Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
I'm researching motorhomes and investigating Diesel vs Gas, etc. When I was a kid, diesel fuel was cheaper than gas, but it's not anymore. I understand the puts and takes for diesel over gas. Less maintenance required, but more expensive maintenance. Diesel vehicle costs more up front. Etc. Etc. Etc.
But concerning gas engines . . . I see some have Ford V10 engines and some are Chevy 8.1L V8. Is one preferable over another? When an ad just says V10, I assume they mean Ford; is that true?
Do you burn premium gas? or the lower octane? What about 10% ethanol?
Diesel pushers usually have air bag suspensions which provide a much more comfortable ride. Some brands (Foretravel and Newell come to mind) also use those air bags for the leveling, so there are no hydraulic jacks to hang up or punch holes in thin asphalt. They also tend to have longer wheel bases, so the turning circle may be larger. Because they are built on a chassis that resembles that of a bus, they usually have greater carrying capacities, which translates into less possibility of overloading an axle.
Fuel prices are changing right now, and I have actually seen a couple of stations where diesel is a few cents cheaper than gasoline. I, too, remember the days of cheap diesel (it was a by-product of gasoline and not much in demand). Heck, back then there were gasoline-powered over-the-road trucks.
My suggestion is that you set a budget first. Allow several thousand (some say $10,000) for repairs/upgrades and look only at used high end coaches. The two I mentioned in my first paragraph are such, but there are others. Why used? Depreciation. Few people buy the ideal coach the first time. Most go through 2-5 coaches in a fairly short time, each time getting closer to what is actually needed/wanted. Some friends of ours bought a new DP for their full-time coach, only to trade it even-up less than a year later for a 10-year-old Foretravel because their original purchase didn't have the quality they wanted for full-time use.
I'd suggest that you start by doing your "mission profile." Are you going to be moving your coach at least 50 miles at a time at least monthly? How many people (adults, children, "fur" kids)? Any health/physical limitations? Are you going to be full-timers, or are you looking at a vacation coach? How you answer these, and many other, questions will guide you to the right coach.
Thanks for your response, David. I think the Foretravel and Newell will be over my budget. I'm thinking around $50k-$75k, and definitely used. I have plenty of time since I'm staying put as long as my elderly dad is with me. Then I'll be full-timing. It will be just me and my dog.
For now, I'm learning more about Monaco, Gulfstream and Fleetwood, up to 34 feet. When I look nationwide, it looks like there are some on the market with reasonable miles, up to 10 years old.
As to the type of travel, frequency of moving, etc., I don't know yet. I am thinking I'll be moving once or twice a month for the first few years, until I learn about places I may like to spend a whole season. I'll want to sight-see and follow mild weather for motorcycling year-round.
If there are any more comments/opinions, I'd sure like to see them!
I took another look at RVTrader.com for Newell, Foretravel, and for the heck of it I looked for Marathon! There are some of those (not Marathon) within my price range, but older and no slides. But I'll consider something like those, too. It would depend on the mileage, condition, how well it was maintained, upgrades, etc.
I'm researching motorhomes and investigating Diesel vs Gas, etc. When I was a kid, diesel fuel was cheaper than gas, but it's not anymore. I understand the puts and takes for diesel over gas. Less maintenance required, but more expensive maintenance. Diesel vehicle costs more up front. Etc. Etc. Etc.
But concerning gas engines . . . I see some have Ford V10 engines and some are Chevy 8.1L V8. Is one preferable over another? When an ad just says V10, I assume they mean Ford; is that true?
Do you burn premium gas? or the lower octane? What about 10% ethanol?
I'm trying to narrow down what to look for.
Thanks.
Patti
V10 means Ford. The Chevy 8.1L means a Workhorse chassis (spin off from GMC back in 2000 or so) Both use regular and 10 ethanol is okay for the 8.1 L - don't know about the V10 but I suspect it is okay. I had the Workhorse chassis and 8.1L and was happy with it. Put 55,000 miles on it during 10 years of full timing. I did have to replace three different modules of the fly by wire throttle system (pedal module, electronic throttle module, and TBI module. Other than that nothing other than routine maintenance . The 8.1 L had higher torque and horsepower than the Ford V10 until about 2006 or so.
-- Edited by Clay L on Thursday 14th of January 2016 02:38:11 PM
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Clay (WA5NMR), Lee (wife), Katie, Kelli (cats) Full timed for eleven years in a 2004 Sightseer 35N. Snowbirds for one winter and now settled down in CO.
