Traded in the Class A DP for a class c!

[moparmaga2]

Sorry to say I traded in my beautiful Class A DP 2009 Safari Cheetah in for a 2015 Class C Jayco Greyhawk.

The reason you ask? The Caterpillar C9 in that thing is a piece of $&@$. It broke down for the last time a few weeks ago when it threw two injectors on the way home from Arkansas.

The total warranty bills on just the engine alone in 4.5 years are right at $40,000. I was terrified to own it out of warranty and I was tired of my wife crying whenever the check engine light came on (almost every trip)

That RV did take us to Alaska and back, although it broke down 4 times.

The problems? 4 turbos, a water pump, 4 injectors, oil level sensor, fuel pump, compressor leaking oil and cat will not fix, exhaust regen problems multiple times, a serpentine belt, and an alternator and radiator (the last two are not cats fault). All in 40000 miles. Many of these miles we're going back and forth to a cat dealership.

A shame, since the House part of the rv never gave any trouble.

This time I went ultra simple with an anvil reliable v10 and ford transmission. I am afraid the Cheetah has scarred us for life. I will continue to watch you class A owners going down the road and remember the (very limited) good times we had in it. Maybe time will heal the wounds and one day I will have another.

[robertbenita]

Sorry to hear of all your troubles! At some point we will also downsize to a Class C. Glad you found a good one as I hear those are some of the best Class C's out there. Good luck and trouble free for awhile wishes your way!

[BobR]

I feel for the next poor soul who buys that coach!

[moparmaga2]

Bumpyroad wrote:
aren't you glad that you didn't listen to the people here who said to not get the warranty?
bumpy

Engine warranty was five years from Caterpillar. I still maintain my position that extended warranties are useless. I can't wait to see all the creative ways they would have denied $40,000 in warranty work.

[DSDP_Don]

He was covered under the engine warranty...it came with the coach!

You aren't the first and won't be the last to downsize from a DP to a gasser. There are so many more systems in a DP to worry about and service. Some people get to the point where it becomes overwhelming.

You'll be very comfortable in your new coach and hopefully it will be trouble free.

[Bumpyroad]

aren't you glad that you didn't listen to the people here who said to not get the warranty?
bumpy

[Donna_and_Rob]

I too hate that you got a lemon. Our Travel Supreme was 10 years old when we bought it and we were the third owners. The only thing that worried me was pulling those 6-7% grades in the Rockies and the temps closing in on 200%. Otherwise she's been a trooper and we chalk it up to the first and second owners taking care of it. Hope you have many happy camping trips with your new unit. R

[cbigham]

Know what you mean. My c7 ate a heui pump, warranty was $4800. That was at 42k. I'm at 77k now, hoping it doesn't happen again. I'm told early pumps were under built, and hopefully I have the upgrade.

There's nothing in my unit besides filters and oil I feel comfortable fixing. It's not like the old skool 6v92 or mechanical Cummins. .I long for those days! Too much computer spaghetti.

Unfortunately not much else does what my motorhome can do and carry it's cargo.

[debandi]

Sorry to hear about your problems. Our Cat has always purred but, we are downsizing to a class C the same as you did. ENJOY!

[rgatijnet1]

Sorry for your troubles and the hit to your wallet.
Just another example of why a DP is not always as good as some people portray it on this forum. Things do break on DP's, just like they do on a gasser coach. The difference is that when they break on a DP the repairs can be very expensive. For the $40,000 in repairs to your DP, you could probably replace three engines in the Ford.
Best of luck to you with your new coach. Glad that you did not give up RVing completely.

[timmac]

Cant go wrong with the newer V-10's and the 5 speed tow-haul trans, rock solid very few issues, luv mine, 34,000 miles 6 years old and not a issue.

[msturtz]

I would recommend that you check the adjustment of the Hellwig springs on your Greyhawk. They should be adjusted so that there is not more than 1" clearance to between the Hellwig helper springs and the Ford factory springs. Another thing to check is the installation of the rear leveling jack system. There must be at least 7" - 8" of clearance from the ground to the bottom of the landing jack pads. If there is less you need to have the dealer move the jacks up so that they are installed correctly. If you have issues with sway and being blown around by wind and or trucks you can install a Roadmaster steering stabilizer and a Hellwig front sway bar. The Roadmaster steering stabilizer is a life saver! If you install hush mat in the doghouse you will dramatically reduce the engine noise in the cab.

[msmith1199]

Sounds like you got a lemon. My RV is 10 years old this year and all I've ever done to the Caterpillar engine is change the oil. Not one thing ever has gone wrong with it. The only repair to the entire freight liner chassis I've ever even had to do was a broken grease seal in the front suspension.

[olfarmer]

Sorry to hear of your problems, I would have dumped it too. Good luck with your new ride. ENJOY!!!

[SpknTC]

I hope you have many wonderful miles in your new Jayco Greyhawk! They have a great product and customer service. Might not be the big fancy but should serve you well. 😉