I bet he doesn't have any problem climbing mountain roads and slowing down traffic.
Actually, with the engine he has in that rig, it'll be the traffic that slows him down. Not your standard Kenworth...
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I bet he doesn't have any problem climbing mountain roads and slowing down traffic.
With that kind of rig he could have had a bus as his “toad”.
I’m itching to head out in my rig.
OM
Actually, he does have a small school bus that he sometimes uses as a toad, depending on where he's going and what he's hauling.
Chinese two-cycle diesel turbo charged with nitrous no doubt. I love this stuff.
The Kenworth has been modified quite bit also. He's a retired long haul trucker which might partly explain why he went that route....
Thanks for posting this Mark. When I saw Steve's picture, I just couldn't figure out the theory behind the rig i.e. there's a 1,000 + foot pounds of torque available, to perform a small amount of work.
Very coolLittle Background:
I've been planning on a RV trip in the USA for the past year or so. The plan is to have my two younger kids take a GAP year ( Aug. 2020 to Apr. 2021) from school and spend it touring the USA. I Plan on beginning the tour in Glacier N.P. in Sept. and working my way South through Yellowstone N.P. before heavy winter begins and then on to other parts in between the West and East Coast . I want to begin in Sept. to miss the summer crowds and have a more pleasant and leisurely trip.
They ( my two younger girls) spent the first few years of their life in the U.S. but I brought them here to Taiwan to learn the language and how to read and write Chinese. They (and my wife) have not been back to the USA since 2012; I think a trip to introduce them back to America is in order. I plan on them going to high school in Texas when that time comes.
Good questions......I think you will be better of in something in the 30' range. From you description, a Class C is probably your first look-see. I have Toad a vehicle and found it to be a PITA. I would rather use a trailer as it takes a lot of problems out of the equation one being backing up!Questions:
My question is about motor homes choices. I have read just about everything I can on the internet but still not sure about size. I'm not sure whether to go as small ( B class or C under 24') as possible where I can park in most spaces in N.P.'s and not have to pull a toad OR get a larger RV (29'-34') and have more living room (which might be smart for a whole year) but have to pull a toad in order to explore after reaching the Parks. Anyway, I'm not sure which way to go on that. I know I do not want to pull a RV; that much I do know. I plan on buying a used RV sometime in 2019 and making sure all systems, tires, brakes, engine, etc. are in good order before I bring family over. I have home in South Tex.; older daughter in North Tex and older daughter near D.C. that we will also stay, so won't be in RV all the time.
Well, I bought a Chevy chassis with an 8.1 to skip the Ford problems and ended up with other problems...To be fair, probably caused by the RV builder and not by Chevy- but it was bad. I think Ford has got past the spark plug problem (two-piece?) and they are back on track but good to watch the MFG years on that one.Any suggestions, pros and cons or experience in the above would be appreciated. The plan is to spend somewhere between 10k and 25k on a used B or C class with gas engine. I would rather go as simple as possible. It seems a lot of class c rv's are fords with the v10 engines. I have read many negative comments about the v10's blowing spark plugs because lack of threads in v10 block. Any experience with that would be helpful. Thank you.
Having a few miles, like MANY others on here, there are lots of thoughts about what you are asking. I had a whole booklet written about the Ford V-10 situation, but your comments in the latest reply by you throws those out the window. I truly dont think that Toyota makes an engine that can compare with the Ford; but that's your deal I guess.
As far as the type of living space. Think about pulling into a crowded parking lot, like the N. Rim of the Grand Canyon, and then consider what it's going to be like pulling in a box truck and trying to park in the narrow slots there. For me, that's a bit much and it's typical with what you will face at most places. For me, a trailer with a very strong truck cannot be beat; but the world is full of both styles. I haven't even heard a discussion of diesels, which are a way to get lots of strength to pull whatever you need.
The length of whatever you get is going to really limit you as to where you can go. 29' is the longest that MANY places will accept for you to stay overnight. I am thinking of an RV Park in Everglades city, that is THE place for getting into the water or just hanging out and like many they take nothing over that footage. Then there are many places that anything larger is just REALLY TO LARGE to get between the trees Discounting a slide-out is, to me a MUST HAVE if you have 2 children to find room for when considering their activities. I assume that you will do a bit of home schooling as you travel through geologic and historic places and the children will at least do Jr. Ranger learning activities and there will be a need for space to store and work on what they are learing and going to turn in for their badges. That room that a slide-out provides for bed and activity space cannot be ignored or just sluffed of with a shrug. …..But that is your choice
MANY MANY THINGS TO CONSIDER HERE.....Good luck...…..Dennis
I'm not familiar with the Falcon- in the RV sense I have limited knowledge on the Lazy Daze which is somewhat like the Born Free, both have been highly regarded in the RV world and as I mentioned, appliances such as stove, water heater, furnace are pretty much universal. On the Toyota, real small but you can always have a look. Any of these "older units" should probably be sourced from a non- salt area as the rust will complicate things exponentially.I always been a Chevy guy but it seems most of these C classes are Fords. I have it narrowed down to a early model Ford Falcon B class which can sleep two kids up top and two adults below. It's not big but the kids and wife are all small; I'm probably the only one who would be tripping over them self. Or a 27' Lazy Daze C class with the lounge in the rear and a mid bath. Or a low mileage 90 to 94 Toyota 21' RV with a rear lounge. I'm leaning a little more toward the Toyota because of the engine. I like the size of he Lazy Daze for comfort and I can find one with a rear lounge which I like, but the cost and gas will be about double. But that part is not the deal breaker.
Do you think with a 27' RV that you could get around easy enough once you get to a destination with out having to have a small car? And then I think about, what if I have a breakdown on the RV; I would need a toad in that regard.
So, lots of things to think about.Though I might think about it aloud on the Forum and get a push in one way or the other.
I really don't want to fool with a slide out or toad for that matter but if I go with a27' or 30' I'll probably have to. I think I'll just go to bed; it's 1am here.
Little Background:
I've been planning on a RV trip in the USA for the past year or so. The plan is to have my two younger kids take a GAP year ( Aug. 2020 to Apr. 2021) from school and spend it touring the USA. I Plan on beginning the tour in Glacier N.P. in Sept. and working my way South through Yellowstone N.P. before heavy winter begins and then on to other parts in between the West and East Coast . I want to begin in Sept. to miss the summer crowds and have a more pleasant and leisurely trip.
They ( my two younger girls) spent the first few years of their life in the U.S. but I brought them here to Taiwan to learn the language and how to read and write Chinese. They (and my wife) have not been back to the USA since 2012; I think a trip to introduce them back to America is in order. I plan on them going to high school in Texas when that time comes.
Questions:
My question is about motor homes choices. I have read just about everything I can on the internet but still not sure about size. I'm not sure whether to go as small ( B class or C under 24') as possible where I can park in most spaces in N.P.'s and not have to pull a toad OR get a larger RV (29'-34') and have more living room (which might be smart for a whole year) but have to pull a toad in order to explore after reaching the Parks. Anyway, I'm not sure which way to go on that. I know I do not want to pull a RV; that much I do know. I plan on buying a used RV sometime in 2019 and making sure all systems, tires, brakes, engine, etc. are in good order before I bring family over. I have home in South Tex.; older daughter in North Tex and older daughter near D.C. that we will also stay, so won't be in RV all the time.
Any suggestions, pros and cons or experience in the above would be appreciated. The plan is to spend somewhere between 10k and 25k on a used B or C class with gas engine. I would rather go as simple as possible. It seems a lot of class c rv's are fords with the v10 engines. I have read many negative comments about the v10's blowing spark plugs because lack of threads in v10 block. Any experience with that would be helpful. Thank you.
Nice that your Winnebago experience has been good....mine, not so much. That E450 chassis is probably a great match for that motorhome- you could post a picture?I purchased a new 2017 Minnie Winnie Winnebago M22 motorhome last year. It is on the E450 chassis with the v10. I spent a lot of time on the RV Forums looking for information before I made a purchase. It is important to decide all of your needs first, before you purchase. I have towed trailers and a fifth wheel. Then I decided I wanted to tow a boat. So, for 22 years I owned 2 different pickup campers. My last one had a slide out and was on a Dodge diesel, duel rear wheel, 4x4. Loved it! Wife started having knee issues that lead to a knee replacement. Climbing in and out of the back, over the hitch of what ever we were towing became a problem. That put us in a motorhome. Staying small was important to us. We go places that have a 22ft limit. Also, our at home storage space is maxed out at 24ft. I do tow a jeep. (Boat is long gone) Having a vehicle with the capacity to carry, pull and stop with out exceeding your GVWR, is important to me. I go to the Sierra Mountain range a lot. Having the horse power to get into the mountains without dogging it was also important. Hello V10. Standard Oil Company put me on their Christmas list!
There are horror stories from all brands of motors. From past experience with Ford many years ago, I am not really a Ford guy. That being said, all that I have read and what my home independent mechanics have told me, is that the Ford V10 is a solid engine. Should give many years of good reliable service if taken care of. I think you will find the same with the Chevy chassis. I bought the Ford because it was easier to find a E450 chassis with the model of motorhome I wanted. I spent 2 months on the road starting last April 3rd. From California to Duluth Minnesota we got mileage as low as 6.25 and as high as 10.0 while pulling our jeep the whole way. Pulling grades, 50 mph head winds, and road speeds over 60 mph all are huge mileage factors. Without towing the jeep, that mileage climbs by 1 to 2 mpg.
John