Ro646a
New Boston, MI
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Joined: 03/03/2007
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I enjoyed reading the comments in another thread regarding the realtive quality of Class A diesel coaches. Now I wonder if anyone would care to comment on the rankings of Class A gas units, for those of us who can't afford diesels.
2000 Newmar Dutch Star, Ford F53 Chassis
Roadmaster Sterling All terrain tow bar
Brakemaster
2002 Chevy Tracker V6 4x4
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FrontRangeRVer
8,600 feet elevation in the Rockies
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Joined: 07/22/2005
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We can afford a diesel unit....just don't want to pay that much!
2006 Winnebago Voyage 35A
W-22 Chassis
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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FrontRangeRVer wrote:We can afford a diesel unit....just don't want to pay that much!
Good point I think that applies to many MH owners. We like being able to buy our parts at 8 PM in most any town in the US and service if needed.
If one can afford drive a new car or truck then then they and afford to purchase a DP in the same price range. Many of just do not want to pay for a chassis that is good for 1,000,000+ miles when we only drive 6K miles per year and 95% of the time we are parked where the "ride" and "quiteness" are just fine.
If we had physical or emotional needs for a DP we would find one like others do.
After a couple years of ownership and reading this forum I am to not think there is a "bad" brand out there. All have come out with models that had technical/structural issues.
If you buying new it is hard to tell what you are getting.
If you are buying used then use and care seems to be the key factors. Gas chassic tends to be a Ford or GM/WH for the past 20+ years.
Buying used has four factors of concern to me. They are roof, engine, transmission conditions and a workable floor plan that is of reasonable quality and condition.
I have seen high end MH's the same age as our entry level MH that I would not trade for. Buying new that uses new technologies/materials can be a real wildcard we all know.
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Greyghost
Rapid City, SD
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Joined: 10/12/2001
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I can only attest to what I know from my experience or my close friends experience.
Top 3
1. Newmar Mountain Aire (no longer made in a gasser)
2. Tiffen Alegro Bay (not sure if it's still made in a gasser)
3. Winnebago Adventurer (not sure if it's still made in a gasser)
Pat & Roger Fisher
2004 Mountain Aire 3501
2007 Honda CRV EX-L 4WD,
Sampson(The Beast) Bouvier Des Flandres
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JawPaint
Baltimore,Maryland
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Joined: 12/07/2005
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Newmar Mt.Aire
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Ro646a
New Boston, MI
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Joined: 03/03/2007
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Gale Hawkins wrote:FrontRangeRVer wrote:We can afford a diesel unit....just don't want to pay that much!
Good point I think that applies to many MH owners. We like being able to buy our parts at 8 PM in most any town in the US and service if needed.
If one can afford drive a new car or truck then then they and afford to purchase a DP in the same price range. Many of just do not want to pay for a chassis that is good for 1,000,000+ miles when we only drive 6K miles per year and 95% of the time we are parked where the "ride" and "quiteness" are just fine.
If we had physical or emotional needs for a DP we would find one like others do.
After a couple years of ownership and reading this forum I am to not think there is a "bad" brand out there. All have come out with models that had technical/structural issues.
If you buying new it is hard to tell what you are getting.
If you are buying used then use and care seems to be the key factors. Gas chassic tends to be a Ford or GM/WH for the past 20+ years.
Buying used has four factors of concern to me. They are roof, engine, transmission conditions and a workable floor plan that is of reasonable quality and condition.
I have seen high end MH's the same age as our entry level MH that I would not trade for. Buying new that uses new technologies/materials can be a real wildcard we all know.
Yes, I agree. I could pay cash for a nice diesel if I wanted to, but there are other things that I value more. I'm just curious about how the various gas brands compare in terms of quality. For example, before we bought our used Dutch Star we looked at a very nice Damon Intruder, I think it was a model 349 with dual slides. When I asked on this forum for advice on that unit I was advised to forget about the Damon and look for a Newmar, which I did. We are extremely happy with the Newmar, but I don't know that it is built any better than the Damon we saw, understanding that we have what is probably the entry level Newmar product.
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Sully2
Cincinnati
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Joined: 01/20/2003
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FrontRangeRVer wrote:We can afford a diesel unit....just don't want to pay that much!
An honest man if there ever was one. My hats off to you sir!!
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
2002 Jeep Liberty
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Here's ONE place you can find some pretty good information by reading what OTHER think about units that they own. Not all brands/models have a large number of reviews and of course the higher the number the more accurate the information would be so take it what it's worth.
RV Owners Reviews
2004 F-250 SCREW Long Bed (new)
OR 2004 F-150 HD (85,000 towing miles)
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
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Phillerup
USA
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Joined: 10/15/2002
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The gas Newmar Mountain Aire is probably the #1 gas coach quality and amenity wise and it was priced as such. There were a lot of others that would tie for second place. The Mountain Aire had a lot of the same upgraded things in them that you would normally find only in nicer diesels. If you ever get the chance to spend some time in one - you will see what I mean.
2003 Newmar DSDP 4005 dual slide king bed Spartan 350 Cummins 2004 Jeep Liberty 4X4 tow, SeaEagle boat in basement
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John Wayne
Long Beach, Ca
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Joined: 02/13/2001
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I would add any National brand to the list.
John & Carol
01 31'Sea View single slide, F53 V-10
96 Toyota 4-Runner auto 4x4 (Remco, M&G brake system)
KF6HCH
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