I can tell you our experience with Rexhall and diesel.
Diesels are generally more expensive and the fuel is more expensive. Yes, they go 10000s of miles further. Repairs cost more (in our experience) and quite frankly, will you be traveling THAT much further???
Rexhall -- we had a 2003 (I think) Rexhall Rexair. Couldn't get rid of it fast enough. Everything went out in it in the 2 yrs we had it -- bought it used. The hydraulics for the slides kept dripping - couldn't get it to stop. The slides leaked like a sieve. DH pulled it apart on the inside and there was NO caulking and and NO evidence of some areas even HAVING caulking from the factory. And DH had replaced all the usual caulking points before we ever took it out the first time. He also found only ONE screw holding one side of the back slide onto the framework. The screw holes still had paint in them....those holes NEVER had a screw put in. Also, the metal flanges did not meet up on the slides -- 3/4" gaps that allowed the rain to come in. Still had leaks in the basement area we never could find -- nor could 3 repair shops. Dash air and heater died on us.
When we tried to replace the backup camera we found out the company for the original one had been out of business 4 years before our rig was built.
Stopped by a Rexhall dealership a few months ago and toured all the new units available. The units that the slides were open on did look pretty nice, but the units where the slides were closed showed an amazingly bad design.
They are using those dinette seats where the end of the seat is rounded and pokes out into the hallway. When the slides are closed, you can't get to the bathroom without stepping over them. Forget about working in the kitchen to make a quick sandwich while on the road unless you open the main slide. In the bedroom, you have to remember to lift the bed before pulling in the slide, and the slide control was in the hallway, out of sight of the bed.
The owner of the dealership was desperate, I was the only customer in there on a Saturday afternoon. Offered a 40% discount on the spot. I didn't buy, and couldn't get away fast enough.
All three are great - we looked at each when we settled on our Allegro Bus.
The main thing is to make sure the floor plan suits AND that you will be able to tow your toad AND you have enough CCC cargo carrying capacity for your stuff. More slides equals more comfort but also equals more weight. Dang.
We briefly considered buying a gas MH a couple of years ago. After a year or so of some pretty serious reseach, we decided on Tiffin. We talked ourselves out of the MH idea but we sure liked the Tiffin MH's when compared to others. That was 2 years ago but I imagine we'd still come to the same conclusion if we were to start shopping for a gas MH again. (Boy we hope that never happens.) We have camping friends who have Tiffin MH's and I must say Tiffin seems to make a good product with good customer service after the sale. Good luck.
Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!
USAF RETIRED. "EITHER LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUTTA THE WAY"!
PULL DOGS:
2006 GMC 3500 CC DRW D/A LBZ 4X4 SLT "THE SILVER FOX" PRIMARY
2000 DODGE 3500 QUAD CAB DRW CTD LARAMIE "THE ROAD TRAIN LOCOMOTIVE" BACK-UP
Three years ago we bought a 2000 National Seabreeze, made a few repairs and we are happy as pigs in slop. We use it 3 or 4 times a year and got it for cheap. If your motorhome is gonna sit for 98% of the time go cheap, make a few repairs and be happy. If you're a part time RV'er like us spending a bunch of money on a high end gasser or a over-hyped DP is a waste of money IMO.
Hi Ron & Donna, So far you've received many good suggestions and tips on choosing a new class A coach.
Of the brands you're considering, my preference would be towards the Tiffin and Rexhall products, also Newmar has a good reputation.
If you can locate a late model used Rexhall with dual full length slideouts built on the Workhorse UFO rear gas engine powered chassis I would give it serious consideration. That Rexhall model also has full pass-through basement storage compartments with side hinged doors.
A comfortable livable floor plan that will best suite your needs should be a high priority as it will be your home while away from your permanent home.
If you'll be logging high annual mileage on your coach, then perhaps a diesel powered unit would be a better choice than a gas powered coach. If not, a gas powered coach will serve you well.
When we purchased our gas coach new in 2000, we would have preferred a diesel pusher, but insofar as our travels only average 6,000 miles annually we couldn't justify the higher cost of a DP.
Over the past 12 years our gas coach has been more than adequate for our needs and virtually trouble free.
Admittedly it's more noisy in the passenger compartment and no doubt has a less comfortable ride as a heavy DP and climbs mountain grades a bit slower, but without fail, we always get to our destination(s).
Good luck with your choice of a new coach safe travels,
Jim & Sherry Seward
Las Vegas, NV
2000 Residency 3790 V-10 w/tags & Banks System
2003 Suzuki XL/7 toad
old guy wrote: I talked to a guy the other day who had a gas MH and he trade it off for a diesel. He said the diesel will run circles around his old gasser and the noise, Oh the noise of a gasser compared to a diesel. trying to climb the Rockies with a toad on the back with the gasser was a night mare. yes the diesel costs more to buy but worth every penny according to him
We had three gas MHs. The last one had a Ford V-10. Traveled to west coast 5 times. It did fine. Diesels beat us over the hills, but we made it. Now have a Diesel, bought used. Would not go back. Biggest advantage to me is the ability to use truck pumps. No more trying to wiggle around cars, even at Flying J.
Buy what you like and can afford.
"I used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not so sure."
I have friends that own Rexhall coaches, and they have had real good luck with them. I believe they make a good coach, but they don't get the rah rah like some of the other mass produced motor homes. My honest opinion between gas and diesel is like day and night. The ride is the big difference, but they are a lot more expensive to buy and maintain. We had a Coachmen Aurora gas and it was a nice coach, but I got rid of it because most gasoline coaches do not handle cross winds very well. But if you have set your mind to buy a gasoline coach, go for the floor plan that fits your needs. Check the quality of how the cabinets are made. When I was looking at the time at gasoline coaches, I looked at Tiffin and I really did not like the quality of the interior materials used, but maybe it was just me. Newmar also sells a pretty good motor home, but they are expensive.
Take them out for a good test drive, preferably on a windy day and see if you like the way it handles. Some of these gasoline coaches have too long of a tail from the rear axle to the end cap and that is why you get the wag the tail effect on windy days.
Good luck on what ever you choose.
2002 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser
330 HP Caterpillar
3000 Allison Transmission
Neway Freightliner chassis
2013 Honda CR-V EX
Aventa II
FMCA member
I worked as a service advisor at a large RV dealership and service center a few years back and can say without reservation "stay away from a Rexhall!"
I just traded my Winnebago 31'class C for a 2013 Newmar Bay Star 32'(gas). A beautiful coach, seems well built. Several of the technicians I ran into that I use to work with all agreed I made the right choice in brands.
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Jim@HiTek
(Boy we hope that never happens.) We have camping friends who have Tiffin MH's and I must say Tiffin seems to make a good product with good customer service after the sale. Good luck.
