Moving On From a Diesel Motorhome Back to Gas

[Vint]

My wife and I have put almost 50K miles on our DP since we purchased it used in 2019. A couple of cross-country trips, Key West, the Southern Coast to New Orleans, and Texas. And, all are regional travels in NY State, including annual trips to Lake Placid and the Finger Lakes Region.

Twice now, most recently in April, on our final budget-breaking trip heading back towards WNY State from Florida, and breaking down in So. Carolina, then Raleigh, NC, we got ripped off by the repair facility, Velocity Diesel of Raleigh, to the tune of $24K +, taking advantage of us being from out-of-state and "stuck." The same thing happened in St. Mary, Montana last Summer while visiting Glacier NP, a mobile mechanic hit us for $3700 to replace brake air chambers that were probably less than a $500 job at a diesel shop. I've been lucky enough with this problem RV to have a great local mechanic that I have on speed dial because there was "always" something breaking down on the chassis compontents of this rig. I don't ever want to hear again how wonderful and dependable Freightliner and Cummins Diesels are again.

My DW and I were going to quit the lifestyle all together after the hell Velocity put us through, at one time offering the RV to them or anyone that works there to buy it from us for $20K. JD Powers says it worth between $60K and $70K. But, we decided we are not ready to give up the travel, outdoors, sights, and people you meet along the way. So, we are in the market for a Jayco or Forest River used class C, either on trade or private if we can sell our motorhome private.

 

[Neemer]

Damn

 

[d23haynes57]

What year and total miles are on your rig? For miles don't just look at the odometer. Engine hours and fuel consumption also add to the actual wear. The most important thing with the diesels is that maintenance needs to be done almost to aircraft standards. Good parts sometimes need to be changed out based on use and age. Stuff needs to be done on your home turf and prepped for any trip duration. Roadside breakdowns will always be brutal.
Going back to gas d lot or research. You Tube Liz Amazing and some others. Need to be very careful Forest River and Thor.
Going from DP to a typical Class C can be very disappointing. Many cannot do winter travel. Maybe at least stay with Class A.

 

[Rosy]

Gas engines have gotten pretty powerful. I know a lot of guys who've switched from diesel to gas for their trucks because they'll do the job without all the emissions nonsense.

 

[turbopilot]

So, we are in the market for a Jayco or Forest River used class C, either on trade or private if we can sell our motorhome private.

You are doing the right thing. DP's of any age, make or model are a bad deal. Double bad with all the tail pipe emissions requirements with poor technology. I sold my DP (Newmare Newaire) for all the same reasons you experienced. DP's are heavy and big which limit significantly where you can go and can be a nightmare when they break because they often require resources not available in remote locations.

If you don't want the headaches, but like the lifestyle, a modern towable RV combined with a late mode gas tow vehicle works just fine. A modern gas tow vehicle can almost always be fixed using local resources and a towable RV is normally so simple anybody can fix them. No toad to deal with. The best rule of thumb in picking an RV setup is to arrive at a solution that lets you enjoy the lifestyle with lowest number of cylinders and wheels possible.

 

[John&Andrea]

I hate to hear your story. Any of us on the road and needing repair are subject to rip off. I have needed some help along the way but feel like mostly we were treated fairly.
In your search for a ClassC, the Ford 7.3 has proven to be strong for us. Hang in there and happy travels.