Are Automatic Level Systems Standard on Gas Class A's?

Tgator1 wrote:
Lj, Thanks for all that. Just makes me wonder, what do you do with all your free time? Sounds like a fine coach! It's a little bigger than we want. Do you have it advertised on a website where we could see some of the details, especially of the interior?

I did look at the Foretravels, and they do have some for sale that are under 38'. DW thinks we would be taking a big chance on units that are 11 to 15 years old. Lots of high priced parts and high labor costs involved with DP's. May also involve down time while on a long trip (i.e. Alaska for 3 months). I know even a new one could have problems, but would have warranty for some things. Comments from experience of owners of older DP's?

A fully sorted high end coach at 15 years old is much less likely to give you trouble thann a brand new one suchas the Canyon Star you are considering. And driving to the factory service center and camping there is not my idea of fun.

I've had two breakdown in three coaches.....the first, in the Tiffin Allegro was a wire that rubbed raw (It had full electrical drawings and I found it while waiting in the service center's yard for the tech to come) It was a $300 charge even though it took less than an hour to fix because they worked on a pre-assigned labour chart. ....the second occurred when the ac compressor seized and burned the fan belt on my last Beaver Marquis. The CAT service guys in Bethel PA were able to come up with a sheave and a belt to get me back on the road after removing the ac compressor. I just used the house air after that.

In both cases I was on the road before noon the next day. Didn't seriously impact either trip.

I bought Beavers instead of Foretravels both of the last two coaches because the Foretravels I could afford were old enough that they had cramped bathrooms and both DS and his wife are broad enough that it could have been a problem for them. American Coach, with their separate, narrow, commode rooms were ruled out for the same reason. As well, Beavers often seem to be available at distress prices and in both cases I got really good deals (~65% of NADA wholesale) from dealers who weren't quite sure how to handle what they had.

There are manual systems, Full auto systems, and Semi auto systems.

Alas. I happen to like full manual best.. But you can specify your choice.

Lj, Thanks for all that. Just makes me wonder, what do you do with all your free time? Sounds like a fine coach! It's a little bigger than we want. Do you have it advertised on a website where we could see some of the details, especially of the interior?

I did look at the Foretravels, and they do have some for sale that are under 38'. DW thinks we would be taking a big chance on units that are 11 to 15 years old. Lots of high priced parts and high labor costs involved with DP's. May also involve down time while on a long trip (i.e. Alaska for 3 months). I know even a new one could have problems, but would have warranty for some things. Comments from experience of owners of older DP's?

Thanks for the information. Yes, I did mean Canyon Star. They look like a high quality gas class A. After hearing the difference between manual and automatic leveling systems, either should work fine. As far as the used Foretravel, that air suspension sounds like it would smooth out the ride and make leveling easy. Just wonder if they made any smaller ones. We don't want anything over about 37 feet. Seems like most top of the line coaches are over 38'. I'll check some dealer websites and see what's available. If anyone knows someone selling a unit that might meet our needs, please let me know. We live in south Texas and willing to go up to about 500 miles to check one out.

I'll throw out an idea you can get new for about 25k less than your amount listed. Georgetown 364TS. Gets you bunk beds for 2 kids, drop down front bunk for 3rd so no making up beds. King size bed for yourself, full fiberglass roof, 3 slides, full size residential fridge and washer dryer spot. Your leveling jacks are included and automatic.

Bonus is 2 full baths....

For the budget you are talking about, I'd look at a used Foretravel. Air suspension and air leveling. No jacks, the 8-10 air bags take care of the leveling. You also get smooth sided slides with weather tight inflatable seals.

My gas is several years outside of your year range but it did not come from the factory with jacks but then it was a very inexpensive model back in 2006. The omission by the former owner of not selecting the option has since been corrected.

Auto leveling is nice but manual leveling also works very well. I would not let the difference between auto and manual leveling be a deciding criteria.

I assume you mean the Canyon Star and yes it has automatic levelors standard. If you go to Newmar's site you can see what comes standard and what is optional. All new rv's have plat panel tv's, Newmar paints and clear coats all their rv's, and a fiberglass roof is a selectable option.

Lots of detail at the Newmar site.

In entry level gassers they may be an option, most however do. My previous dp had levelers but they weren't automatic, you had to watch the bubble.(no big deal) My present coach is fully auto, press ON, press Auto, it's done.
One caution is your rig must be "somewhat level". If your too off side to side the coach may tweak and you can pop a windshield or the seal. Too off front to rear and your rear wheels can come off the ground. Those are the only thing holding a coach, on a dp it's brakes and on some gassers it's the transmission praul.
Be careful as I've had to have 2 windshields re-sealed.
I'm partial to dps. A gently used dp of a few years is imho a better deal than a new or newer gasser.