It's me again, the dreamer. But it's all about all you can do though when you're saving up for a motorhome.I know an older class B would be the most practical motorhome for me. Most of the time I will travel by myself, and they're easy to drive and park in big cities like LA.I'm constantly surfing craigslist, and every so often a beautiful older class A will come up for sale, like 1980's Pace Arrows, Chieftains, Holiday Rambler Aluma-lites, and Tiffin Allegros. And between 7 and 10 grand it looks like you can get one in beautiful condition. You just can't find many class B's at that price. Plus a class A, well it's a real home on wheels. It would be decadent to have a dedicated queen bed, dinette, and sofa!Do you think an older, short (25-27') class A would be a good choice for a single traveler in his early 40's? Many times I will just take it out to local parks around Phoenix just to get away from my roommates (family). And occasionally I might take it to southern Cal to cool off in the summer and go surfing. I see people parking old motorhomes all over the streets of LA.Now for my biggest question. These old motorhomes all have 3 speed trannys right? Is there such thing as a 4 or 5 speed conversion that would allow you to get better mileage on flats? It seems all that torque of a big V8 could be better utilized with taller overdrive gears, allowing you to cruise at 70mph without chugging so much gas.Thanks, Matt

I had a 1999 chieftain the first year that the new and improved Ford chassis arrived. I have no idea how many gears the tranny had. if you are cruising at 70, it will be chugging gas regardless of transmission.bumpy

I have a 2002 Safari Trek 28 ft and think it would be very spacious for a solo traveller, even the 26 ft Trek layout would work well. In the case of the Trek's built on the P-32 Chevy / Workhorse platform for 1995-2003 then the Workhorse W series or Ford F53 after 2003 I think all P-32 models came with a 4 speed 4L80E or 4L85E (2003 only) transmission. A 5 speed and then a 6 speed were used on the later W series platform Trek's. As to the big V-8 issue, at least in the case of the P32 Safari Trek's there were 3 gasoline engines offered over the years, the old throttle body injected 454 for 95-96, the 7.4 / 454 Vortec mid 97-mid 01 then the 8.1 Vortec 01+. Over this 7 year span the Horse power went from 230 in 95, to 290 in 97 with the vortec series engine and then up to 340 with the 8.1 in 01 so as you can see there was a considerable capacity increase just over these few short years.

Our 96 Southwind has 4 speeds. (ovedrive). I don't know when the chassis manufacturers went from 3 speed to 4 speed.Personally, I don't think it would be worth the price to change the transmission, unless the RV has a bad transmission.You're definitely not going to get good MPH cruising at 70. I think you will find most agree around 58-62 MPH is the most economical speed for motor homes.I'm guessing an older 3 speed Class A traveling at 70 MPH will get about 5 MPG, or less.If you're looking for better MPG, spend the money and get a Class B.Keep us updated on what you decide.

I love my 27' Class A which I have had for over 6 years and have been living in it the past 4 years. Mine does not have a sofa, but has a dinette and a nice bedroom with walk around queen bed. I can swing the front driver and passage seat around to use as a recliner. It has been very comfortable living for me. I do travel in it quite a bit and average around 10 mpg keeping it under 60. most of all, driving a Class A is enjoyable. The large windshield and being high up makes the ride fun. Good luck on your RV shopping.

The problem with the old 3 spd and big block gas with ~4.33 rear end (or deeper) is the engine was always at the top of the tach, and to be honest they didn't last very long. Look how many you are looking at in the 7-10 range that have had engine replacements or tranny.To me, For $7-10, you are buying a hobby, not reliable travel.

An older class A for a single traveler | Good Sam Community

I-10bound
Explorer
Jan 22, 2017
Thanks you all for sharing your knowledge with me. I probably should just stick to a van based Class B of some sort.
olfarmer
Explorer II
Jan 22, 2017
I think an older MH could server you very well if it is in good condition, if it is not in good condition it could be a money pit.
As far as gas mileage, you would not get enough benefit to pay for changing the transmission. I had an '87 Itasca 30 foot Windcruiser with a carbureted 454 and 3 speed transmission, it got about 7 mpg average. I now have a 2001 Winnebago 30 foot Brave with a 7.4 fuel injected engine and a 4 speed overdrive transmission, it averages about 8 mpg. Not that much difference, and it would take a long time to pay for the upgrade. Just use the money it would cost to change the transmission to buy fuel and you will be way ahead! I drive about 65 mph on interstates and the speed limit on other roads.
BigRabbitMan
Explorer
Jan 21, 2017
Matt_Colie wrote:
Matt (a different Matt)

You are laboring under the weight of the preconceived misconception. Overdrive and transmission gear counts don't really do great things for fuel economy. As a great real world example, I am an owner and a member of the group (cult) of owners of an older coach. Said were originally build with an Olds 455 and later (because the BB ended) with a 403. All were OE with a 3.07 rear end and a 3 speed Hydramatic. The 3.07 puts the engine speed right about where a typical OD trans would land. A 455 can survive this, but the 403 takes a beating. Later coach owners that have done to an aftermarket (we have amazing support) rear end have all reported improvements in fuel economy and better response. The fuel economy improvements are never great. Going from open loop carburetor to a closed loop with timing control gets the best, and then they report going from the common 8~10 to ~11 and even 12 on rare occasions.

Another issue just as big is that unless you travel a great deal (like 8~10Kmi/yr) fuel will not be one of your bigger costs. If you plan to stay at any crampgrounds, plan on 40+$/night. Tires only go 7/8 years and 16" are 250$us/ea. You should start a lockbox for maintenance of about 1K$/yr.

Somewhere, some idiot started a rumor that motorhomes can be inexpensive to own and operate. If I ever find that sucker, I plan to pummel him profoundly.

If you buy an older coach that has been in use this last year and has no water leaks at all and you can do all the work yourself, you can have it affordable. But, you have to be super diligent with both the regular and preventive maintenance to keep it reliable and affordable.

Matt

This is a good post. I also have an older coach and like it. In my case I have a done a big upgrade, but it is NOT suggested for others to do. FMC's in decent running condition can be gotten for 5-10,000. But with any older coach, (or newer one in my opinion!) you need to be able to do maintenance and minor repairs yourself. Also and motor homes and fuel mileage shouldn't be discussed in the same conversation! But I love my 29ft unit!
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jan 20, 2017
Matt_Colie wrote:
Matt (a different Matt)

Somewhere, some idiot started a rumor that motorhomes can be inexpensive to own and operate. If I ever find that sucker, I plan to pummel him profoundly.

Matt

perhaps he was comparing it to a yacht or a Lear Jet?
bumpy
Mile_High
Explorer
Jan 20, 2017
Interesting on the 403, I didn't know that. Was that an overstroked 350 Olds Rocket?
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Jan 20, 2017
Matt (a different Matt)

You are laboring under the weight of the preconceived misconception. Overdrive and transmission gear counts don't really do great things for fuel economy. As a great real world example, I am an owner and a member of the group (cult) of owners of an older coach. Said were originally build with an Olds 455 and later (because the BB ended) with a 403. All were OE with a 3.07 rear end and a 3 speed Hydramatic. The 3.07 puts the engine speed right about where a typical OD trans would land. A 455 can survive this, but the 403 takes a beating. Later coach owners that have done to an aftermarket (we have amazing support) rear end have all reported improvements in fuel economy and better response. The fuel economy improvements are never great. Going from open loop carburetor to a closed loop with timing control gets the best, and then they report going from the common 8~10 to ~11 and even 12 on rare occasions.

Another issue just as big is that unless you travel a great deal (like 8~10Kmi/yr) fuel will not be one of your bigger costs. If you plan to stay at any crampgrounds, plan on 40+$/night. Tires only go 7/8 years and 16" are 250$us/ea. You should start a lockbox for maintenance of about 1K$/yr.

Somewhere, some idiot started a rumor that motorhomes can be inexpensive to own and operate. If I ever find that sucker, I plan to pummel him profoundly.

If you buy an older coach that has been in use this last year and has no water leaks at all and you can do all the work yourself, you can have it affordable. But, you have to be super diligent with both the regular and preventive maintenance to keep it reliable and affordable.

Matt
Captain_Happy
Explorer
Jan 20, 2017
In my life I've had 2 motor homes. The first one was a 2000 Damon Intruder, 34 footer, V-10, 3 speed tranny. Lower horse powered engine. We got around 7 mpg driving around 60 mph. the one I have now is a 2007 Winnebago Vista, 30 footer, Ford V-10, higher horse power engine, 4 speed tranny w/tow haul mode. I drive it at around 60 mph and still get around 7 mpg. And I could say it had any more power then the 2000 model. Probably was gear different.

My brother has a 2005 class B. It's on a Ford E450 Ford frame, 25 foot long, 2 slides, and has the Ford V-10 engine. And take a guess on the gas mileage he's getting. Answer is: 7 mpg

And yes, if you drive them faster the mileage really goes down big time.
magik235
Explorer
Jan 20, 2017
I paid $8500 for my 1993 Damon. Check out the link below for details.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26989746/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Jan 20, 2017
The DW and I have traveled to all 49 continental states in a Bounder 27D and loved it. Today with the Winnie, it would be hard to go back to that era but darn, that was a great RV.

Remember unless it was garaged, it will be sunburned and the plastic trim and there was a lot in those days did not have UV protectors and will show sun rot.

Those aren't big problems but esist.
Goldencrazy
Explorer
Jan 20, 2017
As single you can do so much with the space. Dual prupose area is smart. I would go smaller and get a good chassis. You can redo the interior to fit your needs. Smaller is easier bargaining and can be more stealthy if you plan on street parking. I would go to B, I love the Rialta if you could find a good used one. I guess you decide what you want to do, Boondocking in the desert is so much different than street parking.