To DP or not DP
We are in the preliminary stages of prepping for full time in the next year and a half. I work remote and our son will be going off to college, so we thought we would see a lot more of this great coun...
Forum Discussion
It’s all about trade offs to me. I’ve had two gas coaches and bought a new DP in 2005.
Some rhetorical questions to provoke thought.
Are you going out west in the Rockies?
Do you like getting off the Interstate and driving US highways and county roads?
Do you like older state parks with lots of shade or prefer wide open RV Resorts?
Are you going to be driving often, move around often or sit for a few months at a time?
Class Cs weigh about 15K lbs, are under 11’ tall and almost all shops will work on them; it’s a van. All the dash electronics, AC, sheet metal, electric windows. Simple and reliable. You can pull off the road and not sink in. Driver comfort not as good as DP.
But they fit in low clearances and are comfortable on backroads. And Billy Bob can work on them.
Class A gas weigh low 20s and over 11’ tall. The drivability I’m sure is way better than my old gas chassis. A friend bought a 2000 F53 drove it 15 years with few problems; brakes, belts, maintenance. They traded for a new 2016 F53, six speed night and day better than the 2000.
A DP weighs in at 30K lbs and up. I’m parked next a Winnebago Tour, a 43’ monster. I looked it up and it’s over 50K lbs. Pull off on the shoulder in THAT and see what happens. A DP drives way better. It’s quieter, engine braking downhill is great. I rarely use my foot brake. When new, maintenance amounts to annual oil and lube.
Wait till they get older like my 2005 and things start breaking. Everything costs way more. Finding places that work on DPs is easy. Finding GOOD places to work on them is another story. Expect to pay $125/hr AND UP for labor.
I’ve had two ride ht valves replaced $400 a pop, belts and tensioner $600. A high pressure pump failure can costs thousands.
Some rhetorical questions to provoke thought.
Are you going out west in the Rockies?
Do you like getting off the Interstate and driving US highways and county roads?
Do you like older state parks with lots of shade or prefer wide open RV Resorts?
Are you going to be driving often, move around often or sit for a few months at a time?
Class Cs weigh about 15K lbs, are under 11’ tall and almost all shops will work on them; it’s a van. All the dash electronics, AC, sheet metal, electric windows. Simple and reliable. You can pull off the road and not sink in. Driver comfort not as good as DP.
But they fit in low clearances and are comfortable on backroads. And Billy Bob can work on them.
Class A gas weigh low 20s and over 11’ tall. The drivability I’m sure is way better than my old gas chassis. A friend bought a 2000 F53 drove it 15 years with few problems; brakes, belts, maintenance. They traded for a new 2016 F53, six speed night and day better than the 2000.
A DP weighs in at 30K lbs and up. I’m parked next a Winnebago Tour, a 43’ monster. I looked it up and it’s over 50K lbs. Pull off on the shoulder in THAT and see what happens. A DP drives way better. It’s quieter, engine braking downhill is great. I rarely use my foot brake. When new, maintenance amounts to annual oil and lube.
Wait till they get older like my 2005 and things start breaking. Everything costs way more. Finding places that work on DPs is easy. Finding GOOD places to work on them is another story. Expect to pay $125/hr AND UP for labor.
I’ve had two ride ht valves replaced $400 a pop, belts and tensioner $600. A high pressure pump failure can costs thousands.
