I would suggest that the difference in cost of fuel for your Suburban vs the Saturn while tooling around at your destination is minor compared to the cost of changing your RV vehicle.
The enroute fuel savings would be minor or non-existent.
So, look for a floor plan that fits your useage and family circumstances. A class C probably provides better sleeping arrangements but less living space than a class A and you could tow your Saturn.
Do some internet shopping at PPLmotorhomes, www.Demartini.com and www.RVonline.com looking at various units and brands using the interior pictures to get a bead on your potential target.
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.)
Quote: Currently we get around 8 miles to the gallon using the Suburban but the bad thing is is that when we arrive at our destination we still have to drive this gas hog everywhere we go!!
That, is one of the reasons I drive a class A. Like you I get 8MPG between camps but I get closer to 20 running to the store for a loaf of bread or a gallon of moo juice. And with careful shopping 30 40 or even 50 is possible on the grocery getter run.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
What is the gas mileage any of you are getting on your motorhomes?
Is there any difference in gas mileage between a diesels or gas?
The gas verse diesel fuel mileage question is a loaded one. Literally. As in the load the engine has to move. Your entire truck and trailer combo probably weighs less than the rear axle of the Safari, which is 17,800 lbs. The front axle is another 9,700 lbs. making a total of 27,500 lbs. It averages between 8 and 9 MPG which is pretty good for that much weight.
A gas coach, which might weigh 19,000 lbs. will get around 5 to 6 MPG. In fact, the last Motorhome magazine (or was it FMCA?) had a review on a new gas coach that weighed about that, and it averaged 5.8 MPG on the test run. Gas engines have never been good at moving heavy vehicles around. That’s why heavy vehicles are almost always diesel powered.
As for swapping RV’s based on fuel mileage, the mathematics will never, ever work out. The same thing applies for people who panic about fuel costs, and run out to trade in their paid-off older SUV for a new high MPG car. They seem to forget all about the sudden appearance of a car payment, which would buy multiple tanks of gas for the ol’ gas guzzler they just traded in. (And higher insurance cost because it’s a new car)
I’ve always considered RV’s to be just like boats and yachts. There is a zero return on your ‘’investment’’ dollar wise, because they’re money pits. The old saying goes ‘’A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into.’’ But, the ‘fun factor’ is your investment return on an RV or boat, so it becomes ‘’play’’ money spent.
For that matter, cars, trucks, and SUV’s are also NOT an investment. They’re a conveyance to get you around. They require maintenance and upkeep, and seldom if ever sell or trade in for more than you paid for it, and certainly not enough to cover it’s maintenance for the time you’ve owned it. Since you’ll never make money from a vehicle unless it’s a 1940’s Rolls Royce Silver Cloud that never leaves the garage, you might as well buy and drive one you really LIKE to have and enjoy. The RV is the same – get one you’ll like or love to have, then use it.
One last thought about motorhomes. You’ll tend to use it more. With a trailer, the hassle of hitching it up and loading for a trip makes it a question of how much do you really want to go? With a motorhome, it’s ready to roll out at a moment’s notice. Throw undies in the drawer and food in the fridge, and you’re off! And they’re great for day trips. You can take several people along, complete with a bathroom and snack bar.
FMCA# F355513. 1997 Safari Continental, 40 foot, 1 slide. Cat 3126B, Allison MD3060. 2000 Durango SLT 4x4 toad with a Blue Ox Aventa II and stopped with a Brake Buddy. Seen on the Road Photo album
Loving God's Country! wrote: May I add a couple more questions???
What is the gas mileage any of you are getting on your motorhomes?
Is there any difference in gas mileage between a diesels or gas?
Thanks again!!!
I got around 7.5 on my V10 and I get 6.5 on my 350 Cat....I do haul a lot more with the diesel...I suspect I would still get 6.5 in the mountains with the Cat but the V10 went down to 5.5 there...
In this talk of used verses new.....I dont like buying someone elses problems.....I would rather spend some more buy new go thru the trial period fix whats wrong under warranty.....and then keep the bus ...the depreciation loss they refer to ... only takes place if you trade it in....the thing you dont want to to is trade out until you find what you want....I made the mistake with motorcycles started small and then moved up as my confidence got better with the bigger bikes but it cost me every time I traded...do your research and find the one you want to keep Jim k
MGO BLUE wrote: In this talk of used verses new.....I dont like buying someone elses problems.....I would rather spend some more buy new go thru the trial period fix whats wrong under warranty.....and then keep the bus ...the depreciation loss they refer to ... only takes place if you trade it in....the thing you dont want to to is trade out until you find what you want....I made the mistake with motorcycles started small and then moved up as my confidence got better with the bigger bikes but it cost me every time I traded...do your research and find the one you want to keep Jim k
Buying new would be wonderful!! But in our situation it's not possible.
I took a big risk with a 82 Triple E, but when I bought it, it had a new engine (less than 30,000 kms on it) and a new transmission that was still under warranty. I had to have three safeties done when I brought it home, body, mech and propane. Body was fine, propane was changing old hoses and changing the setup as it used to run on big tanks for engine and appliances. Mechanically it needed one ball joint and one of the front air bags was not holding. I had them change all the bushings and both ball joints while it was all apart, made a huge difference in handling on the road. Since then I have only had issues with rubber, but when your buying something that old.... I blew top rad hose on the first long trip 10,000 kms as well as one of the heater hoses split. Once I got home I replaced all the rubber hoses. Last year we went through the mountains and this is where gas engined MH's are poor, brakes had to to be heavily used and one caliper started leaking on the way home. One disc was scraped up too much to machine so replaced it and all the pads and again, while I had it apart I changed the rear seals. So far I have spent around $1000 in repairs over 4 years. We paid cash for the MH so I do not have any payments or anything. So far we have put on almost 60,000kms in 4 years or around 10,000 miles a year. Looking at what it would cost me to fly and hotel etc I figure we have done pretty good with the MH.
I like to buy new also but could not afford a MH new. I too like warranties but drive a car or MH or almost anything off the lot and you lose around 20% right away.
Loving God's Country! wrote: May I add a couple more questions???
What is the gas mileage any of you are getting on your motorhomes?
Is there any difference in gas mileage between a diesels or gas?
Thanks again!!!
We have a gas coach. We routinely get between 7.0 and 8.5 mpg. Not much different than your current set up. however, We tow a dinghy that gets almost 22 mpg. Once we get there, we park the coach and drive the toad.
Diesel folks will report MPG a bit higher. Diesel coachs are heavier and hold the road quite well and have a heavier towing capacity. They are also much quieter in the cockpit. These have their "Gotchas" too. Maintenance is a bit higher on DPs
You have the perfect rig now being its all paid for. However you can use interest, Personal property taxes (If appicable for your state) as deductions from your yearly donation to the government if buying new or financing. We were very happy, I repeat... VERY HAPPY to have this "Option"...
I almost went diesel this year but the price flip flop between gas and Diesel talked me out of it.
We adore our Challenger very much. We haven't had any major problems (Knocking on wood)with our coach. Some folks say that we are the exception.
Make a budget, factor in cost of a towable vehicle and the components needed to tow and go from there.... You will NEVER be ahead of the game. RVing is a lifestyle choice. It will cost you $$$ any way you decide to go. Some say its the most expensive, enjoyable hobby you can choose...
If you are looking at class A gas, Damon has an entry level model, the Daybreak that has many comforts and is a bunk house as well.
Folks here holler, FLOORPLAN,FLOORPLAN,FLOORPLAN!!!
Pick a few dealers and go from there.
Good luck and welcome to the Class A or C world...
Smooth Roads!!!
2006 Damon Challenger 372F Triton V10
2007 Ford Edge
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As in the load the engine has to move. Your entire truck and trailer combo probably weighs less than the rear axle of the Safari, which is 17,800 lbs. The front axle is another 9,700 lbs. making a total of 27,500 lbs. It averages between 8 and 9 MPG which is pretty good for that much weight. 
Online
to have this "Option"...
