Community Forums

Technobody · 07-23-2013, 08:10 AM

Greetings:
I just discovered this Forum on the weekend as it seemed more active than a few others I have belonged too. My wife and I have not yet retired. We still have a couple of years to go. WE are pretty anxious to become full time RVers when we retire. We have already spent a couple of years trying to decide just what we wanted for an RV for a full time couple. It didn't take us too long to rule out travel trailers. WE had looked at quite virtually every make out there and came to the conclusion that there just isn't enough storage space on any of them for full timers.
Next came the fifth wheels. As with the travel trailers we have looked at just about every single make and model out there. We found several that we really liked however, none of them could be towed with the truck I had hoped to purchase. I had though about buying a Ford F150 with the eco boost engine. With the right rear end it can tow up to 11,300 pounds. Trouble is the fivers we like all weight 15,000 pounds or better. This meant that a 3/4 or one ton truck would be required. I priced out both the Ford and the GMC with a diesel engine. The price and the payment became the restriction. When you add the price of the RV on to that, it would have made for some pretty high payments on a retired pension.
We have since narrowed our search down to a motorhome. It's not very likely it will be a brand new one. I have found some real great prices on gently used motorhomes that are very affordable. My dilemma now comes from whether or not it should be gas or diesel. I drive a diesel bus for a living so the length and proper license isn't a factor. I am pretty certain I know the pros and cons of both.
What would be a real help to us would be hearing from folks who both own a diesel and gas motorhome and hearing their real life experiences driving and living in them both. If you have gas, do you wish you had diesel and why. If you have diesel, do you wish you had gas and why.
I'm hoping that a more active forum such as this one will give us some valuable insights in our decision making process.

Best regards,

Mike & Nancy in Ottawa

**CLIFFTALL** · 07-23-2013, 08:16 AM

Welcome to irv2. I've owned 2 gas MHs and have a total of 92,000 miles. Been to all 49 States ( drive able ) and all 10 Canadian Provinces. No regrets when I look at all the pros and cons of each.
Cliff

**JohnRR** · 07-23-2013, 08:31 AM

**Petro** · 07-23-2013, 08:32 AM

Mike & Nancy;

We are glad you found us. There is a wealth of information available to you here to help with your decision process. Don't be afraid to ask questions because we have a great group who like to help when they can.

Don

MSHappyCampers · 07-23-2013, 09:53 AM

Hi Mike & Nancy! Welcome to IRV2! It's great to have you join us!

I would suggest that you go over to the motorhome area of the forum and post questions there for the best results. Not many folks hang out here in the Welcome area.

BTW, my vote is for a diesel pusher a few years old with good maintenance records.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

bdickson · 07-23-2013, 10:02 AM

We're on our second gas class A motor home and we love them.

Bruce C · 07-23-2013, 02:51 PM

from NH. On my third motorhome, no regrets.

Selah · 07-23-2013, 03:30 PM

I'm still new to this but I have had a gas coach and now our current diesel. Did not regret getting the 36 ft gas, it was a great coach. And served us well. We bought gas initially because we did not know how much we would actually use it. However we are spending more time on the road than we are at our house and are considering going full time. We wanted more room than a gas could provide as well as additional amenities. The quiter and gentler ride was also something we wanted.
Our gas coach was great for extended vacations, spent four months the first time out. The new coach though is more like a home and can certainly see us living in it full time.