It'll probably take me a while for my search...I'm pretty methodical about looking and the right one has to all but fall in my lap! Looking for something in the 10 year old or less category in a 36'-42'. I'm less stuck on brand names than I am on mechanically sound and having the stuff we want.With that said, my wife and I are "LOOSELY" on the look for a diesel pusher for my retirement in two years. I know that interior floor plans and fit/finish will be factors to consider. We've basically decided on that part and what amenities we need to make us both happy. I'm a mechanical kind of guy, so I would like some information on the different diesel engines/transmissions and chassis out there on RVs. I see so many differences with Cummins vs Caterpillar, and ISB, ISL and other alphabet engines. Turbo-charged or not? Transmission choice? Which chassis? Spartan? Freightliner? Other?As I said, I want to be informed on what engine/transmission/suspension is spec'd when I find something that matches the floor plan and features we want.Thanks for all opinions! And no, I'm not looking to start a war on what's best, just want opinions and why.

This is really a Ford vs. Checy topic. You'll likely get answers from people who like their setup. Having said that I think the 3126 CAT / Allison 3000 combo in my Sahara is great!!! :)Bottom line is if you're buying new, there are few choices anyway. You'll probably end up with a Cummins/Allsion combination and probably a Freightliner chassis. Most diesels are turbo charged as well.CAT doesn't make an over-the-road engine, although if you get a motor home with a CAT engine, there are plenty of CAT service locations that will service your engine even though their main business is heavy equipment.Study up on the switch-over years from no emissions controls to DEF. 2008-2010 were the schizophrenic years where nothing seemed to work right. There are also certain years and model of Cummins engines that had issues with various components. I might suggest joing the Diesel RV Club chapter of FMCA and read the various posts in the forums.The biggest advantage of a diesel is that the engine and all its noise is in the back and you and the DW can carry on a conversation without yelling.Horsepower is only important to you if you're climbing a lot of hills and the only difference there is what speed you drop to by time you get to the top. If you want to be a big dog and pass all the peons on the pull up the grapevine, get 500 hp and pay for the extra fuel it burns.

Cummins and Freightliner have the biggest service networks.

In the 36 to 42 foot range you need a diesel and they will all have a 6 speed Allison transmission...all very good. Most will have a Cummings engine as Cat gave up on meeting pollution requirements in 2010 after lots of problems, especially in the larger engines.For extended use in retirement you need plenty of CCC, cargo caring capacity for all of your stuff. 40 foot rigs after 2003 (they started gaining weight) can have very little CCC unless it has a tag axle which improves the handling dramatically and gives you 9000 lbs of CCC instead of 1000.I made the mistake of starting with a 36 foot rig because that was supposedly the biggest for public campgrounds and as you can see in my signature I found that not to be true so I now say buy more motorhome than you think you need, one time...Not like me.When I upgrading recently (sold my Dynasty to my son) I went back with much the same rig on a Monaco 10 airbag suspension...RR10S. Prevost, Newell, Foretravel...$$$$$ all use a 10 airbags suspension/chassis for the great handling with plenty of CCC.Most rigs up to 42' will have the ISL 400/425 1200ftlbs torque...the max for the Allison 3000 tranny. Cummins had a wrist pin problem BETWEEN OCTOBER 17, 2005, AND APRIL 18, 2006, WITH ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER RANGE FROM 46543077 TO 46603939. I recently talked to a owner of one that failed (put a hole through the block) at 45,000 miles and put it out of service for years and with legal help Cummins finally gave him an engine for $15,000.The reliability, fit and finish, and overall quality of my 04 Dynasty was very good based on the 14 years I owned it...so yes, I'm biased towards the big Monaco/Beaver/Safari/Holiday Rambler which were all built on the same assembly line after 2004.

Freightliner/Cummins/Allison is a great combination, very durable. I have read that the Fleetwood Discover Owners Association is one of the best owners groups for daily forum discussion and assistance on issues that are DIY or you don't receive a good answer from the manufacturers. I belong to that group and they have saved my butt several times. Discovery is also a great bang for your buck, notice how many you see on the road. Good luck!

10forty2 wrote:It'll probably take me a while for my search...I'm pretty methodical about looking and the right one has to all but fall in my lap! Looking for something in the 10 year old or less category in a 36'-42'. I'm less stuck on brand names than I am on mechanically sound and having the stuff we want.With that said, my wife and I are "LOOSELY" on the look for a diesel pusher for my retirement in two years. I know that interior floor plans and fit/finish will be factors to consider. We've basically decided on that part and what amenities we need to make us both happy. I'm a mechanical kind of guy, so I would like some information on the different diesel engines/transmissions and chassis out there on RVs. I see so many differences with Cummins vs Caterpillar, and ISB, ISL and other alphabet engines. Turbo-charged or not? Transmission choice? Which chassis? Spartan? Freightliner? Other?As I said, I want to be informed on what engine/transmission/suspension is spec'd when I find something that matches the floor plan and features we want.Thanks for all opinions! And no, I'm not looking to start a war on what's best, just want opinions and why.Since I'm destined to keep repeating myself on this subject and at the risk of really annoying some, who have heard it, so many times, let me put it as simply as I can for the entry door, that most shoppers head for first and whereas the discriminating buyer, first looks in the rear for a side radiator. Can't see the engine for the radiator covering it up, then keep walking, as this above all else says what you're getting! You haven't stated your budget, but if you're going back 10yrs or so, then you might as well go pre 08 and for being sure to stay out of the recession years and some of the later 07 emission controls and since most are built on a previous year chassis.That will really narrow it down for you and for making it a lot easier to discuss technicalities.

Diesel Engines/Chassis - Preferences and Why? | Good Sam Community

carringb
Explorer
Sep 08, 2018
Avoid anything with the first generation DPFs. These are the ones pre-DEF (urea injection). They rely on heavy EGR to meet NOx restrictions, so they burn more fuel and have many more problems. The DPF itself is $$$ if it ever plugs. A pre-emissions chassis is best, but if you can't find one in good condition, a 2nd gen emissions model with DEF will be better in almost every way, other then remembering to add DEF periodically. Truck stops have DEF pumps now so it's not even really a hassle anymore.
Mile_High
Explorer
Sep 08, 2018
tropical36 wrote:
Thing is and with what I'm saying, once you go that first step, you won't have to worry about the rest of it, for engine size, a top notch chassis, tranny size for towing what have you, top quality interior and exterior...etc...etc...
I mean it should be pretty obvious that it doesn't cost $200K, just to mount a radiator on the side of an engine and maybe with a two speed fluid drive, even.
I'm still going to disagree with you. The side radiator is not the barometer for the best build, and by using such a narrow focus, you eliminate many nice motor homes.

For instance, the Winnebago Grand Tour is now a freightliner side radiator, but the year before they were a freightliner rear radiator. Between the two, they are identical builds and quality. By what you are saying, the 2018 side radiator Tour is a green light, but walk away from the 2017 Tour because it is a rear radiator - even though they are identical coaches separated by a year. Even my own model was a side radiator as recent as 2008, and now it is a side radiator again as the newly introduced Horizon 42. Did that change everything about how they were built just because they had a side radiator, no. In fact, there are probably many features on mine such as tile floor and residential fridge, that the 2008 side radiator Meridian didn't have.

Side radiators are nice as they may be easier to service the engine belts and it does eliminate the oil collection from the slobber tube flying back off the engine, but it definitely shouldn't be the first thing to look at.
jplante4
Explorer II
Sep 08, 2018
A side radiator is 5 more things that can break. All the high end coaches have them because they figure the owners have the financial means to have them fixed.

The problem with the read rad is dirt collecting in the fins. This is especially a problem when the CAC is in front of the radiator. I degrease and wash mine every year.
moisheh
Explorer
Sep 08, 2018
You do not want any unit with a Mercedes
Horrible junk.

Moisheh
Dog_Trainer
Explorer
Sep 08, 2018
I had my DP from 1993 to 2015. Cummins c motor and a Spartan Chassis. Both served me well. Spartan was on top of everything that I needed. Don't be shy of coaches built on the Spartan Chassis
tropical36
Explorer
Sep 08, 2018
Mile High wrote:
tropical36 wrote:
Thing is and with what I'm saying, once you go that first step, you won't have to worry about the rest of it, for engine size, a top notch chassis, tranny size for towing what have you, top quality interior and exterior...etc...etc...
I mean it should be pretty obvious that it doesn't cost $200K, just to mount a radiator on the side of an engine and maybe with a two speed fluid drive, even.
I'm still going to disagree with you. The side radiator is not the barometer for the best build, and by using such a narrow focus, you eliminate many nice motor homes.

For instance, the Winnebago Grand Tour is now a freightliner side radiator, but the year before they were a freightliner rear radiator. Between the two, they are identical builds and quality. By what you are saying, the 2018 side radiator Tour is a green light, but walk away from the 2017 Tour because it is a rear radiator - even though they are identical coaches separated by a year. Even my own model was a side radiator as recent as 2008, and now it is a side radiator again as the newly introduced Horizon 42. Did that change everything about how they were built just because they had a side radiator, no. In fact, there are probably many features on mine such as tile floor and residential fridge, that the 2008 side radiator Meridian didn't have.

Side radiators are nice as they may be easier to service the engine belts and it does eliminate the oil collection from the slobber tube flying back off the engine, but it definitely shouldn't be the first thing to look at.

I think the whole chassis, as well as the house, is an upgrade in itself with a side radiator and really think there's more to it than ....if it breaks we don't care, cuz we're rich attitude.....for the reasons why you never see a RR on any top of the line coach.
In my experience of looking over the new model DP's and with every time I see a SR, it's around $200K, MSRP more than a like RR. This surely can't be solely because they moved the radiator to the side on a like same quality coach.
Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it .... :)
tropical36
Explorer
Sep 08, 2018
10forty2 wrote:
Thanks for the great information so far! Any feedback on the Roadmaster chassis? How about the Mercedes engines for bigger RVs? I've seen several advertised for sale that have the MB engine, and many others with Roadmaster chassis. So many combinations out there.....it probably WILL take me 6 years too, Chainwright..... ;)

I believe that MB is what was once Detroit, but not like having an old 60 series and most of what I've seen in the larger coaches, they never seem to come close to having a least 10HP/foot and what I use a s a benchmark for HP/Torque and weight ratios. Unless a real behemoth, like a Prevost and then there's no worries about having adequate power, anyway. I'm guessing that MB is still a good engine, but really have no real knowledge of such. You'd think that a company that made airplane engines, could make a MH engine, anyway.
Road-master chassis has already been explained, with it being centralized to a specific brand.
I'm partial to Spartan myself and especially with the older coaches and whereas you always got a side radiator with their chassis. In fact Spartan was an option over Freightliner with a lot of new orders on the higher end. Don't quote me, but I'm thinking that Foretravel has now gone exclusively with Spartan and at one time, might have made their own.
Mile_High
Explorer
Sep 08, 2018
tropical36 wrote:
Mile High wrote:
tropical36 wrote:
Thing is and with what I'm saying, once you go that first step, you won't have to worry about the rest of it, for engine size, a top notch chassis, tranny size for towing what have you, top quality interior and exterior...etc...etc...
I mean it should be pretty obvious that it doesn't cost $200K, just to mount a radiator on the side of an engine and maybe with a two speed fluid drive, even.
I'm still going to disagree with you. The side radiator is not the barometer for the best build, and by using such a narrow focus, you eliminate many nice motor homes.

For instance, the Winnebago Grand Tour is now a freightliner side radiator, but the year before they were a freightliner rear radiator. Between the two, they are identical builds and quality. By what you are saying, the 2018 side radiator Tour is a green light, but walk away from the 2017 Tour because it is a rear radiator - even though they are identical coaches separated by a year. Even my own model was a side radiator as recent as 2008, and now it is a side radiator again as the newly introduced Horizon 42. Did that change everything about how they were built just because they had a side radiator, no. In fact, there are probably many features on mine such as tile floor and residential fridge, that the 2008 side radiator Meridian didn't have.

Side radiators are nice as they may be easier to service the engine belts and it does eliminate the oil collection from the slobber tube flying back off the engine, but it definitely shouldn't be the first thing to look at.

I think the whole chassis, as well as the house, is an upgrade in itself with a side radiator and really think there's more to it than ....if it breaks we don't care, cuz we're rich attitude.....for the reasons why you never see a RR on any top of the line coach.
In my experience of looking over the new model DP's and with every time I see a SR, it's around $200K, MSRP more than a like RR. This surely can't be solely because they moved the radiator to the side on a like same quality coach.
Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it .... :)
Think what you want. The Freightliner XCL chassis comes either way, it even comes with a rear steer option, and a few different horsepower ISL Cummins, but beyond that they are the same.

We've had this argument before - and that's OK. There are actually quite a few medium range coaches like yours with a side radiator and a lot without.
tropical36
Explorer
Sep 08, 2018
Mile High wrote:
tropical36 wrote:
Mile High wrote:
tropical36 wrote:
Thing is and with what I'm saying, once you go that first step, you won't have to worry about the rest of it, for engine size, a top notch chassis, tranny size for towing what have you, top quality interior and exterior...etc...etc...
I mean it should be pretty obvious that it doesn't cost $200K, just to mount a radiator on the side of an engine and maybe with a two speed fluid drive, even.
I'm still going to disagree with you. The side radiator is not the barometer for the best build, and by using such a narrow focus, you eliminate many nice motor homes.

For instance, the Winnebago Grand Tour is now a freightliner side radiator, but the year before they were a freightliner rear radiator. Between the two, they are identical builds and quality. By what you are saying, the 2018 side radiator Tour is a green light, but walk away from the 2017 Tour because it is a rear radiator - even though they are identical coaches separated by a year. Even my own model was a side radiator as recent as 2008, and now it is a side radiator again as the newly introduced Horizon 42. Did that change everything about how they were built just because they had a side radiator, no. In fact, there are probably many features on mine such as tile floor and residential fridge, that the 2008 side radiator Meridian didn't have.

Side radiators are nice as they may be easier to service the engine belts and it does eliminate the oil collection from the slobber tube flying back off the engine, but it definitely shouldn't be the first thing to look at.

I think the whole chassis, as well as the house, is an upgrade in itself with a side radiator and really think there's more to it than ....if it breaks we don't care, cuz we're rich attitude.....for the reasons why you never see a RR on any top of the line coach.
In my experience of looking over the new model DP's and with every time I see a SR, it's around $200K, MSRP more than a like RR. This surely can't be solely because they moved the radiator to the side on a like same quality coach.
Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it .... :)
Think what you want. The Freightliner XCL chassis comes either way, it even comes with a rear steer option, and a few different horsepower ISL Cummins, but beyond that they are the same.

We've had this argument before - and that's OK. There are actually quite a few medium range coaches like yours with a side radiator and a lot without.

Yep, all OK and opinions are mostly what these forums are about.
With our rig, getting what we wanted and for not having to live without, along with the bang for the buck, sold us on this one and especially with getting the deal we did through a consignment dealer.
Is it perfect without any need for improvement? HELL NO!....and is there such an animal out there, anywhere?
Mile_High
Explorer
Sep 08, 2018
tropical36 wrote:

Is it perfect without any need for improvement? HELL NO!....and is there such an animal out there, anywhere?
Probably not even in a Prevost :) I'm not even sure I could custom order one and get it right - I'm sure there would be something I forget and would want later!

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