Help spend my Money

[Lipets]

Starting to look for a 2001-2005 DP in the $50-75,000 range

Just the two of us, not looking extra sleeping capacity.

Thinking 34-36'

From reading here these brands keep popping up

tiffin
newmar
Monaco
Beaver

What other brands are worth considering?
What brands to avoid?

I'm very mechanically inclined so I can crawl around & under to check stuff.

I'm looking for a rig that has good drive-ability, not be bothered much with semi's passing us at 90.

Things not falling apart driving down the road.

What other items need careful attention on inspection so I don't get hit with a big repair bill for ball joints or brakes.

[wa8yxm]

Responding only to the topic line...

NO PROBLEM

You can just send any excess to

ME
My address
My city/state/zip


Thank you

[lanerd]

Canadian Rainbirds wrote:

Pepperoni wrote:
Once you buy your DP, you will not need help spending your money.

So True!

Not True!

[Canadian_Rainbi]

Pepperoni wrote:
Once you buy your DP, you will not need help spending your money.

So True!

[ncrowley]

Include Country Coach

[lanerd]

In the years you mentioned, be aware that the Monaco and Beaver were essentially the same motorhome....along with Holiday Rambler and Safari. But, as with say, General Motors who made different lines of cars, Monaco made a wide range of motor homes from entry level to luxury level.

We are looking to replace our 35 foot Safari with something larger since we now spend most of our summers in one place rather than traveling. When we did travel, our Safari was the perfect size as we could fit in almost any campground or park and had everything we needed. It has been relatively free from any manufacture defects and the Cat C7 has run perfectly. Yearly maintenance runs around $100 (as I do my own work) and over 35,000 miles it has averaged about 8.6 mpg.

So from personal experience, I can attest to the quality of the Monaco line of motor homes and do indeed recommend them.

Hope this helps

Ron



Ron

[ejc1214]

You're not saying whether you will be using this for a weekend use and a couple of weeks vacations here and there. I have had 5THs, DP and now a gas MH and for me the gas mother home in that length make sense. The unit i just traded my truck and 5th wheel for is a 2011 Itasca Sunstar 36D in the price range you are looking for with a lot of upgrades like full body paint, auto levelers, ect ect and has 4600 CCC and can tow 5000lbs and my Prius on a tow-dolly does not even feel like it's there. The F53 is a great chassis and the Torq**** tranny slows my MH down 8 degree 4 mile long road and holds it at 30mphs without any brakes in tow haul mode without manually downshifting. The MH does not get thrown around when passed by big trucks and rides pretty nice. A good gas unit may not be a bad way to go. I used to say that I needed a DP and got a new one but the upkeep on DP is more and diesels do not like to sit around. Also, I would look at floor plan before deciding the type of unit. Having had a DP and a gas now, we also prefer the mid-body entry vs passenger one. Anyway, good luck with your choice.

Lipets wrote:
Starting to look for a 2001-2005 DP in the $50-75,000 range

Just the two of us, not looking extra sleeping capacity.

Thinking 34-36'

From reading here these brands keep popping up

tiffin
newmar
Monaco
Beaver

What other brands are worth considering?
What brands to avoid?

I'm very mechanically inclined so I can crawl around & under to check stuff.

I'm looking for a rig that has good drive-ability, not be bothered much with semi's passing us at 90.

Things not falling apart driving down the road.

What other items need careful attention on inspection so I don't get hit with a big repair bill for ball joints or brakes.

[mike_brez]

Country Coach


Foretravel I don't think you will get pushed around by to much with this rig.

[Tom_Barb]

Lipets wrote:
Starting to look for a 2001-2005 DP in the $50-75,000 range

Just the two of us, not looking extra sleeping capacity.

Thinking 34-36'

From reading here these brands keep popping up

tiffin
newmar
Monaco
Beaver

What other brands are worth considering?
What brands to avoid?

I'm very mechanically inclined so I can crawl around & under to check stuff.

I'm looking for a rig that has good drive-ability, not be bothered much with semi's passing us at 90.

Things not falling apart driving down the road.

What other items need careful attention on inspection so I don't get hit with a big repair bill for ball joints or brakes.

I'd be looking for this..
linky

the extra 4 feet will not be a factor driving or parking.

[smlranger]

Another vote for the Winnebago Journey or Itasca Horizon in the 34' length. I know several folks with those rigs and they love them. Good size, very drivable, very maneuverable, good value coach. We had a 2002 Journey 36' for 8 years and it was not a luxury coach for sure, but it was well built and gave us good service for money paid.

I would say the Winne's in the years you mention are comparable to Tiffen's Phaeton and Newmar's Kountry Star. Also agree if you can find one of Winnebago's Ultimate coaches in good shape, they are nice. They were Winnebago's line of higher-end luxury coaches built on Spartan chassis and had side radiators. Some I've seen were very nice.

If you are interested in higher end rigs, look at Country Coach, American Coach, Beaver, higher end Monaco's, Foretravel, Newmar Mountain Aire....these come to mind and there are others.

[Pepperoni]

Once you buy your DP, you will not need help spending your money.

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

Lipets wrote:
I didn't think Winnebago was in the same class as the ones mentioned above in quality or resale etc.

In the size, years, and price range DP that you mention, you really should look at Winnebago Journey and Itasca Horizon. (The two are essentially identical with different badges, kinda like Chevy and GMC trucks.)

Nice fit and finish with quality components. Thoughtful designs. Also important, there were enough of them sold so that a reasonable selection of used units is available.

Wayne

[mike_brez]

I would add Country Coach,Foretravel and Fleetwood American line and put them on top.

[Lipets]

I didn't think Winnebago was in the same class as the ones mentioned above in quality or resale etc.

[RCtime]

If you want something in the 34 foot range check out the floorplan of the Winnebago Journey. Floorplan is #1 and Winnebago should be in your choices.
Its a great coach, available either with a 300hp cummins ISB and Allison 5-6 speed or a Caterpiller 330hp and Allison 6 speed.
My Journey with the Cat. goes up hills like a Billy goat and the load carrying capacity is great.

[JaBob]

I'll take it!
You have the best listed.
Bon