Am I Crazy for Thinking of Stepping Back 9 Years?

We have a wonderful small RV dealer that we trust and feel offers some of the best rigs and values available. We purchased our current rig from them, a 2011 Georgetown 300. It has been a great rig, and in 2 years we have put over 10K miles on it. It is a basic rig, not a lot of bells and whistles, but gets down the road with minimal issues. Not the smoothest and quietest ride, but a steady eddie. We have not taken it West yet, but our plan is to do so and I always think about climbing the mountains with this rig (it is the reason the prior owners traded it in.) I still work, but can travel and work at times.

As we are not yet fully retired, but getting closer, we are finding time to travel in our RV 3-4 months out of the year, taking long trips each time. I have always heard that if you travel more than you stay put, a DP is the way to go. Although I have no issues with the drive of my gasser, I am thinking we should upgrade to a DP for a number of reasons.

The aforementioned favorite RV dealer has a 1 owner 2002 Newmar Dutchstar 3852 DP on a Spartan chassis, 350 Cummins, Power Tech genset, full body paint, 40K miles that is loaded up. New tires, batteries, and has been kept indoors its whole life when not running down the road. Looks like new, and has been inspected by a certified RV diesel mechanic. It is a slick looking rig, and the complete maintenance history is documented and included.

But we are talking a 9 year older rig. However, to be honest, it looks every bit as nice if not nicer (styling is contemporary, interior is exceptional, new flat panel TV's installed) than the 2011.

So I am looking for some sage guidance and advice here. Obviously I am interested if the price difference works (NADA has our rigs similarly priced out). I own my rig outright, no financing happening. I know the costs of the DP would be more than my gasser, I get that.

We would keep this rig for the next 5 years, when we would most likely upgrade to our final retirement rig. Something just a few years old.

What do you think? Am I crazy for thinking about going back in time? I appreciate your input, and value all opinions!

Keith

Class A

21 Replies

Squealers
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
OK, not many people always take good advice, but I hear you loud and clear, I am going to pass on the Dutchstar. You have brought up many good points. And those of you suggesting I buy it, I appreciate your points as well.

The key factors that you pointed out are 1. The age of the Dutchstar when we go to trade in 5 years, 2. The fact that our Georgetown is rock solid and we know it inside and out, 3. The additional width of the Newmar's. Price/cost is not really a factor, and having a washer/dryer is nice but not needed today (will be a need in 5 years though), so we will continue building the kitty for hopefully our Tiffin in a few years, and keep happily rolling down the road in George!!!!

Thanks again folks!
Keith
Dale_Traveling
Explorer II
Apr 30, 2016
Keep what you have and boost the bank roll for the final coach. The Georgetown will go anywhere there's a road just the same as a Dutchstar. The Rockies can look intimidating from the comfort of the homestead but the Steady Eddie will make it just fine.

In five years Eddie will still be marketable at 9 or 10 years of age and shouldn't be difficult to sell privately rather than trading in. The Dutchstar will be pushing 20 candles on the cake which might be a bit more challenging.
deandec
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
What will you want in your retirement rig, that the target coach does not have?

If most of the changes will be wants not needs, then perhaps the target rig will serve forever?
koda55
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
We bought a 2005 Georgie Boy in 2009. It had the 310 2 valve V10. It had no problems going up hills. The only thing as mentioned for the loud noise when the cooling fan kicks in. We kept it for 4 years.
We then traded in for a 2008 Thor Four Winds Mandalay with the Cummins ISL 400. with the Allison 3000 transmission. It does pull the hills better and so much more quiet with the engine in the back. It has a side radiator and a true Jake Brake that was a must for me.
Squealers
Explorer
Apr 29, 2016
Thanks everyone for your thoughtful responses. I am taking everyone's opinon under consideration.
supercub
Explorer
Apr 29, 2016
I've had 2 gas motorhomes, and 3 diesels, and I'll share my opinion with you. My current motorhome has a 350hp Cummins. As far as climbing a grade, your gas rig will do just fine. It will probably keep up with the diesel, and in fact might even be a little faster (just a couple mph difference if any). Going up a 6% grade, you'll do around 45-50mph......give or take a little. Most grades are only a few miles long anyway, so a little difference in speed is not a big deal, one way or another. The big difference is noise. The gas will down shift so the RPM's increase and fans will come on to cool the transmission...........it will be so noisy, it will be difficult to talk. The DP, will down shift also, but the increase in noise is barely noticeable. That is one of the advantages of a DP. The other, is going down the other side of the grade. The exhaust brake makes brake usage minimal. My motorhome is an 04, it has 40k miles, and is in very good condition. I've owned it 2 years now. I've had to replace the lift pump, Electronic control module replaced, and just the other day, had an air leak, which was the left side ride leveler actuator. I also had to have the plastic engine coolant tank replaced. I did buy an extended service contract (extended warranty) which has helped, my out of pocket expenses on these items was approx. $1400. Oil changes cost about $250 at Speedco, and can cost several hundred dollars more at some shops. My gas 8.1 Workhorse Chevrolet use to cost about $60 for an oil change. The cost of the DP is a little more.....but the ride quality and the lack of engine noise is well worth it to me, and I know many out there will agree with that. With new tires, batteries, and good overall condition of the unit your looking at, I'm sure you'd be very happy with it, but if you decided to keep your gas unit, don't worry about grades, it will do just fine, just nosey.
fortytwo
Explorer
Apr 29, 2016
If you were going to drive it til you wear it to "refurbish" time then it would be a good choice.

In 5 years you'll be trading, or selling, a 19 year old MH. Should still be a great coach but it"ll be tough to get what you will think it's worth.
FULLTIMEWANABE
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
FWIW: Bought our 37ft Gasser brand new in 2002, after having a 5er the previous 3 years, and had to replace the engine about 3 years ago due to a faulty clip causing a rod to puncture various things. We've driven around 150,000kms in her on many extended trips over the years. We drive in a lot of mountainous areas being in the Foothills of the Canadian Rockies and whilst we may get there a few minutes later than a DP we always enjoy the same views at the end of the day

Hubby would love, love, love a new DP (he always wants new, I'm the gently used buyer), but with many discussions back and forth on the cost of maintenance, depreciation and now knowing the nuances of our girl, we've agreed we'll at least for the first year or two going into FTing stick with her, rather than deal with added changes of a rig to learn in addition to a totally different lifestyle change. Apart from the bathroom being a little too tight when showering, we absolutely love everything else about our floorpan which also makes upgrading for me being a homebody cook hard to give up my kitchen space.

To be honest, as time is going on, as much as the finishes look fabulous, there just seems to be more and more things in the newer rigs to learn about, maintain and that can go wrong - this as well is a little overwhelming, as I know I'll be the one that will have to learn it all to boot or we'll be paying for outside assistance through the nose based on dealership door rates!

For sure if finances aren't of any concern whatsoever to you, then do what your heart desires. Just like some folks like a new car every two or three years (ours are 2004 & 2010 ex demos when bought), there are those out there that like to change up their RVs every few years. No different to those that move into a new build home every few years also. Absolutely nothing wrong with that and to each their own but just shared our thoughts, which of course could change at any point moving forwards.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Apr 28, 2016
For five years use and then upgrade... yes you are crazy.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
Do what your heart desires and you can afford. It is your God given right to pursue happiness.