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diesel pushers are nice, certainly cuts down on a lot of issues, But now you need to get it hook up to tow a small truck/car.
That's why I don't pick it up until next week; yesterday I purchased a toad (a fancy lower mileage 14 Honda CRV, with extensive Honda maintenance records). I really choked when I found out what it costs' (parts/ labor) to set it all up for towing, almost $5K. Spending my kids inheritance money.
Apparently the front end of many toads need to be removed so the "bracket" can be frame mounted. In my case 11 hours labor - which also includes setting them both up for braking (air brakes on the coach).
Mostly I made the swap for better maneuverability - my yard is a grassy 250' uphill climb - and very tight side to side while dodging trees (I need to turn it around before parking it). Trying to back it up from the street (unsuccessful) only resulted in lots of lost grass.
Secondly I always felt that pull along campers (bumper mount, fifth wheels) were of a lower build level (but not cheaply priced); I cringe when running over rough roads, leading to broken suspension components, stuff on the floor, etc.
Plus there was a lust factor when a big Prevost bus parks alongside of me (OK, it's only a Tiffin, but it's still a motorhome).
Mostly I made the swap for better maneuverability - my yard is a grassy 250' uphill climb - and very tight side to side while dodging trees (I need to turn it around before parking it). Trying to back it up from the road (unsuccessful) only resulted in lots of lost grass.
Secondly I always felt that pull along campers (bumper mount, fifth wheels) were of a lower build level (but not cheaply priced); I cringe when running over rough roads, leading to broken suspension components, stuff on the floor, etc.
Plus the envy factor when a big Prevost bus parks alongside of me (OK, it's only a Tiffin, but it's still a class A motorhome.
Thank you!
Maneuverability is a huge topic for us, because it's difficult to get into our property with anything longer than 24ft. We know because that's the trailer we use for hauling hay. We have to get in backwards (not in one swing, lol). Anything shorter is ok. Diesel pusher are not cheap though and don't provide as much space as a fiver does.
"Diesel pusher are not cheap though and don't provide as much space as a fiver does."
That would depend on both the fifth and the specific DP. My outgoing fifth is 42' with five slides (4 smaller, 1 larger), so yes it offered significant room. However this motorhome is 40' and has 4 slides (2 larger, 2 med.). In theory it may be smaller - but not by an observable amount.
Another thing, despite my fifth providing an additional two open pass thru storage bays (underneath its' elevated rear bedroom), this motorhome provides even more (all wider and taller / environmentally controlled) underneath storage.
The advantage for me is two-fold: the much shorter distance between the steering and pivoting axles (minus a tow vehicle on front) and the fact that if I choose to back it into my yard its drive wheels would be pulling rather than pushing (vs using my tow vehicle); hopefully not tearing up the grass.
Reported MPGs on my new rig are 7-8 pushing; w/ my observed dually pulling was 8-9 mpg.
I'll soon see how it works out.
"Diesel pusher are not cheap though and don't provide as much space as a fiver does."
That would depend on both the fifth and the specific DP. My outgoing fifth is 42' with five slides (4 smaller, 1 larger), so yes it offered significant room. However this motorhome is 40' and has 4 slides (2 larger, 2 med.). In theory it may be smaller - but not by an observable amount.
Sure you'll need to compare space with something similar in length but I was talking about perception. It's my perception that fifth wheels give you the feel of being more spacious. Also, your 40ft DP has less livable space due to the driver area upfront. Yeah, the driver and passenger seats swivel around, but still it not what you have in a living room. Again, all about perception. But all comes down on how you feel in it. And if the DP checks all the boxes, then why not?
Compared to my fifth I'm not convinced that I'm loosing any usable space; the front end of the motorhome is loaded with overhead cabinets and holds 1 (of the 4) TVs.
I didn't intend to hijack this page, MODS please move it to its own story-line.
Compared to my fifth I'm not convinced that I'm loosing any usable space; the front end of the motorhome is loaded with overhead cabinets and holds 1 (of the 4) TVs.
I didn't intend to hijack this page, MODS please move it to its own story-line.
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Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
