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Country Road · 09-24-2021, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amosnandy

When I went into Semi-Retirement I decided to try a motorhome and travel to Mazatlan Mx to spend the winters. Budget allowed me to by a 2000 HR Endeavor. Pretty low miles. Nice layout. 36' Always felt it was a little underpowered and played the speed up going downhill to make it to the top at 50 mph. It was a nice coach, well built and the only mechanical problems I had were 1 wheel bearing failed while I was on the road, and the fuel pump acted up. Both easy fixes. I made 5 round trips of about 4800 miles each.

Last year I had some investments mature and went looking. I ended up with a 2006 Winnebago Journey 39k, 3 slides, 350 cat. Took off for my annual trek and by the time I got to Des Moines I wondered how I ever made it in that gasser. I got over 100 miles further the first day without pushing and was comfortable the whole time. Travel time in the gasser was always stressful. Watching for every bump, slowing for everything, planning on how to get up to highway speed. No more. In the hills of New Mexico I set the cruise and let it do its job.

As for the cost. I get about 1 mile to the gallon better on the DP than the gasser, but diesel cost a little more so that's a wash. I did my own oil and filters on my gasser, but I have decided it's not worth getting dirty for what they charge me on the DP. Yes, the service is more, but you don't have to do it as often.

As for the house part. Repairs cost the same on a DP as a Gasser. Plus I live 1 1/2 hour from the factory, and I can get it in for a drop off appointment within a day or two. Yup, I have to leave it, drive home, might be a couple days, might be a week, but they get it done, and right.

I hope I never have to go back to a gasser. I think the best value for me is to spend what I have to keeping up my 2006. As a former truck driver, I want to stay away from the emission motors, especially anything that uses DEF.

Get a DP and don't look back.

Yes, best advice is to do what’s best for you. If you get opinions from 10 people, you’re likely to get 10 different opinions.

I also like older coaches, tractors, cars, etc., but I lean toward newer vehicles now days as I get more wisdom. I understand when people complain about problems the new engines have like perhaps def and computers, for example, but things also just start to break down when they get older, so for me it’s a wash.

In my opinion, I believe that the price is the deciding factor why a lot go vintage. However, go with what you decide and enjoy it.

FloHouse · 09-24-2021, 05:34 PM

Thanks for all the input. We have done a lot of research and what we really want are a comfortable ride, space, being able to talk to each other and hear the radio while driving. A diesel would do this nicely while being a reliable option. We noticed with all the different layouts you can’t get everything you want, but if you can get most of what you want you’re good

. Due to driveway issues and travel to home by smaller ferry we can’t go over 35 feet.

gfmucci · 09-28-2021, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowJoe

Newer diesels have less interest to me because all of the electronic/ emissions/ computer gadgetry stuff makes them less reliable and more expensive to repair. Mine is an older mechanical engine which does not have this as a concern.

How old of a DP do we have to go to eliminate all the electronics/emissions/computer paraphernalia?

Aside from big plus of lower maintenance costs, what are the downsides of not having the extra "electronics/emissions/computer gadgetry stuff" as far as performance and reliability are concerned?

Unplanned Tourist · 09-28-2021, 01:41 PM

Keep your wallet topped up when you get that DP.

There are gassers out there that are quiet, ride just fine, lots of storage, and drive very nice.

If you do get a DP, enjoy it, and don't look back because there will be higher maintenance cost without a doubt. They are surely made for putting many more miles on, so much better for full timers that travel a lot.

I spent 40 years working on heavy diesel trucks, so not afraid of diesels. I just prefer the simplicity and lower costs of my gasser. Besides, we don't put a lot of miles on in a year (124,000 km. and 13 years old)