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.

 

[Vint]

Going from DP to a typical Class C can be very disappointing. Many cannot do winter travel. Maybe at least stay with Class A.

Our current DP has 59,600 miles on it. Supposedly, hardly anything for a venerable "Cummins Diesel".

We have had two gas Class A's before we moved on to the diesel rig. I was truly impressed with the Ford V10, and didn't have all the gripes and complaints you read on forums about its ride and handling.

I really don't understand the comment, "Many cannot do winter travel." Would I assume that means Class Cs aren't comfortable enough to snowbird in and spend multiple months in a sunshine state? When camping, my wife and I spend as much time as possible outside. Whether reading a book all day, cooking breakfast and dinner, touring around the region we happen to be in, hiking, biking, or kayaking, or love being outside soaking up free vitamin D. Now, I understand that class A's offer much more interior space and maybe comfort. That is why we have had 3 of them. When we bought our first A in 2008, my wife wanted a C then, but I liked the openness of a Class A. My words to her were "honey, it's not always nice outside when camping". So, 18 camping years later, what we have found out is that when we are indoors in our camper, we spend 85% of our time, besides sleeping, sitting at the dinette! Three TVs, three Blu-ray players, a comfortable L-shaped convertible sofa, but we sit at the dinette. The Jayco's/Entergra C's we are looking at have the opposed dinette and fold-out sofa—our favorite floor plan. Jayco also has a legless table top, unlike some RVs that have two legs to get in the way of your own.

I have been anti-Thor since early on in our camping time. However, I have read that Thor hasn't ruined Jayco's product line as much as they have with some others. And I would add that I believe they have ruined the Entergra Luxury Class A lineup by trying to fold it into the middle-of-the-road Jayco lineup.n They should have left them as the "luxury division". Even the Entegra Class Cs, which Entegra never even thought of having before, are gussied-up Jayco Cs.

If my wife and I were younger, we would buy a used 3/4 ton pickup and find a nice 30-34-foot fifth wheel. But, at this stage of our lives, we don't want to drive a P/U up as our daily driver, plus the bit more work setting up and taking down at a campsite.

 

[Underboss]

Gas or diesel you are vulnerable to unscrupulous shops. I got out of rvs for a year and got back in with a gasser with the new 7.3 It is a great engine. Hauled ass up grades. What I did not care for was the difference in amenities on the coach and the lack of space for what I was used to. Otherwise it was a pleasure to drive but I still had issues that brought me to the Ford dealer and had to rely on them for honesty.
The V10 was a noisy pos in my opinion, the 7.3 Godzilla is great, unstoppable and relatively quiet.
Good luck in your search

 

[Boat Bum]

As with my boat, my use cannot justify the cost of diesel.

 

[JBright11]

The only hard part I've found regarding servicing my chassis is finding a dealer equipped and willing to work on it. The closest "dealer" that can handle it is Rush truck in OKC, about 200 miles one way from me. I've used them for warranty work and an alignment.

I've been looking at the Dutch Star 3736, floor plan almost the same as my Bay Star...bath and 1/2...but with more exterior space that comes with the DP, oasis, heated floor. The ride is indeed better, quieter, etc.

I've had no issues with the power of the 7.3, the loudness, the fuel economy, or the harshness of the ride that would justify the added expenses and "worry" that would come with the Dutch Star.