Experimenting with the though of a Class A...

[aemedic]

We are a family of 4, the young ones are 10 and 5. We also travel with our dogs, medium and small. Previous till now we have had tow behinds and 5ers, all the way up to MDTs with a large TH. We downsized to save for a down payment on a retirement home, I retire from the Air Force this year.
The house we are having built will have an RV bay in the garage with a 14' door and 41' of internal space to store something. That is my limitation.
We want a diesel pusher and if I can find the right used rig, I would like an ISL Cummins. I an not really well versed but I had a DPF in my last ISC MDT and hated the regens so I think that means I want something that is 2005 or older.
Obviously it has to fit in the garage, but, what size/layout is good for a family with two kids?
I want really good access while on the road and less to fail mechanically so I am thinking less or no slides if possible. We also want really good views because we want the kids to see everything they can on our trips.
Speaking of trips...we want to do numerous short weekend to week long trips during the year and at least one longer 3 week to a month trip over the summer.
Some of our sops will be off the grid, so good quiet generator power is a must.
As much as we can, we want to be under $100k.
I know this gets asked a bunch, I really am doing my homework. I have 4-6 months before the house is finished and I retire to learn and decide if we should go back to the MDT and 5er route, or have the open space while traveling of the Class A.

[Bruce_Brown]

aemedic wrote:
We are a family of 4, the young ones are 10 and 5. We also travel with our dogs, medium and small. Previous till now we have had tow behinds and 5ers, all the way up to MDTs with a large TH. We downsized to save for a down payment on a retirement home, I retire from the Air Force this year.
The house we are having built will have an RV bay in the garage with a 14' door and 41' of internal space to store something. That is my limitation.
We want a diesel pusher and if I can find the right used rig, I would like an ISL Cummins. I an not really well versed but I had a DPF in my last ISC MDT and hated the regens so I think that means I want something that is 2005 or older.
Obviously it has to fit in the garage, but, what size/layout is good for a family with two kids?
I want really good access while on the road and less to fail mechanically so I am thinking less or no slides if possible. We also want really good views because we want the kids to see everything they can on our trips.
Speaking of trips...we want to do numerous short weekend to week long trips during the year and at least one longer 3 week to a month trip over the summer.
Some of our sops will be off the grid, so good quiet generator power is a must.
As much as we can, we want to be under $100k.
I know this gets asked a bunch, I really am doing my homework. I have 4-6 months before the house is finished and I retire to learn and decide if we should go back to the MDT and 5er route, or have the open space while traveling of the Class A.

On the bold, that is not the case. Ours is an '08 and we have no DEF. I think you may be thinking of the switch from low sulphur to ultra low sulphur, which happened in '06.

(Side note: our '08 MH has an '06 spec engine - we can still run low sulphur if needed)

I think you'll find DEF came about around 2010. Sure enough, a check of the Cummins website has them listed as EPA 2010.

Hopefully that helps expand your search a little.

Oops - I missed your update. Nice choice - congrats.

[CWDoc115]

ncrowley wrote:
You should be able to get a very nice diesel coach 38-40 feet at the age and price you are looking at. I would look at Newmar, Country Coach and Tiffin. Get maintenance records. I would reconsider the desire not to have slides. With 4 of you in the coach, you are going to want the floor space.

DITTO! DW & I are in a Winnebago Adventurer 32T W/O slide outs. I cannot tell you the number of times she has stepped on my toes while walking through the coach. At least the neighbors no longer come running to see what's wrong.... Get the slide outs!!! :B

[Mile_High]

Aemedic, I'm jealous of that garage! You'll love that DP and won't give that MDT another thought!

[Mr_Mark1]

Aemedic, also thanks for posting an update. Looks like you made a good choice!

MM.

[stvdman]

We are doing the same thing...Retiring from AD USCG and looking for a similar RV to "move up to" from our '08 Kodiak chassis SUPER C.

Two children, 16 and 14...started RV'ing when they were 9 and 7. Currently have bunk-beds and while they were FANTASTIC when the kids were smaller, they are starting to outgrow them a bit.

So, we are now looking at 2003-2006 DP's. Want to have opposing couches that fold out to beds, kids are getting old enough to "make it themselves". No free standing table, want dinette.

there are a LOT of coaches out there that fit, good luck on YOUR search and if you find something.....post it, would like to see what you end up with.

EDIT*- just saw what you got....

[2gypsies1]

Thanks for returning and giving an update....wish more folks would do that.

You found a nice RV...enjoy!

[aemedic]

I just thought I would update this thread. We ended up buying a 2004 Bluebird Wanderlodge M380. It has the Cummins ISL but it does have two slides. We like the size, and it fits in the RV garage.

[aemedic]

holstein13 wrote:
How about a 2010 Forest River Berkshire with bunk beds for $89,000.

I think the main thing that would keep me out of that one is the small engine...

[JimM68]

Agree 100% on no better way to travel than behind that big windshield of a class A DP.

With 4, you'll want lots of slides, a bunkhouse would be nice, as well as a bath and a half. These days rigs exist that have all those features, but get old enough to fit your budget it will be harder to find.
Measure actual length, and is that 41' to the door, or the doorframe?
Our "advertised 40 footer" is actually 41' 8" according to the manual.
I have never actually measured reality, but in your circumstance don't assume nuttin.

The DPF isn't a huge deal. Remember that engine is "way back there" and really doesn't intrude on the cabin at all ever. When it starts a regen, you do need to crank her up on the highway and drive until that light goes off.

[Dave___Ginny]

I've had 5th wheels and travel trailers and I don't believe there's a better way for a family to travel than in a MH. There are several great MH out there that could fit your needs. I would look at some of the older high quality rigs that have been used on a regular basis. Don't go for low mileage because lack of use is a cancer to a diesel. Also since you have some young one traveling with you, I would suggest a dinette instead of a free standing table. That way the young ones can safely sit at the table while on the road.

I wish you miles of safe travels and happiness

[Skid_Row_Joe]

aemedic wrote:
@Mr.Mark - I had an 08 ISC in an MDT with a Freightliner chassis. I just hated the way the truck drove when going through regen. It was super hot, ate fuel and stunk. It seemed to go through it more often than you did also. My effort is to stay just shy of all that crap, if I can. If the right deal comes along, I won't let it go.

@holstein13 - I'm just jaded on a few things... One of those is gas rigs. I will not own a gas rig for anything of any weight. I would rather just spend the money and feel more comfortable. I'll be pulling grades and having a gas engine at redline is like nails on a chalkboard. I just won't do it. I want a turbo diesel engine and the bigger I can afford, the better.

I started smelling the diesel fuel almost 30 years ago. You hit the nail on the head. I'd never own any gasser coach. Even my car is a diesel for 25 years running. Best thing I ever did was start driving diesel.

[aemedic]

gemert wrote:
Yes on all counts, For what it's worth our Beaver has plenty of room to move around while slides are in and on the road. Slides are sure great when you stop somewhere. I would reconsider that option.

We are very early on the learning curve. It sounds like I may learn that the bias that I gained with the TH may go away when we spend some time in a few rigs. Thank you for the advise!

[gemert]

aemedic wrote:

bluwtr49 wrote:
Personally, if it were me with a family like that, I would probably lean towards a class C. They have better accommodations for more than 2 people and there is a huge selection available.

That might make since but, as I understand it, a diesel pusher is just an overall better vehicle/chassis. I might be wrong, and my thinking is that the class A will have better visibility for sight seeing while traveling and feel more inclusive for the family and passengers.

Is any of that true?

Yes on all counts, For what it's worth our Beaver has plenty of room to move around while slides are in and on the road. Slides are sure great when you stop somewhere. I would reconsider that option.

[rk911]

aemedic wrote:

rk911 wrote:

aemedic wrote:
We are a family of 4, the young ones are 10 and 5. We also travel with our dogs, medium and small. Previous till now we have had tow behinds and 5ers, all the way up to MDTs with a large TH...

I'm thinking TH is toy hauler but MDT? in my world an MDT is a mobile data terminal. 🙂

LOL You are right on, a TH is a Toy Hauler and the MDT is a Medium Duty Truck, like a Sportchassis. It is a step up from a light duty truck like a 3500. Think of a truck with a similar engine and transmission that some of the Class A RVs have. For instance mine had an ISC with an Allison 3400TRV. Much more suited to towing a heavy TH.

thanks!