TechWriter
Part-Timing Again
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Freeway Flyer 05 wrote:I am thinking we should be pretty happy with a gas Class A. We are tied to our home town until our mom passes, she is 91 and going strong, so no full time diesel pusher.
And the very first post is "Why I have a DP". Classic.
People (present company included) write about what they own/owned and generalize from there. For example, the guy who said his Damon has limited carrying capacity. His Damon was 37 1/2' long. IMHO, WAY too long for a Class A. Very little CCC and probably drove horribly too. My current 2001 31' Sea View has over a ton of CCC. Ergo, Class As need not have low CCC.
My first Class A was a gasser (2004 National RV). Our second one was a DP (2001 Newmar Mountain Aire). Our third and current is a gasser again (2001 National RV Sea View).
What have we learned?
- I never want a Class C. Before purchasing our current Class A, we looked at used Class Cs and were incredibly disappointed. For example, for similar pricing we found a Class A with greater carrying capacity, more storage, better floorplan, and 50A electrical (2 ACs) -- and levelers (many Class Cs don't have them and they are expensive to add).
- I never want another DP (unless I come into a lot of money). Our 2001 Newmar was generally a joy to drive and ride in while our first RV (2004 Sea Breeze) was difficult to drive, loud, and uncomfortable. However, our DP was VERY expensive to repair. Since it was about 20 years old, expensive things (e.g., radiator) needed replacement. Yearly "tune ups" were also pricey.
- 3rd time's the charm. So far. Our 3rd RV is a 21-year-old, 31-foot, Ford V10, one owner gasser. One owner who didn't drive it much and appears to have kept it in storage when not driving. We lucked out. It's EASY to drive. The V10 has plenty of power. It's comfortable, not an air bag ride, but comfortable. Finally, despite the up front engine, it's not loud. Go figure.
Conclusion: If you can, test drive because YRMV.
2004 - 2010 Part Timer (35’ 2004 National RV Sea Breeze 8341 - Workhorse)
2010 - 2021 Full Timer (41’ 2001 Newmar Mountain Aire 4095 DP - Cummins)
2021 - ??? Part Timer (31’ 2001 National RV Sea View 8311 - Ford)
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wjschill
Texas
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A few things to consider.
We also did the tent, van, pop-up, and fiver before getting our now Class A gasser.
We only use ours five or six times a year for a week or two at a time.
WE own a diesel truck which we used to drag the fiver. This is the best vehicle I've ever owned, a 2007 model, so I started looking at the DP's.
After considering the initial cost of a newer used one and maintenance cost thereafter, I decided to go with our 2014 Tiffin Allegro, with the V-10 motor. The oil change on my gasser is less than $50.00.
As others have stated, the motor is louder going up hills, but on level roads we find it very quiet.
You probably will be parked much more than traveling, so make sure whatever you decide, you like the layout of the living quarters.
We just completed a round trip to Wyoming from Texas for the high school rodeo finals, and enjoyed every bit of our trip.
Since Covid is pretty much behind us, the used RV's have come down in price, so you may be jumping in at a good time.
When looking, I narrowed it down to the Fleetwood Bounder, Newmar, and Tiffin Allegro. We liked these for good reviews and models having the bath and a half.
WE found that Winnie had many roof design problems on some models. Check out RV Expert on You-Tube.
Good Luck....
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rjstractor
Maple Valley, WA
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blawless wrote:As was said earlier find the floor plan you like and then if its a gasser fine if a diesel fine. I have a 36' gasser and it has more storage than many diesels of the same size. Only one thing that wasn't mentioned regarding the diesel MH is the Air brakes. You will require an endorsement on your driver's license for the air brakes. This involves taking and passing air brake course before you can legally drive it. Which may or may not delay being able to drive it. In addition if you become sick etc.. (heaven forbid) while you're out and about does your significant other have the endorsement as well to be able to drive it home or to a safe location while on the road.
This unfortunately never gets mentioned in any of the diesel vs gas MH debates.
This never gets mentioned because it's not an issue in the US. I don't know of any state that requires a CDL with the air brake restriction removed to drive a motorhome with air brakes, UNLESS it's for commercial purposes. Maybe it's different where you're from.
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way2roll
Wilmington NC
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rjstractor wrote:blawless wrote:As was said earlier find the floor plan you like and then if its a gasser fine if a diesel fine. I have a 36' gasser and it has more storage than many diesels of the same size. Only one thing that wasn't mentioned regarding the diesel MH is the Air brakes. You will require an endorsement on your driver's license for the air brakes. This involves taking and passing air brake course before you can legally drive it. Which may or may not delay being able to drive it. In addition if you become sick etc.. (heaven forbid) while you're out and about does your significant other have the endorsement as well to be able to drive it home or to a safe location while on the road.
This unfortunately never gets mentioned in any of the diesel vs gas MH debates.
This never gets mentioned because it's not an issue in the US. I don't know of any state that requires a CDL with the air brake restriction removed to drive a motorhome with air brakes, UNLESS it's for commercial purposes. Maybe it's different where you're from.
Right. In some states it's based on weight and/or length if you need the CDl version of a regular driver's license. In some states there is no distinction at all.
2023 FR Sunseeker 2400B MBS
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RLS7201
Beautyful Downtown Gladstone, MO
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rjstractor wrote:blawless wrote:As was said earlier find the floor plan you like and then if its a gasser fine if a diesel fine. I have a 36' gasser and it has more storage than many diesels of the same size. Only one thing that wasn't mentioned regarding the diesel MH is the Air brakes. You will require an endorsement on your driver's license for the air brakes. This involves taking and passing air brake course before you can legally drive it. Which may or may not delay being able to drive it. In addition if you become sick etc.. (heaven forbid) while you're out and about does your significant other have the endorsement as well to be able to drive it home or to a safe location while on the road.
This unfortunately never gets mentioned in any of the diesel vs gas MH debates.
This never gets mentioned because it's not an issue in the US. I don't know of any state that requires a CDL with the air brake restriction removed to drive a motorhome with air brakes, UNLESS it's for commercial purposes. Maybe it's different where you're from.
Brawless did NOT mention CDL. He only give good advice about air brake endorsements, that does exist in some states.
Richard
95 Bounder 32H F53 460
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Lwiddis
Southern California :(
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IMO if you are going to put a bunch of miles on the MH, get a diesel for less noise.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
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LouLawrence
Traveling the US fulltime since 2000.
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It may exist in some States but not FL, TX or SD (full timers States). TX does require a Class B upgrade for ALL RV's over 26,000# but is in no way related to air brakes.
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ferndaleflyer
everywhere
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I never heard of a special license for air brakes in an RV. Unless you are pulling a 5er with a Petterbuilt
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wolfe10
Florida
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LouLawrence wrote:It may exist in some States but not FL, TX or SD (full timers States). TX does require a Class B upgrade for ALL RV's over 26,000# but is in no way related to air brakes.
Sorry, that is not true.
Reviewing/pointing out checking air brakes was sure part of my getting a Texas Class B Exempt. Could you get an inspector who did not ask-- sure, I guess so. But, you had better be prepared for it!
Actually, it became a joke around our local DMV office, as I took my test in my Alpine 38' DP. When asked to demonstrate checking the air brakes, I told them I couldn't. Sorry, you fail. WAIT-- this coach has hydro boosted, 4 piston hydraulic disk brakes with ABS. Ended up having to show the senior inspector the brake master cylinder. Good laugh for everyone.
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'FDDS
Ex: 1997 Safari 35'
Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
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LouLawrence
Traveling the US fulltime since 2000.
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Unless it has changed in the last few years, I did not have to do anything with my air brakes and there was nothing about air brakes on the test when I qualified for by TX class B license driving a Prevost. It has likely been over 10 years since I got the license so it's possible things have changed.
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