Community Forums

pumper9x9 · 03-08-2013, 08:44 AM

Go to rv.org buy their product they have ratings for all the coaches and a lot of great information even for experianced coach owners. Good luck and happy hunting. You might also look at Dynamax, LazyDays, Big foot.

ernest917 · 03-09-2013, 05:30 PM

Ck out the Forestriver Lexington.... Had one before moving up to a diesel and loved it.... Three slides with all the bells and whistles.... Full fiberglass roof.... A fantastic unit.... 24' - 31' in length.... Super fuel economy....

winniman · 03-09-2013, 08:12 PM

You probably wont be able to tow a 20 ft trailer with a car in it with these rigs. My 37g adventurer is only rated for 5000 lbs.

Automobilist · 03-09-2013, 09:52 PM

After owning two diesel pushers, I'm having a hard time getting enthusiastic about a gas coach...

Currently shopping eBay, and bidding on several diesels. I can get a diesel for about $15k more than a smaller gasser, and the money really isn't much of an issue.

Old Dude 66 · 03-10-2013, 08:51 AM

How in the world will you know what you are getting if you buy on eBay? Are you allowed an inspection?

Automobilist · 03-10-2013, 11:15 PM

We bought our last two diesel pushers on eBay as well. You have to know what you're looking at, and what the potential problems are. Yes, it appears riskier, but if you buy it low enough to do some repairs, it's really no riskier than buying anywhere else.

zmotorsports · 03-12-2013, 08:24 AM

After owning two diesel pushers, I'm having a hard time getting enthusiastic about a gas coach...

I have got to hand it to you, I don't think I could give up hauling all of our toys now that we have been taking the Harley and the Jeep with us when traveling, as well as having a rolling shop/garage. It would be hard to go back to a small rig and only flat towing the Jeep.

Mike.

Automobilist · 03-12-2013, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zmotorsports

After owning two diesel pushers, I'm having a hard time getting enthusiastic about a gas coach...

I have got to hand it to you, I don't think I could give up hauling all of our toys now that we have been taking the Harley and the Jeep with us when traveling, as well as having a rolling shop/garage. It would be hard to go back to a small rig and only flat towing the Jeep.

Mike.

Well, that's the whole idea.

We do vintage auto racing, and when you have the car, spares, tools, etc, it adds up. Lot's of our fellow racers use gas coaches, but it just seems like a diesel is a better choice.

zmotorsports · 03-14-2013, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Automobilist

Well, that's the whole idea.

We do vintage auto racing, and when you have the car, spares, tools, etc, it adds up. Lot's of our fellow racers use gas coaches, but it just seems like a diesel is a better choice.

No argument here. When we first started racing we had a 30' Travelcraft Class A with the GM platform. Although it fit our budget at the time and I fixed it up quite nice it really got worked hauling our 24' Wells Cargo enclosed trailer weighing around 8k pounds when loaded. I had done many performance upgrades as well as a Gear Vendors overdrive unit and everything helped but it still struggled on the grades. Many times when traveling we would look for routes trying to bypass as many grades as possible. Unfortunately we live in a bowl and pretty much have to climb in about any direction we want to travel when leaving home.

We had that coach for six years before stepping up to our first DP. A 38' Beaver Contessa on a Gillig chassis. I did a lot of research before buying and was very happy with that setup towing the same trailer. 6% grades were not avoided, although still struggled a bit but definately an improvement. Great coach for the seven years and close to 60k miles we put on her.

Jump forward to our 400 horsepower/1200 ft/lb coach and towing close to 13k pounds there are not many mountain passes that I have not tackled in the past six years. Granted it is not a rocket ship by any means but most six and seven percent grades can be pulled at 47-48 MPH. We just got back from Moab and pulling Soldiers Summit loaded with all our crap we were able to go over the top at 47 MPH.

Our 30' Travelcraft flat-towing our older Jeep would have all it could do to maintain 30 MPH up the same Soldiers Summit pass.

Mike.

Automobilist · 03-15-2013, 11:32 AM

We decided to go ahead and buy another diesel. 2003 Jayco Avatar, 39'. Cummins ISC: 350 hp, 1050 lb. ft. Should be a good one... Also bought a new 20' enclosed trailer. Now time to start customizing the trailer to fit our racing needs.

zmotorsports · 03-15-2013, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Automobilist

We decided to go ahead and buy another diesel. 2003 Jayco Avatar, 39'. Cummins ISC: 350 hp, 1050 lb. ft. Should be a good one... Also bought a new 20' enclosed trailer. Now time to start customizing the trailer to fit our racing needs.

Yep, and it seems like they are never done either.

Post up some pics when you get everything. I would love to see it.

Congrats on the new to you rig.

Mike.