nwgs motorhome addiction and therapy thread

[Kubla]

here you are Piratejohn
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Freig...item4d03821a47

lots of miles I know, but cheap

[showkey]

Originally Posted by djb_rh

Going 65MPH just two weeks ago across Kansas in my 2011 Itasca Navion 24J at 110F with a 25MPH headwind and towing a tall 7x16' enclosed trailer with two motorcycles (dual sports) and another 500 pounds of stuff in it, my mileage dropped to 10.5MPG. That's absolutely positively the worst I've seen BY FAR. Two tanks that way, though. :-(

I'm at around 7500 miles on it, so it's still not quite broken in, I'd guess.


--Donnie

17000 miles.........16000 towing.
Mine is 2008 chassis with a 2010 house build...........so I do not have DEF

I do run in 4 gear under the heavy load conditions (huge winds or rolling hill /mountains) using the manual shift function to keep the power up and turbo boost down.

I use the "scan gauge" to monitor engine data ( boost montor) and give a trip computer function.

[Mr.C]

82 27ft Winnebago Brave 6.2 diesel turbo 400 and I get close to 12.5 mpg at 55mph and I absolutely love it. Recently drove up to Sequoia National Forest Big Meadows and back down to the valley and got an average of 10.8mpg on the 128 mile trip. Recently aquired a gear vendors overdrive that I can't wait to install and see where that puts me. I've owned a few 6.2s and know their pains, but if you baby it and drive like a grandma they do just fine. I'd post a pic but I'm restricted.

[DakarNick]

PirateJohn, have you checked out www.rvnetwork.com yet? It's an awesome forum resource for HDTs and large 5th wheels.

Also, their information site is very helpful, www.hhrvresource.com

[BeeCeeGS]

Saw this funky rig today. Mitsu Fuso 4x4 chassis with a fibreglass trailer on the back.

[KSJEEPER]

Originally Posted by BeeCeeGS

Saw this funky rig today. Mitsu Fuso 4x4 chassis with a fibreglass trailer on the back.

I like it, I bet it works pretty well, and didnt cost crazy $$

[dlearl476]

Originally Posted by BeeCeeGS

Saw this funky rig today. Mitsu Fuso 4x4 chassis with a fibreglass trailer on the back.

Thinking about doing that with my Boles Aero and a crew cab Hino or Mitsubishi.

Also contemplating leaving the box to use as a garage/shop and pulling the trailer.

[nwgs]

Originally Posted by Mr.C

82 27ft Winnebago Brave 6.2 diesel turbo 400 and I get close to 12.5 mpg at 55mph and I absolutely love it. Recently drove up to Sequoia National Forest Big Meadows and back down to the valley and got an average of 10.8mpg on the 128 mile trip. Recently aquired a gear vendors overdrive that I can't wait to install and see where that puts me. I've owned a few 6.2s and know their pains, but if you baby it and drive like a grandma they do just fine. I'd post a pic but I'm restricted.

Those diesels are rare to fine,

[runpasthefence]

Originally Posted by Laconic

Found while looking for something totally unrelated.

More here; http://www.winkarch.com/project.php?id=65

This could easily be my most favorite thing ever.

[Poacher Bob]

Originally Posted by BeeCeeGS

Saw this funky rig today. Mitsu Fuso 4x4 chassis with a fibreglass trailer on the back.

The KLR force is strong in this one...

[MudWalker]

One of these has turned up locally at a used car/mechanic shop and it cought our eye yesterday. the unit we saw is all dark blue with the same graphics as above. I don't have any details on the beast but we are really liking what we can see through the windows and walking around. According to the interweb it could be from 2000 to 2004........it is a gasser 454 and has a slide out just behind the driver door. It's bigger than I was thinking we wanted, I've been thinking one of the newer sprinter/merc dually units would do but this one speaks to me.

Anybody know if these are good, bad, ugly?

Advise needed!

[Sasquatch]

I would avoid a 454 at all costs if you intend on keeping it for the long haul. In over 20 years of working in and following the RV industry, they all loose their motors between 50-100k miles. Ok, not all, but most of them. For some reason the 454 is just not suited for consistent heavy loads and high heat. I would go ford or if you go much older, Chrysler 440. But then the problem with the older fords is the transmissions. Absolute garbage. So your a damned if you do, damned if you dont.....

Depending on what you have to spend, for starting around $30k you can get a late 90's, up to about 2001 diesel pusher built on a commercial chassis. Commercial engine, Allison world transmission. MUCH better to drive, and quiet. Mileage a tad better, but depends on how you drive of course.

[MudWalker]

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

I would avoid a 454 at all costs if you intend on keeping it for the long haul. In over 20 years of working in and following the RV industry, they all loose their motors between 50-100k miles. Ok, not all, but most of them. For some reason the 454 is just not suited for consistent heavy loads and high heat. I would go ford or if you go much older, Chrysler 440. But then the problem with the older fords is the transmissions. Absolute garbage. So your a damned if you do, damned if you dont.....

Depending on what you have to spend, for starting around $30k you can get a late 90's, up to about 2001 diesel pusher built on a commercial chassis. Commercial engine, Allison world transmission. MUCH better to drive, and quiet. Mileage a tad better, but depends on how you drive of course.

Thanks for this....................I found out the above unit is going for $40k with 50k miles and is a 2004. The reason I like it is it's looks.........it's not a white shoebox, it has lines and color and like your oldie but goodie has a nice character. The photo above does not due it justice, it really is nice outside.

I've read the consumer reviews on this one and folks like how it drives........soft, smooth, quiet, easy to drive and up to 11 mpg's. I'll look more into the 454 and it's short life which I'm not suprised to hear, although big it's not exactly high tech in this day and age.........diesel just sounds like a better idea..........there is a reason trucks are not gassers and no doubt these units are trucks.

Reality is I don't have $40k and I'm dreaming of the day I will have the scratch to buy one. My wife and I really want to do some traveling and I have finally convinced her the truck & trailer route is not for us, a motorhome is a different animal and one I want to have in my cage (garage).

[David_in_TX]

That trailer is a Casita. Made right here in the Republic of Texas.
http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com/index.html

Originally Posted by BeeCeeGS

Saw this funky rig today. Mitsu Fuso 4x4 chassis with a fibreglass trailer on the back.

[Patrick46]

MudWalker....you guys autta rent an RV for a weekend getaway, and see what it's like.

If you've got kids, there's no better way to travel.

Everybody has their own bunk, they can take seista's while you're bombing down the highway, they can get up and move around and are not confined to the back seat of a car, the visibility is 'usually' awesome, and....you've got a bathroom that can be used while on the road. (a BIG PLUS + if you've got daughters!!)