If You Had 40 Grand Burning a Hole in Your Pocket

bloke · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: ATL

and you wanted an RV, what would you do?

I couldn't work out which of the 20 or so sub forums on the site to put this in so l put it here coz next to the CB radio brigade, it's the biggest!

So I'm looking for an RV to take my wife to the race track. It's not the usual deal where I have to get something nice for her to lounge around in while I ride. It is in fact for me to lounge around in while she rides, so I don't have to convince her of anything, so I'm off to a good start!

MPG: although not important, I don't want something that's 4 mpg. I'd prefer 10 mpg if possible from a gas, but again, I'm new at this and have no idea. We checked out a few diesels already and again, I have no idea what they get MPG wise, so if you have one, let me know please!

Basically I know they will tow my trailer, and haul my dogs and keep me and my missus warm and happy, or cool and happy, depending on what part of the country she's riding at, but I've seen some real good prices on later models and some real high prices on older models.

This is what I have been told so far from a person I know who knows RVs and is NOT tryin to sell me one. Stay away from the older V8 gas engines (the Ford 460 and the Chev 454). Fleetwood and Winnebago seem to be good makes, and he told me to steer clear of the Damons for some reason.

So after reading that and knowing I don't really have any long trips planned, most of the time it will be from Friday to Sunday night and we like to entertain a little--or I should say most people tend to end up pittin next to us. What would you do with 40k?

Although I noted A class as a choice, we saw and fell in love with a little B class that had slides and was a diesel (my preferred choice), and at the time I thought 30k was too much. I have since realized it was the bargain the guy told me it was!

Hey--I'm a slow learner. Shocked

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I'D RATHER BE FIGHTING

tumbleturn · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 283

You have 40K, want diesel and 10 MPG. This is right up your alley. I water ski with some folks who have mid-90s Safaris. One is I believe a 32-footer and the other is a 37-footer, both class A. I hang out a lot in the 37-footer and for a coach with no slides, it is roomy inside. It has 10,000 towing capacity. Now I know while towing their small car or their boat and running along at 55, they get real close to 10 mpg. While I was looking for my current coach, I noticed most of the mid-90 Safaris were going from around 40K to 60K.
As for class Cs: my folks had an 18-footer with a Dodge 360 in it back in the 80s and it got around 10 mpg while towing @55. Their current Class C is, I believe, 24-feet with a 460 in it. It gets about 7 mpg while towing.

Mike
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As of 12/19/2008 I am a homeless unemployed bum YAHOOOO. Can you spare a dime? Currently Hanging out around Grass Valley CA

bloke · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: ATL

Cheers tumbleturn. That's the most informative bit of info I've got since I started looking. People tend to just tell you what they have is best. I'm rather surprised by the lack of response here. I was told this place was a mine of info!

So basically A class gas = 8 mpg

A class diesel = 10 mpg

Considering the limited miles I plan on doing, the big diesel ain't worth the extra coin?
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I'D RATHER BE FIGHTING

bloke · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: ATL

What about tag axles? Good or bad?
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I'D RATHER BE FIGHTING

Bo Walker · Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 289 Location: Tallahassee, FL

Hey, be patient. Your request was just posted February 14. Guess what we all were doing?
With my 34-foot Winnebago Adventurer, I always tow, usually a Saturn Vue. I was getting close to 10 mpg when I was towing a Chevy Tracker. I don't think I have checked while towing the Vue.
My MH has a 454 Chevy engine. I've never had one problem with it and she is faithful and sweet; reminds me of my partner Jan.
I have been pretty successful lowering my speed. I'm trying to average 60 mph. That is helping with better mileage.
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Bo & Jan RVing for fun

bloke · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: ATL

It's nice to hear from actual owners about their experiences with different RV setups. I'll just be pulling a small trailer with two bikes in it, but even that will make a difference to MPG, I'm guessing. Anyway, I'm not expecting 20 mpg LOL.
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I'D RATHER BE FIGHTING

TannerBee · Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 702 Location: Rock Hill, SC

I'll chime in with my mileage. We have a 1993 Class A Coachmen with the Ford 460FI and 4-speed auto w/OD. While the powertrain has been completely dependable, it ain't frugal. I get 7.2 not towing and 6.8 with a small car on a dolly. These gas motorhomes have a final drive ratio in the low 5s, and turn a lot of RPMs at speed. If my calculations ever came up to over 8 mpg and I wasn't coming down from the mountains, I would figure I didn't get the tank full or screwed up the math. Have heard many wonderful things about the big block Chevy, and not so good reports on the Triton V10.

I've also said this before: 5000 miles a year at 7 mpg is 715 gallons, $2145 at $3/gal. At 9 mpg (you're not going to get 10 with gas), it's 555 gallons, $1665. Gas mileage is a wonderful thing, but don't pass up a rig you really like for a promise of $500/year. Also, we did 14 weekenders and one week trip of about 900 miles in 12 months and still barely put 5000 miles on the rig. Your mileage may vary!
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Floyd and Tanner
Coachmen Santara 35
Rock Hill SC

Time is either spent or invested.

bloke · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: ATL

Thanks. I'm getting confused. I keep hearing different stuff. First, I'm told to stay clear of the 460s and 454s, then I'm told don't buy a V10, then somebody says the 460 is the best motor ever, etc. I'm guessing they all have their problems!
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I'D RATHER BE FIGHTING

TannerBee · Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 702 Location: Rock Hill, SC

Any of the big block American engines are really just fine. They are heavy, cast iron blocks, modestly cammed to give big torque numbers low in the rpm range. I wouldn't turn down any motorhome because it had a 460 Ford instead of a 454 Chevy or a Ford V10. You're not going to wear it out, and you're not likely to have any trouble with it. Find a coach you like and hit the road!
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Floyd and Tanner
Coachmen Santara 35
Rock Hill SC

Time is either spent or invested.

bloke · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: ATL

Any model in particular you think should be avoided?
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I'D RATHER BE FIGHTING

Cornbread Red · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Posts: 60 Location: Eastern Arizona

Hiya Bloke! It's Chip from ADV. Wink

If I was going to buy another RV, I'd get a Class B or C from Lazy Daze. IMHO, these are the best engineered and most road-hardy for the money.

I have a '86 Horizon Class B and a Tioga Arrow Class C, also '86. The Tioga has a BIG Ford in it and still gets about 12 mpg. The Horizon is about the same.

Take care, amigo.
Chip

bandit1538 · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 403 Location: Skamokawa Wa

So what's wrong with the Triton V-10? My neighbor gets 15 mpg bobtail with his F-350 and around 10-12 with with a 35' 5er. Of course, he had the full Banks package put on and had the chip changed.
The first time out with our MH, we got 8 mpg on regular running the Oregon coast highway in windy conditions. I'm waiting to see what we'll get next time with super.
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Pat & Helen
30' 04 Coachman RoadMaster
For NW HOVER-IN updates and info goto
http://bandits-stuff.com

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

bloke · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: ATL

Cornbread Red · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Posts: 60 Location: Eastern Arizona

Life's good, Bloke. The Guzzi is racking up some serious miles with nary a problem.

I know diesels are more fuel efficient, but the cost of diesel is higher and yes, they do fetch a premium.

In my experience, it seems like a used motorhome's biggest Achille's Heel is the transmissions. Seems like around 80K, they let go.

Good luck with the search.
Chip

cowboyz · Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 9 Location: michigan

First off, gas vs diesel: rule of thumb, if you're towing large loads up mountains, there is no replacement for diesel. If most of your travels don't involve towing a trailer or car, there is no reason to shortchange a gas engine. Chevys are cheaper to modify than Fords, but both with the right modifications will run well as long as you change the oil and don't push them too hard up the hills while towing.

If you plan to drive less than 20,000 miles a year, gas is the way to go. If you want to camp at smaller parks, 35' is usually the max size to go.

As for not buying a Damon, then your friend has never been in a good Intruder or Escaper or Tuscany.

It's personal preference on make and model.

If I was you, I would look into a older coach, newer than let's say 2002, higher end makes/models like Newmar or Holiday Rambler. You can't hardly go wrong. For the upper crust, try an older Foretravel, Wanderlodge, American (Fleetwood) lines and others.

But for conservation sake, take a tour in a Damon Tuscany or a Pacific Edition Astoria, and then go back to your friend who doesn't like Damon and ask him why.

cowboyz
damon 352 intruder
with all the goodies