Community Forums

Randm Musing · 09-14-2011, 01:45 PM

First time investigating MH's

I am looking for something for full-time.

Gould anybody venture a guess about the gas mileage of a rig like this? I would be towing a car (Honda CRV) on a trailer.

I know that Pace is no longer manufactured, so should I be concerned about finding parts if necessary?

1994 FLEETWOOD Pace Arrow 37 FT, PACE ARROW
THIS PACE ARROW MOTORHOME INCLUDES AN AWNING, ROOF
LADDER, WINDOW SHADES, BACK UP CAMERA, CB RADIO, 2 TV S, CABLE READY, DVD
PLAYER, SOFA, SWIVEL CHAIR, BOOTH DINETTE, QUEEN ISLAND BED, 2 A/C S,
FULL BATHROOM WITH SHOWER, MICROWAVE, FRIDGE/FREEZER, OVEN WITH COOKTOP, DUCTED AIR/HEAT, 7000 WATT GENERATOR,LEVELING JACKS, CORIAN COUNTERTOPS, ICE MAKER, MAX AIR VENTS

Asking Price: $10,995
Features
* Year: 1994
* Make: FLEETWOOD
* Model: Pace Arrow 37 FT
* Class: Class A
* Mileage: 63,576
* Fuel Type: GAS
* Air Conditioners: 2
* Awnings: YES
* Length: 37
* Engine Manufacturer: FORD
* Self Contained: YES

homerbw · 09-14-2011, 02:15 PM

I purchased a 2000 Pace Arrow Vision 1 1/2 years ago and have had no problem obtaining parts. Your looking at a good product at a reasonable price. Be sure to have a professional look it over before purchasing the unit.

edgray · 09-14-2011, 02:18 PM

Gas mileage around 6-7 MPG if you're lucky. Replacing the PA components as necessary won't be a problem-they are made by others anyway, but I suggest you verify if it is built on a Ford F-53 chassis (which would mean parts are more likely to be found) or if it is on the Oshkosh/John Deere chassis, that Fleetwood used to use.

OBTW, you don't need a trailer to tow a CRV.
Ed

RickO · 09-14-2011, 02:19 PM

Welcome to the forum. I'll let the experts chime in but it looks reasonable to me so long as you have it checked out first.

Good luck...

Rick

TXiceman · 09-14-2011, 04:48 PM

6 to 7 mpg maximum, depending on speed and terrain. You could see 4 to 5 mpg in the hills and mountains. RV and high fuel mileage just do not go together.

Ken

millsrv · 09-15-2011, 06:50 AM

We are on our third class A, all have been big block Chevys and all have towed a car. We live in CA so we are always climbing some sort of a grade. Based on my 25 plus years experience driving these rigs, 6 to 8 MPG is what you can expect. There are times when wind direction is favorable, the speed is kept around 60 mph and the road is flat I have seen as high a 10 MPG, but this is rare.

H. Miller · 09-15-2011, 07:41 AM

64,000 miles on a gasser - I would want to see complete maintenance records and have the engine/transmission gone over with a "fine tooth comb".

TXiceman · 09-15-2011, 08:27 PM

Also, Fleetwoods from that era and earlier were prone to leaks in the joint between the front and rear caps and the roof. The joint is very poorly designed. Look of any bubbles in the side walls.

Delamination due to leaks is very expensive to fix and you do not know what is the extent of damage inside the wall.

Any bubbles in the side walls, I;d pass on the unit.

Ken

wa8yxm · 09-16-2011, 10:17 AM

Gas millage six to eight MPG if it's in good conditon.. I drive a 2005 and it gets 8-10 depending on how recently I wax it (This week in fact it's getting waxed) I'm not kidding about the benefits of a good wax job. It really improves that much.

I wax spring and fall.. (Then I drive 800-1000 miles from Summer to Winter quarters)

Lault · 09-16-2011, 12:09 PM

Heck I get 6 to 8 with my 2011 ISC diesel pusher, so what is the big deal. I would hope he is not looking for 10 to 15. If you push a barn down the road figure on poor mileage.

SteveLevin · 09-16-2011, 12:15 PM

Single biggest item will be the transmission. That overdrive trans is notorious for failure around this mileage and won't be cheap to rebuild (although once rebuilt with the post 1996 parts it'll last forever).

Steve

njs42 · 09-16-2011, 12:27 PM

NOt sure you need a trailer for the CR-V--unless you just want one. Maybe you have a trailer and do not want the expense of equiping for 4 down. For the past ten years or so they have been towable 4 down. I have one. Sweet tow.

Randm Musing · 09-20-2011, 06:53 PM

Thanks for the updates, everybody. I guess that due to the gas milage issue I should give up on the idea of a MH, at lest for now. Also, the maintenance issues on a MH that I could afford.

BTW, my CRV (2001) manual says that it can not be towed. If not under its own power it must be moved on a flat-bed.

Thanks again.

Charles.

B Bob · 09-21-2011, 08:58 PM

The Pace Arrow was a high end gas coach and many thousands were made. I would say you will have no problems at all getting parts. You can expect in the range of 6-7mpg towing.

If it is possible to expand your budget just a bit I would suggest look at just a bit newer Pace's with slides. Slides make long time stays in motor homes more enjoyable.