Estimated Mileage - Bounder 34J

Magilla: Yes, you know even as I thought it and typed it I was thinking, "launch a boat with a 35' Class A? Are you crazy?" For those who don't know there is a lakeside activity enjoyed by many. It is hanging out at the ramp and watching boat launches and recoveries. In such an case as I asked about, I expect I'd win an academy award for my performance, and be talked about for many hilarious conversations around future dinner tables! :)

Hank: A truthful statement. But when you think about it, there's a big difference between "bad gas mileage numbers". Compare 5 to 10 and 3 to 6 for example. :) I reckon I was looking more for "information about such an idea" as opposed to hard numbers to apply to a budget. Funny thing about life being such a suggestive proposition huh?

We just sold our 94 Bounder, Chevy 454. We had it about 5 years, never checked the mileage once, why bother, it's going to be bad. Only thing you can do about that is control how you drive. I've had a couple of Suburbans and Chevy Z71 4x4 pickups, never checked the mileage on any of them. Just like the motorhome, if you're worried about the mileage you need to find another mode of transportation.

I would imagine that it would NOT be very easy to back a boat down a ramp with a MH. Most boat ramps that I see are not designed for the gigantic turning radius that a MH requires. Another issue would be the distance from the front axel to the rear axel to the hitch. This could cause quite an angle. Your front axel would likely be on flat ground while your rear axel would be on the ramp. That would cause a triangle at the hitch.

Thanks guys. Back in the day my dad got him a huge old Pace Arrow; so proud when he finally "got there". I was always a smaller camper and trailer kind of guy. I asked him about its gas mileage - 5-6. He said, "that's not very good for a car, but it's pretty darn good for a house". These days a 34J house can be had for about $11K. I guess they don't match up to a diesel pusher type house, but then as the Rainbirds say "What a nice rig", and at a fraction of the cost.

We got this new TT and found the retirement travel we bought it for just isn't what we like, months at a time, etc. We're finding a trip here, a trip there, often fairly close to home, maybe pulling the boat (would you launch a boat on the ramp with a MH?), maybe with some of the kids. Then, when we just want to go the two of us further across the country, we expect Lil' Queeny just might do us.

Nobody seems to want a new used TT - maybe because of a glut on the market. Maybe the dealer on a trade-in and we'll get one of those big Class A's plus something else, maybe some cash. Something to take the grands in, something to let the kids take with their fams. Maybe that's the way to trade around?

We'd love any thoughts!

Dave, the drivers seat is a Flexsteel and is pretty comfortable.

A little off topic:

Many many many years ago we looked at a use 34J and decided that though we loved the layout it was a little too rich for us at that time. Our rig at the time was a 1973 Winnebago Brave with at a Dodge 440 and a 4 barrel carb. :E 6 MPG no matter where we were going.

Some years later we purchased a '97 Triple E Commander and later still our current 2002 Itasca Horizon.

Though we were extremely happy with our Commander, every time we saw a 34J we thought "What a nice rig".

The Commander ran about 6 to 8 mpg with the Ford 460.

Wow! Better than I thought. So are they fun? I mean that broad expanse of glass. Passengers able to move about? Pretty nice room and able to tow?

Philandterri: is that one fairly comfortable in the driver's seat?

I get about 6-6.5 most of the time......lots of hills it's down to 5.5.........

We just sold our 1996 Bounder 34J Ford chassis, had it for 17 years and never got more than 7.5 with a toad 45000 miles.

Just for fun I put MPG in the search box. Came back with 317 pages. Maybe in one of those you can see a thread answering your question.