Used Motorhome

[Shadrach]

I was thinking of changing to a motorhome some day and although I've bought lots of used vehicles and several used RV's I've never had a motorhome to travel around in. When looking at used Class A diesel powered motorhomes what unique things should I be looking for?

I realise that many of the inside parts are made by the same manufacturers and that some brands are out of business. Some were built with better standards than others. I do like the old classics like Barth for example. One of the issues I have right now is my truck and trailer over all length is 53 feet and that limits me to where I can go. A 30-32 foot coach/bus would be a better length. That would fit in my back yard as well. That does bring up the issue of a Toad/Dingy.

It Must have a Cummins and an Onan generator of course. A "B" or "C" series mechanical engine would suit me. They went to the electronics in the later 90's. Then there is always the floor plan. the part that is important to my wife. I'm not afraid of repairs and upgrades as I have buddy who is a HD mechanic and another one who is an RV tech.


I welcome comments from those of you who have experience in this matter.

David

 

[Jim W]

David,
I would not rule out a used Super "C" such as a Dynamax which is built on a Freightliner chassis with a Cummins engine. They are in the 30 to 35 foot range equipped with a 10,000 LB hitch. There are several versions of them that should work for you. There is even one version built on the Ram chassis with the 6.7L Cummins.

 

[Shadrach]

I saw a nice Super C on a Dodge 5500 chassis. That way I could get the 6.7 and 4X4 as well. Or an Earthroamer. They built an F650 4X4 with a 6.7 and an Allison. But they are all too rich for this cowboy. That's one of the reasons I would look at an older unit.

 

[Wayne M.]

I always dream of converting a T300 Kenworth straight truck into a motor home. Every once in a while, I'll see a nice scratchbuilt conversion- the last one was on a Mack Superliner chassis. Boy it was nice. These configs are much friendlier to HD mechanics and parts people.

 

[TFucili]

I always dream of converting a T300 Kenworth straight truck into a motor home. Every once in a while, I'll see a nice scratchbuilt conversion- the last one was on a Mack Superliner chassis. Boy it was nice. These configs are much friendlier to HD mechanics and parts people.

A Superdog RV would be sweet! (So would a KW)

 

[GAmes]

We had a class C for awhile, and I'll never get another motorhome. First, it seldom gets driven so seals dry out, fuel absorbs water, etc. Second, it is on a truck chassis. Most repair places won't touch them and it isn't made for DIY so the big truck repair places are the only option. Third is the rapid loss of value when you get tired of it.

 

[6V92TA]

boy, a diesel pusher with air suspension would be that best, wouldn't it? LOL that is the advice you hear on all the RV forums, from the crowd who own the things. its the top of the RV ing heap, if you own one of those.

I've been a bus mechanic all my life ( 40 years now) and I like diesel pushers but only if I could afford to pay someone to fix them. its not like you can slide underneath one of these and do anything yurself... nothing in the engine compartment looks EZ to get at and in many cases you need to remove parts of the bedroom to get down in there.

..me and the OL were looking at an Allegro last time we were at a RV show, thing had a ISC, Allison and Vansco Multiplex electrical system.. thought to myself, wow Vansco mulitplex, we run that in some of our buses but how in the hell would anybody fix it if something went wrong with it?

wait until the air suspension starts to get some age on it and it dry rots. my bus leans.

I think most people would be better off with a gas motor home no matter how poor the fuel mileage or hill climbing ability.

 

[mjlexus]

In your sig you have a 3500. A fifth wheel would also give you ample space but also give you a vehicle to get around. You also will not the insurance or maintenance required for such vehicle (get insurance for fifth wheel). A motorhome with a tow vehicle can put you in the same length range as you already have.

 

[Tuesdak]

One of the issues I have right now is my truck and trailer over all length is 53 feet and that limits me to where I can go. A 30-32 foot coach/bus would be a better length.

X2 on what mjlexus said. Add the length of the Toad with the hitch and you are not saving that much on length. Now you have a Toad and RV engine, plates, insurance, etc. to maintain and deal with $$$. 5th wheels save you 4' off the total length. IMO the height of 5th wheels cost MPG over a TT. You can get shorter ones than the 27' AF I have. I have around 43' total length. ~20' truck +27' trailer - the 4' over the bed. When it matters for campsites: officially the 27' RV length is what counts. Shorter RV's are hard to come by because you start trading things off like bed size being a short length queen, no sofa, etc. They do make shorter 5th wheels. Shorter RV's appear to be harder to find. My bucket list included a place where 27' was a medium sized space and good luck getting one of the 40' space reservations. Took a long time before a good RV under 30' let alone the magic 27' came up used. Unicorn is an 5th wheel / TT with a generator under 30' that's not a toyhauler.

What exactly is limiting your length or making yours feel too long? You might need to consider something even shorter like slide in truck campers. Where you want to go and for how long also makes a difference to what RV meets your needs the best. What other criteria has you wanting a motorhome?

 

[GAmes]

IMO the height of 5th wheels cost MPG over a TT.

After pulling hundreds of each I have to tell you that isn't true. If the weight and exterior finish is the same (aluminum or fiberglass) a 5er will give better mileage every time.

 

[Tuesdak]

After pulling hundreds of each I have to tell you that isn't true. If the weight and exterior finish is the same (aluminum or fiberglass) a 5er will give better mileage every time.

Now that you point it out the one I own now is what's jading me on MPG... First RV I have hauled loaded ready to camp rather than shipping empty likely has a lot to do with my impression of lower MPG. Maybe the heavier Arctic Fox build vs. the other stuff I hauled. The PO did warn me they also had trouble passing a gas station with it, but, I had written that off because they were using an 8.1L gas engine.

 

[GAmes]

After towing dozens of other brands I chose a North Wood trailer, a Fox Mountain. The one thing I have to say bad about them is the squared off rear cap cuts into fuel efficiency. They are as bad as towing toyhaulers in that regard. My previous 5er was 5 feet longer, and weighed 2000 pounds more, but it had a rounded rear cap. I get the same mpg as before, but more than I get when towing an empty North Wood TT.

 

[6V92TA]

frontal area plays into wind drag, bigger the surface area , more drag.

 

[GAmes]

frontal area plays into wind drag, bigger the surface area , more drag.

There is a lot more to trailer aerodynamics than the frontal area size.

 

[sourdough]

I like exploring back roads and remote RV camping. After 2 years and 30,000 miles, I still like my Ram 3500, diesel ,4x4 with self contained Tiger RV. An Onan generator too

 

[Greytraveler]

I have considered and thought about a motorhome for what seems like years. But we always come back to a fifth wheel. For many of the reasons stated here. A big factor for me, besides the initial cost, is reliability and potential costs and inconvenience down the line if something goes wrong. I have seen more than one very unhappy class A diesel pusher owners, one with a brand new rig, trying to get something fixed.

We had a fuel line failure with the RAM. Called AAA. Unhooked the fifth and the truck was towed to a garage. Not a big deal. With a motorhome of any size it takes a truck wrecker to tow and that ain't cheap. And where do you stay during the repairs?

We would need a car to drag behind and that is out. Our 2004 RAM diesel has only 95,000 on the meter since it is used mainly for towing and trips to Home Depot. We have friends with class A motorhomes, and one with a class C. Big complaint is limited storage. On the other hand, when we travel, we see a ton of full timers with huge class A motorhomes. I guess it boils down to life style (and money).

Good luck and have fun,

GT

 

[Shadrach]

Thanks for all the input. Where I work we get Class A Motorhomes in all the time so I am fully aware of the expenses and have seen what a tow bill can be. Mechanically it doesn't scare me as I have access to everything I need to fix things. As far as a TOAD goes that would be my daily driver anyway so I don't have to buy another vehicle especially for that need. I have always stayed with a TT because I like my canopy and have no real place to store it if I take if off.


Where I live RV season is only May til Sept normally and I'm not one to go South in the winter. I still have another 10? years left to work. My truck does sit most of the winter although I do try and take it for a drive once a month or so. A Class A would sit all winter as the gates into my back yard get frozen shut in winter. I had a slide in camper for a short while but there is so little room for storage compared to my truck box. I don't like Class C units as there is no foot room for my big feet in a van.


I do like the Super C http://dynamaxcorp.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=329&Image=12937 but too expensive for me. Typically I only put about 10-12k kms ( about 7500 miles ) on my daily driver and about the same on my truck, including towing the TT so spending big bucks on a new unit doesn't make sense.

 

[Greytraveler]

Shadrach,

Your situation is rare and you are lucky to be in a position to have experience with things most of us do not. Our travel season varies but we too deal with snow and ice. We are on our 5th fifth wheel. It's our second home so to speak. After 30 years of shoveling snow I am looking for a place to put the fifth for the winter as a place to escape, at least for a bit. Being retired allows some flexibility. The problem is we need a place where the dogs can run, being herding dogs they need their exercise.

GT

2004 Dodge RAM long bed, crew cab, 4x4, Pac Brake, 5.9 Cummins and New Venture 6 speed manual.

 

[6V92TA]

There is a lot more to trailer aerodynamics than the frontal area size.

lets face it there is alot more to fuel economy under load than just aerodynamics.

this 35 page booklet from Cummins offers far more more information than anyone on this forum could provide

https://cumminsengines.com/uploads/docs/Secrets of Better Fuel Economy_whitepaper.pdf

 

[6V92TA]

one thing for sure, whether a motorhome or a fifth wheel, you are going to tow something