Iam looking for opinions about a class A diesel pusher. with all the differet makes models avail.I am trying to make a short list of good better best coaches eg chassis, engine (cat cummins )options Do like monacos,beavers,winnebagos,So much to see and digest when your at dealers. Would like to get away from the I wish i would have got this and that thanks
gordon230 wrote: Iam looking for opinions about a class A diesel pusher. with all the differet makes models avail.I am trying to make a short list of good better best coaches eg chassis, engine (cat cummins )options Do like monacos,beavers,winnebagos,So much to see and digest when your at dealers. Would like to get away from the I wish i would have got this and that thanks
Cant begin to answer unless we know..
1) How much $$ you want to spend
2) Items you think you HAVE TO HAVE
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
2002 Jeep Liberty
It took us "ownership" of a 38' Class "A" diesel pusher and 4 years of traveling, talking to owners and looking at what other people owned, to make three lists:
MUST have
Would LIKE to have
NOT IMPORTANT to have
We determined (for ourselves) that a lot of newer coaches have a lot of "fluff" that don't fit our, full time for 7 years, lifestyle.
We have never "needed" that "new car smell" in our noses. Bless those that need a replacement every two or three years. That's one of the things, that keep motor home manufacturers in business.
When we first bought our Class "A", we asked: "How often do people replace their motor homes?" The salesman said: "When a newer motor home, "smiles" at you."
38-40' (Ca has a quirky law for over 40')
DP with 100hp per 10,000 lbs of coach, Cummins or Cat.
Side radiator
Private Toilet room
Good vanity layout
Two Sofas
Hardwood Cabinets
Pleasing Exterior
Pleasing Interior
Dinette (no booth)
Large Galley Counter
No Gas Oven
Slideout Optional
From a Manufacturer that builds high end coaches. (Foretravel, Monaco, Country Coach, Travel Supreme, American Coach, Newmar, Tiffen)
At least 6 years old.
We bought one in 2002 and today cannot justify the increased purchase price for the additional amenities we think we might like but cannot reasonably add to our non-slide coach. The amenities would be salon slides, bedroom slide, hydra hot, adjustable foot pedals, and a 400hp Cummins. But, we get along just fine without the additional amenities.
We use our coach for 2 month long trips per year plus several local trips.
Dean
95 CC Magna Jeep GC
(Vietnam Vets may be eligible for medical care and disability compensation. Contact the VA if you have prostate cancer or type 2 diabetes.)
gordon230 wrote: Iam looking for opinions about a class A diesel pusher. with all the differet makes models avail.I am trying to make a short list of good better best coaches eg chassis, engine (cat cummins )options Do like monacos,beavers,winnebagos,So much to see and digest when your at dealers. Would like to get away from the I wish i would have got this and that thanks
You're right it is a tough process, a couple of things to consider.
A proprietary chassis means one stop for chassis issues but they are on only the more expensive MHs. IMO adequate HP for the weight is a more important consideration than chassis brand.
The more expensive models have more features, a much longer equipment list, and often upgraded versions of components compared to lower priced models. These details take a lot of attention during the selection process.
There is a wide range of workmanship and component quality in MHs that require close inspection to detect. Low end will have cabinetry like a travel trailer and high end will exceed the quality of most homes and have fit and finish furniture. Things to look at are: Solid wood or veneered particle board, drawer construction, cabinet interior construction, shelf construction, shelf lining material, staples or screws, etc.
Looking at a lot of models and taking notes will help you narrow your search to a few brnds/models and then you can focus on finding the best deal.
One thought if you have the time is attend a FMCA rally because all of the major builders will have most of their models open for viewing. This is a great way to compare many models back to back, and drive differnent models.
And finally be wary of saleman BS because some of them will say anything to push a sale for their benfit not yours.
You are going to hear a lot of opinions which serve merely to justify what someone else bought but have no basis in fact. They will talk about Air-bags, brakes, suspension, slides, etc. And, any list that one of us dare to post will be picked apart by 20 people whose coach isn't listed in the top tier and that will become useless for you because you won't be able to discern which is correct.
What you are interested in is design, material, and construction quality and probably after the sale support. In my experience, you just have to go look at them if you want the truth because the majority of owners will defend whatever it is they own to the death which doesn't help you.
So, I'm not going to mention company names but I will say something about categories of coaches.
There are basically four categories of coaches:
- Bus conversions
- Hi-line
- mid-range
- entry level (another name for low-end)
Some companies only build Bus conversions or Hi-line (or both. Some build Hi-line and mid-range. Some try to build a full line-up (minus the conversions.
Therefore there are at least 5 types of manufacturers:
1. Prevost type full custom bus conversion companies
2. Specialized relatively small companies that make hi-line coaches only on a custom order basis (and maybe some bus conversions as well) and typically have their own custom chassis
3. Relatively large conglomerates that have bought up several former Hi-line companies and now market the brand names as part of a full range of coach categories which they build on a semi-mass production basis all on the same production lines. They may also have a custom chassis that the use in various configurations - all are not equal though.
4. Multi-billion dollar Conglomerates that build and sell everything from travel trailers to diesel pushers built on a low-cost intensive mass production basis.
5. Some very small companies who are trying to establish themselves building entry level and mid-range coaches.
Here's where we'll get 100 posts denying what I say is true but I'll go out on a limb.... If you actually go and look at the coaches built by companies that fall into the above 5 types of manufacturers you are going to find that the price, engineering, construction fit and finish, quality of materials, and after sale support basically goes up as you go up the list. The exception is type 5 which is a******shoot. Some of those do a decent job. Most are rather cheaply built though because they are trying to become the next Fleetwood and also, you may get stuck with an orphan which is why I ranked them fifth.
Recently, while at a camp ground I was invited to take a look at a coach made by a type 5 company that receives a lot of praise from it's owners for customer support. On the surface it really looked awesome but I was rather shocked by the glaring design flaws and cheap construction of this coach as we opened up storage areas and the engine compartment. Beauty is only skin deep on some coaches....
I'll leave it to you and others to debate which companies fit into which types.
I personally believe there are very few really "bad" class A coaches out there (there are some though). It mostly comes down to what you are willing to spend though because competition forces all these manufacturers to price their coaches at the lowest prices they can afford based on the engineering, materials, and labor they've invested to build them and still make a profit. Therefore, you really do "get what you pay for" with class "A"s. It's just a matter of what is "good enough" for you.
------------
Ron
N6QL
2002 36' Country Coach Allure 350HP Cummins
2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
1978 Cessna T210M My Flying My website
Before making your list, make a list of how you will use your RV. If it is for significant travel or short trips and stays. It is not much fun to spend six months in a MOHO that is too small. Likewise, it is not fun to drive a 45 ft 102" wide MOHO through Gatlinberg or in small towns in New England area. You need enough sleeping space for the folks you have to travel with. Any extra room, and you will end up taking folks you would rather not spend that much close time with.
The more stuff you have, the more work, time and money it takes to maintain it.
Any RV is a series of compromises. What is best for you is not the same as is best for your neigbor. The real challange is to find the capabilities and price that matches your real needs.
For instance, I would not be happy with a gas MH or with the engine in front. Quiet and efficiency are that important to me.
My 34' DP has enough power to pull my small toad up and down mountains, but I slow down and run with the trucks in the mountains. Use less fuel that way.
You may well drive differently.
Ken and Carol
Rig has too few miles
Ken has too many
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