Newer gas vs older diesel.....HELP

[Forkyfork]

I really really want an older DP like a Wanderlodge, Foretravel, Barth etc.
Diesel engines just wow me, I spent some time watching youtubes on big diesel engines starting up. but I know nothing about them.

I bought an older gas 2004 Winnebago. Realistically for where we are in life and what we plan to do it was best for us. I paid cash, no loan for us. Sure we could have got a new rig. Dont feel like dealing with the first year blues. And reading here failures on newer used coaches that are worse or more expensive than on my 2004 I just feel like the quality puked around 2009.

Lets compare some things in my own personal experiences right after purchasing my gasser.

Breaking down outside of Jacksonville FL. Well more like stalling out with check engine and wont run. Later found out it was water in the open fuse box that the service guy left off when messing around during the PPI.

Heres how that went. Its not a diesel so I know i can read and clear the code with a scan tool from advance auto. From what I hear its not really a thing with diesels. -Got the tool, cleared the code and drove to the truckstop about 10 miles down the road.

It was late by then. When I called around in the morning to see if we could get a once over I could find no love from any repair place. The one dealer on the opposite side of jacksonville already had a rig in the bay and it was going to be a while. The plain ole mechanics didnt want to touch the engine even though its the same one in the Silverado HD trucks.

Had we had a diesel we may have possibly got some help at the truck stop. Being a woman I can usually get some help where my husband will be left on his own to figure it out. lol But most likely not because work comes before play and there were a lot of rigs in the lot.

The one thing that would be common between both types of rigs is a good roadside plan, maybe even more than one. That pays the tow to get you someplace that will work on it. You may be there a while but they will get you there.

The one thing that totally sways me to a Diesel is having air brakes and air suspension. I know I can do mtn passes in my gasser but feel more comfortable on the way down in a diesel with engine assisted braking.

As far as ride. We are happy with the stock ride on the W22 22.5" tires. But...we understand its a truck. We have driven 28' box trucks on gas chassis. It rides better than those and you dont need a kidney transplant and have a closed skull brain injury when you get to your destination.

Once you get over the idea that its a car on wheels and accept the ride characteristics of a large vehicle its fine. Relax and stop clinching your butt cheeks every time you pass a diesel and it wont feel like you are getting blown around.

[computerguy]

Good analysis by Waiter21.
The CanyonStar is really nice. I almost pulled the trigger but they would not negotiate the price as much as the Bounder and the Bounder won hands down on price and value. My budget was not 150. I got my new Bounder for 107. I do wish I had the CanyonStar extra insulation and above ceiling mounted AC units.
I am a former DP owner and the new gassers are good value/compromise vs older DPers.
Are you sure about the CCC on the CS? I was looking at the 3710 and it was not that high.

[Roger G]

We were in a similar place a few years ago and went with the new gasser. The drivetrain and subsequent maintenance wasn't the deciding factor, it was the updated decor, no carpet, but mainly the fact that we ordered what we wanted instead of settling for what was available just because it was a diesel.

[Indyspecrace]

I'm on my third motor home. 1st was a class A gasser - lower end, second was a Super C diesel and current is a 2007 Newmar DP with a Cummings ISM. I've done all of my own maintenance an all three rigs. The Newmar DP is in a different league than the prior two rigs. Aside from ride, power and the outstanding stopping ability, the inside feels like a high end home. The prior two rigs had a camper feel to them.

[Indyspecrace]

Correction - Cummins

[Smitty77]

For sure no right or wrong on this decision. It comes down to what is important, or not, to the purchaser.

OP - Only you can decide what your planned needs are, and how you want to sound your funds.

My advice is to do a gut check on how you will used this coach. If traveling more then 10K a year, and with a higher mix of RV Park to RV Park usage, go with an older higher quality DP of at least 40' with at least two slides. If still 10K + miles a year, but wanting to do more 'camping' at say state/national forests campgrounds. Then go 34-36' DP - again buying higher quality coaches.

If you will travel under 10K a year, have not need to pull heavy loads. Buy the highest quality gas coach you can find.

Key word here is 'quality' - gas or DP. Quality lasts longer, and better build techniques can make a big difference in comfort from heat/cold/sound.

If you go the DP route, go pre DEF additives.

> 40' + considerations include:
-Beaver (Patriot Thunder or above.)
-Monaco (Dynasty, Executive, Signature - the later two can be found with Detroit Engine)
-Country Coach (Allure/Intrique/Magna/Affinity)
-Newmar (Dutch Star or above)
-Entegra
-Travel Supreme
-Alpine
-American Coach
(Not a complete list.)

>DP 34-36':
-Alpine
-Country Coach

On 34-40+' DP's. A few coaches that are good bangs for the bucks include:
-Rexhall
-Tripple E
-Winnebago Meridain or Journey

>If going for a gasser:
-The mentioned Newmar Canyon Star. And if you can find an older well cared for Moutain Aire gasser - they were some of the best gas coaches built.

Also on gasser's, if again you don't mind looking for a bit older well cared for units. Consider the UFO (8.1 based, rear engine chassis). Rexhall made some with the T-Rex slides, that make this a very livable RV. And Holiday Rambler did too.

If you end up buying an older used coach, gas or DP - work with Wholesale Warranty to obtain an Extended Warranty.

In general, I always suggest going and narrowing down the coaches that meet your needs - get a 'short list' - that fits within your budget range. Reserve two buckets of funds to 1) Make the coach your coach and any catch up maintenance that may be needed. 2) A Contingency fund.

As mentioned in this thread, a used higher quality coach will have already finished the steep slope of depreciation. And many feel, myself included, that a higher quality slightly older rig. Will say after another 5 years of usage, will be superior then a lesser quality new rig after 5 years of usage.

Happy hunting, and enjoy whatever you end up with...
Smitty

[Tizbad]

We are on our 3rd used coach. The first one was a 37' Winnebago gasser. The build quality was fine, but the ride, engine noise, and handling were unacceptable, even though I kept telling myself that it was a bread truck. Since then, we are on our 2nd used Diesel. We can barely hear the engine in our current coach, and this makes music and conversations much more enjoyable. On top of that, the ride, handling, and performance are outstanding. The once a year oil changes are expensive since I no longer do them myself, but we'd never go back to a gasser. ....Life is too short!

[TMan59]

The answer really comes down to what's more important to you.
A few $ or quality of the experience.
We are now on our 2nd pre 2008 DO.
For us, life's too short to worry much.
We travel about 3-5000 miles a year, don't understand the idea a DP needs 50,000 a year to be a good investment.
If I drive across town I would rather do it in a Corvette than a Kia.