My wife, three kids, and our new dog have outgrown our mini-van and pop up. Many have said we should go to a travel trailer yet this would require me buying a truck I don’t need and our children would sit closer together versus farther apart. The minivan has been awesome and we have been in every state west of the Mississippi except Louisiana. It has been great; we just have outgrown it. I am now looking to buy a 30 foot class A. Many have said go to a class C but they seem to be prone to leaking up front. I have driven a 40 flat front bus and I suspect that driving a Class A would be about the same. We are trying to stay at 30-31 foot as we tend to change our plans and the availability of 30 foot sites in a pinch seems to be better than longer sites. I already own a Kar Kaddy tow dolly so as much as I think flat towing would be better in the immediate future I could get by with that. That all said I have been looking at older RVs and I think I want to go with the GM 8.1 Workhorse with the Allison transmission. I have seen this in trucks and seems to be bullet proof. The Ford V-10, aside form the spark plug issue, seems to have a higher rate of failure. Maybe I am wrong, but it seems like a well maintained 8.1 just runs forever. So that is what I have I t narrowed down to. Any thoughts on that decision are more than welcome. I want to stay in the early 2000’s before the drivetrains got more complex. The main issue I am trying to educate myself is on delamination. It seems like some brands are more prone than others. So far what I have found in the 2002-2006 that is 30 foot long and can be found with out slides is the Tiffin Allegro, Thor Hurricane, and maybe a Winnebago Sightseer. I guess I should add I am looking for one without slides. I want simplicity and going from a pop up we don’t need the space. Also we will be in it at most about 4 weeks a year until our kids grow up so about 6-8 years. I used to work in body shop in college and can fix fiberglass and delamination however it is tedious work that if I can, I will avoid. At the same time, I am frugal so I may look for a deal and work on the body. I have a shed to keep it in so that helps. I really am hoping this post will help me to understand the different brands, their manufacturing processes, and why some seem to delam more than others. Thank You very much for your help.

Farmhills53565 wrote:My wife, three kids, and our new dog have outgrown our mini-van and pop up. Many have said we should go to a travel trailer yet this would require me buying a truck I don’t need and our children would sit closer together versus farther apart. The minivan has been awesome and we have been in every state west of the Mississippi except Louisiana. It has been great; we just have outgrown it. I am now looking to buy a 30 foot class A. Many have said go to a class C but they seem to be prone to leaking up front. I have driven a 40 flat front bus and I suspect that driving a Class A would be about the same. We are trying to stay at 30-31 foot as we tend to change our plans and the availability of 30 foot sites in a pinch seems to be better than longer sites. I already own a Kar Kaddy tow dolly so as much as I think flat towing would be better in the immediate future I could get by with that. That all said I have been looking at older RVs and I think I want to go with the GM 8.1 Workhorse with the Allison transmission. I have seen this in trucks and seems to be bullet proof. The Ford V-10, aside form the spark plug issue, seems to have a higher rate of failure. Maybe I am wrong, but it seems like a well maintained 8.1 just runs forever. So that is what I have I t narrowed down to. Any thoughts on that decision are more than welcome. I want to stay in the early 2000’s before the drivetrains got more complex. The main issue I am trying to educate myself is on delamination. It seems like some brands are more prone than others. So far what I have found in the 2002-2006 that is 30 foot long and can be found with out slides is the Tiffin Allegro, Thor Hurricane, and maybe a Winnebago Sightseer. I guess I should add I am looking for one without slides. I want simplicity and going from a pop up we don’t need the space. Also we will be in it at most about 4 weeks a year until our kids grow up so about 6-8 years. I used to work in body shop in college and can fix fiberglass and delamination however it is tedious work that if I can, I will avoid. At the same time, I am frugal so I may look for a deal and work on the body. I have a shed to keep it in so that helps. I really am hoping this post will help me to understand the different brands, their manufacturing processes, and why some seem to delam more than others. Thank You very much for your help.I really wouldn't count on any particular type of RV to be more leak proof...it's about keeping up on the maintenance.The Ford V10 had some early teething issues but otherwise it's considered a rock solid motor. Any of the early models that spit out spark plugs have long since been repaired or retired. It does like to rev to make power but does so in a very civilized manner (3000-3500rpm doesn't sound like a screaming banshee).Have you considered a full size van with trailer to replace the minivan. That gives you lots of seating and a platform that can tow a trailer.

Some people go camping, they set up in the forest or at a campground for a week and "enjoy nature" or hike or whatever. If this is what you like to do a trailer may work fine and be less expensive.My family travels via RV, we visit museums, historic sites, relatives, etc. while traveling around the country. We rarely spend more than 1 or 2 nights in the same place. For us a motorhome makes more sense. It allows for snacks, bathroom breaks, naps, etc. to all take place while in motion. (Except for the driver of course.) Thus, since selling my TC a few years ago, I'm looking for a MH. I'm looking for a class C for a few reasons: I want a driver's door, I want the overhead bunk as we have 3 children and don't want to be converting the dinette to a bed every night, and I do my own vehicle maintenance and a C strikes me as being easier to work on.I'm a Chevy guy and have had excellent service out of them. I've had a truck with the 8.1 and Allison and it was great. In fact, all of my GM trucks, gas or diesel, have given me fantastic service.However, if I had to have a Ford engine it would be the V10; no, they weren't perfect but they were pretty solid with a nice flat torque curve.

If you want a GM chassis with the Allison transmission, you are looking for a coach built on the W chassis, not the smaller lighter P chassis which has a GM transmission with the 8.1L. The Monaco coaches of 2003 had aluminum side walls, not fiberglass, as did a few other brands. This is not to say aluminum is better but if you are worried about fiberglass delamination, this might be your only choices. Most of the W chassis coaches have one or two slides.

Your biggest issue seems to be you have outgrown the mini van. The easiest solution is to upgrade to a full size van and a TT.You essentially could continue what you were doing just with a bigger version of what you already have.

Don't underestimate the work involved in dlam as it normally involves moisture and bad wood. You will likely have to remove a hugh section of fiberglass and then any bad wood underneath. And when it goes back together you need a way to press the fiberglass until adhesive etc drys. Think supports from a solid wall to the RV. My son and I used a LOT of long 2x4s from the ground to the fiberglass on his RV.

Questions About People's Knowledge Of Various Issues

valhalla360
Navigator
Dec 26, 2020
Farmhills53565 wrote:
My wife, three kids, and our new dog have outgrown our mini-van and pop up. Many have said we should go to a travel trailer yet this would require me buying a truck I don’t need and our children would sit closer together versus farther apart. The minivan has been awesome and we have been in every state west of the Mississippi except Louisiana. It has been great; we just have outgrown it. I am now looking to buy a 30 foot class A. Many have said go to a class C but they seem to be prone to leaking up front. I have driven a 40 flat front bus and I suspect that driving a Class A would be about the same. We are trying to stay at 30-31 foot as we tend to change our plans and the availability of 30 foot sites in a pinch seems to be better than longer sites. I already own a Kar Kaddy tow dolly so as much as I think flat towing would be better in the immediate future I could get by with that.

That all said I have been looking at older RVs and I think I want to go with the GM 8.1 Workhorse with the Allison transmission. I have seen this in trucks and seems to be bullet proof. The Ford V-10, aside form the spark plug issue, seems to have a higher rate of failure. Maybe I am wrong, but it seems like a well maintained 8.1 just runs forever. So that is what I have I t narrowed down to. Any thoughts on that decision are more than welcome. I want to stay in the early 2000’s before the drivetrains got more complex.

The main issue I am trying to educate myself is on delamination. It seems like some brands are more prone than others. So far what I have found in the 2002-2006 that is 30 foot long and can be found with out slides is the Tiffin Allegro, Thor Hurricane, and maybe a Winnebago Sightseer. I guess I should add I am looking for one without slides. I want simplicity and going from a pop up we don’t need the space. Also we will be in it at most about 4 weeks a year until our kids grow up so about 6-8 years. I used to work in body shop in college and can fix fiberglass and delamination however it is tedious work that if I can, I will avoid. At the same time, I am frugal so I may look for a deal and work on the body. I have a shed to keep it in so that helps. I really am hoping this post will help me to understand the different brands, their manufacturing processes, and why some seem to delam more than others. Thank You very much for your help.

I really wouldn't count on any particular type of RV to be more leak proof...it's about keeping up on the maintenance.

The Ford V10 had some early teething issues but otherwise it's considered a rock solid motor. Any of the early models that spit out spark plugs have long since been repaired or retired. It does like to rev to make power but does so in a very civilized manner (3000-3500rpm doesn't sound like a screaming banshee).

Have you considered a full size van with trailer to replace the minivan. That gives you lots of seating and a platform that can tow a trailer.
KD4UPL
Explorer
Dec 26, 2020
Some people go camping, they set up in the forest or at a campground for a week and "enjoy nature" or hike or whatever. If this is what you like to do a trailer may work fine and be less expensive.
My family travels via RV, we visit museums, historic sites, relatives, etc. while traveling around the country. We rarely spend more than 1 or 2 nights in the same place. For us a motorhome makes more sense. It allows for snacks, bathroom breaks, naps, etc. to all take place while in motion. (Except for the driver of course.) Thus, since selling my TC a few years ago, I'm looking for a MH.
I'm looking for a class C for a few reasons: I want a driver's door, I want the overhead bunk as we have 3 children and don't want to be converting the dinette to a bed every night, and I do my own vehicle maintenance and a C strikes me as being easier to work on.
I'm a Chevy guy and have had excellent service out of them. I've had a truck with the 8.1 and Allison and it was great. In fact, all of my GM trucks, gas or diesel, have given me fantastic service.
However, if I had to have a Ford engine it would be the V10; no, they weren't perfect but they were pretty solid with a nice flat torque curve.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Dec 26, 2020
If you want a GM chassis with the Allison transmission, you are looking for a coach built on the W chassis, not the smaller lighter P chassis which has a GM transmission with the 8.1L. The Monaco coaches of 2003 had aluminum side walls, not fiberglass, as did a few other brands. This is not to say aluminum is better but if you are worried about fiberglass delamination, this might be your only choices. Most of the W chassis coaches have one or two slides.
Lantley
Nomad
Dec 26, 2020
Your biggest issue seems to be you have outgrown the mini van. The easiest solution is to upgrade to a full size van and a TT.
You essentially could continue what you were doing just with a bigger version of what you already have.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Dec 26, 2020
Don't underestimate the work involved in dlam as it normally involves moisture and bad wood. You will likely have to remove a hugh section of fiberglass and then any bad wood underneath. And when it goes back together you need a way to press the fiberglass until adhesive etc drys. Think supports from a solid wall to the RV. My son and I used a LOT of long 2x4s from the ground to the fiberglass on his RV.
dougrainer
Nomad
Dec 26, 2020
1. Mini(Older class c) that have a front overhead window are more prone to front overhead cab leaks
2. Class A's are much easier to drive and manuever. I base this on 41 years as a RV Tech that has driven BOTH thousands of miles.
3. But, Class C's have MORE bed space than most Class A's. Most Class A's are designed for 2 people. Especially in the size range you are looking at
4. YOU NEED TO RENT THE TYPE RV YOU ARE WANTING TO PURCHASE. It will cost a LOT of money to purchase and then find out after a few months that the Floorplan does not suit your needs. Renting for a month or so at a time allows you to determine the Floorplan that will suit your needs. Until you actually live and use, you will not be sure of the floorplan that will suit your needs.
5. I base my comments on the 41 years as a RV Tech and working for the same Dealer that sells both new and used and have seen the hits some customers take when they buy without knowing positively if the Floorplan will work for them. Some are well off and will absorb the 10's of thousands of dollars the hit takes when they trade and get the floorplan they want. New or used, you will take a large hit. Doug
coolmom42
Explorer II
Dec 26, 2020
dougrainer wrote:
1. Mini(Older class c) that have a front overhead window are more prone to front overhead cab leaks
2. Class A's are much easier to drive and manuever. I base this on 41 years as a RV Tech that has driven BOTH thousands of miles.
3. But, Class C's have MORE bed space than most Class A's. Most Class A's are designed for 2 people. Especially in the size range you are looking at
4. YOU NEED TO RENT THE TYPE RV YOU ARE WANTING TO PURCHASE. It will cost a LOT of money to purchase and then find out after a few months that the Floorplan does not suit your needs. Renting for a month or so at a time allows you to determine the Floorplan that will suit your needs. Until you actually live and use, you will not be sure of the floorplan that will suit your needs.
5. I base my comments on the 41 years as a RV Tech and working for the same Dealer that sells both new and used and have seen the hits some customers take when they buy without knowing positively if the Floorplan will work for them. Some are well off and will absorb the 10's of thousands of dollars the hit takes when they trade and get the floorplan they want. New or used, you will take a large hit. Doug

This is very good advice.
wildmanbaker
Explorer
Dec 26, 2020
Take Doug's advice. There may be certain things that would be nice to have with children, and one night stops. First at least one slide will be a great help with children. An auto leveling system for quick set-up and moving. The rest is just your for pleasurer. Good luck.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Dec 26, 2020
Since the topis is "Questions About People's Knowledge Of Various Issues" I can tell you that I will not answer! This is not a knowledge question but rather on of opinions. There appear to be big fans in every corner and it will be up to you to make the right choice.
If you are looking for an RV with no slides then the #1 choice is an older Prevost conversion! No leaks, no delam, no fiberglass! Awesome!
chuckftboy
Explorer
Dec 27, 2020
The OP wants to go from a pop-up to a 30 foot class A so no matter which floor plan he chooses, he will still end up with a lot more space.