The first thing I have to do is apologize for my recent absence from the blog. Unfortunately, we had a death in the family and due to complications, it has taken a long time to get things straightened out. Linda and I are now back home, settled in, and I finally got the grass mowed (or harvested), which ever you prefer.
In this post we are going to list the next 10 items on our list of considerations when looking to purchase a DP (diesel pusher). Most of these points were submitted by readers of the blog along with my personal thoughts on that particular item.
21. basement freezer
I don’t own a freezer at home and don’t see any need to have one taking up space in my motorhome basement. I have always felt that a freezer was sort of like a hall closet, someplace to store stuff that you MAY need sometime in the future. I don’t consider a freezer to be a money saver as some do, and any savings you might get from buying a larger quantity will be offset by the cost of operating a freezer, not to mention the stuff in the bottom that you never use and eventually throw away.
22. small footprint surround sound/dvd
This is a personal mission of mine. Since my motorhome is 10 years old, I don’t have a lot of space in the front overhead compartment for sound equipment. I have been looking for a small, home theatre system that will fit and thus far I have failed to find one.
23. in dash GPS
I don’t like factory supplied in-dash GPS systems because they charge too much for what you get and with the rapid advances in technology an in-dash GPS will be obsolete within a couple years. Unfortunately the investment will have been made and it will be difficult to justify a new, more modern one.
24. side hinge vs. top hinge vs. pantograph hinge doors
I guess my order of preference here is pantograph first, followed by side hinge, and top hinge last. Others may have a different preference, but that is mine. Again unfortunately, my motorhome has the top hinge variation which is my cross to bear.
25. typical front door vs. mid entry
I continue to wonder why DP manufacturers do not use the side entry floorplan. I think there are several advantages to this floorplan, including that your entry door is located under the awning. I have seen several gas floorplans that would really be nice in a DP. Right now I think it is just a matter of going with the flow, so to speak.
26. raised rail chassis
Anyone who is looking for a DP should certainly check out the basement storage situation and decide for themselves what is acceptable. However, the raised rail type chassis certainly is a good way to increase basement storage capacity.
27. get rid of phone plug
Is there anyone who actually uses the land line phone jack in their motorhome?
28. hydro hot vs. normal water heater/heat
I hear so many complaints about the smoke from a hydro hot system, I would really hesitate to have one in my motorhome. Unfortunately most of the complaints I hear are from the poor folks who are parked in the spot next to the owner of the hydro hot.
29. automatic awning vs. manual awning
I am not 100% convinced that automatic awnings are the “end all”. I guess if the auto retract with wind sensor system is functioning, it would be ok. I look at the automatic awnings and they just don’t look sturdy to me.
30. top mounted mirrors vs. bottom mounted
I have bottom mounted mirrors and like them. I have heard the top mounted mirrors vibrate more. I don’t know if this is true or not and would like to hear from others on it.
31. top mounted vs. bottom mounted windshield wipers
I kinda like the top mounted wipers arrangement better than bottom. I don’t have top mounted wipers, but suspect that windshield cleaning would be easier.
That just about does it for this time around. Next post we will conclude our list, and then review what we have discussed thus far. I am trying to decide if I want to nominate any particular DP that I have seen, or been in, as being the closest to perfect. Gonna have to think about that. Until then,
good camping.
Larry
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larrycad
Lee,
-I-O!!! Goooooo Buckeyes.
Nice plane. Most of my hours are in a 172. Did my commercial and CFI in an Arrow, spin training in a 150 Aerobat. Haven’t done much flying lately. Doing most of my traveling in the RV. Remember, keep the shiny side up and the dirty side down.
Larry
Lee Ensminger
Larry, thanks for the updated response. That DOES explain the pantograph doors! I looked up pantograph and could only find definitions describing it as a writing device for reproducing signatures. The aircraft is our 1959 straight-tail Cessna 172, another of my favorite ways to travel and see the country. And something I forgot in my last post: O-H! You must know the correct response since you’re wearing the shirt I see in your photo. Also, you’re absolutely right that the Hydro-Hot unit eats up at least part of the bay space gained by no LP tank. I’m sorry you’ve gotten such a bad impression of them. I think ours is wonderful. But I’ll also agree that the technology of LP hot water heaters and furnaces is pretty bulletproof these days. I’ll look forward to your continuing installments with interest.
larrycad
Lee Ensminger, upon re-reading your comment, I realized two things: first, is that a 150 in the picture? second, I forgot to explain pantograph. That is what I call the doors you see on the side of the “big” busses, like the Prevost, etc, that open upand then lay flat up against the side of the bus. Don’t know if that explains it, but hope it helps.
Geoffrey Pruett
Items 22 & 31 bring up comments, finding a compact,(moderate power level) surround sound is a problem, they are practical to build, just do not seem to be on the shelves anywhere. My hearing is suffering from the years and those tin coned speakers build into TV/Monitors only get muddy when pushed. The last two manufacturers who put out usable built in sound found sales poor due to the high background noise levels on the sales floor making demo near impossible so after market, also hard to demo, is the only choice. On mirrors the best for stress level is the worst for style, the full U bar west coast style. They are not pretty but they will keep the flanks of your rig pretty and make close quarter driving much less of a headache. They can also be slid up of down to match the drivers preffered seat position instead of the other way around removing the hard choice of seeing out or seeing the dash cluster.
larrycad
Lee, I have only limited experience with the hydro hot. Once when I was at the American Coach factory for service, there was a newer coach in the service bay next to me with a problem with his hydro hot. All I can tell you is that I was glad I wasn’t parked next to him at a campground. That thing was BELCHING smoke, right out towards my RV. I have followed a number of threads on RV.net where this particular problem has also been discussed. Doesn’t happen all the time, but sure is a nuisance when it does.
Julie, thanks for that report on a use for a phone jack. Never thought of that.
John, a hydro-hot system uses diesel fuel to heat water. You have an endless supply of hot water for your shower. Some also pump heated liquid through hoses in the floor so you can have a warm floor. It also heats the coach. Finally, some are also hooked up to pre-heat the engine as diesels require a lengthy warm up time. By burning diesel fuel, there is the chance that you will get the typical diesel smoke that we all know, but only diesel drivers can love! Apparently this does happen on occasion. The advantage is that you eliminate the need for LP tank for your water heater, and with an additional inverter and some extra batteries, you can completely eliminate the LP tank. The perceived advantage is somewhat lost because you have to devote basement space for the hydro hot unit itself. From what I’ve seen and heard, I’m not a big fan.
Elaine, I hope to be able to provide a complete list summary at the end. However, you can also check back to previous posts to view the complete list.
RolandG, One such coach we really liked is the Mandalay 40E. There are a few others and we will be listing them as we go along. However, we haven’t yet found one that is perfect, or even close, except maybe the one we currently own. 🙂
Walter, good point on the wipers.
Walter
I have top mounted windshield wipers on my gas Class A Pursuit. I really like them when it comes to the view out of the front windshield, but the draw back comes when you want to pull them away from the windshield to clean it, in which case you need to get a step ladder to get reach them.
RolandG
Larry, I like the suggestions and comments of this blog on DP. I am a 5th wheel owner, but looking at a DP. Many suggestions given added to my shopping must have or not. For those looking at electric awnings, I thought that would have been a wise choice for me without the sensor. I was wrong! The awning is not as sturdy and can not stand up to light winds like the manual ones. Also, electric awning should not be strapped down to the ground.
I would appreciate you giving a list of the DP’s that come closer to your personal suggestions. Personally I like the mid door and total length be be 40′ or less in a DP.
Elaine
Really enjoying all your suggestions. We have a fifthwheel now but really want a DP. My husband LOVES the Allegro Bus but there are some things I’d like that they don’t have. Is there any way you could post a complete list of all 31 items on your list? I’d like to show it to him and “open his eyes” on some items that I’m sure he hasn’t thought about. Thanks so much!
PeterB
We have the automatic awning from A&E. When it rains the water collects on the awning and the motor is not strong enough to close it. This applies even if there is just a small amount of water. I know that it is supposed to tilt and drain the water off, but it doesn’t. We have to hook one end of the awning and tie it down in order to get the tilt required for draining water. That defeats the purpose of the wind sensor automatically closing it during high winds. High winds are defined as anything over 3 mph. By the way John, where do I get my wind sensor fixed for only $300? The last estimate I had from A&E was $489 plus $24 shipping and I have to install it myself. Having had both automatic and manual, I will take the manual awning any day.
John
Wow, Larry!
21) Basment freezer-make it an option. It’s not for purchased food but for trout, deer, bear, salmon, etc. The “catch” as it were. In the south they can use it for “road kill”.
22) Don’t fret, small is out there now. Look at the buttons on your cell phone. New sets have controls with the same size buttons!
23) An in-dash GPS should be programable to get the latest updates just like your cell phone or satelite TV.
24)My doors have side hinges for both the bedroom and bathroom! Basement storage compartments should be configured with the best door swing for the application.
25) I agree on mid or even “aft” doors, but as inconvenient as the current DP front doors are once your in the space where a door could go is used for better seating. I would insist on an “escape door” in the rear that is more user friendly than the window over the bed…I can’t imagine getting my wife’s big…OH I shouldn’t go there!!!!
26) Raised Rail? Like a train trestle? Would this affect the center of gravity (CG) of the coach?
27) GONE! Like “what’s a phone, Jack?”
28) Esplane Hydro Hot? Aguas Caliente? Is this like an instant hot wate heater? Smell? What does it burn, the black water tank?
29) Sturdy, yes, necessary, no! Mine quite retracting when the wind blows so I just use the manual retractor. $300 to fix! Not a chance.
30) I have bottom mounted but top mounted would seem less obstructive becaus they are higher up. If uppers vibrate it would seem like a design flaw from the manufacturer. What do bus and truck drivers say?
31) I have bottom mounted now but I would go with witch ever has the best clearing sq. ft. and park with out obstructing the view.
What we need is a custom DPMH builder who can incorporate all the best chassis features with “custom” layouts and prefrences. We need to demand more than color and couch layout options that we’ve gotten in the past.
Maybe the new Winabago, Monaco and Fleetwood could beat the Chinese, Koreans and Indians to the market with some new rigs made for what we need now.
I’m John Manning and I approve this message, even with the misspellings!
julie rea
I never understood the need for a phone jack either. That is until March. While in Good Year Arizona, we were parked too far from the Wi-fi antenna. They handed us a phone cord to plug in at the site, and run into the MH. I know we will be back there again, and staying in the “back 40”, so would need a phone jack!
Lee Ensminger
Larry, interesting statements and I enjoy your column and the responses. However, when you said that the hydro or aqua-hot causes smoke and you’ve heard many complaints, I was surprised. I’ve never heard or witnessed anything like that. We have a 2004 Travel Supreme DS04 with Hydro-hot and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The versatility of the unit is amazing! I’m wondering if you’ve talked to someone who hasn’t had his diesel burner serviced, or doesn’t use it regularly. Engine preheat, coach heat, unlimited hot water, from diesel OR electric [although the electric doesn’t keep up in freezing climates]. Plus, since we have that and an electric cooktop, our coach is all-electric-no need for LP gas. Which frees up another basement compartment AND eliminates the need to go through the hassle of 1. finding a place to refill LP, and 2. rousting someone who just started their job that day to go through the sometimes-complicated process of refilling the LP. I’m completely with you on the mid-door option. Itasca used to offer a model like that. I hate trying to get large items in and out of that front door. Finally, I don’t understand what you mean by a pantograph basement door. I have both top and side opening doors, and I like the side-opening much better, but please explain pantograph. Thanks!!
Dick Kattenhorn
The stairway on any pusher is a useless area. My preference is to keep it in front and not take that space away from something more useful.
Bill Amick
I’m kind of a novice, having bought a used Monaco Diplomat 1 1/2 years ago, our first motorhome. We love it so far. Some of the things I love/hate are as follows:
LOVE: 2nd vanity in master bedroom. 8 airbag suspension – great ride, comfortable, quiet, and easy to drive. Manual hydraulic leveling – only takes a few minutes and much more control. It’s used – still in good shape but I don’t go crazy if I get a little scrape or something. In-motion satelite (?) – wife loves it. 2 TV’s – one for each of us. 330 HP Cummins has plenty of power and gets almost 10 mpg if driven under 65 mph.
Monaco really made a great quality coach…at least in 2002.
HATE: No docking lights for parking after dark. Cabinetry is very dated and old fashioned. Huge, fat TV in center top of windshield. After our first week trip, I almost started wearing a football helmet. Carpet in front of cabin (entry and living room) – stays dirty…needs to be tiled or something easy to keep. Our coach has a table and chairs – would prefer a booth type area for better storage and another bed.
All in all, not nearly the ideal DP, but overall very satisfactory. Could probably correct or improve most of the HATEs for $10,000 or so but we’ll probably just trade up in a few years.
Larry Cad
Joe, Linda and I have looked several times at the 40e and we both consider it one of the nicest motorhomes we have seen. There was a time when we really wanted the second bath, but have sorta changed our mind lately. However, it is still one of our all time favorites.
Joe Sikora
I agree with your considerations and preferences for the most part, and our Mandalay 40e fills the bill better than any other motorhome we’ve seen so far.
M H
[quote]30. top mounted mirrors vs. bottom mounted
I have bottom mounted mirrors and like them. I have heard the top mounted mirrors vibrate more. I don’t know if this is true or not and would like to hear from others on it.
[/quote]
I have had both top and bottom mirrors and prefer the bottom. the top mounted do shake and viberate more causing distortion in the mirror of what is behind you. Even on smooth roads and the freeway especially in windy conditions.