Gas or Diesel?

[Sean Marconette]

I can't imagine going the Gas route. Diesel might be more at the pump, but the savings with getting better mileage and an engine built to pull loads is the only way to go. How many gas burners that pull loads do you hear about having over a 100,000 miles without needing engine work?
Good Luck

Sean

[Run to Rund]

Just my opinion. . .from what I have learned about the powerplants, construction of motorhomes, and the expense of getting a big coach repaired (not to mention the paucity of good technicians), if I were getting something now I would get a new Ram with Cummins pickup, a modest size 8' camper with no overhang, and a box trailer for protection and security of the race car. Not only are repairs of an old motorhome expensive, few know all the ins-and-outs of each model and year so they are learning on your dime. Then you have your expensive race car and yourself marooned in the middle of nowhere because you assumed a reliability that just isn't there. Sure, a camper is cramped quarters, but you don't plan to be in it 24/7.

[FED 387]

one thing I forgot to mention is are you handy? by this I mean can u do home repairs? --what you have here is basically a rolling home--- as it twists and turns and vibrates its way down the hiway things tend to loosen up-so you're gonna have leaks,rattles, electric that does not want to work etc.- like checking and tightening the plumbing fittings /electric connections /cabinet doors etc... You will need to know basic home maintainence stuff otherwise you're gonna be in the shop @ $100+ per hour fixing stuff---not all the time but periodically you hafta go over those things and just do preventative maintainence to make sure things don't break down--FED 387

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by Run to Rund

Just my opinion. . .from what I have learned about the powerplants, construction of motorhomes, and the expense of getting a big coach repaired (not to mention the paucity of good technicians), if I were getting something now I would get a new Ram with Cummins pickup, a modest size 8' camper with no overhang, and a box trailer for protection and security of the race car. Not only are repairs of an old motorhome expensive, few know all the ins-and-outs of each model and year so they are learning on your dime. Then you have your expensive race car and yourself marooned in the middle of nowhere because you assumed a reliability that just isn't there. Sure, a camper is cramped quarters, but you don't plan to be in it 24/7.

To take it one step further I used to tow an 18' box with my gremlin (GW 7,000 lbs) with my Dakota, 5.2 auto 3:91 gear w/tow package.Used to get up to 12mpg until they started to add all the alky to the gas.Dropped down to 9.9 to 10 mpg.My only problem was stopping. Luckily I never had a problem. I had the trailer set up as living quarters with a sink w/8gal water tank,gen (3500 watt),marine battery for powering radio and other accessories,8 flourescent lights,power roof vent and a bed set up where the bed mounted over the hood when traveling and at the rear at the track.Walls were lined with FRP siding.I had a Buddy heater for the chilly weather and a fan for the warmer weather.
Also hooked up satellite TV.The car stayed outside at the track with a car cover and if it was going to rain a tarp over the cover.Now this worked for me because I always traveled alone.The only thing I'd change is towing with at least a 2500 series truck.One advantage is you can leave the track with the truck.Another is the truck is usable anytime,where the M/H sits idle for who knows how long.
Time to take my nappie now.

[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