cruiser51
wisconsin
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Joined: 05/17/2007
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If you full time in a class A I would like to know how you like it. I know DP owners say that a DP is the only way to go but I have to believe there are many gassers doing it too. Maybe comment on CCC do find yourself short, drivability does it wear you down or have you upgraded your suspension. Getting fuel easy or difficult. Do you ever feel you made the wrong choice between gass and DP. Would you do it diffeerent if you did it over. I have nothing against DP's and really like them but I have a hard time justifing the extra cost for the advantages I hear.
* This post was
edited 11/07/09 05:15pm by an administrator/moderator *
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Hi,
I have a 30' Bounder on a Ford chassis that has a 2,734 pound cargo rating (including water, gas, options, and people). It is a 1997 that we bought new. After the divorce, I got the RV and a settlement for the house that I bought at 21, and was able to travel 2 years full time in the RV. I am still living in it.
The Bounder 30E has the largest bathroom, as you can shut the doors in the hallway to create a large dressing area. Great for the privacy that I have no need for.
The engine has plenty of power, and will go 5,000 miles before needing to add a quart of oil, perhaps because I take really good care of it since it was new.
Yes I am a bit overweight. The motorhome is too. Even with a empty weight 2,700 pounds less than the 17,000 GVWR, the RV is still heavy. The 1998 has a 18,000 pound chassis but the smaller V10 motor and larger 19.5" tires. I think I was about 17,600 pounds once when I went across the scales. Towing a car 4 wheels down helps, as the tow dolly did put some weight on the hitch. I also travel with the water tank fairly empty, and use 2 - 1 gallon water jugs to flush the toilet, and 4 gallons of drinking water until I get close to the next campground.
I know that I should be leaving more stuff with friends and family. I do worry that all will be lost if the RV catches fire.
For camping out - I try to dry camp as much as possible. So I find forest campgrounds, or BLM land out west that allows free camping for 14 days at a time.
I use solar panels to recharge the batteries, I just hate the sound of my generator. SolaronSale.com I have a total of 400 watts, and that seems to be enough. Some get a 45 watt panel, and that is a waste of time, as you will still need to run the generator anyway. And then are frustrated because the solar system is not keeping the batteries charged.
I figure the $2,000 spent on the solar system has been saved many times over in 2006 when I dry camped about 300 days. Not counting the many other weeks of camping before I started to full time and the many days after that time.
Good Luck,
Fred.
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tropical36
Southwest Florida_USA
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Joined: 07/11/2004
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A lot of it depends on how many miles you plan on driving per day and per year. If your're planning on sitting most of the time, then a high end gas coach with slides should fit the bill, but if you like driving 500 miles per day and put upwards of 40K miles/year, I think I would seriously consider a DP.
"We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey."
1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Model 6350, with a tag axle and one slide, on a 1997 P32 Chevy chassis....7.4 Vortec Engine
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Skip and Norine
Fulltiming since Oct 2006
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Joined: 05/07/2005
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What I discern from the OP's post is that he wants justification for the higher-priced DP as opposed to the lower-priced gasser.
DP's cost more because you get more:
- Carrying capacity (we have 1,900 lbs more than a comparable gasser)
- Longevity (my Cummins will run for 500,000 miles PLUS)
- Towing power (I've made 7% grades pulling a toad with no problems)
So here's the deal.....
If these things are imporatnt to you, then they're worth the extra cost to buy and the extra cost to maintain.
If they're not, then they're not.
It's really quite simple, I think.
Traveling our country and seeing the sights, enjoying fun-filled days and campfire nights
See our travel pics
The rig: 2006 SportsCoach Cross Country SE
The toad: 2006 Saturn Vue
The Captain: Skip
The Co-Captain: Norine
Furry passengers: Penny & Biscuit
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Goodturn
Ontario Canada
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Joined: 03/11/2009
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I know you asked for full timers, and I agree with both previous posts, however, there are some great gassers available. Our Newmar Mountain Aire 3991 is a 3 slide 39'9" coach on a workhorse 25,500 lb chassis. We have a dishwasher, washer/dryer, 7000 watt generator, in motion sattelite, and in our opinion, all of the luxury you could want. It also has a CCC of 4085 lbs, and we tow a 24' enclosed trailer with our toad and extras. Hills are not a problem with 340 hp and 455 ft lbs of torque. If we were doing 20,000 miles a year, I would trade "up" to a DP. It's a pleasure to drive and we can run 400 plus miles before needing fuel. We try to find a Flying J, but have not had any real issues filling our tank. Just my opinion for what it's worth.
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thunderstruckhd
Ft.lauderdale and Key West,Florida
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Joined: 04/24/2007
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A quality rig is a quality rig be it gas or diesel. Very few people really put enough miles on their rigs to get the full benefit from a DP...
2006 Allegro Bus, 42QDP, 4 Slides, Tag axle, Spartan, 400ISL.
Progressive Ind.PT50C
TST TPMS
Assorted toads,trailers and toys.
And Zoie the Doberman.
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ronmc
Brownsville Tx. 78526
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Joined: 09/05/2002
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We have lived over 18 years in a Class A . Never regreted not going DP.We used to travel 8000 to 10000 a year.Now 4000 to 6000.Never had to change the suspension.Second M/H 1995 Dutch Star was overloaded coming out of the showroom. Still no problems.We would have preferred a DP but didn't want to pay for it.
Ron
2002 Kountry Star
2007 Honda CRV
Used Brake Buddy
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rolnhome
Pacific Northwest / Mexico
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Joined: 11/19/2007
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Fulltime in a Pace Arrow for almost 6 yrs now. Been an excellent rig. No suspension changes. Plenty of pull in the hills, good braking down hill; have not been embarassed by performance, with toad attached handled SR12 between Bryce Cyn and Capitol Reef just fine; in two spots there are 14% grades. I think Workhorse W24 is a great chassis and power train combo. I forget the numbers but, we carry everything we need plus some and weight has not be a problem. Have all the conviences, washer dryer, 50 amp EMS, 3 slides, full shower, china toilet, dual a/c, autolevelers, power awning, suround sound, 10 gal WH and more. Been to Settle, Flordia, Blue Ridge Parkway, Badlands, Rio Grand Valley, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Alcapulco, almost into Belize. Headed to Alaska next summer.
On long grades or using th Grade Brake feature the engine can be noisy, in "normal" driving it is less noisy than my Grand Cherokee. The ride depends on the road; on Hwy 10 in LA. it is rough, on roads in good shape it's smooth sailing. Travling with friends in thier DPs and 5ers at the end of the day or while on the CBs they complain or praise the same roads I do. The dog house being maybe 2" high is a non issue for me. It is abit more tender in strong side winds than a heavier DP but you just slow down a bit.
We're in Arizona
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