow.
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Would that not be the worst case? GVWR minus OCCC is what the RV actually weighs empty. Now load it up for your trip and what ever is left over under GVWR can go into the trailer weight as long as you don't exceed GCWR and hitch ratings.
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12-01-2020, 06:30 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 356
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheLex
For those who recently purchased used MH's, what kind of inspection process did you go through? Did you hire an independent inspector? If it was a diesel Cummins for example, did you bring it to a Cummins service center for an inspection?
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Funny, I just talked with a Cummins Coach Care Center today about almost the same question. What can they do to tell me the health of my engine. I have an ISM500 and just turned 100k miles. I want to know just what shape it is in. Their reply was, is there an issue? No, was my response. They have a 17 point visual inspection for the general stuff. So from what I learned from them is the run, or they don't. I made an appt. to do the 17 point, put it on the dyno to make sure it's making the power and have the ECM checked for codes or updates. I am considering an "ugly fix" maybe to trick the EGR, maybe.
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12-01-2020, 06:40 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: fulltime
Posts: 680
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The v10 will tow no issue. but on any class a you want the best ride a banks power system is still worth every penny. Make sure the coach has a steering stabilizer front & rear trac bars as well as sway bars
__________________
2006 winnebago adventurer 38t 2018 carry-on hawkline enclosed 8.5x20 2007 mini cooper convertible 2012 hd xl1200c
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12-01-2020, 07:29 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 570
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roadmiester
Funny, I just talked with a Cummins Coach Care Center today about almost the same question. What can they do to tell me the health of my engine. I have an ISM500 and just turned 100k miles. I want to know just what shape it is in. Their reply was, is there an issue? No, was my response. They have a 17 point visual inspection for the general stuff. So from what I learned from them is the run, or they don't. I made an appt. to do the 17 point, put it on the dyno to make sure it's making the power and have the ECM checked for codes or updates. I am considering an "ugly fix" maybe to trick the EGR, maybe.
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Interesting reply from a Cummins Dealer.... an engine can be past spec for a rebuild, or have issues not readily obvious... man things that would take more than a visual inspection...
In the marine world, when you buy a large and/or expensive used boat... you do several things prior to handing over any money..
Along with a Boat "Survey", which is an 8 hour ordeal, including a haul out, to ascertain the condition of the vessel...
You also do an Engine survey... A diesel shop will inspect both main engines, both main gears, and the generator... it too is about an 8-10 hour ordeal, that includes running it during a sea trial to insure it is performing within specs... There are oil samples taken, compression checks, borescope of cylinders, and a host of other stuff...
Back in 2000, the engine survey on my twin screw 46' Hatteras cost me $800.00. It was a comprehensive report. After owning & maintaining that boat for 16 years... it turns out their assessment was dead on...!
I am surprised that most dealers don't offer an "Engine Survey" on large diesel motorhomes... A Cummins Dealer has the knowledge, technology, and ability to do a comprehensive inspection... Seems to me, it would be a money maker..
Perhaps you could ask them specifically, if they do "engine surveys"....???
__________________
2014 Newmar Canyon Star 3920
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12-03-2020, 04:16 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Redmond, Or.
Posts: 1,659
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We have a 2019 Tiffin 32SA, that we tow a 2 door Jeep JKS with. No issues in towing with the V10 and the 6 speed tranny. Can the engine make noise going up a grade, yep. Disconcerting - nope. IMO, there is no need to spend a bunch of money on Banks, or other performance improvers, as the engine does a good job with the 6 speed. Prior to the 6 speed, these were viable options, it seems. Tiffin or Newmar, and Winnebago are good units. Suspension upgrades for better handling and ride comfort seem to be a very personal item. Some people swear that their F53 chassis is the best handling thing pout there with zero modifications done to it. Others do minor to major mods. We bought out rig new and after several trips figured out that we needed to do some things to make it ride better, handle better and safer to drive. At a minimum, I would recommend a steering stabilizer and a rear trac bar. Beyond that you get into Koni shocks, better front and rear sway bars. You can spend anywhere from $500 to $8K or more, depending on what you want, or feel you need to do.
__________________
2017 Tiffin Allegro Red 33AA
Cummins ISB 6.7 L
2020 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited
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12-03-2020, 06:55 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Heath, OH
Posts: 208
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheLex
For those who recently purchased used MH's, what kind of inspection process did you go through? Did you hire an independent inspector? If it was a diesel Cummins for example, did you bring it to a Cummins service center for an inspection?
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On my recent purchase I contracted with a nrvia.org certified inspector. It was a comprehensive inspection but didn't include fluid analysis; the Cummins and Allsion had documented service and inspection paperwork so I was comfortable with both of them. It cost a few bucks but was definitely money well spent. I had a 700+ mile trip to get the Bus and wanted to prevent any hiccups. Strongly encourage pre-purchase inspections...
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12-05-2020, 09:16 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 617
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You can expect that your RV will be close to its GVWR when you are loaded up for a trip. There are exceptions, but generally you are very close. Therefore, when purchasing an RV, you should expect that and use the math I had in my post to determine what you can pull.
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