Looking for our first RV

[RCDave]

The 330 HP would be a deal breaker for me if I was going to tow anything. Personally I wouldn't do anything under 380 HP.

I've driven a 8.3l 330hp with the 1050lb ft. Its not bad but personally prefer the 8.9l with 400-450 hp and 1200ft lb. Definitely better than a 7.2l cat or smaller cummins like the 5.9 or 6.7...

The issue is RD has to have the bunk house. So something will likely be a bit of a compromise

 

[wallnutz]

I've driven a 8.3l 330hp with the 1050lb ft. Its not bad but personally prefer the 8.9l with 400-450 hp and 1200ft lb.

The issue is RD has to have the bunk house. So something will likely be a bit of a compromise

I have the 400HP version of the 8.9 and love it. Tows my 24' enclosed weighing in at about 8000#s great. Just got back from Idaho averaged 7 mpg.

 

[RiverDave]

So I think we have kinda settled into the Gulf Stream super nova..

they will tow 15k no problem, and seem to check all the boxes without breaking the bank?

 

[RiverDave]

I don’t know where we are going to use it. If I had to guess most the time within 20 miles of Havasu just for weekend camping.

However I plan on doing a bunch of the speed utv runs. When you buy the white glove warranty they setup like 4-5 trips to various spots like Moab, glamis, and others.. so I figured we’d go give Thst a shot.
As well we are pretty adventurous so we wouldn’t hesitate to just hop in and go if we had one here.. especially during the really hot summer weekends

 

[RCDave]

So I think we have kinda settled into the Gulf Stream super nova..

they will tow 15k no problem, and seem to check all the boxes without breaking the bank?

They are nice but I don't think it will tow 15k easily. Whether it be the 8.1l gas or 6.6l duramax. Maybe 7- 10k lbs before it struggles and is over its gcwr

 

[RCDave]

I have the 400HP version of the 8.9 and love it. Tows my 24' enclosed weighing in at about 8000#s great. Just got back from Idaho averaged 7 mpg.

Mine has the 8.l 425hp 1250ft lb. It averages 8mpg. Not too bad given its almost always towing a car or boat

 

[kiwi77]

Get the Foretravel U320 with N11 power. Top notch!

 

[rivrrts429]

I don’t know where we are going to use it. If I had to guess most the time within 20 miles of Havasu just for weekend camping.

However I plan on doing a bunch of the speed utv runs. When you buy the white glove warranty they setup like 4-5 trips to various spots like Moab, glamis, and others.. so I figured we’d go give Thst a shot.
As well we are pretty adventurous so we wouldn’t hesitate to just hop in and go if we had one here.. especially during the really hot summer weekends

A lot of those came with the Navistar motor. You don’t want those. Think Ford 6.0 technology.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I don’t know where we are going to use it. If I had to guess most the time within 20 miles of Havasu just for weekend camping.

However I plan on doing a bunch of the speed utv runs. When you buy the white glove warranty they setup like 4-5 trips to various spots like Moab, glamis, and others.. so I figured we’d go give Thst a shot.
As well we are pretty adventurous so we wouldn’t hesitate to just hop in and go if we had one here.. especially during the really hot summer weekends

Buy a 5th wheel and rent a diesel pusher when you travel a couple times a year. You already have the F350.

For camping within 20 miles from home hook the enclosed trailer to the Suburban and tow the 5th wheel with the F350.

 

[RiverDave]

They are nice but I don't think it will tow 15k easily. Whether it be the 8.1l gas or 6.6l duramax. Maybe 7- 10k lbs before it struggles and is over its gcwr

We talking about the same deals? These look like semi trucks wkth a toter / motorhome combo deal..

Not this one but one like this

2008 Gulf Stream SuperNova 6400SN Grand Hotel, Class C RV For Sale in Riverside, California | RVT.com - 175156

Used 2008 Gulf Stream SuperNova 6400SN Grand Hotel, Class C For Sale in Riverside, California POP RVs 172480 Description: - View this and other quality Class C at RVT.com Online Classifieds trader.

www.rvt.com

 

[RiverDave]

Buy a 5th wheel and rent a diesel pusher when you travel a couple times a year. You already have the F350.

For camping within 20 miles from home hook the enclosed trailer to the Suburban and tow the 5th wheel with the F350.

I already have the enclosed.. although I could see changing it depending on costs to make it what I want.

having already had a trailer we definitely want a motorhome.

 

[fmo24]

At a minimum the 9liter with the size trailer he is talking. My 40 Discovery has the ISL 9 380 horse. I drove a 44 American Coach with the 600 horse ISX 15 liter and what a difference lol of course it was another 150 thou

 

[RCDave]

We talking about the same deals? These look like semi trucks wkth a toter / motorhome combo deal..

Not this one but one like this

2008 Gulf Stream SuperNova 6400SN Grand Hotel, Class C RV For Sale in Riverside, California | RVT.com - 175156

Used 2008 Gulf Stream SuperNova 6400SN Grand Hotel, Class C For Sale in Riverside, California POP RVs 172480 Description: - View this and other quality Class C at RVT.com Online Classifieds trader.

www.rvt.com

Those are nice and became a popular chassis when Chevy discountined their super c chassis. Most of those came with a 300hp diesel

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I already have the enclosed.. although I could see changing it depending on costs to make it what I want.

having already had a trailer we definitely want a motorhome.

I get it. It is just a lot of maintenance on an extra drivetrain for a few “long” trips per year.

 

[RiverDave]

Those are nice and became a popular chassis when Chevy discountined their super c chassis. Most of those came with a 300hp diesel

the ads on a couple I read said tows 15k?

 

[RiverDave]

Here’s is another example and says 15k towing

2008 Gulf Stream Supernova Class C RV - rvs - by owner - vehicle...

2008 Gulf Stream Supernova 6400 Class C International 40' RV Private Owner; Nevada Registration;...

stockton.craigslist.org

 

[2FORCEFULL]

Here’s is another example and says 15k towing

2008 Gulf Stream Supernova Class C RV - rvs - by owner - vehicle...

2008 Gulf Stream Supernova 6400 Class C International 40' RV Private Owner; Nevada Registration;...

stockton.craigslist.org

thats the rating on the hitch,... so no mater what it's bolted to, it will pull 15000 lbs..that doesn't mean the coach can pull that much, you have to weigh the coch and subtrach the loaded vech weight..

 

[RCDave]

Here’s is another example and says 15k towing

2008 Gulf Stream Supernova Class C RV - rvs - by owner - vehicle...

2008 Gulf Stream Supernova 6400 Class C International 40' RV Private Owner; Nevada Registration;...

stockton.craigslist.org

They came with a 300hp diesel with 530ft lb. The hitch may be rated for 15000 lbs but the gcwr is only 33000 lbs. I think it would struggle with 15k lbs. A 5 -8k trailer would likely be more within its reasonable capabilities

 

[Taboma]

They came with a 300hp diesel with 530ft lb. The hitch may be rated for 15000 lbs but the gcwr is only 33000 lbs. I think it would struggle with 15k lbs. A 5 -8k trailer would likely be more within its reasonable capabilities

All the used ones of those I see have the International VT365, Navstar 6.0 --- that number sends up a red flag or three.

 

[wallnutz]

I have the 400HP version of the 8.9 and love it. Tows my 24' enclosed weighing in at about 8000#s great. Just got back from Idaho averaged 7 mpg.

I was wrong, mine is a 9L, but is 400 HP.

 

[RiverDave]

All the used ones of those I see have the International VT365, Navstar 6.0 --- that number sends up a red flag or three.

not a good motor?

 

[Flying_Lavey]

We talking about the same deals? These look like semi trucks wkth a toter / motorhome combo deal..

Not this one but one like this

2008 Gulf Stream SuperNova 6400SN Grand Hotel, Class C RV For Sale in Riverside, California | RVT.com - 175156

Used 2008 Gulf Stream SuperNova 6400SN Grand Hotel, Class C For Sale in Riverside, California POP RVs 172480 Description: - View this and other quality Class C at RVT.com Online Classifieds trader.

www.rvt.com

Looking at the wiring on that thing, I'd be shocked if it doesn't have shorts galore!

not a good motor?

Ford 6.0. Navistar made all Ford Diesels up until the 6.7

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Tapatalk

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

not a good motor?

Heard of Ford 6.0 problems? Same engine.

 

[Boat Potato]

We looked at the 33.3 thor Palazzos too. They are a decent entry level pusher. Just didnt have a lot of living space.

 

[1tonfun]

I have lurked here for a long time so here is my take for what its worth. Run away from the Super Nova on the international chassis. 6.0 liter is under powered not to mention everything everyone has pointed out above about that engine. Good friend of mine owns a Super Nova and it has a hard time getting out of its own way with a flat bed and his SXS behind it. Top speed is about 69 mph as well. It has a leaf spring rear suspension and rides like shit. Look for something built on the Freightliner chassis like the Dynamax X3. They have air ride and a bigger truck engine instead of a diesel pickup motor in them. The super nova is a 6.0 that was used in F-250 and F-350 pickups from 2006 until they came out with the 6.4.

Saw this today and thought of this thread, checked the details and they took out the bunks and converted it to office space which doesn't work for your family.

2014 Dynamax Corp DX3 37BHHD

2014 Dynamax Corp DX3 37BHHD RV for sale in Arizona. Find more Dynamax Corp DX3 Class C RVs at RV AZ Corral, your Mesa AZ RV dealer.

www.rvaz.com

 

[ArizonaKevin]

I have lurked here for a long time so here is my take for what its worth. Run away from the Super Nova on the international chassis. 6.0 liter is under powered not to mention everything everyone has pointed out above about that engine. Good friend of mine owns a Super Nova and it has a hard time getting out of its own way with a flat bed and his SXS behind it. Top speed is about 69 mph as well. It has a leaf spring rear suspension and rides like shit. Look for something built on the Freightliner chassis like the Dynamax X3. They have air ride and a bigger truck engine instead of a diesel pickup motor in them. The super nova is a 6.0 that was used in F-250 and F-350 pickups from 2006 until they came out with the 6.4.

Saw this today and thought of this thread, checked the details and they took out the bunks and converted it to office space which doesn't work for your family.

2014 Dynamax Corp DX3 37BHHD

2014 Dynamax Corp DX3 37BHHD RV for sale in Arizona. Find more Dynamax Corp DX3 Class C RVs at RV AZ Corral, your Mesa AZ RV dealer.

www.rvaz.com

Had a feeling you would chime in on this thread! Could RD get an older Class 8 RV for the $100k number?

 

[RodnJen]

Like someone said, look closely at how a residential fridge can be used.

Residential Fridges In Boondocking RVs - Updated Summer 2017 — Live Small | Ride Free - Sustainable Solar Powered RV

Folks are getting really excited about residential fridges in RVs. Seems like a lot of this is driven by the desire for larger, more feature-rich refrigerators. But the move away from 2-way and 3-way fridges is exciting to boondockers like us, too. If you’ve been wondering what it takes to run a res

www.livesmallridefree.com

 

[1tonfun]

Had a feeling you would chime in on this thread! Could RD get an older Class 8 RV for the $100k number?

There is one on race dezert right now for $120k but it is not a bunk house model. It's a 2007 Renegade

 

[v6toy4x]

not a good motor?

NO not a good choice you will be UNDERPOWERED, you will not be happy a year from now.

 

[v6toy4x]

I have lurked here for a long time so here is my take for what its worth. Run away from the Super Nova on the international chassis. 6.0 liter is under powered not to mention everything everyone has pointed out above about that engine. Good friend of mine owns a Super Nova and it has a hard time getting out of its own way with a flat bed and his SXS behind it. Top speed is about 69 mph as well. It has a leaf spring rear suspension and rides like shit. Look for something built on the Freightliner chassis like the Dynamax X3. They have air ride and a bigger truck engine instead of a diesel pickup motor in them. The super nova is a 6.0 that was used in F-250 and F-350 pickups from 2006 until they came out with the 6.4.

Saw this today and thought of this thread, checked the details and they took out the bunks and converted it to office space which doesn't work for your family.

2014 Dynamax Corp DX3 37BHHD

2014 Dynamax Corp DX3 37BHHD RV for sale in Arizona. Find more Dynamax Corp DX3 Class C RVs at RV AZ Corral, your Mesa AZ RV dealer.

www.rvaz.com

Dont think he will get the DX3 at 100

 

[FishSniper]

NO not a good choice you will be UNDERPOWERED, you will not be happy a year from now.

Yup I had a friend buy a gas Phaeton last year told him to get the diesel he didn’t listen. Less then a year later traded in the gasser for a diesel. Costly lesson though.

 

[v6toy4x]

take out the pass side sofa and build in bunks

2005 Renegade 3200DM toterhome

2005 Freightliner Columbia Chassis (95K total miles)Renegade 3200DM floor plan with Large side slide and rear closet slideMercedes 450HP 1550lb ft.12.8 liter (pre emission)12 speed meritor autoshif...click to see more of this listing

classifieds.race-dezert.com

 

[1tonfun]

Here is the one on race dezert. Don't know if you want something this big, overall length is 42-43' but it won't know you have a boat or trailer behind it

2005 Renegade 3200DM toterhome

2005 Freightliner Columbia Chassis (95K total miles)Renegade 3200DM floor plan with Large side slide and rear closet slideMercedes 450HP 1550lb ft.12.8 liter (pre emission)12 speed meritor autoshif...click to see more of this listing

classifieds.race-dezert.com

What ever you buy, check the date code on the tires, especially if it is 4+ years old. You will dry rot the tires off one of these rigs before you come close to wearing them out. I just replaced mine today and they were six years old and I was pushing my luck, they were starting to show cracks in the sidewall. If they are getting close to 4 years old, work a new set into the deal if you can. You can usually get 5 years out of them, not worth waiting for one to fail, they tear everything up when they go.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

They came with a 300hp diesel with 530ft lb. The hitch may be rated for 15000 lbs but the gcwr is only 33000 lbs. I think it would struggle with 15k lbs. A 5 -8k trailer would likely be more within its reasonable capabilities

530 ft pounds? Really? No way in hell you could tow 15k with that.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

I would look into a used renegade, showhauler or Haulmark, ours was rated to tow 30k with the Cascadia chassis.

 

[v6toy4x]

 

[fmo24]

View attachment 924725
View attachment 924725

Looks close to 14ft tall. I duck my head under some bridges in our 13 ft tall coach lol

 

[1tonfun]

I have the same floor plan as the 3200DM but different manufacturer, the couch on the passenger side flips down into a bed, the sofa on the drivers side is a hide a bed. Not sure if this has the hide a bed or if both sofa's are the flip down style. Not quite as fancy as the newer ones but the build quality is far superior to the production line coaches built today. If you want to talk to someone local about one of these hit up Walt, he has owned them all and can give you an honest opinion about them.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

LOL this is escalating quickly

 

[Icky]

View attachment 924725 View attachment 924725

What is that, or who makes it

 

[wallnutz]

6-11-23-45-56 powerball 16
Thursday morning go buy the biggest and baddest

 

[caribbean20]

Haven’t seen it mentioned. Beware of engine heat off the motor box in the cabin in Class C. I rode shotgun many times in buddy’s Thor with Ford Triton V-10. Gets hot up there. His wife finally said no after 2 years and he traded it in for a Freightliner deisel. It was that bad.

 

[Dr Rob]

not a good motor?

Dave do not buy that Navistar. You will regret this purchase

 

[v6toy4x]

What is that, or who makes it

Its a Pace arrow one off 6x6 conversion, I just saw it on race dezert

2005 Pace Arrow

2005 Pace Arrow6 x 6Restored TitleNeeds some motor repair...click to see more of this listing

classifieds.race-dezert.com

 

[rivrrts429]

I love how RD needs a full blown diesel puller for his kids’ RZR 170 now [emoji16]

 

[DaveC]

It was mentioned earlier but look at the transmission in the pusher as that really determines the GVWR and GCWR. I noticed to really tow something heavy it needs to be an Allison 3000 tranny or better

The tow capacity is the GCWR minus the loaded weight of the coach. It must be weighted. those pushers are heavy even before you put thousands of pounds of people, gear, beer, fuel and water.

Then there are axle ratings and tires but no time for that shit.

Some pushers have a GCWR of 33,000 lbs with an unloaded weight in the low 20 thousand #’s.. So by the time it’s loaded it can legally tow less than 10,000 lbs

If you go up market with larger motors and better tranny then the GCWR goes way up. Now it can really tow heavy.

If I had to do it over I would buy an Aria. (ISB with the 3500)

 

[1tonfun]

Dont think he will get the DX3 at 100

Your probably right, finding a DX3 with the bed over the cab is almost a unicorn. There is a DX3 bunk house in Texas for $129k but it lacks the bed over the cab.

 

[rush1]

So this thing is a little pricey but it checks all the boxes?
not sure about the windows / door with the blinds I’m the bathroom?

2005 Monaco Knight, Bakersfield CA - - RVtrader.com

Check out this 2005 Monaco Knight listing in Bakersfield, CA 93311 on RVtrader.com. It is a Class A and is for sale at $79990.

www.rvtrader.com

Nope ,you don't want that .When it comes to Monaco /Holiday Rambler you only want the products manufacturered in the Coburg plant ,Signature series, Executive, Dynasty,Navigator, Imperial

 

[Riverguy553]

Tiffin Phaeton are very nice, I just picked one up. 2008 40QSH

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

Dave you should be able to get a early Seneca freightliner just over $100k, look for the FS floorplan

RVs For Sale - RV Trader

RVs For Sale: 236 RVs - Find RVs on RV Trader.

www.rvtrader.com