Should I consider gas burner

[Fifty4F100]

Just got back from a swing around Arkansas (and Memphis) looking at some diesel pushers. Saw many we liked but couldn't make the price work. With our budget most salesmen were steering us toward gas coaches. I told them I had a 99 Holiday Rambler with the V10 and didn't like how sluggish it was especially on some of the hills we took it on. They assured me that the later model Ford V10's are much more powerful and would pull more. They are definitely better priced. But I would love to buy my last coach, retire in a few years, and full-time for a while.

Would love some feedback, especially from someone who has a newer gas burner.

[AllegroD]

V10 changed from 2 to 3 valves in 2007. We had an 2004 Coachmen Aurora 36' V10. Put a Banks on it to be happy with power. Very noisy. We now have a 2013 Tiffin Allegro 36LA. Yes. The 2013 has more power. Can do 50-65 up most climbs. A couple of long, steep high climbs dropped to 40-45. We do not need a banks to get performance from it. It is also much quieter. Not just because of the engine but because Tiffin insulated it. Not all gassers are made the same. In the 04 we could not hold a conversation traveling flat ground. In the 2013 we hold a normal conversation, even hold a phone calls through the bluetooth stereo - microphone on the dash. Only time it affects conversation is when it goes into high rpm on hills. We are very happy.

[Fifty4F100]

WILDEBILL308 wrote:
" But so far it's got us where we want to go." Well that is the important part right? Just querious what are your complaints on the Navistar engine?
Bill

Navistar doesn't have the HP or torque. Same Allison transmission. I'm not about to do an engine swap. 2012 was the last year (at least for the Tiffin chassis) NOT to have to use DP fluid. I like the fact I can fuel up and go. I think we're getting about 11 MPG towing the Smart. So far no problem getting up some of the hills on I40 in Middle TN. It also has 19.5" tires which I just had to buy 6. At $2400, I like that.

[Ivylog]

A $100K MH with a MaxForce 7 engine will bring $15-20K less than one with a Cummins. Much the same on $50K 2.5 ton IH trucks...$7-15K less than other brands. Is the bad rap deserved??? If you are one that had repeated EGR and engine deraiting problems probably YES. In not then NO.

Now with the MaxForce 13 engine there is no doubt you do NOT want one. The 10 appears to be somewhere in between.

There is a Canadian company that deletes all the pollution stuff and reprograms the engine computer but depending on the engine, it’s $5-10K.

[WILDEBILL308]

" But so far it's got us where we want to go." Well that is the important part right? Just querious what are your complaints on the Navistar engine?
Bill

[Fifty4F100]

Just came across this old thread and went through it again. We wound up buying a 2012 Tiffin Allegro Breeze 32BR. It has been some journey. Some unexpected maintenance.The main thing I would change is the Navistar engine. I would much rather have the Cummins. But so far it's got us where we want to go.

[TNGW1500SE]

Fifty4F100 wrote:

RLS7201 wrote:
The 99 V10 at 275 HP was a dog. Ford recognized the problem and increased the HP to 310 in 2000 and then again increased the HP to 362 in 2006. The 2016 has reduced the HP to 320 but increased drivability with both HP and torque at lower RPMs and a 6 speed transmission. Don't shy away from the newer V10s until you drive one.

Richard

I wish I could drive a new gasser up some of the hills in East TN or the Ark. Ozarks. There was one hill 2 years ago our MH almost didn't make in Sylamore National Forest near Blanchard Springs Caverns. It was long and steep. And we weren't towing a car that trip. But that would be a 300 mile test drive.

Came home from KY to TN just last night on 75 in a 2003 Sunova 31' V10 pulling a 10' cargo trailer with two motorcycles in it. Passed big trucks all the way up Jellico mountain. Topped it a 65 MPH. Just floor it and let it run. The V10 did great.

[AllegroD]

Mr.Mark wrote:

AllegroD wrote:

dezolen wrote:
My gas motorhome has more outside storage than many DP's. All are pass thru. Not full height but very useable.

Mine has 203 sq ft outside storage.

We have 300 acres of outside storage...... oh......., do you mean basement storage???.... then we have two good sized bays with slide-trays and the other bays having built-in drawers, etc.

MM.

Well, uh. Yes, silly rabbit. Basement or outside compartment storage.

The reason I stated my basement storage was because some were saying that gassers had little basement storage. In general, I agree with them. There are those that have very good storage, though.

[Dutch_12078]

For us, the bottom line is the floorplan "liveability" in any RV we buy. Nearly all RV'ers spend far more time living in their RV than they do driving it.

[Mr_Mark1]

AllegroD wrote:

dezolen wrote:
My gas motorhome has more outside storage than many DP's. All are pass thru. Not full height but very useable.

Mine has 203 sq ft outside storage.

We have 300 acres of outside storage...... oh......., do you mean basement storage???.... then we have two good sized bays with slide-trays and the other bays having built-in drawers, etc.

MM.

[AllegroD]

dezolen wrote:
My gas motorhome has more outside storage than many DP's. All are pass thru. Not full height but very useable.

Mine has 203 sq ft outside storage.

[WILDEBILL308]

I don't care what you buy, you have gotten a bunch of opinions so far. I want you to find the deal that makes you happey.
I would look at places like PPL they have dozens of coaches and you can look at what outhers have sold for so you have an idea about the market. They also show floor plans so you can find the floor plan YOU like.
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/
Bill

[dezolen]

My gas motorhome has more outside storage than many DP's. All are pass thru. Not full height but very useable.

[Mondooker]

Out of curiosity, how many miles do you put on your coach per year before you start to think diesel? Even at 10,000 miles a year over 5 years of ownership that's 50,000 miles. That's something for a gas but nothing for a diesel.

So as you're deciding diesel vs gas, at what point in miles driven per year over five years, do you decide to go one way or another? A motorhome is expensive but becomes REAL EXPENSIVE with the wrong decision!!!

[timmac]

Fifty4F100 wrote:
Just got back from a swing around Arkansas (and Memphis) looking at some diesel pushers. Saw many we liked but couldn't make the price work. With our budget most salesmen were steering us toward gas coaches. I told them I had a 99 Holiday Rambler with the V10 and didn't like how sluggish it was especially on some of the hills we took it on. They assured me that the later model Ford V10's are much more powerful and would pull more. They are definitely better priced. But I would love to buy my last coach, retire in a few years, and full-time for a while.

Would love some feedback, especially from someone who has a newer gas burner.

Like many have said here the newer V-10's are so much better after 2006, however as a V-10 owner myself I cant see these working well like you want in the 38-39 foot models while towing a toad, but up to 36 foot they will get the job done real well, my setup in a 32W Bounder and a stacker trailer total weight around 26000 lbs it works fine..