The wife and I have been talking about eventually trying the rv thing. I guess that's why I'm here, right? Initially I was thinking a class c would be best for us, as we have 1 child and are planning 1 or 2 more. That said, we would need at least sleeping for 4, maybe 5, would like 6 in the event they have a friend or cousin stay. But the wife likes the look of class A's better, and they do feel a bit more spacious inside. I will be buying used, and think of myself as handy, and can improvise a bunk or 2 somewhere if needed. So after.trying to learn about the options, I think I would like a DP. Having the engine at the back would be nice for conversations, and (at least in my head) better driving experience with that much weight.Our main plan is some cross country vacations, so we would be putting a lot of miles on every day. Plus we won't have a toad, so I would like shorter to be able to go most places. I'm thinking under 30, as I read some parks have that as a cut off. Is there many to choose from that short? Wife's never been in one, so I don't know what kind of floor plan we would want.Would there really be much benefit to diesel, push or pull, at that length?Any possible handling/balance issues at that short?Thanks in advance,Justin

30' is going to definitely limit any choices able to sleep several kids along with yourselves. In a DP the only one coming to mind is the Tiffin Breeze 28. The shorter lengths will really limit the storage necessary for cross country trips with kids. You might think more along the idea of 34', which will give you more choices. Check the Thor and Tiffin websites for possibilities, along with others. I would be looking at bunk models with the family in mind. You'll save money by going with the gas, but you don't say what your budget is.

I suggest that you make sure you're concerns about a longer DP are truly valid. With the number of people you mentioned it would seem that the longer the better. As far as campgrounds go, that seems to be an opinion that some folks tout with little basis in fact. It would seem to me that comfort trumps the occasional park with a length restriction.And, you are totally correct in you assessment of the rear engine and the driving pleasure...it's a wonderful way to travel. Downside is you hear every pot and pan rattle, window squeak, and etc.

Having read your previous posts, either go with a much longer A and pull a toad or get a C. If you end up with 5 then a C is a better choice. The V10 has plenty of power and I've gotten 9-10mpg with a 30'.

Roving Triker, If you are truly new at all this, then there's a serious amount of info to take in and consider. Diesels can and do cost more up front, to operate and maintenance. How much more, well that depends on all kinds of stuff. Things like "do your own maintenance", buying things like the fuel, air and oil filters on the best sale you can find. Gas units are cheaper in the fact that there's not near as much oil involved in regular oil changes. The air and fuel filters are normally a lot cheaper etc. But, all that involves maintenance which, while it does have to be done, is not all that often. The ride, yep, a Pusher is definitely a smoother, better, more relaxfull ride but, you pay for it. You pay for it with much larger tires, heavier rig which, most of the time uses more fuel, but not always. You pay for it in terms of if and when you have to do any maintenance or, repairs on or in the engine area, most Diesel Pushers are one serious pain in the a$$ to get to and work on the engine/components. And, you say your thinking of a short one, well some of the models have been suggested but, in all reality, there's not very many "short" diesel pushers out there. A 36' is fairly common, a 34' is fairly rare, a 32' is ultra rare and, anything less, is almost non-existent. And, the shorter the rig, ANY RIG, WITH ANY FUEL, the less and less storage you have. And, the interior layout gets really compromised with the shorter units. Sleeping arrangements for more than two, really get tight. As far as NOT FITTING in SOME campgrounds, yes, that is a problem at some. We've been in our 36' Diesel now for over two years and have traveled to many western states and a ton of private, state and federal campgrounds and as of yet, we've not been shut out of any of them. I'm not sure what they use to determine length limits but we've been in a few campgrounds that had a limit of 34' and we fit in with plenty of room to spare. So, lots of things to consider. Most of the later Class Cs and As too have fairly good engine cover insulation so, talking while driving is not the problem it was several years ago. Good luck.Scott

Think about how you are going to use child safety seats. Tiffin Breeze is setup for two people with light colored leather interior. Diesel if you are going to crank out the miles otherwise gas will have plenty of power. Look at the Super C's that are getting more popular.

Short diesel (pusher) | Good Sam Community

beave
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013
We just sold our DP 30' Beaver Monterey (33'bumper to bumper). Diesels are expensive to maintain, however they do get a little better mileage. The prime benefit of the diesel is the high torque and the relative quiet.

However it was not a small vehicle, just try finding a place to park the thing other than a big box store.

Towing a car with a diesel has almost no impact on fuel mileage, at the most 1/2 mpg. Not everything you may want to see will be as accessible via the RV alone.
RovingTriker
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
2gypsies wrote:

If you're seeing things as you drive in multiple states, then you're not really 'seeing things'. You are in a rush.

Park the RV in a campground and spend at least two nights, if not more, in an area to really explore that area. Towing a vehicle or pulling a trailer and having the tow vehicle for excursions is the only relaxing way to explore an area. Towing a vehicle is so simple. It's not a hassle. Good luck finding what you want.

What made us initially start thinking about an RV was we would eventually like to take a trip from Ohio to the grand canyon. Last time I was out there, we went from NM, around Grand Canyon for a while, hoover dam, then into Vegas all in one day. Then we went from Vegas, to Sequoia, Redwoods, through San Francisco, up the coast to Washington all the next day. I know I didn't see it all, but I also didn't really feel like I was rushed at any time during that.

Our current vehicles are flatbed only according to the owners manual.
mowermech
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
Keep in mind that the number of people that can SLEEP in an RV is not as important as what you are going to do with them on a rainy day!
4 bored kids and two frustrated adults in an RV is a recipe for a real bad day!
Yeah, been there, did that!
I have had just about every kind of RV except a pop-up. From 8 foot truck camper to 11 foot TC to Class C to Class A (this is my third A) to fifth wheel.
I like the A best of all.
IMO, the major advantage to an RV over a hotel/motel is I know who slept in that bed last night, and what germs they were carrying, and how clean they were, etc. I also know who cooked my meals, and how the food was stored and prepared. Not that we don't eat out occasionally, but it is nice having our own kitchen if we want to use it.
I gladly pay the price in fuel economy to have the convenience.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Aug 20, 2013
RovingTriker wrote:

Some part of me really doesn't want to tow anything. Nothing against those of you that do, but to me it seems like more hassle, and I think we would be better off with hotels and better fuel economy at that point. All of my trips in the past, we would see multiple things, sometimes multiple states in the same day.
With a toad (or TT like the wife asked about) seems like I would have to find a place to leave the RV go see what we want, then back track to go get the RV, then go back the direction we just were to continue the trip.

If you're seeing things as you drive in multiple states, then you're not really 'seeing things'. You are in a rush.

Park the RV in a campground and spend at least two nights, if not more, in an area to really explore that area. Towing a vehicle or pulling a trailer and having the tow vehicle for excursions is the only relaxing way to explore an area. Towing a vehicle is so simple. It's not a hassle. Good luck finding what you want.
dpruettsms
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
Boy you asked for opinions, you got them.
On our 9th class A coach. A class A has more fluid capacity than a class C, better driving visibility. The dingy towable, you need to have one, it just makes mobility easier.
The 5th wheel as suggested sound great for better sleeping capacity but for long runs it would be tough with all kids in the tow unit.
LASTLY I BELIEVE YOU NEED TO RENT A UNIT SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU AND YOUR WIFE THINK YOU MAY WANT. I have been an RVer all my life but it is not for everyone.
I wish you good luck.
mena661
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
Hills are a non-issue with the shorter gas engined A's. The V10 has 360hp and 450 lb-ft of torque and if you're 33-34ft and under will be moving a 20,000 lb coach. Any DP will be 10,000 lbs heavier with the same hp, a bit more torque (600 lb-ft range) but won't be any faster. You will get the benefit of not as much power loss in the really high elevations (7000 ft+) with diesel because of the turbocharger. I live in a valley at 2500 ft and to get in or out the rig must climb to at least 4000 ft. The slowest is 50 mph on the steepest part coming from the south into the valley which is a long climb (~20 miles all uphill). The rest of the time I'm at 65 mph easily. With the exception of that one part, conversations are easily had. No yelling and screaming but based on reports from other gas MH owners, it seems sound insulation is not all equal. Test different coaches.

About auto levelers, ease of setup was THE main reason we switched to a MH.

EDIT: Some of the newer gas class A's have a power front bunk that sleeps two easily. Some of the Thor gas MH's have that feature but I've seen some others.
donsuefuggrwe
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
I have never heard a RV owner complain that their coach was to big for them. I have heard numerous complaints that their coach was to small for them. Go big young man. The bigger the better.
BillofPA
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
Our 34 1/2 ft. DP has been used for several cross country trips and we are SO glad it's a DP. When doing a lot of driving like we do the noise at the back makes it so nice to have conversations with each other especially going up mountains. If we didn't travel as much and just did more local camping I think a gasser would be just fine. As far as a toad: wouldn't be without one. We put lots of miles on the toad in the past 8 years. It also was very handy when we had a week long breakdown in the middle of nowhere.
bluwtr49
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2013
Personally, with the size of the group you have....if it were me, a Class A would be the last on my list.

I would lean towards something like a 5er or TT that have much better sleeping arrangements. Than to a Class C....again for the accommodations. The vast majority of MH are designed to: drink 10, eat 6, and sleep 2. Going small will only make the problem worse.
bsinmich
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
As mentioned you will find a very small choice in short DPs under 30'. We have never been in a CG where we could not fit and we have been doing this since 1969. We can carry on normal conversation with our front engine gasser. The ride is also comfortable. You are going to have to spend a lot of time looking at various MHs. They are not all the same with different prices. I have a top end gasser and it has insulation that is not in cheaper MHs, double pane glass for insulation and also quiet, ducted AC that means we can carry on conversation with the AC running, and solid wood cabinets that don't have peeling wood decals. I have also found that having a 27' MH did not let me get into some of the tourist areas. They would provide parking in some cases but the RVs weren't welcome in the towns. Bar Harbor, ME, and Niagara on the Lake in Ontario are 2 that come to mind. A Class A will give better storage in lower compartments while a C will have sleeping accomodations over the cab. That area is also where you will read about all of the leaks on the C forum.