Class C under 30 ft. with gas engine

kstorms wrote:
One follow-up - can anyone tell me what an average routine service cost is for a gas engine class C or B under 30 ft in length?

Actually no.
It varies too much by location and engine type.

I've had mine done twice and it was a bit over $100 both times; for truck engine and generator.

Unless you drive it a LOT, that will be a once a year cost probably.

One follow-up - can anyone tell me what an average routine service cost is for a gas engine class C or B under 30 ft in length?

Great info from all of you - thank you so much for sharing. God Bless you and I pray you all have safe travels.

Whatever you select be sure it fits the way you intend to use it. Many of the diesel (MBZ), Class C's have limited payload and or towing ability for the real world. If you plan on towing (or loading heavily), look to Ford and Chevy for the large V-8 or V-10's.

As noted, Ford and Chevy will be far easier and cheaper to service.

:C

Forest River has an excellent line of Class C's, with two separate models of RV's called Forester and Sunseeker, both with a variety of sizes and slides. All of their gas models use Ford's E450 cutaway chassis since GM has stopped manufacturing cutaway chassis until some time next year, plus they have fiberglass roofs. Forest River also has several C's using the Mercedes diesel chassis.

Forest River is an interesting company with something like 23 manufacturing plants around the US making Class A's, Class C's, travel trailers, 5th wheels, park models, specialty coaches, and even pontoon boats! They are part of Warren Buffets Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate.

Take a look at this link.

I am in the process of researching and have had a hard time getting a handle on all the issues involved. So thanks for all the info...

I am still checking which is the better choice for me - diesel or gas - based on overall cost to buy and to service.

kstorms wrote:

Maintenance is usually less

(as long as they have the capacity to accommodate the size of the RV - and I am getting one that is less than 30 ft...) which is nice if something happens on the road.

What maintenance would that be exactly ?

I think you have it backwards.
A diesel has no spark plugs or ignition system.

Now for overall RV maintenance, a diesel model tends to have more bells and whistles and therefore more things to go wrong......having nothing to do with the engine.

And the shop problem usually has nothing to do with the length directly; it's the height and weight.

A gas model might be right for you.......but not for the reasons that you seem to think.

And 8 MPG is more typical.

kstorms wrote:
And - if I have heard this correctly, I can get an RV serviced at any auto service center that can service a car (as long as they have the capacity to accommodate the size of the RV - and I am getting one that is less than 30 ft...) which is nice if something happens on the road.

It's not the length of the RV that makes a difference- it's height and width and many of the under 30' rigs are just as wide and tall. Having said that, you should have no major issues finding service, just not every shop will do it. For example, some of the Ford dealers in my area won't work on motorhomes due to their height.

Thanks - very good information...

You will be fortunate to get 10 mpg on most class C gassers. 8 mpg is probably a more realistic number. Also bear in mind that the generator is usually set up so that it won't run if there's less than about a quarter tank of gas (so as not to leave you stranded), so filling up a little more frequently than is absolutely needed is often desirable.

My general experience is that the gas tank is sufficient but not super generous when driving, and far bigger than I want when pumping and paying for the gas. :B

While maybe gas engines don't last as long as diesels on average, that part is completely immaterial for the vast majority of RVs. You'll never approach the lifespan of either one. The Ford V10 is pretty nearly bulletproof and can last for a few hundred thousand miles with proper maintenance. The house parts of the RV will generally wear out long before the powertrain. (The Chevy gas engines are also quite reliable.)

Many auto service places will not service RVs, not so much (or only) because of the length but also because of the height and weight and general familiarity. Others will; finding service isn't usually a big problem.