To answer your questions and offer comment as an owner of a 1999 Bounder, 32 foot (v-10) that we put 85,000 miles on and a 2005 W-22 Newmar 37 foot Kountry Star with 38,000 miles on it now. We have half timed in it during the winters and traveled part time in the summers.
1. If you maintained the motorhome (keeping it under cover will help a lot) and purchased a good quality gas unit I would say at least 20 years. This assumes you are handy fixing and maintaining the small repairs that the "house" requires--like any house. You will probably renew carpeting and some fabrics in this time as you would do for any stick built house.
2. We average about $500 (during the 3 year warranty) to $1,000 (after the warranty) per year on the chassis- figure besides the normal maintenance you will purchase some chassis "goodies". Also then estimate tire replacement in about 7 years and batteries in about 6 years. Then figure some $$$ for house
enhancements---especially if you go to Camping World..
3. The service book estimate is for the 8.1 to go 200,000 miles. I believe it--then would you replace it or rebuild it???? If you are in Mexico avoid new diesels as the Mexico diesel fuel is currently unsatisfactory. Good gas is readily available as you have probably experienced. Also we have traveled in Mexico and there are many good gas service facilities and mechanics. We were traveling in a group and the good service for gas vehicles available in Mexico surprised us.
4. It is smart to not be in a rush as you have noted, especially if you have living accommodations there now. Except---how much longer will the GM 8.1 be available???? There is only rumor of it going out of production. A big question, suggest you ask around--talk to Workhorse marketing.
Comment: The idea to purchase a 35 to 37 foot (Note that 39 feet is sort of long/heavy for a W-22 chassis--and Mexico) with two sides is good for full timing. Probably you will find that most new units now have 3 to 4 slides, so 35 foot could be adequate. PM me if you have any more questions.
Fishinghat wrote: I agree with busterbud. RVs are expensive toys not made to be lived in for extended periods without extensive wear and tear. While many have done the "full time" thing and enjoyed it, it is expensive compared to living in a stationary residence.
That said, if you were to consider a used, high end coach, which probably means a diesel pusher, and you were to properly maintain it, you could have a comfortable, reliable coach for over 20 years at a moderate cost per year. By moderate, I'm thinking under 10K per year, or 200K over the 20 year lifespan. That's 75K to 100K for the rig, and another 100K to 125K or so for maintenance, upkeep, insurance, license, and trips from the parking lot into Wal-Mart for stuff you forgot.
If my coach costs ME $10K a YEAR...Id give it away tomorrow!! No way in ****.!! I havent spent $10K TOTAL in 9 years...and that include oil changes each year; 1 new set of tires; tranny fluid and filters; new coolant and filters; and 3 gallon of Dexron and filters for my hydraulic system; and a new full set of batterys...etc...etc.
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
2002 Jeep Liberty
We part time in the signature coach, roughly 5 months a year (total of 25 months so far) and 15k miles a year. At 65K miles I have replaced tires (5 years 55k miles and they were worn) and shocks (changed out monros for Bilsteins - worth it). Everything else has been routine service - oil, filter, lube - oh yes had a drive axle seal go, $87 to get that fixed.
The coach shows it has been used, but it is mostly appearance. I expect to be able to get another 5 years - 65k miles with no major stuff. I would consider interior renovation at some point if the chassis continues to justify the extended life that would bring. I would also need to have the exterior gone over if I wanted "like new" appearance.
Paul
Trucking down the road in a 2004 Southwind 36E on Workhorse Chassis with a 2005 Toyota RAV4 AWD stick shift tow'd with US Gear Brake System. Check out my journal
FMCA 352081
Buy used...and either fall back to even as far as a 2000 model with low milage. Get a Country Coach OR a Foretravel...either an Allure or higher trim or a U295 or higher trim ( depending on year and model will determine the coast but either will be under the $120K mark)
Both brands are solid build...both brands carry enough engine so you dont have to worry about pulling a "toad"...etc.
My own is a 2000 CC Allure with 43K miles on it...and I wouldnt swap even for any THREE of these newer gassers..regardless of how many slides it might have nor its GVW. There isnt a gasser on the market that will outlive even my own 9 yr old CC...let alone any model newer
I am sure that I have an entirely different take, since I have owned RV's for 47 years. So far no slide outs. (our next one might have a slide or two, but we lived full time for 3 years in a 37 footer without slides and did fine. Why mention slides? Just more complex. Our current RV is 9 years old and we use it regularly (about the same amount of wear as full time (but one can easily cover cloth fabric upholustry with various covers)--and we recently replaced the carpets, shades, some electroncis upgrades, and it will be good for at leat another 10 years. The outside, as long as it is kept washed and waxed should do very well (especially since it is covered). The gas engines are durable, but the diesels will have more torque, and if you are going to climb mountains much of the time or really want a 39 footer--they go diesel, with a Allison Transmission.
If you look at the actual cost of running, currently many places diesel fuel is still more expensive than gas--at times 20%. You will get about 30% better mileage with diesel--for the same load. The service will be considerably more expensive for the diesel. We currently have a V 10, and it has been bullett
proof. We re-did the Ford Transmission--mostly because I was going to put a larger load on it by increasing the towing capacity.
Summary, You do not have to buy a high end diesel to enjoy and live comfortably in an RV. I suspect that in the long run, gas will be less expensive, considering the amount of money you have tied up and either interest paid, or income lost.
Bob Austin
2001 H R 30 Admiral
Toad 2003 Honda Pilot
1993 Roadtrek popular Dodge chassis
2000 Ford Excursion 7.3 Diesel
The b iggest cost is for fridge, water heaters, pumps and other house stuff, either the gas or diesel is not likley to make much difference for the amount of miles travled each year. I like the ride and the fuel economy of the diesel and agree with one post buy a high end used unit. Your money will go a lot farther.
RayChez wrote: If I was you and you want to spend around 125K for a coach, buy a diesel coach, not a gasoline motorhome. The gasoline engine is good for around 100 miles, while the diesel engine you can get 400K miles on them. And the house part if you take care of it, it will last you a long time. Twenty years is very possible on a diesel coach maybe even more with TLC.
Sorry to disagree but a modern gas motor will last much longer then 100K. I even now a fellow with an "old" GM motorhome with the original 454 that has over 240K on it and is still running strong. With proper maintenance there's absolutely no reason that a GM 8.1 can't do 200K miles or more. No reason what so ever. If the original poster doesn't have any plans to tow something heavy or put 20K miles or more a year IMHOP he is throwing his money away by buying a DP. The maintenance cost alone just simply is not worth it. As far as the house portion goes he would do far better buying a Tiffen Allegro or a Winnebago Adventure. Both of these are built far better then a entry level DP. At $125K entry level is what he would get with a DP.
Oh by the way as I sit here posting this I'm in the waiting room of my local heavy truck repair facility waiting on yet another problem to be solved with my DP. This facility would be the first place to suggest a gas over a diesel if you weren't doing 20K or towing something heavy.
2003 VW GTI, 2006 Audi A4 Q, 2003 Safari Sahari 39' 8.3L 350HP Cummins , 2007 BMW R1200RT, Rufus the choclate Lab
thataway wrote: ... The service will be considerably more expensive for the diesel....
Why is diesel more expensive to maintain than gas? I've seen manufacturer web sites that say requires less maintenance compared to gas.
Not sure what the previous poster is driving but my 8.3 Cummings air filter is $175.00 (list for over $300), oil filter $40.00, 5 1/2 gallons of oil, and two fuel filters that cost close to $100.00 which I've been changing twice a year. Not to mention that they are a PIA to work on.
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