I am a former owner of three class A motorhomes including two diesels. With four children, we've outgrown our last one and are now starting from scratch. I have a 2002 Excursion diesel that I can use as a tow vehicle. I make my own fuel so traveling doesn't cost us much.
With that said, I'm looking for something with four bunk beds for my children (ages 4,6,8,10). I'm sure my wife would prefer a king bed if possible as I've been told I take up too much of the bed. We've had a stacked washer/dryer in a previous unit which really came in handy. Slide(s) would be good just to give more square footage when we are camping.
I've seen several units discussed here but nothing that really floats my boat. Maybe I need to go see a few first.
What units should I be considering that can comfortably sleep and camp 6+ people? I say 6+ because there will be additional children every now and then.
My Flagstaff 831QBSS (Rockwood 8317SS same trailer) has four bunks in the rear, dinnette makes into a bed, full size sofa/hide-a-bed, and a queen bed up front. I've had six adults in there at deer camp. We had 2 in the queen bed, one on the dinnette, and three in the bunks. We still had the hide-a-bed, in case of more company. I added some supports and an extra layer of plywood on the upper bunks and I'm comfortable with some one 200 - 225 lbs sleeping in them. I have slept in the upper bunks. The hide-a-bed is an option.
The Fagstaff and Rockwood have television hookups in front bedroom, main living area, and in the bunkroom.
Check out my mods (link below) to see a few pictures.
I know there are several more out there. Good luck in your search.
* This post was
edited 07/04/08 06:41pm by handye9 *
06 Titan Kingcab
06 Flagstaff 831QBSS
Wife and I
Buddy the Beagle
USN MCPO (E9) Retired (active duty 1973 - 1995) Check out my mods
You need to get all of the numbers together. Towing weights, and such. But you have to remember, whatever the capacity of your TV is, it has to be reduced by what you put in it. Including people, and gear. But sounds like quad bunks are the thing for you. We have 2 yung'ns(12/15) and we traded a 07 Springdale for an 08 Pilgram. The Springdale was a rear kitchen, no bunks. really nice when the kids are awake, but when they are asleep, the couch took up the room, it had a super slide. Now the Pilgram is still 33ft long, but lighter, a smaller slide, and rear quad bunks, it works much better. But with that many of you youo may want to stay away from the lite versions,(depends on your TV.) The lite TTs seem to have smaller waste tanks. Which since my wife is 95% against roughing any more,(old age I think, well she is 40.) I do not worry much about the tanks, the kids use campground showers, and sometimes the wife or myself will to. But it sounds like you want a bigger/heavier TT. Not sure, about the money side, but Coachmen, and Holiday Rambler may have what you seek. Although there are many makes, and many versions, you may have a hunt ahead of you. Good Luck.
Unfortunately, most DPs are poor TVs for towing TT's and the Excursion is on the light end of the DP scale. The DP was designed to tow a dinghy using a tow bar with negligible tongue weight. Typically, the max tongue weight for a DP is 500; well under half of what the tongue weight will be of a large bunk house TT. Even if the hitch on the DP was adequately rated for the weight of the TT, adding 1300-1500# to the rear of a light DP with only 51% wheelbase-to-length ratio is scary. The GCVWR of the Freightliner chassis is only 5,000# over the GVWR of the coach, so the chassis doesn't have an adequate rating for pulling a TT either.
If you'd really like to use a diesel MH to tow a TT, then I'd suggest one of the newer Super C's that is built on a heavy chassis with a towing rating in the range of 15,000#. They were designed to tow heavy trailers and with their front engines, the coach's balance and stability doesn't go south with the tongue weight of a large TT.
Steve & C. J.
"Gracie" the Rough Collie & "Bo'sun" the Bichon Frise
SteveRankin wrote: Unfortunately, most DPs are poor TVs for towing TT's and the Excursion is on the light end of the DP scale. The DP was designed to tow a dinghy using a tow bar with negligible tongue weight.
I think the OP means Ford Excursion.
browe29 ~ I also have an '02 with the 7.3L PSD. I'm curious to know how you make your fuel. Please PM me.
I am really interested in the part about making your own fuel. I thought it was like the lottery. It was only leagal as long as the government could tax it.
So in regards to the fuel, it is a form of biodiesel using used vegetable oil. We've got about 12 vehicles running on the mixture/formula for about 2-3 years. I bought my Excursion 7.3 diesel specifically for it and was lucky enough to find a used one with 26,000 miles. I just took a 450 mile trip running it and am getting ready to return home without any problems. I'm getting about 18 mpg on the highway on this trip. Yes it smells like BBQ or fries but it is a lot better than normal diesel. Fuel filter needs to be changed more frequently.
I haven't towed anything big since running with the mixture, but some of the other vehicles have without problems. We are getting ready to go public with re-fueling stations starting in Florida first. Price will be $2.49/gallon which will include all necessary highway taxes.
The way I read the posting and understand it, is that he wants to CHANGE over to a large TT FROM a motorhome and wants to PULL it with his Excursion. JMHO. Only my DW and me so have not idea as to room for the number of sleepers etc.
jf504mp wrote: I am really interested in the part about making your own fuel. I thought it was like the lottery. It was only leagal as long as the government could tax it.
I read somewhere this guy converted his Class A to bio, he was tailgating and the police come by looking to keep everything calm, and in order, well they spot this guys bumper sticker that read he runs on bio, well they ask to see his road tax stamp or whatever it is you need, he had none, got a ticket and had to pay 2500 a year road tax use. I guess if you do not tell everyone, and you play dumb, you might be able to avoid the grease police coming after you. You would have to do a lot driving on bio to make up the 2500 bucks. They get you coming and going. We have a local guy who changed his dodge ram PU to bio, not sure if he pays the grease police or not.
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