Bought the wrong motorhome!!!

[fighterpilota]

I know you have been following my quest for a MH. Been searching, and learning from the experts since January. Found a nice 1997, 38 Monaco Dynasty and got carried away by its beauty, condition, equipment, etc., but underestimated size impact and didn't think thru how it was to really be used. Drove it home, 600 miles, ran great, really a pleasure after the old gas MH I had 10 years ago, but once we got it home than, where do we put it. We moved some shrubs, flowers, cut some tree limbs and got it parked. Have carport on order for it. Realize now, it really is for two people to full time it and stay close to the main highways, not for weekenders or a week or two at a time in the summer for 4 adults and 3 kids. Or go off in the boondocks for a few days of deer hunting. Or take the families to a museum for a day, or to the beach for a couple days. We live in country so to speak and coming down the local, narrow road was an eye opener for this Wide Body mode of transportation, to say nothing of trying to park it. It is for sale.

Now the search is for 34 foot absolutely max. Won't even consider a 35 footer and no Wide Bodys. Thought about the 32 or 34 Dynastys in the same vintage but believe they are wide body. Will still search for diesel pusher but want two sofa sleepers plus booth dinette sleeper and a rear QB sleeper. Diesel pusher with gasoline generator Ok but no LP Generators. Might even fall back to Gaser up front, but only if we strike out on the diesel pusher search.

I have reviewed my earlier posts regarding construction, etc, so starting all over again. There is a 2000 Coachman Catalina, listed as 33 foot but believe it is the 34 foot model that opened my eyes to the fact there are coaches out there that are DP and can sleep 8 and are not more than 34 foot.

I am humbled and chagrin about all of this, but do want to thank all of you for your help thus far and will be seeking your guidance in the future, I am sure. FP

[Mr_Mark1]

Fighterpilota, I, too, have never heard of a triple fuel coach (gas AND diesel AND propane). Learn something everyday! I just wonder why a manufacturer would go to the trouble of an extra tank when they can connect to the coaches main tank for the generator. You never see a gas coach with a diesel genny (at least I haven't).

Every kind of coach has a buyer and with a desire for a certain floor-plan and configuration, you seem to have found your niche.

Hope that you can find exactly what you are looking for,

MM.

[fighterpilota]

The coachman 34 catalina diesel pushers had a gasoline powered generator with a separate tank of about 20 gal.

I have driven 34 footers and there is a big difference between a true 34 footer and the 38 dynasty which measures 40 feet, but thanks for your input. Note I am talking about a 34 not a 32 which would have a different wheel base.

[jhilley]

I've never seen a diesel pusher with a gasoline generator either. Possibly a propane generator could be converted and a gas tank added.

[msmith1199]

fighterpilota wrote:
Actually already found one that will work, but he sold it yesterday. Asking $16,000, don't know what sale price was. It was a 34 foot, 2000 coachman with two sofas and a dinette, Cummins DP, and contrary to belief they do make them with a diesel pusher and a gasoline generator so can avoid the LP routine. I know the Coachman isn't the quality of a Monaco but interior quality isn't a major item--exterior construction is important. Will keep searching.

I've never seen that. Where does it get it's gas? Does it have some external tank, or does the generator have it's own built in tank that you have to use?

[Jackha1949]

I have agree with the others, a 32' MH is still going to be 8 1/2' wide very few models are only 8' wide and you really won't know the difference between the two. We went from a 34' 05 Journey DP to a 40' Itasca Horizon and really not much of a difference driving the two. I think you just need to get used to driving the MH. Once you get some miles driving your MH you'll get used to it pretty quickly. The longer wheelbase of your 38' will handle a lot better that a shorter 32' MH. Get use to using your small convex mirrors to keep you centered on the road, once you learn to use your mirrors properly you'll get a lot more comfortable driving your MH. Lazy days has some great videos on their driver improvement section of their website. http://www.betterrving.com/Article/RV_Tips/RV_Driving_Course_Adjusting_Mirrors There are actually 7 videos on better rv driving which are really awesome advice. Once your MH set up properly (dishes, pots, pans, silverware, etc) you can take off on a moments notice for a weekend or longer within an hour or less. Not to mention setup at you camping area is really a quick snap! Your MH has everything you need to boondock, or camping anywhere. Good Luck and Happy MHing!

[Rick_Jay]

fighterpilota,

We have a 36' class A gasser, with dual sofas and a dinette. We also tow a Honda Odyssey and are below all chassis weight limits.

Personally, I think anything LESS THAN 36' is too small for what you want to do. We've had 9 & 10 people in our rig for up to 5 days at a time, and we did fine. But this was at a full hook-up site. If we were boondocking, I doubt we would've pulled it off. We did have 9 for a 3 day boon-docking expedition and that worked. From a driveability point of view, if someone can get a 34' DP down the road or into a campsite, I bet they could do the same with a 40' as well.

When we were purchasing our rig, we did look at a 34' dual sofa class A. Guess what? The sofas were smaller than the ones in our 36' rig. They still had 3 seat belts on them, but they were each 4"-6" shorter than the ones in the rig we ended up purchasing. Plus we gained an extra couple of inches of critical kitchen counter space, more room in the bedroom and extra cabinet storage space. (I think, but am not 100% certain, that the dinette was slightly larger (roomier) as well.) Plus, we got larger holding tanks, which is really important with a large crew. So you have to be careful about classifying a rig with "2 sofas & a dinette". There are different sizes.

You sound like you're pretty locked into your plans, but remember that the kids grow, and as they do, you'll NEED more storage space, holding tank capacity, sleeping room, etc. We're thrilled with the floorplan on our 36' motorhome, but I know now that had we "settled" for the 34' version, we would be not be as happy. We would've had to compromise on many areas which I know would've raised the stress level, and thus reduced the "fun" aspect of the trip.

There may be other reasons for not wanting a 40' rig, but IMHO, the excuse that it's not useable but a 34' rig would be, to me, just doesn't make sense.

As for a diesel rig with a gas generator, that, to me would be a deal breaker. Why deal with another fuel? We use our generator a lot and one powered by any fuel other than the chassis engine fuel would be quite inconvenient.

Good Luck in your search, but my vote would be to stick with the 40' rig you've got for at least a year or so to make sure that the concerns raised are, in fact, justified and not "buyer's remorse" or rooted in some irrational feelings.

~Rick

[sowego]

I think you will find that any coach that seats 8 will not usually sleep 8 comfortably! Dinettes and couches make horrible beds for anyone over age 10! Many people put kids in the dinette belted in but one poster here a while back said it is actually the most dangerous because the table can be deadly in case the child is tossed into the table edge, can cause serious head/face injuries.

I fully agree that you will need to be sure any rig you buy is heavy duty enough for a larger toad. But, you can always opt to have someone drive that rig.

It could be you should enroll the family in motorhome driving classes upon the purchase of any size rig.

I agree a lot of gals get very nervous and think an "A" is too large to drive. I have driven ours for over 10 years, did from day one without classes. All it takes is knowledge of the coach, practice, close attention to details, etc. In fact I'd go so far as to say driving an "A" can make anyone a better driver because it is vital to be more attentive to everything around them, something all drivers need to do.

Good luck.

[fighterpilota]

Actually already found one that will work, but he sold it yesterday. Asking $16,000, don't know what sale price was. It was a 34 foot, 2000 coachman with two sofas and a dinette, Cummins DP, and contrary to belief they do make them with a diesel pusher and a gasoline generator so can avoid the LP routine. I know the Coachman isn't the quality of a Monaco but interior quality isn't a major item--exterior construction is important. Will keep searching.

[farmer_boots]

We have a 40 ft coach and are weekenders as well. I have done a lot of bonddocking with our coach. It's great, between the huge 12v battery supply, inverter, and generator power is not a problem. We just have to keep an eye on our fresh water, it can go quickly. I have two 5g jugs I can use to fetch water if necessary. It's a pain but better than running out.

We go camping on average once a month and every two weeks we drive the coach around. Nominally 40+ miles just to exercise it. When exercising it I like to use that time to practice tight situations. So we purposely take it places you would not think possible. Like you we live in the country so we take this opportunity to do some of our weekly shopping. Been in just about every type of parking lot you can think of. The big thing to watch out for are trees. A really good benefit of shopping with the RV is the boys and I hang out in the RV and watch movies; much better than waiting in the store for mom to finish whatever.

We have a couple of small air mattress that quickly inflate with a blower. It takes only a few minutes to set up a place for the boys to sleep. In the morning again it only takes a few minutes to break it down and stow.

So like others have said try it for a while before you take a bath on trade.

[havasu]

Sounds like a bright yellow school bus might be a better fit ....

[katoomer]

OK so if I hear you right, you need to have seat belts for 7 people and be able to sleep seven.

Our coach has a pull out couch sleeps 2 with 2 seat belts. More than enough room to add another set of seat belts. Our drop down dinette has 2 seat belts and sleeps 2. You can't have seat belts rearward facing on a dinette. We have bunk beds that sleep 2 and a rear queen bed for 2. That makes seat belts for 7 people and sleeping for 8. Does that work?
It's not hard to find a gas or diesel coach with bunks. Lots of gas ones for sure.

[Mr_Mark1]

fighterpilota wrote:
I guess in my two posts I didn't articulate well the sleep 6 to 8. Talked about booth dinette for sleeping and strapping in, one or two sofas plus the rear bed. 34 foot diesel pusher. That is pretty straight forward, know they make them, just got to find one.

Sold my Dynasty today, its gone. Thanks

Well, you are a man on a mission!

Congrats on selling so quickly!

Now, you can find the perfect motorhome for your family!

MM.

[fighterpilota]

I guess in my two posts I didn't articulate well the sleep 6 to 8. Talked about booth dinette for sleeping and strapping in, one or two sofas plus the rear bed. 34 foot diesel pusher. That is pretty straight forward, know they make them, just got to find one.

Sold my Dynasty today, its gone. Thanks

[Stormlaw]

I am no expert but i fell in love with my RV right away. Where i lived before i could park it in front of my house, where i am at now, i pay $140 a month to store it at a yard right next door to the condos where i live now.

Someone told me before i bought her not to go hog wild because i may hate the RV thing. Well i love it.

I suggest getting something you really love rather than trying to fall in love with something you don't feel comfortable in.

[Palladun]

Class c motor homes are the weekend camper type offer more beds in shorter space, not to many
Diesels in class c.
Diesel mh will not have gas generator may have lp gen.
Lot of class c owners out there will trade you newer one for your older a
Good luck on whatever you do