Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: What would you buy tomorrow? (Read 1057 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

What would you buy tomorrow?

Yahoo Message Number: 590
Since we've been talking about the problems and concerns regarding our
Kodiak based coaches, if you were shopping; what would you buy now?

Think in terms of similar price ranges. Would you go back to a class A?

I'm pretty happy with my Grayhawk 32SS, but have found many of the same
problems everyone else has and have posted photos of them. I'm not
planning on making a change....but the RV show in Raleigh, NC begins
tomorrow and we go every year anyway :-)

Since we've been talking about things we've owned in the past and how
they compared I was just curious. My last motorhome was a 1976 Minnie
Winnie and everything since then has been a travel trailer until I got
the Jayco last fall.

Take care,
Greg

Re: What would you buy tomorrow?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 591
Greg,

My wife and I have had this dicussion a few times this year already, so good timing for the question. We have come to the conclusion that "investing" money into our GS Endura would be the best of both worlds.

We have discussed making most, if not all of the upgrades needed to make this a good/great RV. We figured that "IF" we invested another $7,000.00-$10,000.00 (suspension mods, interior upgrades, ect) that this coach would be good for a few years (15+). We have a few interior upgrades schedule for the coming months (floor, cabinets, entertainment center). It will likely take a good couple of years to get things as close to perfect as possible, but this is Rving...Right!

If we go out and get a " class A", we might run into the same problems with the way the suspension works, interior of the coach, workmanship, power and factory support. I for one would not like to start the process all over again.

Trx....

Greg Gimlick wrote:

Re: What would you buy tomorrow?

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 592
We have been looking a class C's and A's over the last few months.
After viewing them and the cost to go to a new or used one we have
decided to continue with the mod's and upgrades that we have made.
Cannot get the upgrades in the new models. Our engine drive train is
like new. So it's staying with our MH for a few more years.
But if I had to get a new MH it would be hard to bypass the floorplan
of the Endura 6362 on Kodiak D/A 22,000 chassis. Would have to wait
for it to be delivered. Because the D/A is special order. I am not
sold on the International chassis yet.

Re: What would you buy tomorrow?

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 593
Ours was a downsizing decision and we focused on Kodiak based coaches
for the ease of getting serviced and a roomier cab than regular C's. My
wife also wanted something less imposing for her to drive. We were
targeting in the 32ft range and ended up with the Greyhawk 33DS (33'
10") but we love the floorplan.

The big gasser has plenty of power for our needs, the Chevy MDT dealer
is close by for service and the Jayco dealer is even closer. I still
marvel at being able to manuver around gas up at most regular fuel
islands. Would have preferred to find a year or 2 old, "gently used"
coach so as to avoid the cost premium of a new vehicle and to have the
infamous "first year bugs" already worked out. Hwever... all things
considered we're pretty satisfied with this decision.

Now for about twice what we paid... that 32ft Bigfoot Kodiak sure is
sweet!

Bill

Re: What would you buy tomorrow?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 594

I guess you all know my answer... I think the 19,500# chassis is simply too light to handle an RV body... the 22,000# Jayco would be my choice if they made one in the 32' box, so there would be plenty of cargo capacity AND storage space. All the suspension gadgets in the world will not fix the capacity issue, but the weight of the suspension parts will reduce your CCC even more.

Denny

Re: What would you buy tomorrow?

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 597
Quote
I guess you all know my answer... I think the 19,500# chassis is
simply too

Quote
light to handle an RV body... the 22,000# Jayco would be my choice if
they made one in the 32' box, so there would be plenty of cargo capacity
AND storage

Quote
space. All the suspension gadgets in the world will not fix the
capacity issue, but the weight of the suspension parts will reduce your CCC
even more.
Quote
Denny

The 19.5K chassis is not the problem. The problem is that manufacturers
start putting too big of RV's on the chassis. My Conquest is one of the
smaller ones, and it still has plenty of CCC and towing capability. And
it does not have some of the handling issues as some of you with the
larger rigs seem to talk about. I like the ride better then any smaller
class C that I have driven. Yes, I am adding Koni shocks to improve the
ride, but that is just me. I like to modify cars, trucks, etc., for
improvement. None of my vehicles is "stock". I am sure my rig could be
better.
If the 19.5K chassis is too small, what about the E350 and E450? I
think it is the companies making too big of rv for the chassis they are
using.

Quote
Now don't get me wrong, I would not mind bigger. If I win the Lotto, I
will be calling Showhauler, Renegade, Chariot, Optima, etc., to start
building my dream coach once the check is in my hand. But until then, I
will enjoy my rig as much as I can.
Bill

Re: What would you buy tomorrow?

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 599

Good luck with the lottery, Bill... meanwhile, enjoy your coach!!

Denny

Re: What would you buy tomorrow?

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 600
Thanks for all of your input, it sort of confirms what I thought
already. Although this Jayco 32SS isn't perfect and some of the stuff is
just plain shoddy quality control, overall it's a pretty decent coach.
There are some things I'd like to do, but other than handle the
immediate "must do" things I'm going to wait until we return from our
big trip this coming summer.

That trip will entail about 5000 miles over three weeks and should give
me a lot of information about whether I'm happy or not. We've done
several short trips of 4 or 500 miles until now and I'm happy with the
handling, etc. That's been thru the mountains of NC which aren't the
Rockies, but they're still pretty stout. This has been without towing
anything though. We've yet to add a TOAD.

We're going to the RV Show tomorrow and will probably get upgrade envy,
but the budget will keep me in what I already own as far as I can see.
It's interesting to hear other trains of thought. I had narrowed my
search down to the Greyhawk and a Four Winds before I bought the Greyhawk.

It's often hard to keep in mind when we read the forums that there are
many differing opinions and just because we whine about a problem
doesn't mean we're completely unhappy. From reading I would have to add
some Gulfstreams to the mix of considerations too. I think if I was
going to give up my Greyhawk I would be looking at a class A.

The turning radius of the Kodiak is great, better than my 2500 crew cab.
My problem is trying to find someplace to have service done on the
engine, transmission, etc. The main medium truck dealer in the Raleigh
area says he can't handle the height. This is the biggest frustration to
me, having a vehicle I can't get serviced. Of course it would be the
same with a class A.

Take care,
Greg

Re: What would you buy tomorrow?

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 601
, Greg Gimlick  wrote:
Quote
Since we've been talking about the problems and concerns regarding our
Kodiak based coaches, if you were shopping; what would you buy now?

Think in terms of similar price ranges. Would you go back to a class A?

I'm pretty happy with my Grayhawk 32SS, but have found many of the same
problems everyone else has and have posted photos of them. I'm not
planning on making a change....but the RV show in Raleigh, NC begins
tomorrow and we go every year anyway :-)

Since we've been talking about things we've owned in the past and how
they compared I was just curious. My last motorhome was a 1976 Minnie
Winnie and everything since then has been a travel trailer until I got
the Jayco last fall.

Take care,
Greg

Greg,

Check with the local GMC dealer. I have had my RV service by them, since they could
accomodate the height. Also, make sure you have an extra fuel filter and the correct tools
for taking the sensor from the bottom of the filter. I was told by the dealer they will need
to be replaced at 3000 miles give or take. My lasted till the 4500 miles mark, Its amazing
how quick you lose power when not getting the proper fuel pressure. I also lost a turbo
vane position sensor. No turbo, No power! If you are not already familiar with changing
one, I would familiarize yourself with the process. The sensor tool should be available at
most parts store or ebay.

On a side not, I don't see how "kids" type so fast and so much on these cell phones, keep
on mind my phone actually has a keyboard.......LOL

Re: What would you buy tomorrow?

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 602
Did you not see the Jay Leno test? Two guys doing Morris Code whipped two guys doing text on their cell phones. Hands down, no competition. I have the video if you'd like it.

Don


On 8-Feb-08, at 11:12 PM, trx_racer wrote:

Re: What would you buy tomorrow?

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 605
trx_racer wrote:

Quote
Check with the local GMC dealer. I have had my RV service by them, since
they could
accomodate the height.

I tried that figuring they would be able to handle the height, but they
don't sell the commercial line. GM referred me to a Chevy dealer in
Raleigh who tells me they can't handle 12' either and don't know why GM
would say they could. The closest dealer I can find is 80 miles away.
Yesterday at the show I was told that Terry Labonte Chevrolet in
Greensboro could handle it. That's still about 80 miles so I don't have
a good local option it seems. I was told of a place that looks like a
dump, but supposedly gives good service. I'll check them out, but sure
would have liked a GM dealership.

Quote
to be replaced at 3000 miles give or take. My lasted till the 4500 miles
mark, Its amazing
how quick you lose power when not getting the proper fuel pressure.

Are you talking about a diesel or gas? Mine is the 8.1L gas

Quote
On a side note, I don't see how "kids" type so fast and so much on these
cell phones, keep
on mind my phone actually has a keyboard.......LOL

I'm a non-text message sort of guy :-) I do everything on the laptop or
desktop and use an ergonomic keyboard.

Take care,
Greg
 

Re: What would you buy tomorrow?

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 607
, "berfle624"
wrote:
Quote
.-- --- .-- !

As an old Navy Radioman, I can still remember my morse code.

WOW!

Bob