Considering first DP - any advice?

Bullet proof chassis and engine, change oil on time, enjoy, and don't pump the brakes.

300hp might be good for flat land but the one I had wouldn't get out of its own way and it was in a much smaller unit. 330hp is good but will struggle if you are towing something in the mountains. I currently have a 36ft Monaco with a turned up 330 and it does pretty good. That 300 isn't much in a bus.

ferndaleflyer wrote:
300hp might be good for flat land but the one I had wouldn't get out of its own way and it was in a much smaller unit. 330hp is good but will struggle if you are towing something in the mountains. I currently have a 36ft Monaco with a turned up 330 and it does pretty good. That 300 isn't much in a bus.

The current owner was honest about the hill climbing in it. Saying 40-45 whether towing or not, was to be expected on the grades.

Make sure you can get into things like the refer, bathroom and the sink while the slides are closed.

Bill

Here's something that's mandatory for me. When you bring out the frontroom slide, do the storage compartments come out with it? Mine do. If they don't, it's a real PITA to get into the storage compartments that are back under the slide outs.

Bill

Biggyniner wrote:
Is there anything specific I should check?

Check what the cost is to fill it up with diesel.

I have an 07 Itasca Meridian 37' with the 300hp cummings. I have a KIA on tow dolly. Yes you are not going to go up mountain passes at 65 but last year we traveled colorado and had no problem maintaining 45 or 50, yes we did drop down to 4th or 3 gear put not being in a hurry made no difference.

The air brakes are sorta different. For me its alittle more planning ahead to stop, they are just not the same feeling as car brakes.

I agree with the post about the storage bins attached to the slide. Its great to not have to bend and crawl to gain access to the bins. My Meridians bins are attached to the slide and its just so much easier. Would not be a deal breaker though.

I enjoy the diesel much more than any coach or rig I have had. They are just a pleasure to drive.

Good Luck safe travels

You need to ask him how hot the engine temp was on a long up hill pull. I had to pull over on the 7 mile pull up Fancy Gap in Virginia on 2 different occasions because it was hot. I had a regular car then but that 300hp was just gutless for me. The 330 is ok and will top the same hill at 55 with the car on a Featherlite trailer. I have had DPs since 1997 even a Monaco Dynasty with 4 slides and 450hp. I hated that thing and only kept it a year. Lots of pros and cons for them all but no matter what a higher end unit beats an entry level every time. Good luck.

PButler96 wrote:

Biggyniner wrote:
Is there anything specific I should check?

Check what the cost is to fill it up with diesel.

90 gallon tank. I did the math, I did not like it lol, but such is owning a DP currently...

ferndaleflyer wrote:
You need to ask him how hot the engine temp was on a long up hill pull. I had to pull over on the 7 mile pull up Fancy Gap in Virginia on 2 different occasions because it was hot. I had a regular car then but that 300hp was just gutless for me. The 330 is ok and will top the same hill at 55 with the car on a Featherlite trailer. I have had DPs since 1997 even a Monaco Dynasty with 4 slides and 450hp. I hated that thing and only kept it a year. Lots of pros and cons for them all but no matter what a higher end unit beats an entry level every time. Good luck.

What was the make/brand of coach you had? He did say he never had any overheating issues (he towed a Saturn Vue all over the country with it), except for when the thermostat failed.