First time driving a DP

[427435]

I suspect this will only create another DP vs gasser argument, but I had a chance to drive a DP today. I, a friend, and the friend's BIL took the BIL'S 2002 38' Monaco MH to the Knoxville Nationals sprint car race. We did an all-nighter coming home to Minnesota and I took a 2 hour shift driving. My take-aways were:

Quieter when accelerating or climbing a hill or on-ramp but no quieter when cruising.

Acceleration on a par with my gas MH. We were pulling a Jeep Liberty. The Monaco had a 330 hp Cummins.

The transmission shifted fine-----glad there were 6 speeds due to the limited rpm range of the diesel.

Didn't care for the front entry.

Ride over tar strips and bumps no better than mine (new shocks were recently installed).

Swaying about the same as mine, also. Not impressed at all by the air ride that DP's are supposed to be known for.

Steering precision maybe not quite as good (probably needs more caster).

Ended up in rain, and Monaco did a poor job of specing the wipers-----they did not cover as much of the window as my MH.

Bottom line, I will not be rushing out to replace my older gasser with an older DP.

[the_silverback]

I have also drove several DP's. I was also not impressed with the ride. At highway speeds they were not any quieter than my 2 gas MH's. The acceleration and hill climbing was no better and in some cases worst.

[rgatijnet1]

Alfred622 wrote:
I really don't want to start a "war" but I sure appreciate your objective comments. I've been pretty happy with my Sightseer (gas) but have always felt like a second-class citizen since it is not a DP. I do enjoy passing the DP's on hills though...

Having owned a DP and after spending a thousand miles plus with a Liberty Prevost coach, I can say that not all DP's are created equal. Just owning a DP does not put you at the top of the pile unless you have a top of the line chassis like a Prevost.
Right now, my gasser suits the way we travel today. Tomorrow may bring another coach that will again suit my needs perfectly. There are no second class RV'rs and the view out the windshield is the same for all of us.....fantastic.

[et2]

Your MH has a 20,500 GVWR accord to the specs online. The 2002 Monaco at 38' has a 32,300 GVWR . What weights are we comparing? Or is there no comparison? You are totally two different platforms and should drive differently. If you weighed as much as him your coach would not be drivable. There is a 12,000 lb difference in weight.

[et2]

427435 wrote:
I suspect this will only create another DP vs gasser argument, but I had a chance to drive a DP today. I, a friend, and the friend's BIL took the BIL'S 2002 38' Monaco MH to the Knoxville Nationals sprint car race. We did an all-nighter coming home to Minnesota and I took a 2 hour shift driving. My take-aways were:

Quieter when accelerating or climbing a hill or on-ramp but no quieter when cruising.

I see those a positive going to the DP. But your saying a engine which his humming along side your knees just as quiet as the engine 30' behind you ?? Not buying that one. I know for a fact there 's more heat in the rear bedroom on ours from the engine running. So there's no heat given off up front from the gasser into the driver area?

Acceleration on a par with my gas MH. We were pulling a Jeep Liberty. The Monaco had a 330 hp Cummins.

What was the weight comparison? Was the HP and torque comparable? If so your observation was correct and should be on similar weighing coaches and power. If the DP weighed more ( which probably does) then the comparison isn't the "same".

The transmission shifted fine-----glad there were 6 speeds due to the limited rpm range of the diesel.

That trans is superior to your gasser most likely if a Allison. But it's sound like you don't understand the difference in a Gasser vs Diesel engine. That's how they operate build power and torque way down in the RPM range compared to screaming RPM's in a gasser. Max torque on our engine is at around 1800 - 2300 RPM's - compared to you probably around 5000 - 6000 RPM - thus your "engine noise". It also provides for longer lasting engines and better fuel economy ( in comparable weights ).

Didn't care for the front entry.

There are side entries

Ride over tar strips and bumps no better than mine (new shocks were recently installed).

What shocks? What tire pressure? Was it set to the tire manufacture weight specifications? Our ran rough, weighed it and set tire pressures. Night and day difference. Not sure your comment is valid here.

Swaying about the same as mine, also. Not impressed at all by the air ride that DP's are supposed to be known for.

[COLOR=]Air gags don't stop the sway shocks do. Koni shocks made a huge difference on our "new" MH only after a year. So springs are more comfortable than air bags. I think there're many here that have owned both would disagree. Your opinion is noted. However on bigger ( longer and heavier) coaches I think you'll you notice the difference. Maybe not so much on smaller platforms.

Steering precision maybe not quite as good (probably needs more caster).

Goes back to tire pressures and weight. Is load distributed evenly? Ride height adjusted correctly? Are you a steering specialist, how did you come up with more camber needed before verifying all the other variables?

Ended up in rain, and Monaco did a poor job of specing the wipers-----they did not cover as much of the window as my MH.

Is that a valid point for DP vs gasser? I don't think so.


Bottom line, I will not be rushing out to replace my older gasser with an older DP.

It' seems you have convinced yourself. Everyone has to be happy with what they have, and you seem to be. Nothing more to say. Have fun camping!!

Gasser or DP - no class warfare as far as I'm concerned. Too bad some feel that way. I certainly didn't when I owned TT or fivers.

[tinkerer]

I don't like to get into the diesel vs gas debates as I feel your budget is the most important factor in choosing a coach. I have a DP and one complaint I hear from the gasser people is in rolling terrain the gasser will hunt around for gears while my diesel generally stays in one gear especially when I set the cruise in the economy mode. The generally don't use their cruise in rolling terrain.

[frankdamp]

If you're not a full-timer, look at how many miles you travel in a year. For us, it's about 2500. We decided that, no matter how inferior the RV's ride qualities are, we aren't going to spend megabucks trying to make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

Our rig is a 22,000 pound box truck and it rides like one. We can live with that and spend what limited funds we have on gas and CG fees. We're reaching the point where we can't even afford to do that, so the rig will be on the market after Labor Day. Tha-a-a-at's all folks, unfortunately.

Soon to be "former" RVers,

[jwoodie]

Under 35' = Gas

Over 40' = Diesel

In between, depends on floor plan and intended use.

Does that cover it?

[Executive45]

Eisenhower Tunnel not Wolf Creek....:E...Dennis

[YC_1]

I told my wife we would not drive a big DP unless we had the checkbook in our pocket. Driving one from Calif to Colorado convinced me of the advantages for going full time. The exhaust brake is wonderful and keeps the service brakes from being used much. Very quiet compared to any front engine gasser.

As for power, those with the ISL's you can get a huge improvement in power and some mileage improvement adding a very easy to install module. DIGI CR power module from Parleys Diesel. If you have a rear radiator fan that is the fixed pitched model and not the Horton fan you can change that and gain about 30 HP as well and improve mileage. I easily average 8.5 and my mountain climbing is much improved. With the two mods I am running close to 400 hp at the rear wheels and close to 1200 ft/lbs of torque. That is rear wheel power. If you want more info PM me. Don't want to hijack the thread.

[Mr_Mark1]

I've never owned a gasser but rented a new class C, 31 ft, one slide unit in 2004. It seemed fine for what it was, plenty of power, easy to drive.

I knew when it was time to purchase, I've heard it said several times to 'buy your 3rd motorhome first'. We rented two 38ft. Fleetwood Expeditions...a new 2005 and then a new 2006. That gave a us a good perspective of what we 'thought' we might want.

We knew we wanted bigger than 38 feet and ordered our current coach which 42.2 ft. long. I wanted plenty of CCC so that's why I wanted a tag axle.

At just over 40,000 lbs and pulling a 3,400 lb. toad and with our 425 hp Cummins, we go slow up steep grades. I'm sure there are gassers that pass us, we just wave and continue up the hill. We have averaged about 7.3 mpg's over 62,500 miles and we have made it over every hill! LOL!

There is nothing wrong with gas units but I wanted all the creature comforts that you find in heavier coaches which tend to be diesels (corian counters, full tile floor, washer and dryer, full size residential fridge, dishwasher, king bed, plenty of pass-through storage and air brakes with an engine brake) We also wanted unlimited hot water (Aqua-Hot system). So, as you can see, it was a diesel coach or nothing.

As they say, the sunrise looks exactly the same from a pop-up camper to a $2M Prevost. Buy what fits your needs.

MM.

[et2]

Same weight on both? Similarities power? I would expect accereration to be comparable,with the torque probably going to the diesel. The diesel (all) will run at lower RPMs as that's what they do, produce there power so the engine doesn't scream at you and suck up expensive fuel. You didn't mention fuel consumption.

Good call on keeping your gasser, a diesel doesn't look to be in your future. You will be saving some cash for sure. Better for your fuel purchases. :W

[Snomas]

Try driving in the wind w/ gasser vs diesel. I had a Safari gasser and a cross wind hit me in colorado once and the MH changed lanes in about 2 seconds before I knew what hit me and thankfully no one was beside me. I almost had to change my underware!

[John_S_]

Other factors especially inportant that were not talked about. My coach does not move when a truck screams by. It is stable in the cross winds till they reach about 50 mph. Then I will feel a bit of pressure. I climbed up to the Eisenhower Tunnel at 50 MPH but did not over heat and the best part is I can come down with my retarder and not worry about the mountain hills and brakes. The flats make the gas and diesel discssion pretty easy but you hit the mountains and the down hills especially and you wll see a difference. Also you can see a difference if you have it properly set up. My Foretravel is a dream to drive andholds the road with a finger on the wheel. You can even take your hands off and it will drive true but I do not do that very often, only after the last alignment to check for a bit.

I will say that both will get you there and the CCC in my coach is about 7000 pounds of stuff I can put in there.

[Ivylog]

The OP owns a 35' gasser. There are very few 38' gassers as you are at the upper limit of what a V10 will pull. Once you get in the 38+ size you need a diesel engine. There could be 10,000 lbs difference in the compared units. We do not know if the DP was a RR4R or a RR8R... A big difference in handling. I,m not sure 2 hours behind the wheel of any MH is enough to comment on the difference in handling as DP,s are easier to oversteer than gassers for some reason. Glad the OP likes his 35 gasser and does not want anything bigger.