Diesel Pusher Motorhome for Full-Time

[zb39]

I had a 40' DP with the ISC 8.3 in it. Loved it, drove it 40k miles. Bought used. Then went to a 45'DP Tiffin Zephyr with the ISM 10.8L 500 HP. I had to worry about speeding in that coach. DP's are great for what they are, but they can be spendy. I had 2 gassers before the DP's. I kept everyone of them for 5 or 6 years before selling and getting another one. I bought all of them used. Cummins is the only way to go and both of mine were on Spartan chassis.
Mountain master chassis and then the K2. Never an issue with either one. Would have kept the zephyr but the kids grew up and we didn't need that much space.

 

[Shadrach]

Thanks for recent posts. Really appreciate the explanation of the Cummins engines. I had picked up on one or two, but appreciate the overview.

If you need any "details" just ask. While I'll be the first to admit I don't know everything I have had "a little bit" of experience with these engines.

David

 

[jacknife]

Why buy a twenty year old MH . there are many systems in one besides the engine. if you want to spend your retirement working on it as an expensive hobby have fun. Take your wife to look at some high end fifth wheels ie DRV , Luxe there are a couple of other brands of that caliber made for full timing . you will see some beautiful trailers with modern systems and up to date interiors. Before you sell the ranch and head out try it for a few months at a time . It sounds wonderful but reality has a way of giving you a sober look at what it really entails. I for one am retired after 2 to 3 months on the road I am sick of RV parks and playing tourist. I am ready to go home and stay for awhile. Thats just me

 

[Killgore]

jacknife, don't knock the wind out of his sails, LOL. It's terribly important to have visions and goals regardless of the season in life. I never looked back when I sold the farm (kinda like Cortez burning his ships when he landed in Mexico). I haven't missed bush-hogging, fixing fences, mowing grass, power-washing, or sitting on the front porch waiting on the postman. My wife cooks for three construction guys who come home late, worn-out and too tired to fix supper, and we adopted a family with four kids waiting to move into their new home and trying to live in a 28' camper and home-school their kids in the meantime. I even enjoy watching the young couple who sneak in and out, trying to conceal their illicit relationship. She always waves, and he acts like he would like to flip me off. Hah! I love it.

- Ed

 

[BIGNASTY]

I wouldn't trade my 04 Newmar 3810 with the 400 HP Cummins for ANYTHING WITH THE AFTERBURNER EXHAUST on our recent trip we stopped in a Cummins dealership, where I was told of all the problems with the exhaust and the cost of repairs

She may not be the fastest most powerful beast on the hwy but



I'LL KEEP WHAT I HAVE


BIG

 

[AnonEd]

My $0.02 observations, apologies if I'm repeating other posts.

I defer to those with multiple engine experience, though I shy away from anything in the 2007+ era. Note that in many motorhomes the coach model year and engine/chassis year are not be the same, opening another year or two before DPF etc (and a can of worms if your state does inspection and can't clearly read all the decals).

Only speaking generally the "Super C" won't have interior room or tankage of same length DP, but rarely as weight challenged. A few passengers have opined about turbo whistle so make they sure they go with you.

Like a converted coach (Prevost, etc) or unit-built (Newell) the Super C have a driver's compartment that was engineered whole as a unit, so ergonomics, ventilation, and visibility tend to be (much) better. In my experience/observation, the huge single-piece windshields in DP stress-crack far more often than the doubles on bus chassis or truck-cab Cs.

Rusty is right about some fancy RV parks not allowing any C, though my T-shirt (You Mess with Me, You Mess With the Whole Trailer Park) probably didn't help my case.

And whatever you do, weigh any planned RV before purchase, by axle and all together.

 

[Wayne M.]

The Blood collectors know how to fly.

 

[Jim W]

I am sitting here at Lake Osprey RV Resort in Golf Shores AL, surround by several American Coach motor homes. They seem to be will built motor coach with every thing you need for full time living. I have talk to a couple of guys and they all spoke highly of their coachs, you could check them out on the internet.