Thanks everyone for your insight and thoughts! It is super helpful. My wife and I have been discussing all of your comments and agree with the facts. If it wasn't for Budget, we would no doubt jump into a used big block Cummins/3000 Ali bunk house.
Today we went and drove the 2016 like new Fleetwood 38 bunk and it was very interesting. After doing a quarter million miles in the Spartan Mountain Aire, I can quickly pick up on the differences. I agree that my concerns will probably not lie on the engine and chassis as the updated model steered considerably easier and in a much tighter radius and felt good through the RPM range. In regards to the front steering, I also may believe in what my alignment specialist pros and some truck mechanics told me in regards to the ball joint replacement issues of my model associated with the Granning independent front suspension I have compared to the traditional, easier maintenance (for many, good enough) ride that a straight air bag axle offers. Yes I understand that an independent front suspension, properly designed, would offer some advantages but in my current price range I may not miss my Granning and upkeep costs with higher road miles)
I know I can tell the torque difference which may be a slight concern going up some of the 6-7% grades towing my Explorer, but as mentioned the additional RPM range may lessen that concern. To this point, I rarely if ever have to "floor" my very deep pedal on the Mountain Aire, whereas with the 6.7L, I found myself at 100% throttle or at least close to that more than I'm used to. Not a deal-breaker.
To respond to somebody's reply above, It makes it tough to keep my current Newmar because of it only having one slide (no surviving that in the bedroom) and some other issues like ceiling height. I was blown away how different the modern RVs feel with the volume they offer internally partially due to the ceiling height. My current 76.5" felt like it was a 1940's home as compared to the modern higher ceilings. I never thought about that until I stepped in and spent a little time in the Fleetwood and pinned down why it felt so much different.
The Fleetwood looked like a very expensive RV on the inside although as we all know the corners are cut a bit to give you a higher value with appearance and less of a value in the quality of the materials and construction. To what degree this becomes a concern is the question. I'm not against having more room, space, and modern amenities if it doesn't "fall apart". ??It's a balancing act I understand between quality and value at a budget.
One thing we are seriously considering is looking at a 2011 to 2013 Tiffin Allegro Red 38QBA bunk to see how it compares. Going to go drive one tomorrow.
A third option is if I found the right older Mountain Aire with multiple slides. It would have to be the right garage kept unit as I'm really not looking forward to redoing all of the things I've already done! I won't rule out gutting it and renovating it for what we want myself. This may sound crazy to some, but something that is in my scope of ability. ...but then we're right back to that low ceiling height as that can't change, even with a renovation.
Anyone have insight when Newmar made the style update in raising ceiling height? I may need to look for the oldest model with the more modern ceiling height?
Family of 5 (3 kids)
Budget $100-$120k
-Like New 2016 Fleetwood LXE 38B
-2011-2012 Allegro Red 38QBA (ceiling height?, Modern amenities?)
-Find an older Mountain Aire garage kept that I can sink a full renovation into? Ceiling height?
Thanks for your time reading through as we value everybody's experience and thoughts.
