Motorhome Recommendations?

[Denis]

My wife and I are looking to sell our F350 dually truck w/ camper, and buy a motorhome instead. Not sure what size yet, maybe 30' max. It's really important that I be able to tow my 24' enclosed car trailer (with a car in it) cross-country if need be.

Any recommendations as to type or brand of motorhome to look for? Is a diesel pusher the best choice engine-wise?

I'll probably buy something used but it would be nice to narrow down the field by having a clue what to look for.

Thanks in advance.

-d

[JChlupsa]

Hey Denis

I have been keeping an eye out for one myself that will sleep 4-6 and check this site monthly

http://rvshoppingguide.com/id22.htm

[Denis]

There's a nice 34 footer near where we live for sale. Engine is "230HP 5.9L Cummins Diesel on Magnum Chassis (605 ft-lbs) with Allison MD3060 Transmission".

I know from previous postings that the Cummins diesel mated with an Allison trans makes an ideal towing rig but 230hp doesn't sound like a lot... assuming it's not a typo, does 230hp/605ft-lbs provide enough umph to pull an enclosed trailer?

[musclcar]

yes those cummins ISB's are a very good engine and so is that allison transmission. that engine is in alot of the medium duty trucks up to 35000lbs GVWR i've never heard of any problems with that engine at all

[rsatz28]

You can't go wrong with any domestic diesel. Not only do they tow better than gassers, the mileage will be better. Peak horsepower and torque are down around 2000ish RPM.

[BUIZILLA]

I have a 36' Country Coach with a 350hp ISC Cummins, about 1050#'s on torque, 3060 Allison... pulling a loaded 24' trailer is a breeze, and towing my 12,000# 28' footer is okay as well, but you KNOW it's back there at 41,000# gross loaded weight... you need to decide gas or diesel... a 230 Cummins is a strain with a 24 trailer loaded, not enough reserve IMO.... i've been around this diesel/RV business for about 30 years, so i've basically seen it all as far as what people will do and tow.

Set a budget first, then see what's out there, it's a great RV buyers market right now... some stuff is real junk, even new... quite the shakeup in build/final/delivered quality the last 3-4 years especially..

Oregon has some really good dealers and Washington as well. Watch your total length, from state to state... I am over length and over weight in about 20 states but don't tell anybody okay..

I'd be glad to help you in your selection, no I don't sell RV's.. my dad was Monaco Owners President for awhile and me, him, and my brother all own different model coaches...

A LOT of parks now only allow Class A coaches to overnight, not B's or C's... think about that... I am 52 and one place I stopped at wouldn't allow anyone under 55 to overnight there, so I went to WalMart, opened the slide, and turned the genny on, and slept for free...

www.rv.net
www.rvsearch.com
www.rvonline.com
www.rvtrader.com

Jim

[GaryH]

I'm with Jim. I wouldn't recommend a B series Cummins in a motorhome. Especially if you are going to tow. There is just not enough torque there even if you turn it up. At the very least go with a C series or the electronic ISC. An M-11 is even better.

[Denis]

What's the difference between a B, C, electronic C, and M-11 Cummins?

[BUIZILLA]

About the same as a 350 to a 454 to a 496 to a 572...

[CamarosRus]

On a similar subject.....IF youre only going to tow a Camaro in the trailer, with little else......How Much would it help to lighten the towing load by ME buying a 20' 10,000GVW Trailer.....in terms of milage and strain on misc power plants and braking...????