Forum Discussion

Devocamper's avatar
Devocamper
Explorer
Jul 10, 2015

searching for a coach

Well the learning curve continues , I drove my first class A's today and learned a little bit but now have more questions. First coach was a 35 foot bounder on the ford chassis and I knew from my last post to expect noise and high rpm - all the shifts seem to come at around 3k rpm which I guess is normal for the v10 but will take some getting used to after my diesel truck. Handling took a little getting used to seemed to wander a lot which I guess is also normal I know they are not sports cars but thought they would handle a little better. Second two coaches were Itasca Solei's 36g's love the floor plan but question the quality because the first one had the check engine light come on and could barley make it up and entrance ramp to the highway the second one sounded like it had a suspension issue making noise above and beyond what I guess are normal rattles and other noises in a motorhome on the road. The Solei's seemed to me to be a bit underpowered with 340 hp and the handling at highway speeds seemed lose and not at all what I would have expected for a pusher. So two questions is this enough engine for a pusher of this weight and do all motorhome handle , I will use the word lose? The good news is the trade in value for my current equipment. The dealer which offered the same trade in value on anything I bought from the Solei's Down to a vista and he was about where I thought the numbers would be. The second dealer was lower but says the deal was in the discount ,don't like this guy . Not sure why the first is giving the same amount for any of the coaches I looked at and his prices were discounted a bit from listed price? The search goes on . I like the pusher but not the power or handling of that particular chassis. Thanks for any input or help ,you guys were great with dinghy towing questions thanks again
Mike
Class A
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2015
    Particularly for those new to looking at diesels, HP is "of interest", but torque is at least as important.

    Example: The Cummins ISL has 400 HP (not that much more than smaller motors), but it has 1,2000 lb-ft of torque at 1300 RPM. So, you can climb a lot of grades at nice, low RPM. We very rarely run over 1,500 RPM.

    Indeed, as I am sure others will post, all 400 HP engines, gas or diesel will move the same weight and size coach up the same grade at the same speed. BUT is it at a "sustainable" RPM or is the engine screaming to produce that power. Remember, this is supposed to be fun, and sitting next to an engine at 5,000 RPM is not very relaxing.
  • Devocamper's avatar
    Devocamper
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2015
    Any chassis and engine combinations that you veteran DP owners would recommend when looking for used in the 35-38 foot coach. The 340 hp on the frightliner that is in the entry level Winnebagos seems to to be a little under powered from my test drive with an empty coach but I don't have anything to compare it to other than my diesel truck towing a 15400lbs fifth wheel .
    Thanks again
    Mike
  • gemert's avatar
    gemert
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2015
    Devocamper wrote:
    Well another day on the lots and I am just frustrated with what I am finding. I am not bashing any makes or model here not knowing much myself at this point about motorhomes but I can not believe the things we are finding right on the dealers lots . As I mentioned in the first post we found broken mouldings ,check engine lights , broken compartment doors and latches and today it was broken furniture and slides that would not work as well as a duct taped gas cap which the sales staff could not explain but we think may have something to do with an in door RV show ,doesn't make any sense but we heard the sales guy talking. Any way from my short adventure I think the older used DP idea my be our best route and thanks to those that replied with that thought. looking like quality is hard to find in the current market place even in the entry DP's. Part of our problem is we have a good quality fifth wheel and we are comparing the motor homes to the fifth wheel which was high end when we purchased it. At this point it feels like we would be going backward at a huge cost for many of the units we have seen and driven again I am not bashing anyone here I really appreciate the replies and help .we thought this would be fun getting ready for more traveling with a motorhome suited for or needs as we both will be retiring in a year and a half but so far not so much fun and lots of questions . Trade in values are all over the place as well as I wanted to trade in our rig and truck to save on the sales tax in our state . Oh well done till next weekend
    Thanks for the help
    Mike

    My wife and I go looking at Class As all the time, new, old we don't care. We like to see them and get ideas for ours. It is very rare that we see a new or newer MH that can compare to the quality of our Beaver. Things like a tag axle, Hydro Hot heating and endless hot water system, cabinet quality and full body paint make our MH hard to beat. We have seen some Nemars and Fortravels that are obviously of the same quality in a new unit but I can't fork out the money for one of those. It's hard to beat the older Beavers, Monacos, Safaris, Country Coach and Nemars. Good luck with your search.
  • NeverHome2's avatar
    NeverHome2
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2015
    Don't be discouraged. When we started looking, every motorhome we looked at on the lots that were somewhat decent already had money down. We always seemed to be a day late. It took us 3 months to finally find the one we have.

    We found it on RVTrader.com and it was for sale by owner. The owner was a little astounded when we called the day it was posted and we wanted to come see it. We live in Pittsburgh and it was in Detroit. We didn't hesitate on this one.

    There are lots of older coaches out there that are high quality and still like new. It just takes time to find the right one. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as the perfect coach!

    Good luck!
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2015
    Correction to minor typo. Cummins ISL is an 8.9 liter engine. Came in both 370 and 400 HP, originally and could be ordered with either exhaust brake or engine compression brake.
  • Devocamper's avatar
    Devocamper
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2015
    Well another day on the lots and I am just frustrated with what I am finding. I am not bashing any makes or model here not knowing much myself at this point about motorhomes but I can not believe the things we are finding right on the dealers lots . As I mentioned in the first post we found broken mouldings ,check engine lights , broken compartment doors and latches and today it was broken furniture and slides that would not work as well as a duct taped gas cap which the sales staff could not explain but we think may have something to do with an in door RV show ,doesn't make any sense but we heard the sales guy talking. Any way from my short adventure I think the older used DP idea my be our best route and thanks to those that replied with that thought. looking like quality is hard to find in the current market place even in the entry DP's. Part of our problem is we have a good quality fifth wheel and we are comparing the motor homes to the fifth wheel which was high end when we purchased it. At this point it feels like we would be going backward at a huge cost for many of the units we have seen and driven again I am not bashing anyone here I really appreciate the replies and help .we thought this would be fun getting ready for more traveling with a motorhome suited for or needs as we both will be retiring in a year and a half but so far not so much fun and lots of questions . Trade in values are all over the place as well as I wanted to trade in our rig and truck to save on the sales tax in our state . Oh well done till next weekend
    Thanks for the help
    Mike
  • Sully2's avatar
    Sully2
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2015
    Ivylog wrote:
    Too much air in new tires especially will give loose handling but if the pressures are around 100 psi then there's probably something else wrong.
    340 HP will be a Cummins ISB 6.7L engine... a good LITTLE engine but less than 700 ft lbs of torque. A Cummins ISL (400-450 HP) 7.9L engine is limited to 1250 ft lbs as that's the max for the Allison 3000 tranny.
    340 compared to 400 not a big increase, but 690 to 1250 is a huge difference.


    Maybe in your coach.... I run 110 in the rear and 120 in the front AS RECOMMENDED by CC!
  • bluwtr49's avatar
    bluwtr49
    Explorer II
    Jul 11, 2015
    Going older and higher end just make a lot of sense and it's the only way I go.

    IMHO, one of the best deals you can find is the Beaver Patriot Thunder in the 2000 to 2002 era. They can be had at good prices and are top notch units with a 425 or 455 hp Cat C-12. The hot rod of that era.
  • ferndaleflyer's avatar
    ferndaleflyer
    Explorer III
    Jul 11, 2015
    I agree with the older high end choice. That motor, to me, should be plenty unless you tow 30,000lbs. I have had both a 325 and a 450 Cummins and didn't really see that much difference. I tow a trailer way north of 10,000lbs and with either engine it will slow down on hills. Here in the East I can top Fancy gap on I-77 North at 55mph with the 325 towing the trailer with no heating problems.....But remember the high end older advice.....
  • jplante4's avatar
    jplante4
    Explorer II
    Jul 11, 2015
    Just my opinion, but 35' is pushing the upper limits of where a gasser makes sense. You can put a lot of stuff in a motor home that big.

    The Sahara is 35' and the 300 hp CAT seems to be plenty of power.

About Motorhome Group

38,707 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 17, 2025