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