What is Unique To Your Coach?

Believe me, some of the lower powered diesel coaches will also struggle on the long high passes, but they will get you to the top and back down. I have had both diesel and gas coaches and have never heard of any coach NOT making to any destination because there was not enough power.

There is a big difference between being able to get to the top and getting there comfortably and gracefully without blocking traffic on the way. We have always had diesel, and a moderately high-powered one, because we prefer to motor along without concerns about either making it or holding up other people.

We had no trouble finding a DP floor plan that works for us, and we get 10 mpg without our toad, 9 with it.

HOM wrote:
I want space and I want to be able to go where I want to go (from a power standpoint) and I can’t get that in a gasser, think Rockies!



HJ

And that is why you need to read ALL of the comments in the forum. I have NEVER read about anyone with any gas coach NOT being able to make it up the highest mountain pass. About 70% of our last 80,000 miles were out West and through the Rockies with our gas coach, towing a Chevrolet HHR. We never failed to make it up to the top of any mountain pass and we even passed many DP's. That does not mean that the DP's were going as fast as they could or that even my gas coach was going as fast as it could have gone, just that saying a gas coach will not make it up passes in the Rockies is being misinformed about what a coach will do.
As is mentioned numerous times on this forum, find the FLOOR PLAN that will suit your needs and rest assured any motor available, either gas or diesel, will get you there and back. Believe me, some of the lower powered diesel coaches will also struggle on the long high passes, but they will get you to the top and back down. I have had both diesel and gas coaches and have never heard of any coach NOT making to any destination because there was not enough power.

Thank you Busskipper, that is excellent information. I had read that post by Johnny T and read it again with your link. Its funny how you read something and then read it again a couple months later and get so much more out of it.

I appreciate your idea of first buying a gasser but I don’t think I’d be happy with that direction. I want space and I want to be able to go where I want to go (from a power standpoint) and I can’t get that in a gasser, think Rockies!

I do not have an RV background or even that much camping experience other than scouting. ;) I’ve thought of a motor-home for years and always wanted to buy one motor-home and keep it until I can no longer drive it!

That makes it a pre-owned (ok USED) 45’ DP with slides enough to give us room but also allows space to move around and use the coach when the slides are in! I know that is what we want and have never questioned the wisdom of it! There is something to be said for blind faith right? :C

The reason for my questions is I want to know I’m buying a coach that has a reputation for excellence or as close to excellence as is reasonable possible. I’m able to buy pretty much whatever I want but my wants do not require me to pay money I don’t need to spend. Or have "glitz like the Ritz" to be happy.

Sure I like the latest gizmo just like anyone else, but I don’t want to pay more than is needed to have a well made coach. So that's what I’m in search of “the well made coaches”!

Thank you all for a good discussion.

HJ

PS. Busskipper, was making his 2nd post as I was writing this and thank you because I will call you!

Another similar old post;

Problem with this question is, “None of us are YOU” .

I have RV’d almost all my adult life and as we grew older and the family changed our needs changed. I’d guess you are in the same or similar boat. About 10 years ago, the kids had college graduation within reach we purchased a 37’ Tro-p-ical.
Looked similar to this;

http://www.rvtraderonline.com/find/listi........V-TROPICAL-98016022/?ZMC=Oodle&BAC-Oodle

After 3 years we we had pretty much decided what we thought we would want in a new Coach – was somewhat like this;

http://www.rvonline.com/single-ad.asp?Recnumber=51537&SearchMethod=1

We hated the front TV – we had seen a TS with the mid station and that became our target Coach. The two most comfortable seats in the Coach are the two front seats – so it just seems logical to sit in them to watch the TV.

So over the next couple of years we compiled the list.

1. Mid station TV.
2. No Booth, for that matter no real dinning table, we rarely ate in the coach and even more raely at the table.
3. King sized bed.
4. Full sized shower.
5. Large closets and lots of drawers.
6. Dishwasher.
7. W/D
8. Hydro – Hot – unlimitred HW and such a nice system for heat, in a resort or in the National Forest dry camping.
9. Auto start generator.
10. Tile floors.

As you can see the list can go on and on – suffice it to say we had to order a custom coach and it had 100+ personal designs and changes, that are personal to the way we would use the Coach.

So, if I were you I’d get a list started and try to figure out what you like and dislike about your present Coach, then I’d start the dream list of what you like in your stick built house.put that all together and then try to find it.

BOL,

Ps. Johnny T has a great post on how to buy a Coach.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/13792144.cfm

Busskipper
Maryland/Colorado
Travel Supreme 42DS04
MDX-FMCA--M&G Brake
States traveled in this Coach


PM if you want,

I did the same thing in 2000, just like you, and the best info I got was from Johnny T's post and a long phone call or two with people who did it also.

BOL,

HOM wrote:
In another thread Bruce Brown mentioned a feature at the upper end of the Newmar line called “Comfort Drive”. Bruce feels its significant enough from the steering/driving standpoint that its a major part of his buying decision.

That got me thinking! What else is out there that is significant to you and is unique to a specific coach? We’ve all read the brochures but to a new guy like me, I don’t know what is and isn't an important feature?

What’s important to you that makes you come back to purchase another coach from the same company? Especially unique things like “Comfort Drive”?

My thanks to all for your contribution.

HJ

While this might not be a total answer it is similar and I think on topic;


Have you read this from the Moderator Johnny T?

clicky

Covers a lot of the questions you are asking – not everything but it is a good read, with a lot of good advice.

Now let me try to address your questions from my own personal experience.

First, the lead in to your question is “Part Timing” – if that’s to be the case the size will not be nearly as critical – if not then we start to get into another issue MONEY.

If this is truly going to be your first serious attempt at some higher level of RV’ing other than just the weekend, the rental or used unit might be the best bet. MH’s are not going to appreciate in value, so the decision made is the decision you will live with for a long while. While I have camped out in many versions on RV’s for almost 50 years, until I purchased a 37 foot gas unit I had very little real knowledge of workings and complications of these “Homes on Wheels” not that they are that difficult to understand and manage but I had never really thought about them in terms of making my life easier while on the road.

Back to the question, SIZE? Being that you are starting with 40-42 feet means you are looking at diesels – again from my personal life lessons look at a used gas unit that has many of the features you think you require, get a good deal, find what you like and dislike then direct your self towards a good quality diesel coach, that meets your needs. (you will likely not take a big beating if you trade the experimental gas unit) You may find you need to be in a 45’ unit with four slides, and many more or less options than you ever imagined today.

STORAGE is a big deal for many people but we have found that living style is the most important thing for us. Good pull out storage containers are critical (JMHO) but you will likely find that you only need a few items to be stored (especially if you are returning home between trips/seasons)

QUARTERS SIZE/LAYOUT – like I think someone might have said you are living in two rooms – front – back -- living room and a bedroom, if in the house you are used to not seeing each other for long periods of time, then someone will be spending a lot of time outside. (Again JMHO).

Your lifestyle will make a big difference in how you enjoy the Coach, let me start by saying I am not the neatest person and at home my office and my workshop reflect the fact that I have twenty projects going on at once – on the road I have found I need to have one project and that everything has a place. If not, I would be spending a lot of time outside, DW runs a tight ship. Wal*Mart sells just about everything.

Couple of things we came away with from our gas unit – King sized bed – Hydro Hot (we spend a lot of time in Very Cold Places) – Full Sized Shower – Great insulation – Good Toad – Eye level TV – Solid Wood Cabinets – Large Closet – Auto Start Generator -- No dining Table – (actually designed a flip up table/buffet that takes up no space) – W/D, yes – real Gas Cook Top – on and on……..

Last comment then I’ll stop – size of the unit in relationship to campsite availability, is only an issue if you insist on traveling with the masses of vacationers (JMHO) we have been able to stay in all NP’s, SP’s and Private Resorts with NO issue, we usually only make reservations the day we arrive (call at 2-4 before arriving at 5) we seldom travel in season, as we have found it much more to our liking when we only see a few others. I have no issue with a NFS sites or a Wal*Mart,to me it’s all Boondocking, and you are self contained and if good at it can survive for 5-7 days without much effort.

Spend a lot of time in your research – consult often and then -- GO FOR IT!

Sorry for the long post.

BOL,

Hope this is of some help,

our 96 rexhall bathroom has the standard entry door.Then the rest of the wall along the hallway is hindged.When using the shower it opens like french double doors,closing off the hallway allowing for alot more room also the closet with drawers and full mirrored doors is acessible in this configuration.This is a factory thing as far as I know.

It's got an observation deck, and it's a large cat powered funmover

Sadly, I don't use it as much as I used to, I picked up a small class b for short trips..

The AC system on the Newmar is the quietest I have ever seen in RVs and the best cooling system because of the insulation they use.

I've added many features but the best one is the gray water to black tank transfer pump. That allows me to store 100 gallons of waste water which is exactly the size of my fresh water tank.

Richard
95 Bounder

The only unique feature that I have is my sewer hose set up. It stays hooked up all the time I extend it to dump then slide it back into a semi curricular plastic holder under the MH. I like this feature a lot and makes for a quick dump. I would like to have this feature on the next MH but have not seen it in newer MH's.