We are a family of 4, the young ones are 10 and 5. We also travel with our dogs, medium and small. Previous till now we have had tow behinds and 5ers, all the way up to MDTs with a large TH. We downsized to save for a down payment on a retirement home, I retire from the Air Force this year. The house we are having built will have an RV bay in the garage with a 14' door and 41' of internal space to store something. That is my limitation.We want a diesel pusher and if I can find the right used rig, I would like an ISL Cummins. I an not really well versed but I had a DPF in my last ISC MDT and hated the regens so I think that means I want something that is 2005 or older.Obviously it has to fit in the garage, but, what size/layout is good for a family with two kids?I want really good access while on the road and less to fail mechanically so I am thinking less or no slides if possible. We also want really good views because we want the kids to see everything they can on our trips.Speaking of trips...we want to do numerous short weekend to week long trips during the year and at least one longer 3 week to a month trip over the summer.Some of our sops will be off the grid, so good quiet generator power is a must.As much as we can, we want to be under $100k.I know this gets asked a bunch, I really am doing my homework. I have 4-6 months before the house is finished and I retire to learn and decide if we should go back to the MDT and 5er route, or have the open space while traveling of the Class A.

You should be able to get a very nice diesel coach 38-40 feet at the age and price you are looking at. I would look at Newmar, Country Coach and Tiffin. Get maintenance records. I would reconsider the desire not to have slides. With 4 of you in the coach, you are going to want the floor space.

ncrowley wrote:You should be able to get a very nice diesel coach 38-40 feet at the age and price you are looking at. I would look at Newmar, Country Coach and Tiffin. Get maintenance records. I would reconsider the desire not to have slides. With 4 of you in the coach, you are going to want the floor space.I agree with you 100% when parked. My TH with slides was almost completely unusable when the slides were in. I may find that there are units that travel well and are usable with the slides in, but I have had a bit of heartache with slides in my past with leaks, failures and just general poor workmanship. My thinking was/is less is better.

My Mountain Aire with 2 slides had no problem with access when the slides were in. That was a 2003 and they made DPs with the same floorplan. Each model has different features so you can find what you want.

Personally, if it were me with a family like that, I would probably lean towards a class C. They have better accommodations for more than 2 people and there is a huge selection available.

bluwtr49 wrote:Personally, if it were me with a family like that, I would probably lean towards a class C. They have better accommodations for more than 2 people and there is a huge selection available.That might make sense but, as I understand it, a diesel pusher is just an overall better vehicle/chassis. I might be wrong, and my thinking is that the class A will have better visibility for sight seeing while traveling and feel more inclusive for the family and passengers.Is any of that true?

Experimenting with the though of a Class A... | Good Sam Community

29 Replies

holstein13
Explorer
Jun 06, 2015
Since your kids are 5 and 10, this means that this coach will probably not be your ideal, retirement coach. I'd consider a used gasser such as the fleetwood storm 32BH. My old 2011 model goes for less than $50,000 on the used market and has bunks and a front drop down bed. It sleeps 10 comfortably and would keep another $50,000 in your pocket.

On the diesel side, I would think you would appreciate bunk beds for the kids. Floor plans may be the limiting factor for a used diesel pusher. They are typically not meant for more than two people, especially at 40 feet.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Jun 06, 2015
Aemedic, the only issue that you might have in a 2005 or older motorhome, is that you will have things that have 'aged out'. Maybe the fridge is nearing the end of it's life, TV's, air bags (diesel), slide seals, etc.

Not sure what problems that you had with a DPF, we had one of the first chassis's with it, '07 chassis under our 2008 Monaco Dynasty. We put almost 70,000 miles in 7.5 yrs. and never had any problem with our DPF.

It would regenerate about every 8K-10K miles. What was the problem with yours and what kind of vehicle was it in?

Our new coach has a DPF along with using DEF. At almost 13,000 miles, no issues (I've seen one regen so far).

MM.
aemedic
Explorer
Jun 06, 2015
I like the idea of the ISM and those Foretravels are nice! I just internet shopped a few, I have to get back to around 2000 for most of them to get the price down, but I'm in no hurry, the right rig might present it's self in the dead of winter after we close.
John_S_
Explorer II
Jun 06, 2015
You could find a no, one or two slide Foretravel. They are well built and made to travel. I have 172,000 miles on my current coach. There is a family who is at the factory right now having and older unit redone with two bunks. You can get an ISM 11 in a U320 and you will love it. The smallest of the Heavy duty engines and it runs great. I have a 42 footer but they made many 36-40 footers that would work.
aemedic
Explorer
Jun 06, 2015
bluwtr49 wrote:
Personally, if it were me with a family like that, I would probably lean towards a class C. They have better accommodations for more than 2 people and there is a huge selection available.

That might make sense but, as I understand it, a diesel pusher is just an overall better vehicle/chassis. I might be wrong, and my thinking is that the class A will have better visibility for sight seeing while traveling and feel more inclusive for the family and passengers.

Is any of that true?
bluwtr49
Explorer II
Jun 06, 2015
Personally, if it were me with a family like that, I would probably lean towards a class C. They have better accommodations for more than 2 people and there is a huge selection available.
bsinmich
Explorer
Jun 06, 2015
My Mountain Aire with 2 slides had no problem with access when the slides were in. That was a 2003 and they made DPs with the same floorplan. Each model has different features so you can find what you want.
aemedic
Explorer
Jun 06, 2015
ncrowley wrote:
You should be able to get a very nice diesel coach 38-40 feet at the age and price you are looking at. I would look at Newmar, Country Coach and Tiffin. Get maintenance records. I would reconsider the desire not to have slides. With 4 of you in the coach, you are going to want the floor space.

I agree with you 100% when parked. My TH with slides was almost completely unusable when the slides were in. I may find that there are units that travel well and are usable with the slides in, but I have had a bit of heartache with slides in my past with leaks, failures and just general poor workmanship. My thinking was/is less is better.
ncrowley
Explorer II
Jun 06, 2015
You should be able to get a very nice diesel coach 38-40 feet at the age and price you are looking at. I would look at Newmar, Country Coach and Tiffin. Get maintenance records. I would reconsider the desire not to have slides. With 4 of you in the coach, you are going to want the floor space.

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Experimenting with the though of a Class A...

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