Short diesel pusher

[crb478]

I have a 1998 Beaver Savannah with a 8 airbag magnum chassis. It is listed as a 33 foot MH but is actually 34'4". As far as the ride it is pretty good. Smooth roads are awesome, rough roads are still comfortable, and at the most I only feel a slight push from passing tractor trailers. Usually nothing. It has no slides, but the Patriot Concord is same coach with a singe slide.

If you can find one you will be lucky, they are pretty rare. I have a Cat 3126 with 330 hp. Even with that I will slow down on grades especially pulling my CRV. I do have almost 6000 lbs of additional carrying capacity which is great.

This may well not be the coach for you if you need more room than a big class C. For me it's a good fit. There are only two of us and 2 dogs. Easy to maneuver and park, and gets decent fuel mileage for a MH.

Not in your list of brands, but I believe that Foretravel also made a shorter tag axle DP.

Good luck with your search and pick what fits you.

[Dutch Star Don]

If you can find one of these, it will fit your needs perfectly. In 2005 we bought a new Monaco Diplomat model 36 SKT which was listed at 36' and was 37' overall. It weighed in at 32K and had a 400 ISL and Allison 3000 transmission, making it a rocket, especially on the grades. It was one of the nicest coaches we ever owned. The 36SKT is side aisle coach. It had a large rear master, full bath mid coach with a side aisle access to the bedroom. It had a large dinette on the driver's side and kitchen on the passenger side.

[dbircky]

X2 on the length in the Monaco name. My 42 actually measures 42ft10inches or 43ft5inches including the ladder. Monaco for some reason rounded down.

Just a foot too long to park it and the pickup in the same bay, as I found out AFTER bringing it home.

[c_oneil]

I'll add my free opinion to agree completely with Paul65k and Kid Gloves. I also drive a 36' model Alpine and I can say it handles great. Never pushed around by truck bow waves or porpoising. The Peak custom chassis has the wheel base length and front to back weight distribution to just make it simply work without the extra weight and expense of a tag axle.
Pre-Def ISL, 2 stage engine brake, 4 wheel disk brakes, side radiator is a great combination. If you get a chance to drive one you will see.

[garyb1st]

Thanks for the replies. Great info. As mentioned I'm only interested in a shorter diesel since I have limited space at my home. Our gasser is 35'8" and don't know if that includes the ladder. The space will accommodate another 2 or 3 feet but the problem I have is the challenge getting it into the space. There is a light standard directly in front of the motorhome near the curb which eliminates the ability to just back it in. I also have a 2 - 3 foot incline from the curb so a challenging maneuver to get the Pace parked without hitting ours or the neighbors home.

What I can't determine is whether a diesel with it's wheel cut and longer wheelbase can be maneuvered into the area. Hate to find out it can't after the fact. Parking a motorhome in the L.A. area is very expensive and I just like to have it at the house so I can work on it from time to time.

I know there are a few short pushers with tags but I've never actually measured them. I also know that almost all the Monacos I've looked at are a foot or more longer than their model designation would suggest. So even a 38 could be a problem. So it would probably need to be a model 36xxx.

Alpine is a motorhome I've read good things about and I'd certainly consider one. IIRC, their shorter models have a relatively longer wheelbase compared to some other pushers.

Foretravell is another unit I've always liked. But at the time I was looking it was for the older pre 2000 models. I just liked the look.

Beaver products in the time frame are also appealing but I seem to recall suspension issues can be hard to solve. But that may have only been on only some of the models. I seem to recall a Torsolistic (sorry about spelling) suspension that most shops wouldn't have a clue on how to repair.

[tropical36]

Originally Posted by garyb1st

Our two gas motorhomes have been great from a mechanical point. Bought used and put about 30,000 miles on each. For me, the big downside is noise and power. Our current 8.1 Chevy with the Ultra Power chip is great at highway speed. But on the grades, it struggles on the long stretches. It's also way too noisy when it downshifts and the fan kicks on. The grade brake works well but on long grades, it still requires a fair amount of brake peddle to keep it from exceeding safe speeds. So with that in mind and because our space at the stick built is limited, I'm looking for a diesel pusher that is no more than 37 feet long.

Budget is $100,000 +/- and I'm interested in a high end, 2 or 3 slide, pre-Def pusher. Mfgs I'll consider are Country Coach, Monaco, American, Newmar and similar. I'd like a tag if possible and recall some older coaches like Monaco have one that's not too long. I'd like an ISL or comparable but would consider an ISC. Ride comfort is a major consideration. I have limited mechanical ability but with google, I've done a few things since I bought the gassers that I never would have undertaken before. I can afford the higher cost of maintenance just don't like to pay for anything I can do myself.

Would appreciate comments thoughts from those familiar with coaches that fall within the parameters mentioned.

I don't know why you'd want a tag axle unless you needed one and for usually being at least 42ft in length. If you'd like discussing it, feel free to call me at 239 495 6122.
Anyway I thinking of selling ours, as soon as I make room for it's contents and for finding the best place to advertise it.

[greeneville1]

Yes Sir, We had (2) Monaco Windsors and (2) Dynastys beyween 1999 and 2007. From 40` to 43`. Dynastys were tag axel. We would recommend all of those 4 models if still in good condition. The Roadmaster Chassis by Monaco is hard to beat. Only word of caution is to get wheel weighed all around with full load as that series of coaches were close to being overloaded on front axel and factory tires. Please don`t ask how we know. Stay safe.

[Kid Gloves]

The 34’ (34’ 11”) Alpine has a wheelbase of 217” and a 50* steering turn angle beginning with the 2004 MY. Prior to 2004 the turn angle was 48*. Your Pace has a wheelbase of 228”. The 36’ (37’) Alpine has a wheelbase of 252”.

[aquaboy]

Stay away from short wheel base. I bought a 33 tiffin and sold it following year for a 38 tiffin which had 5 FEET longer wheel base. huge difference.

[Kid Gloves]

Originally Posted by aquaboy

Stay away from short wheel base. I bought a 33 tiffin and sold it following year for a 38 tiffin which had 5 FEET longer wheel base. huge difference.

A well designed short wheelbase is a different animal.

[crb478]

Originally Posted by garyb1st

Thanks for the replies. Great info. As mentioned I'm only interested in a shorter diesel since I have limited space at my home. Our gasser is 35'8" and don't know if that includes the ladder. The space will accommodate another 2 or 3 feet but the problem I have is the challenge getting it into the space. There is a light standard directly in front of the motorhome near the curb which eliminates the ability to just back it in. I also have a 2 - 3 foot incline from the curb so a challenging maneuver to get the Pace parked without hitting ours or the neighbors home.

What I can't determine is whether a diesel with it's wheel cut and longer wheelbase can be maneuvered into the area. Hate to find out it can't after the fact. Parking a motorhome in the L.A. area is very expensive and I just like to have it at the house so I can work on it from time to time.

I know there are a few short pushers with tags but I've never actually measured them. I also know that almost all the Monacos I've looked at are a foot or more longer than their model designation would suggest. So even a 38 could be a problem. So it would probably need to be a model 36xxx.

Alpine is a motorhome I've read good things about and I'd certainly consider one. IIRC, their shorter models have a relatively longer wheelbase compared to some other pushers.

Foretravell is another unit I've always liked. But at the time I was looking it was for the older pre 2000 models. I just liked the look.

Beaver products in the time frame are also appealing but I seem to recall suspension issues can be hard to solve. But that may have only been on only some of the models. I seem to recall a Torsolistic (sorry about spelling) suspension that most shops wouldn't have a clue on how to repair.

Gary,

Some great coaches have been mentioned. I know the Beavers best and I will say that some of the 4 air bag coaches did have trailing arm issues or will if they have not been fixed. The Torsion systems were Safari and may well be hard to have serviced. The 8 air bag magnum frames used in Beavers are basically the roadmaster monoco frame. Beaver was bought out by Safari who was bought out by monoco. Each expected to monopolize the best of the bankrupt brands. Each also went bankrupt.

[rquiri]

Hmm, I've put 75K miles on a 35' 2003 Fleetwood Bounder. Prior to this I had a 28' gas model.

I don't know if this would be considered a 'shorty', but I have had no handling issues whatsoever. drives like a dream. furthermore, I love the fact that I can turn on a dime with a shorter wheelbase. makes maneuvering around & backing up a lot easier.

I don't have experience with a 32' or 33', but my 35' is GREAT. Glad I don't have a big 40 footer.

Bounder is not high end, but the benefit is a lighter coach. with a 5.9L I can average 10 mpg if the wind is not blowing in my face.

[Toys.R.Us]

We have a 2006 Country Coach Sunset Bay 37, closer to a 38', Tag, Cummins, side radiator, 4 slides and pull a 2009 Tahoe with ease. Recently did a 5 week jaunt from WA to So Cal and back up the east side to WA with two adults, a large dog and 2 cats. Loved it.
We leave early August for a trip along the northern states into Minn for a family reunion, then depending on weather forcast, may saunter over to the NE into Vermont and Maine to see the colorful changing of the seasons.

Coach with Tag up maneuvers very well, Roadmaster Chassis is wonderful and there is plenty of inside room for all of us and so far we have only boondocked.

We went from a Cheby Duramax CC Dually pulling a fully outfitted 44' Pace American.

[Kolly]

We have a 2006 Travel Supreme 36 which measures 37 and it has 3 slides and the ISL. We l9ve ours and it handles well.