Dynamax Isata 5 36 or 35

when I was looking at them years ago, they seemed like a very nicely put together unit. more of a B style I was looking at. price seems low to me.
bumpy

That pricing was in Texas. I have to find one close to here to inspect. Wish it had more ground clearance. Sort of negates the 4x4 capability. Surprised more Class C's don't have the 4x4 option. Certainly beats the Earthroamer pricewise, not that it's comparable in capability.
The bunk option would accommodate all 3 generations in our family when we could get together.
Renting a CruiseAmerica 30' next month in the SW for a test trip to see if we can survive a wweek.

I just purchased a 2017 36DS for 134,000 but the dealer gave me almost 7k more for my trade than the other dealers were willing to give me so its really difficult to say exactly what I paid for it.

I did not get the 4x4. I wanted the extra CCC and additional fuel tank. I am curious. Where do you see the 4x4 being advantageous over 2wd?

bmwrider1946 wrote:

I did not get the 4x4. I wanted the extra CCC and additional fuel tank. I am curious. Where do you see the 4x4 being advantageous over 2wd?

Alaska bird hunting. If I could figure how to attach a picture you would understand.

How do you like it?

I was wondering if there was something specific I missed by not getting the 4x4. You pretty much confirmed my thoughts as to the additional functionality. I don't see myself doing anything like winter camping, going into remote locations etc. Thanks for the reply.

I don't have it yet. We purchased a Forest River Forester on the Mercedes Chassis last June and put about 10,000 miles on it but decided we would like something a little larger and with more storage. The Forester did everything we asked of it but we found ourselves spending more time traveling than we originally anticipated. We pick it up next week.

bmwrider1946 wrote:
We pick it up next week.

Nice, let me know how you like it.
Curious, why would a 4x4 lose fuel capacity and CCC vs. 2WD version?

4X4 has more metal spinning and more axle weight. It's not like there is just wheels on bearings. It will get "slightly" less MPG, even if you are in 2x drive with a 4x4 package.

Fuel capacity is presumably because some of the space used by the two wheel drive's fuel tank is required for the transfer case and other driveline components in the four wheel drive chassis. Similarly, weight otherwise available for cargo is required for these additional components.

(It has always seemed a bit strange to me that a dually chassis is still considered two wheel drive when, by my counting, there are a total of four drive wheels....)

I found an article about the Isata 5. Apparently, in the 4x4, they do not install the mid-unit fuel tank. Still leaves 50 in the rear so that would not be a deal breaker but there is not a lot of remaining cargo capacity.

https://www.fmcmagazine.com/motorhome-articles/230-2016-back-issues/february-2016/4015-dynamax-isata-5-series.html

It is my understanding that the 4x4 will not have the second fuel tank and that the CCC is about 300 to 400 lbs less.