Hi all,
We're getting ready to replace our travel trailer with a motor home. Budget 100K max. Family of 3 with an additional just turned 18 who will still be coming with us on occation. We live in western Washington state, and mainly dry camp (We're members of a historical Reenactment group, and are camping about 15 weekends a year + hunting seasons in the mountains.)
We've pretty much decided on a Super C based on 1) number of perm. beds (makeing and breaking beds from couches for the kids is a pain, and if my son has a personal space that he's soley responsable for, everyone is happier. So the overhead bed of a C is a selling point. 2) ground clearance and road issues. (Elk hunting involves camping up in the mountains pulled into un improved campsites off dirt logging roads, the SCA camping we do involves often camping in some farmer's fields or simular). 3) price, we can find high end super c's for about the same price as bottom end A's and the wife doesn't think she's up to driveing an A anyway.
We're mainly looking at the Gulfstream conquest 6319dk VS the Fourwinds Kodiak 34H. (booth new '08 models.)
Like the floorplan of the Gulfstream better, but the Fourwinds is from a dealer 200 miles and a mountain range closer. Fourwinds is being sold by campingworld, which has offices all over our area, gulf stream is a Dealer on the other end of the state... Prices are at close parity.
Opinions?, Comments? Let the flames begin.
Morrigan.
We also have a diesel Four Winds 34h and are very happy with it. Just some minor quality issues. Others have had more problems. We have 2 kids and find that the bunk beds are great for them. Ours has the entertainment center in front which has a single bed.
I think that since the floor plans are very different, that would be what I would use to choose between them.
We have had our GS Conquest for 3.5 years now, and am very happy. The 8.1 has plenty of power, even out here in the mountains of CA. Issues have been minor, except for the Dometic fridge going out right after warranty is up, luckily I was one of the dumb ones who bought the extended warranty. I feel Kodiak handles well in the shorter versions, I did add the Koni's which improved the ride.
Good luck,
Bill
The link comparing the coaches is in error. The Kodiak C5500 class 5 has a 19500 lb chssis, with 7000 lbs front axle and 13,500 lbs rear axle. The exhaust brake is an important feature, and I thought it was a part of the transmission, so I don't understand why the 2500 allison doesn't have it.
IMHO, the 19,500 lb Kodiak Class 5 chassis is simply NOT enough chassis to carry any model of RV, and most of the builders recognize this fact. four winds IS coming out with what appears to be a class 6 chassis with 30,000 lb GCWR, which holds some promise.
Is anyone familiar with the "EZ Ride" suspension Four winds is using on their new coach?
My dad was a diesel mechanic his whole life, I was a career Submarine sailor for 20 years, I know about the diference in reliablility and longgevity between Gas engines and Diesel. I also know about the Torque diference, and I live in Washington, where to get anywhere, you gotta climb mountains. Not little bitty east coast mountains, we're talking snow capped year round, 5000' pass mountains. So, I would rather have a diesel, esp, as my normal operational habit is to buy the best I can afford and use it till it breaks. (my last pickup got traded in at 197000 miles, and then only because it was starting to cost more in repairs than a new truck would cost in payments.) Further I am capable of making biodiesel, which would be sweet.
Morrigan
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