Brandon327 wrote:
I am looking at getting a motorhome. I want to tow a 4 door Jeep. Will a gasser do it or do I need to find a diesel pusher or super c?
Brandon,
Well, as you can see and read, all kinds of opinions. It's good that you ask as, much of what you're reading is from experience. Some, is "speculation" and some is just repeating what they've heard. In the last oh, maybe 35-37 years of RVing and Jeeping, we've owned, modified, altered and towed 9 different Jeeps, with FOUR different motorhomes. And 100% of those Jeeps have been setup for fairly extreme off roading. That means, lots of add-on steel for bumpers, side bars, racks, winches, more tools than some have in garages, air compressors, spare parts and more.
And that means, WEIGHT! We started out with a 23' Class C Dodge and a 440. Well, that was ok but, weak. Then, moved to a 27' Class Class C with the 460. That was a great improvement. Then, moved to a '99 Fleetwood Bounder 34V with the V-10. To me, that was almost a drop in power but, none the less, a good coach and towed the Jeeps just fine.
Now, we have an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the CAT C-7 330HP and it does just great. We've owned it now for almost 8 years and have put over 40K on it since we purchased it. We've towed three of those Jeeps with it. No doubt about it, the diesel out performs in general towing, i.e. take-off from stops, hills, grades, flat, and all, from ANY of the gassers we've owned. And, I'm running at max weight in that diesel.
Will a gasser do it for you, sure. Lots of worry warts worrying about a pound or two over any limit on here. Will it do it as good as say, the smaller diesels, i.e. 5.9 Cummins, or, C-7 CAT, NO! The amount of throttle pedal you use, for EVERY INCH OF DRIVING, from the time you equip your total setup, i.e. motorhome and Jeep and are pulling out for your first journey, to each and every destination, will be CONSIDERABLY more with a gasser than just about any diesel.
Now, which diesel you might ask? Well, you'll get the phone book in answers on that one. How old, you may ask? Again, you'll get an entourage of info, experience and BS too. There are many, many used, older diesels out there that are outstanding buys and, will work for your intended purpose very, very easily. And, many of those will have considerably low mileage. A good buddy of mine just recently purchased an '05 39' Winnebago Journey, 3-slide, with the CAT C-7 350HP and only 26,000 miles on it!!!!!!!
It's a very nice coach and well cared for. He pulls the same Jeep we do, a Jeep JKU Rubicon. Both of our Jeeps hover in the 4,800 lb. category. There will be a bit more maintenance if a diesel coach is acquired. Not a big deal at all. But, the many, many benefits of the diesel version, FAR OUT WAY the gasser units. MUCH, MUCH more quieter cabin area during driving, smoother, better and bigger brakes, EXHAUST or COMPRESSION brakes (depending on engine type and size), air suspension that lowers for easier entrance and exit during camping, and a whole lot more.
With a bit of patience, and, being ready at the right time to pounce upon a great deal, you can get a very, very nice deal on an older diesel that will work outstanding for you. Don't be afraid to drive and or, even fly to pick it up either. We've done it way more times than I care to admit. Good luck and have fun.
Scott
