Wanting to hear from Class A gas powered owners

I've only read the first page and a half, but will chime in to say that our 310 hp V10 gets the job done just fine while pulling a 5000 lb toad. Been over the Rockies a couple of times also.

I'm glad I don't have the added $$ of a DP depreciating or the added cost of maintaining a DP.

Use due diligence. Some of those entry-level diesel pushers are rated to tow less than 5,000 pounds.

When I was looking, a Thor Palazzo only had 4,000 difference between the GCWR and GVWR. Don't know the tow rating. Both Tiffin's entry level diesels are rated at or less than 5K towing. The Breeze is 4000 (28BR) and 4500 (32BR). The Open Road RED is 5K. I think the limiting factor on these chassis is the transmission--not sure though.

My 24k Ford chassis is rated to tow 6,000. Of course, an RV builder has to build a gas MH rated that high first. I haven't seen a gasser rated at 6K yet, but in theory we could.

My 24K Ford MH pulls the 4,500 lb Jeep just fine.

The engine will scream when you want speed. I just stick to 60-65 MPH and do just fine.

MPGs are about 7 with the Toad. I haven't taken long enough trips not towing to calculate MPG without the Toad.

So, watch out, some diesels will only tow the same as a gasser, but they will do it much more quietly.

Good luck in your search,

On edit: As usual, late on the trigger for me, but now that your mind is made up, some good info up there. Check the numbers on the chassis and see if the model you want can be optioned on the next size chassis up. Sometimes, that can be done.

My mind is now made up and I'm going with the V10. I think my mind is set on a Forest River Georgetown 350TS! Thanks for all the feedback!!

I think it depends on what year you are buying and model. The Triton V10 before 2007 only had 2 valves. We added a Banks, which helped a lot. Without the Banks our 04 would trudge up the mountains at or below 45. Our current MH has the TV10 with 3 valves. It does better than the 2 valve with Banks.

Does not sound like you have many mountains to go through, just some hills.

Also of note is the noise and heat in some rigs. If insulated properly, both of those are minimized. In our 04 we had to shout at each other to be heard, but in current one the only time we raise our voices is a few minutes in the mountains whe the RPMs are up. Our 04 had heat and cold leaking through the firewall.

I believe a V10 is worth it, even if you are in it a lot, but take your time and pick the right rig.

OpenRangePullen_Ford wrote:
From driving a V10 powered C class I couldn't imagine how that V10 would handle in anything bigger, I see your foot down all the time. 82 pounds per HP seams to be pushing it. Id try going with a diesel.

I thought this was a Class A forum?

I opted for a Winnebago with a Workhorse 8.1 engine. Pulling our CRV and fully loaded, I get about 8.5mpg. I've got plenty of power that has never been an issue. My wife has gotten used to me passing the big boys (ie, the DP's) on grades in the mountains. But, she still gets nervous when, at a stoplight, I open the window and ask the Corvette next to me if he wants to drag to the next light.

(OK, the last part was made up, but when that 8.1 downshifts and the tranny kicks in, I feel like I could give a Corvette a good run for its money!)

We tow a Honda CRV AWD and a Seadoo at the same time with our coach. Approx 7-8MPG. No problem whatsoever. I cannot justify 2x the price for a new DP

When you spend 90% of the time parked & 10% driving. If I get to the camp 15 min.after you not a big deal.

10 years with our 8.1 gas, workhorse chassis, Winnebago 31 foot class A.
We bought it new, has 30K miles on it. Some years it pretty much sat due to out of work and no $$ for gas. Now that things are improving we are getting out more but gas is super expensive when you get about 8mpg. So we have to think about the cost for anything long distance. When we bought it gas was $1.65 a gal.

We have an excellent floor plan with large tanks - pretty much what you find in a DP. What we would gain is more floor space with a longer coach - at least 36' for a diesel - as well as a better ride and more quiet.

We think we'll use our gas coach 'till ready for retirement and then get a DP, sell the house, and live in it at least part time.

For weekending and vacations a gas coach is fine. It is actually faster than the diesels, at least in my short length and relatively low gross weight. Finding a car at or under 3K lbs makes a huge difference - a lighter car is just a lot easier to tow up and down grades. We get about 9mpg towing a 3K lb car if I keep the speed at 60. If I drive it 65 it gets under 8. How much you put your foot into it determines how much gas you'll use. With the bigger units with gas motor you kind have to have your foot in it all the time, especially if towing. Our chassis is gvw is 22,500lbs and the coach is 17.5K loaded. So even with a car in tow we are not even to gvw. GVCW is another 5K lbs on top of that. It's an enviable position to be in for performance.

The units didn't gain much from our 2005 model, an extra slide and full body paint. Otherwise they're pretty much the same, even the smaller diesels. Over 36-38' then you really need to look at a DP and yes they are a lot nicer.

I have the WH 8.1 in a 38' towing my Vue. I had a PT prior to that and have never gone without the toad. 8.MPG is normal for me.