First Time Buyer...Updated 03/06/2006
This post is intended to be helpful to the first time buyer of a motor home. For those of you who don't fall into that category or believe this post is incomplete or off the mark, do us all a favor, a...
Forum Discussion
Old-ish member back again (had a TT before). This time around we're in the market for a used RV and have a budget of up to about $25k, which seems to put us in the mid-90s up to the early '00s, depending on class, size, etc.
Our dilemma seems to come down to whether we go with an older DP or a newer gas, though the year range doesn't seem to be that big. I'm seeing a number of Ford V10s from the late '90s and early '00s, but I'd rather not have to worry about spark plug problems. I've never really been a fan of the newer GM powertrains and their reliability, mainly the non-Allison transmissions. So, that seems to really limit us. The older V8 units whether from Ford or GM seem to have weaker transmissions anyway, no? Best options would be a V10 with 8-thread heads and the TorqShift or a GM 8.1L with an Allison? That seems to put us out of our budget...
So on the DP front, I've been trying to look for units with the Cummins C8.3 and 6-speed Allison, avoiding the 5.9 or 4-speed units if possible. Nothing against the 5.9, I just feel it wouldn't have the balls to move the RV well while towing 3000-3500lb. Trying to avoid units with Cat engines as it sounds like they tend to be more problematic than Cummins. Also looking for side radiator units.
Obviously maintenance is key no matter what we're looking at, but moreso with the DPs since they're just flat out more expensive to repair if not properly maintained.
As for what we want/need out of it...
Basement storage
Rear queen
Sleeper sofa
Convertible dinette
Leveling jacks
A shower that I can fit in (I'm 6'1" and that seems to mean the shower needs a skylight)
About 36 feet long
Needs to tow and launch PWCs
There are some nice looking older DPs (Older as in late '80s) that have been well taken care of and have "character" but I would be concerned about components starting to randomly fail. Last thing I want to do is have to replace the fridge, then find an A/C unit dies, then it needs a water heater, etc. For that reason I'm hesitant to go with something older than something from the mid-'90s.
Are Cat engines really that much more problematic than a similar Cummins? I realize there are a lot of different models out there, 3208 V8, 3176 I6, etc.
Some that have caught my eyes are a '97 Damon Intruder with a 275HP Cat 7.2 (3126), some mid/late-80s Vogues with the 3208, A Monaco Crown Royale with a Cat of some sort, a '97 Fleetwood Discovery with a 275HP Cummins...
I'm curious to know what you folks that have experience with various models would go with if you had a similar budget and need to have basically 3 separate beds and not struggle while towing while also being the most reliable overall. I have no problem doing my own work, I'd just rather not spend more time wrenching than enjoying. :)
Looking for any input and suggestions. Thanks!
Our dilemma seems to come down to whether we go with an older DP or a newer gas, though the year range doesn't seem to be that big. I'm seeing a number of Ford V10s from the late '90s and early '00s, but I'd rather not have to worry about spark plug problems. I've never really been a fan of the newer GM powertrains and their reliability, mainly the non-Allison transmissions. So, that seems to really limit us. The older V8 units whether from Ford or GM seem to have weaker transmissions anyway, no? Best options would be a V10 with 8-thread heads and the TorqShift or a GM 8.1L with an Allison? That seems to put us out of our budget...
So on the DP front, I've been trying to look for units with the Cummins C8.3 and 6-speed Allison, avoiding the 5.9 or 4-speed units if possible. Nothing against the 5.9, I just feel it wouldn't have the balls to move the RV well while towing 3000-3500lb. Trying to avoid units with Cat engines as it sounds like they tend to be more problematic than Cummins. Also looking for side radiator units.
Obviously maintenance is key no matter what we're looking at, but moreso with the DPs since they're just flat out more expensive to repair if not properly maintained.
As for what we want/need out of it...
Basement storage
Rear queen
Sleeper sofa
Convertible dinette
Leveling jacks
A shower that I can fit in (I'm 6'1" and that seems to mean the shower needs a skylight)
About 36 feet long
Needs to tow and launch PWCs
There are some nice looking older DPs (Older as in late '80s) that have been well taken care of and have "character" but I would be concerned about components starting to randomly fail. Last thing I want to do is have to replace the fridge, then find an A/C unit dies, then it needs a water heater, etc. For that reason I'm hesitant to go with something older than something from the mid-'90s.
Are Cat engines really that much more problematic than a similar Cummins? I realize there are a lot of different models out there, 3208 V8, 3176 I6, etc.
Some that have caught my eyes are a '97 Damon Intruder with a 275HP Cat 7.2 (3126), some mid/late-80s Vogues with the 3208, A Monaco Crown Royale with a Cat of some sort, a '97 Fleetwood Discovery with a 275HP Cummins...
I'm curious to know what you folks that have experience with various models would go with if you had a similar budget and need to have basically 3 separate beds and not struggle while towing while also being the most reliable overall. I have no problem doing my own work, I'd just rather not spend more time wrenching than enjoying. :)
Looking for any input and suggestions. Thanks!
