Skip N Barb Team
Dickinson, Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 09/11/2007
View Profile
|
The DW and I just drove from Kerrville, Tx to Artesia, NM, today. It's about a 425 mile trip. We've been thinking of going to a class A from our fiver.
I made a point at looking at the number of DP vs. gassers on our trip, and found the gassers out numbered the DP's 6 to 1, today. Is this due to a smaller price tag, or are the gassers being built better today?
Maybe the manufacturers are trying to market for the 'not so deep pocket' travelers.
Just wondering how the gasser units are holding up?
Thanks,
Skip
|
LVJ58
Las Vegas, Nevada
Senior Member
Joined: 02/26/2001
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
Hi Skip,
Our 2000 Residency on the Ford F53 chassis became an orphan coach in 2001 when the builder went out of business. It's now 12 years old with 75,000 miles and still going strong.
The issue's we've had, and not many, have been with items other than the coach structure or the engine and drive train.
Can't speak for the newer model class A gas coaches, but I'm sure there's some good quality ones still being built.
Good luck with if and when you decide to make the move.
Jim & Sherry Seward
Las Vegas, NV
2000 Residency 3790 V-10 w/tags & Banks System
2003 Suzuki XL/7 toad
|
mena661
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 03/21/2009
View Profile
 Online
|
Price tag for sure. Gas A's are WAY cheaper than DP's.
2009 Newmar Canyon Star 3205, Ford F53 V10
Trojan L16 6V's 740 Amp-hours
|
old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
Senior Member
Joined: 03/15/2006
View Profile
|
But then there are the guys who have had gassers and have gone to diesels because of the heat and the noise from the front engine. My wife's cousin told me that was the reason he went diesel, plus he tried to go over the Rockies on I-70 and he had to get out and Connecticut the tow car and have his wife drive it over the mountains, not enough power to make it over.
|
ArchHoagland
Clovis, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 11/28/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
old guy wrote:But then there are the guys who have had gassers and have gone to diesels because of the heat and the noise from the front engine. My wife's cousin told me that was the reason he went diesel, plus he tried to go over the Rockies on I-70 and he had to get out and Connecticut the tow car and have his wife drive it over the mountains, not enough power to make it over.
Good heavens...what kind of RV was it?
Mine has been all around the United States and over almost every mountain range that exists in the United States pulling a 4,000 lb toad.
And guess what...it's not hot by the engine and my wife and I talk at regular sound levels. I've passed diesels when climbing mountains.
So the myth that gassers are underpowered,loud, etc is just that. Yes 20 years ago that was true. Not today by any means.
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD
Workhorse W22 8.1 Gas Allison 1000, 7.1 mpg
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
US Gear Brakes
Nothing is either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.
|
|
|
Seamutt
Prince George BC Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 01/27/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I live in BC, lots of mountains and big hills, and have yet to see a gasser being pushed up a hill.
2007 Okanagan 26 RLS Dual 6v.
2001 Chev. 8.1 L 4X4
|
Janss
Sedona, AZ
Senior Member
Joined: 04/29/2010
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Online
|
That's funny Skip. We've been going up the west coast this summer and have been noticing that there are so many more DPs than we've ever seen before.
2002 Itasca Suncruiser 32V
2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara
|
Diplomat Don
Moorpark, Ca
Senior Member
Joined: 04/09/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Skip....I think there are other factors mixed in. First, they're are a LOT more gassers out there than DP's. Most all of us with DP's started in a gasser. You're also talking summer time where there are a ton of rental gassers out there and families taking trips.....again, mostly gassers.
You took your informal survey on a Sunday. I wonder what the results would de on a Mon-Thurs survey. I'm guessing, in most cases, but not all, the DP owners are a little older and don't need or want to travel on the weekends. The only time we do is when we're travelling with our working children who have to drive on the weekends.
Don & Mary 
2005 Monaco Diplomat 36SKT
400 Cummins 
2012 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ CrewCab 4WD
2013 Polaris RZR 800 LE
|
kjburns
Prescott, AZ
Senior Member
Joined: 07/13/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
We started with a used DP, but for that price there are a lot of new or newer gas rigs out. The price of admission is certainly a big factor. I wanted a DP so we chose to go used. A lot of people go the other way, opting for the newer gasser.
That sort of thing applies to almost everything. You'll see lots of less expensive houses or cars, versus the ones that are more expensive. Some people wait for that expensive car to depreciate and buy a used one. Some choose a less expensive model and buy it new.
2011 Winnebago Tour 42QD
|
Goldencrazy
madison wi
Senior Member
Joined: 06/21/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Boy, I agree that the random survey can change daily. I think the lower price is important so you have some really nice B+ and C motorhomes that are generally gas although the Sprinter has been catching on. Smaller class A's are popular. The larger you go the more it will be a diesel . I have a 30 ft Winnebago Vista. This is considered entry level by many but it is not for me. With three slides it has plenty of room and the length I need to use it in places where longer won't work. I have modified with air ride and other suspension improvements. It works great for us. You need to figure your needs and then get the coach that works best and you can find some great options.
|
|
|
