[Dave Casey]

Robert,

I have towed since 1983 with a 4 diff. motorhomes, here's my take

3 were gas ,current is a 36' w/cat 350hp diesel.

my 99 V10 32' gas coach got the same mpg as my 05 diesel, the only diesels that get better mileage are the 5.9 300 hp cummings, good motor, enough power , my cat gets 6.5-7.5, a similar coach with the 5.9 will get 2-3 better.

You said you wanted a motorhome in the lower 30 foot length size, there are not alot that size with diesel power. most are 36 and up, there are some that are 34, 32 would be pretty rare.

My second coach I bought new from Marc in 1989, 24' coachman class c with a 460. I strengthened the hitch, and put over 100,000 miles on it towing , first 5 years with an open trailer, then 8+ years with a 24' enclosed pace trailer(not the lightest). The only thing that was a concern is you need to figure out how to get the weight distributed correctly so it will stop the best possible. As was stated, stopping is the biggest concern, the longer the wheelbase and the heavier the chassis the better of you are for handling and stopping. Some coaches have a short wheelbase and lots of overhang, you then need more work on the back of the coach so you don't bend it, it is doable, just don't drop a beast of a trailer on a factory motorhomr hitch and expect it to be ok.

Yes you need to be able to fix stuff, they need constant attention, houses are just not like cars when they are driving down the road.

I would recommend a 460 ford, a V10 ford,8100 chev with gas or a cat or cummins diesel, i have owned most of them or had friends who towed with them and none of them are bad .The ford 4 speed auto trans you need to be careful with, I put 50-60,000 on mine and it did blowup once.I think they used it from 90 or 91 until a few years ago

hope that helps you