Older Diesel or New Gas - Newbie question

elhajj33 wrote:
Let me preface this by I've read the faqs on gas vs. diesel and have been doing a bit of research. I know diesels will ride smoother, quieter, pull better, and go longer between maintenance intervals than gas (though maintenance will be more expensive)

THAT SAID, here's the thing:

We're full-timing with 5 kids and this will be our first RV.

Key words here FULL TIME and 5 - FIVE KIDS

option 1 is buy a 2004-2005 DP or

Option 1 sort of stands on its own full time and 7 – SEVEN people

option 2 buy a 2016 Gas (Georgetown 364TS is what we really like.)

IMHO NOT AN OPTION! Think about it – you need a little space and a 24’ trailer might not be a bad idea – but I think it should happen after you try out the DP with the Honda Odyssey in tow. (do a little research they pre 2014 can be towed four down)

We need to tow a minivan behind us (the van weighs 4000lbs), and we plan on being in one place for 2weeks to a month typically. (are we parkers or drivers)?

You are FULL TIMERS – so the time driving and the time parking are not important, except for the fact that School and CG rates might play into this, I am speaking from family experience, my son and DL and two Granddaughter spent about 9 months in our Coach so it can be done just requires a very different life style. They loved it but the oldest needed to start school so they moved into a sticks and bricks house again.

Just one more reason you should only look into the DP’s, along with STORAGE and Caring WT. (CCC)


I like the older Diesel option, but I'm afraid of what can be wrong that we won't know about until we own it. We're looking at a 2004 monaco for example, and we love it, but i know the tires have flat spots from parking, and the ac is being repaired and there was a small window water leak at one point. That's just plain scary.

Let’s not even look at anything that has a problem sitting in the doorway just pass it up and look some more, there are a ton of really good used DP’s out there.

Going new, at least we'll have Forest River behind the coach and have some piece of mind.

New will not guarantee anything – Again speaking from experience, so do your homework and find something that is as big and as good as possible. Look into the longer coach’s they give more room and you might even look for a little more power in the rear with your crew.

Something like this;
PPL
Not pushing anything but the size and price per pound/foot - it has seating/bedding so it might have some possibilities going for it. Bigger motor so to pull the trailer, if that becomes an option later is not an issue, good brand so parts and service are strong and the only thing that is a slight issue is the limited mileage. (very limited use in 13 years)

Would love some thoughts on this. There are a lot of older DPs in the $75-85k. It's tempting, but buying a used 10 or so year old RV scares us!

Tried to not give you info overload - but if this is to WORK you will need to make some really good choices, FloorPlan is Critical everyone needs space - you to work them to play - you do know that it rains, _ lot less in Colorado but still it RAINS and we all need to be inside at certain times of the day.

These TWO are doing it so you might want to give them a shout

They also have a pretty good page for just general info, that might help in your process.

Hope this is of some Help,