Back to doing research on Class As and DPs in general. We are wanting one that is 36 feet or less so it will fit nicely in our RV garage. In looking we are having trouble finding many that are under this length. Our budget will be under $100K and would prefer to get one that is less than 10 years old so won't have to do too much maintenance/updates. We have seen the Allegro Breeze which meets our criteria, but not much else. Anything else out there we should look for?Thanks in advance.John

We have a 32' Country Coach Allure that we love, has the larger Cummins engine great quality.I know they made a 33' version in 2004 and maybe some 34 footers after that.But they are kinda rare.Should be lots of 36' options out there in your price rage around 2004 to 2006 or 7 models.I just like the quality of CC with the ISC or ISL Cummins that most shorter coaches don't offer.

Winnebago/Itasca model Journey/Meridian 34 measures out at just under 36'

John.....We had a 36' Monaco Diplomat for 9 years. Bumper to bumper, the coach was 37'. I see that you made two different posts, really asking the same info. Many have short DP's, but I would recommend not buying anything shorter than a 36'. I know your garage will work at that length, but you probably won't be happy with something shorter than 36'. You don't want the trade off to be, hate the coach, but it fits in my garage.Here's some things to consider. I had a 32' Class A gasser that had the same wheelbase as my 36'DP. The DP has a large generator up front that pushes the front axle back. With the rear engine facing backwards, you have the engine and transmission taking up the rear of the coach, pushing the axle forward. This combination shortens the available wheelbase. When you get this short, the coach will tend to porpoise. There is actually a calculation for what a good riding wheelbase versus length should be. I'm brain farting on the calculation method, but I'm sure someone will post.There were several companies who made some 32' and 34' coaches years ago and solved some wheelbase issues by using smaller propane generators up front. You DO NOT want a propane generator.You're going to get some on here that will tell you that their 32' and 34' coaches handle like a dream, but I think you'll find more will disagree and you'll have to wade through the info. I spent a lot of money to get my 36' to handle like a larger coach.We now have a 40' coach with a tag axle and the handling is fantastic. I'm not saying that you need to buy a 40' DP, but you SHOULDN'T go shorter than a 36' DP, if you do, you might be better off buying a long gasser.

JCGibson wrote:We are wanting one that is 36 feet or less . . . Our budget will be under $100K and would prefer to get one that is less than 10 years old so won't have to do too much maintenance/updates.A little over 10 years old, but it's a CC: 2002 36' 350HP CC Alure

TechWriter wrote:JCGibson wrote:We are wanting one that is 36 feet or less . . . Our budget will be under $100K and would prefer to get one that is less than 10 years old so won't have to do too much maintenance/updates.A little over 10 years old, but it's a CC: 2002 36' 350HP CC AlureNice unit, good engine too. I have a 34 PDD Cayman 2003, new to me but I find it rides pretty good, one finger on the steering. I did not want any longer, I will carry a motorcycle on the back which add another 3 feet. I was actually looking at 32 but could not find one. I like the size, fits well in two space parking, good for state parks, good on fuel, 24000 lbs all loaded up with the Motorcycle. For the room inside, I have two slides, more room than I need, my house is 35 feet long!

Diesel Pushers Under 36 Feet in Length | Good Sam Community

mci7
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
mike brez wrote:
bogeygolfer wrote:
LOL. Hey Brez, what "uniform" do horse hockey spreaders normally wear?
.

I honestly don't know. Maybe mci7 does.

Ya gotta love a lil humor, I sure do.
As formy checking my coach, you bet, I use the Xtreme shop in Nac for body & structure what ever. Saysit is still like new, likely dur to being garaged about 10.5 months a year. Amaware, why it is monitored.
Horse Hockey colors ? Guessing a shade of yellow ?
Dave M
JimM68
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
Bottom line will be to drive it, and see what you can stand....

An example, my first was a 1999 PaceArrow, on a '99 F53 V10 chassis.

As compared to that, my current Monaco rr8r chassis '08 Knight is a moon rocket rolling on slippers....

But it's all related to what you are comparing it to...
mike_brez
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
bogeygolfer wrote:
LOL. Hey Brez, what "uniform" do horse hockey spreaders normally wear?
.

I honestly don't know. Maybe mci7 does.
bogeygolfer
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
LOL. Hey Brez, what "uniform" do horse hockey spreaders normally wear?
DKeppner
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
Fleetwood Excursion 33D would also meet the criteria and I respectfully submit a disagreement with the one poster saying anything less than 36ft would be a disappointment. We are finding the 33' 11" length to be quite satisfactory and the 300hp Cummings is more than adequate, providing good power balanced with good mileage.

I recommend first identifying the floor plan within your constraints that you like then begin shopping within your budget for that rig. Regardless of much else, you will have to live with the floor plan so that should be the happy maker.
mike_brez
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
TechWriter wrote:
mci7 wrote:
TechWriter wrote:

Just make sure to check for bulkhead (i.e., chassis) separation on Foretravels (very factual, not wild opinion).

Yes, this is what you get from uninformed guessing with a tidbit of fact, not the MAJOR issue indicated and in fact the 2001 & newer do not seem to have an issue due to change in structure/fabrication.

Why I stick with facts and not the horse hockey so often printed on these forums.

Couldn't agree more, Dave, especially when it comes from coach owners who don't know their own brand.

Bulkhead separation is a potential issue with 1988 through 2005 Foretravels. This memo was created by Mark Harvey, the Foretravel Service Director.

I never said bulkhead separation was a "major issue", but if left untreated, it has the potential to become one.

Foretravel will check for bulkhead separation for free. For someone with your technical ability, I'd suggest having a professional at Nacogdoches check your coach.

ROTFLMAO. I guess on thing worse is a uniformed owner spreading horse hockey.
John_S_
Explorer II
Dec 12, 2014
The bulkhead is not a major issue. It was blown up though. It is low tech and a few hours with a drill fixes it if you have the problem and many were retro fitted already. I have had 3 FTs and none of them have had the issue. I have well over 360k miles in total on them and this current coach has 170k now.

You can upgrade any of the 320s to 500 hp and they came that way from the factory a couple years newer then Dave's. Dave figured out how to to it and it is impressive and not very expensive.
Kidoo
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
larmcintsh wrote:
I have a 30'1994 Monaco Dynasty purchased new, has 230hp Cummins, 3060 six speed, Allison and 140,000 miles on it. Propane Gen in the front. Weight 22500 lbs. I am so tired on hearing not to have a propane gen. It has been great since new and is very quite, 5000 watt. The RV handles as good as my 1996 Corvette six speed. Just kidding, but tracks down the highway just fine. So please don't let all the bad press on a propane gen make you not have one. Take care Larry

I have a propane gene in my Truck Camper, works fine, runs clean, no problem.

I think my MH runs fine too for the price, I did not pay much more than a gaser, but I think I have more than a gaser. I like the size, short, if I could have found a 32, I would have been happier. Of course, this is not a top end RV, Cayman 2003, 34PDD, and hopefully, there is some handling differences when you through a couple of hundred thousand more on a MH, depends on your wallet.
Kidoo
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
mci7 wrote:
Mr.Mark wrote:
mci7, I'm still in awe of you having a 500 hp engine in a 36' coach. I bet you can lay rubber anytime you want!

Just curious, do you know your torque rating?

MM.

Thanks for the comment, not able to leave black marks, but it does the 0-60 in 16.5 sec and on a 6% interstate, I set cruise at 70, it does not go below 69 at any time on the mountain. Torque Cummins sez 1550 ft lb, does nice job, nearly like my pickup or car, pass who and when you like.
Spent many years dreaming of such a joy to play.
Dave M

It's a bomb! How is it for MPG?
mci7
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
Mr.Mark wrote:
mci7, I'm still in awe of you having a 500 hp engine in a 36' coach. I bet you can lay rubber anytime you want!

Just curious, do you know your torque rating?

MM.

Thanks for the comment, not able to leave black marks, but it does the 0-60 in 16.5 sec and on a 6% interstate, I set cruise at 70, it does not go below 69 at any time on the mountain. Torque Cummins sez 1550 ft lb, does nice job, nearly like my pickup or car, pass who and when you like.
Spent many years dreaming of such a joy to play.
Dave M