We have had a lot of good comments throughout the course of this series of posts on finding the ideal DP. In this post, I am going to list the first 10 topics that were brought up, along with my thoughts on the subject. I would like to hear from all of you about your thoughts and experience with each topic. When we are finished, we should have a pretty good start on a roadmap for finding the ideal DP.
1. hydraulic vs. electric slides
Since I have only had electric slides, I can’t offer an opinion on hydraulic slides. I would like to open this one up for comments. Has anyone had hydraulic slides and is willing to offer an opinion? What would really be nice is if someone has had both and can offer a comparison of the operation.
2. three point vs. four point leveling
I have had both 3 and 4 point leveling systems. I understand the advantage and disadvantage of each. After using both systems, I think I prefer the three point over the 4 point jacks. This is not a hard core feeling, just slightly tipped in that direction.
3. electric vs. hydraulic vs. air leveling
Here is another situation where my experience is limited, specifically to hydraulic leveling systems. I would welcome comments on the other two systems from actual users, and particularly from those who have experience with two or even three of the systems.
4. single piece vs. split windshield.
Although I have only experienced the split windshield, I can understand the desire for a large, single piece windshield. The downside is obviously replacement cost. I recently had to have one side of my windshield replaced and I think the glass was about $250, plus the labor. I have heard horror stories about the cost of replacing a large, one piece windshield, but if you are willing to accept that possibility, the view is awesome.
5. rubber roof vs. fiberglass
I have had two coaches with rubber roofs and have never had a problem. I do spend a lot of time maintaining my roof and understand why the fiberglass roof is preferable. I think this is a hands down win for the fiberglass roof.
6. king size vs. queen size bed
Linda and I both prefer the queen size bed. I guess that is partly because we are both small stature and don’t really need the larger bed. We prefer the extra floor space we get with the smaller bed. However, I cannot fault anyone who wants, or needs a larger bed.
7. 2 vs. 3 vs 4 vs full wall slide
I have already written about my feelings concerning full wall slides. I think it is a waste of space and carrying capacity without providing any significant advantage. Maybe someday a manufacturer will come out with a good floorplan using a full wall slide. Until then, I am not a believer.
8. freightliner vs. Spartan chassis
Both of my motorhomes have been on Spartan chassis’s and I am a believer that Spartan produces a high quality product. I have no experience with Freightliner, but I am told by owners that they too produce a high quality product. I don’t know that there is any clear winner here.
9. solid axle vs. independent front suspension
My first motorhome had a solid front axle and my current motorhome has independent front suspension. Based on this experience, I will state that IFS provides a better ride and I highly recommend this system.
10. battery charger that charges both battery sets.
Is there a manufacturer that provides a system that reliably provides a charge for the chassis battery bank during long stays? I hear a lot of problems described on the various forums concerning systems that don’t properly charge chassis batteries. I have been a victim of this also and a while back I added the Xantrex Echo Charge which does a fine job.
Well, that is it for now. Let the discussion begin and I will see you next time.
Larry
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Stanley
Modern mining mehodts are very different, and much safer. Fewer than 5 miners have died nationwide this year, and most of those from small wildcat or family owned mines. MSHA is more proactive and rigorous in it’s safety enforcement than even OSHA.I know this because I went through the MSHA safety program this year, and got to observe mine safety in several sites for a long contract this Summer.Since the 1800 s, I hope the locations you visited have re-established their biomes.
Soufian
You mentioned Medicare and how it afftecs full-time RVers. How about writing an article so we all can have the knowledge of how it will affect us once we get out on the road. My hubby has Medicare and I will have it in the next few years.
Scot Haberman
About the slides, I would not want my refrigerator on a slide. Without a vent to the roof, it tends to get much hotter in the compartment. I had to install a fan that kicks on after a specific temperature is reached in order to keep it cooler. Once I did that, I noticed that the fridge stays much cooler in warmer weather.
larrycad
miles 28, interesting that you would ask about the rubber roof care. The roof on my motorhome is 10 years old and when I was up on the roof early this spring, it was beginning to show it’s age. I always try to keep it clean and have used the manufacturer’s conditioner, but it was getting me worried. After researching options, I ended up using liquid EPDM from
http://www.epdmcoatings.com/index.html
I have to say that I am VERY pleased with the results. I took some photos and plan to do an article on this product in the near future.
Larry
Gene
My MH is not a DP, but is 35ft Class A with a hydrological powered four jack system, which is controlled by an electrical “box”. The control system has been nothing but a problem in that it is subject to control valve relay burnouts. Have on two occasions been unable to retract a jack when parked. This requires crawling under the rig to manually shift the valve–always carry and old set of clothes. Fortunately the bulk of the failures were failure to extend.
Manuel Enos
Have seen very little difference between Spartan or Freight Liner Chassis. They both give great rides. We have a 2000 Dutchstar with Spartan, hydraulic jacks, queen bed, one big slide up front and we love it. I may drive this one for 27,000 more miles before I trade it, especially getting 14mpg – may just keep it forever with the economy being what it is can’t affort the big layout for a new Dutchstar in todays market. I’ve seen a lot of new coaches that just do not match up to our 2000 Newmar Dutchstar and they have alot more plastic junk in them..Our previous Newmar had a Freight Liner Chassis and it was great also. To each his own…
Barbara
We have had 2 diesel pushers, a 2004 33′ Kountry Star and now a 2009 37′ Dutch Star that we’ve put over 10,000 miles on since July 2009.
Both have electric slides – no problems to date; we have one slide up front and 2 rear – I don’t want my appliances on a slide. Queen size bed suits us fine (my husband is 6’2″, I’m 5’6″), and in our size coach a king would take up too much room.
We have had rubber roofs on both coaches – my husband keeps it clean; we use the manufacturer recommended cleaner and conditioner – no problems.
We like our 4-point leveling system – we had hydraulic leveling on the Kountry Star, opted for electric on our new coach – the system on the 2009 coach, while by the same manufacturer as the 2004 (Atwood), has an “auto” option for leveling that works really well – we just turn it on and push the “Auto” button and it levels us. We’ve been in some pretty un-level sites, and it’s worked well – much easier than manually leveling, running back and forth to check front-back and side-side position with the level. For manual levelling, the labeling on the control unit is much more intuitive than on the earlier model.
Our 2004 was on a Freightliner chassis – now we have a Spartan with “Comfort Drive” – it is so easy to drive – I just point it down the road and go. When backing, the automatic wheel centering feature is great. We both drive, and we both find teh Spartan chassis a huge improvement over the Freightliner (which was a huge improvement over the rented gas-powered unit we started with).
Divided vs single windshield – we LOVE our single windshield. Since most of our travel is to see the beauty of this county, we are willing to risk a high replacement cost should it ever be necessary.
Happy travels,
Tom and Barbara
Clifford Miles
I would like to ask the experience Motor Home campers about the best way to take care of a rubber roof, is there anything I need to do other than clean it. I used Murph Oil soap to clean it this spring it did a real good job. I got this information right here also I used liqid Spic @ Span to clean the black strreaks it did a good job also. Thanks for the info.
miles28
larrycad
Thanks for the comments. I love the fact that we are getting comments from those with actual experience, and I’m sure those reading this thread, that are contemplating purchase of a new coach, really appreciate the experience of others.
Larry
Barry Engleman
Larry:
We had a DP that had 2 hydraulic slides and one electric. I never had a problem with the hydraulic slides but I did have to put a new motor on the electric. We now have all electric slides on our Dutch Star. They are slow but seem to be very dependable.
Our old DP had 3 point leveling. Our Dutch Star has four point. I think four point is a little harder to adjust but I really think four point give the coach more stability when strong winds are around.
We’ve always wanted a single windshield but we have never made it the deciding factor so we have always ended up with a split.
Our old DP had three slides, two for the bedroom and one up front. We now have 3 sildes, two up front and one for the bedroom. 3 is plenty. The two up front makes all the difference.
Our old DP had a queen bed we really liked. We had the new king cut down to a queen and we really like the extra room it gives us.
Our old DP had a freightliner chassis. Our Dutch Star has a Spartan chassis. The Dutch Star is much easier to drive, especially in the wind but I don’t know exactly if that is a difference in Freightliner vs Spartan or something else.
I have always used a batteryminder on my chassis batteries during long sits. The Dutch Star will supposedly charge the chassis batteries when the coach batteries are fully charged. We’ll see.
Those are my experiences.
Thanks
Barry
Bob Velon
As for an ideal Diesel Pusher just what is ideal with all the options that are out there today. We have Rockwood D.P. that is just a basic motorhome without slideouts or fancy options. It suits us just fine and has been a fine motorhome. I have discovered if I stay at 55 I can get 12 miles per gallon… Not bad for a 31 ft motorhome.
Charlie Romine
I have a 40 ft. 2005 Tiffin Phaeton with a 350 cat. diesel pusher, 4 electric slides, hydraulic leveling system , king size bed. I have not had any problems with anything. If I were to purchase another, it would be the make.
Love a Tiffin !
Garth Torwalt
Just a comment on the ideal DP. We currently have an ’08 39Z Winnebago Journey and love it. Handles a little funny but we are addressing that. Follow this site religiously. Share many of your ideals regarding the perfect DP. Alot of the thoughts to incorporate will take much research and developement but progress is made every year, some will fall in the positive catagory and some will fall negative.
I would like to see one very small addition which will take no R&D, A small fresh water level gauge mounted in the outside compartment. This would be very helpful when going for a weekend and not wanting to competly fill or even when I do want to fill. Now I am running inside and checking the panel gauge.
Not a big deal just a small addition that would not take a lot to incorporate at the mfg. level.
Thanks
Garth
Mel
1. hydraulic vs. electric slides
Since I have only had electric slides, I can’t offer an opinion on hydraulic slides. I would like to open this one up for comments. Has anyone had hydraulic slides and is willing to offer an opinion? What would really be nice is if someone has had both and can offer a comparison of the operation.
I have had Both and here is my own observation. The Hydralic slides were faster retracting and extending. were very smooth. But they were a maintenance nightmare. Hydralic lines vibrating loose, leaking hydralic fluid and lines breaking. pump and pump motor was located in the front section, so lines had to be run a long ways. Hydralic ram seals.
The Electric slides are slower to extend or retract. minimal maintenance lube the rails once every 6 months with slide lube. house batteries have to be in good shape. Never had a problem with Electric. Cheaper to maintain.