The DisFort's Chit Chat Cafe

[Teamubr]

looking at trading in the Black Pearl rig for a Motorcoach, I have looked for many years but they are so much smaller interior space than my 5'vr, but the kids will all be out of the picture this spring and I think a coach is a good "downsize" plus DW can drive it, The pearl is 42' and the MC I'm looking at is 42', of course with the cockpit you lose some Living space, for all the MC owners out there, good choice?? Drawbacks?

Several of us have done this in the last couple of years. I also went from a 42ft 5er that we loved to a 42ft pusher. My wife wasn't completely into the idea. She loved the 5er layout with it's 2nd bedroom and big living room at the rear. She has definitely warmed up to the coach after having it for 2 seasons. You do lose a little living space, although the actual living room/kitchen space in the coach is bigger than the 5er, but no 2nd bedroom. The extra basement storage, convenience to get up, move around, go to the bathroom or grab something to eat is huge. The other thing, at least for nicer diesel pushers, is the overall quality, finish and longevity is better than even a high end 5er. Different market/use.

The biggest factors for me was the wear/quality/longevity of a nice DP. My 5er was a "mid" level rig. Certainly not top of the line, but also not an entry level rig. My old 5er was the same. The old 5er was 13 years old when I traded it in on the one in the pic below and it definitely looked it's age. I kept it covered, but the paint and decals were really getting faded and oxidized. My coach is 10 years old now and still looks like it is only a couple of years old. The high quality paint and gel-coat really holds up well compared to the Filon/fiberglass and decals on a typical trailer. Several on the board here (tigger92662 and garneska) have rigs much older than mine and they look great for being nearly 20 years old.

The last thing was the mechanicals (engine/transmission/suspension). The DPs are built on big truck chassis with semi/large work truck engines and transmissions meant to go 100s of thousands of miles. I was on my 4th F350 in 20 years. at around the 150,000 mark, they would start becoming less reliable and require a lot of $$ to keep in good shape, so it was time for something newer.

The one downside is EVERYTHING costs more. Tires, batteries (I have eight. 6 house and 2 engine), fluid changes, filters. If you don't do your own maintenance, it can get very expensive to keep up with.

j

 

[Teamubr]

looking at trading in the Black Pearl rig for a Motorcoach, I have looked for many years but they are so much smaller interior space than my 5'vr, but the kids will all be out of the picture this spring and I think a coach is a good "downsize" plus DW can drive it, The pearl is 42' and the MC I'm looking at is 42', of course with the cockpit you lose some Living space, for all the MC owners out there, good choice?? Drawbacks?

A couple of other things I thought of after posting.

Fuel costs will be higher. I was hoping to get about the same mpg, around 9mpg with the last 5er. The combo weighed about 23,000lbs. My coach weighs 32,000 before I hook up the 4,400lb Jeep behind it. I get 7.5-8.5mpg towing at the same speed. Less overall if I'm running the generator for the A/C units in the summer heat.

I think you are also in Illinois. If you have an Illinois driver's license, you will need a non-CDL Class A or B license. It just requires a written test (similar to a CDL Class A test) and a driving test in the motorhome. The written test is straight forward (HERE is the manual). The only difference between a non-CDL A and B is the weight of the trailer you can tow behind the coach. The Class B gets you up to 10,000lbs. Need the Class A above 10,000. My coach only has a 10,000 tow rating, so I went with the B.

Don't let the manual (or internet keyboard warriors) convince you that you don't need a different license. License rules are set by the issuing state and are all over the place, depending on where you live. The manual in the link on page 4 says RV's are exempt, but that is only from needing a formal CDL. Many on the forums use this to say you don't need a "different" license. Page 7 has the real details where the class license is weight based. The magic number is 26,001lbs. A 42ft motorhome will weigh over 26,000lbs.

Taking (and passing) the written test will get you a permit to drive the motorhome until you are comfortable enough to pass the driving test. I have tried to get DW to take the written test just to have the permit, but so far, she has refused. She would never pull the 5er either.



j

 

[team bradfield]

Looking at MH's in the 45 to 50,000 lbs. range, I used to have a CDL for the fire dept. but let it lapse. License should be no problem, Thanks for the good info

 

[bama_ed]

Great info, Jim. I learned a lot reading post #4782 even though I have no plans to move to a Class A.

It's nice you live in the same state as @team bradfield to be able to give such detail.

Ed

PS - the Cards and the Indians are both out of the MLB playoffs so the season is over as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Sjm9911]

Looking at MH's in the 45 to 50,000 lbs. range, I used to have a CDL for the fire dept. but let it lapse. License should be no problem, Thanks for the good info

I learned you need a cdl to drive a fire truck in other states. Lol. Yea, and stuff about motorhomes.

 

[Teamubr]

I learned you need a cdl to drive a fire truck in other states. Lol. Yea, and stuff about motorhomes.

I guess I would have thought you needed a CDL to drive any firetruck since you were technically being paid to do it, but each state sets their own rules for all of that. Crazy. In Missouri, my race teammate did not need anything special to drive this.

84 ft long, 68,000lbs

Same license to drive a Prius.

I haven't verified it, but some on the RV forums claim there are states that require a formal CDL, along with the annual physicals and drive time restrictions.



j

 

[FtW Mike]

The Charlottesville KOA. Found it when my nephew got married a few years ago. Worked well for us, has a dog park near pull thru sites. Town not too far away

 

[team bradfield]

I haven't verified it, but some on the RV forums claim there are states that require a formal CDL, along with the annual physicals and drive time restrictions.

j

in formal CDL states, drive real careful, and beg forgiveness, or reroute, I am retired, no hurry lol,

 

[team bradfield]

Great info, Jim. I learned a lot reading post #4782 even though I have no plans to move to a Class A.

It's nice you live in the same state as @team bradfield to be able to give such detail.

Ed

PS - the Cards and the Indians are both out of the MLB playoffs so the season is over as far as I'm concerned.

Cubs were out in June, been a long time for me

 

[Teamubr]

PS - the Cards and the Indians are both out of the MLB playoffs so the season is over as far as I'm concerned.

Donna is blaming the new expanded wild card rules. I didn't like a division winner having to play through a wild card round, but the Cards stopped hitting in September and that continued into the playoffs. I really thought Cleveland would at least make it to the ALCS. Oh well. I'm still paying attention to the NLCS, but don't really care if it is San Diego or the Phillies. On the other side, I'll root for anyone playing the Yankees.

j

 

[team bradfield]

I've been away a while, had rotator cuff surgery in early july, been lurking but couldn't type or use mouse, starting to get better range of motion, DD health is improving (vasovagal syncope), things getting back to normal, @garneska, I love whiskey, what a sweety

@Teamubr , we booked St Louis west KOA for hitting the caves on 10/8 thru the 15th, but my shoulder did not improve, we love caving (is that a word?) where are some good CG's in the area, we stayed at the KOA years ago for a base camp it was fine, but then i saw you would be in KW so damn, we did Cave of the mounds in WI, great cave btw. Mt Horeb is a really cool town, trolls everywhere, the good kind, look it up

 

[tigger92662]

for all the MC owners out there, good choice?? Drawbacks?

@Teamubr pretty much covered all the bases. A class A is more expensive maintenance wise, but if you can fix stuff your self, that makes a huge difference.

If you have questions, throw them out there, we're full of answers. That doesn't sound quite right does it?

Do your research, I assume you're not in a hurry to buy so that's to your advantage.

If your up for it in the spring, let us know, we are always looking to throw together a Midwest Dismeet

 

[Teamubr]

@Teamubr , we booked St Louis west KOA for hitting the caves on 10/8 thru the 15th, but my shoulder did not improve, we love caving (is that a word?) where are some good CG's in the area,

We have stayed at that KOA several times. It is right across the highway from Six Flags. Jellystone is at the same exit. We stayed there once. They are both ok. Prefer the KOA.

For much closer campgrounds, I would recommend Onondaga state park. Onondaga cave is right there. Meramec state park is close too and there is a private cg at Meramec Caverns. Both Onondaga and Meramec Caverns are commercial caves, but are pretty good tours. Several private cgs in the area. We prefer the state parks though. Meramec Springs state park is farther south and more remote.

In Boy Scouts, I learned "caving" was spelunking. Caving works for me though.

If you are going to be back in the area, let me know. I live in the NE corner of the metro area. The caves and state parks are in the far SW area, but none of it is far.

j

 

[Sjm9911]

I guess I would have thought you needed a CDL to drive any firetruck since you were technically being paid to do it, but each state sets their own rules for all of that. Crazy. In Missouri, my race teammate did not need anything special to drive this.

84 ft long, 68,000lbs

Same license to drive a Prius.

I haven't verified it, but some on the RV forums claim there are states that require a formal CDL, along with the annual physicals and drive time restrictions.

View attachment 712081

j

The funny part is that i think a bus, firetruck or rv is way easier to drive then a TT . Never had a 5th wheel but I would still say its easier. No articulation. But whats easy for me may not be for others. Plus they dont let me drive anymore. I do take the trucks out now and then.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

No CDL required in MI to drive any fire apparatus although the training was equivalent to what a class A CDL required (including air brakes) plus we had to do driver training every summer in what we called the rodeo which was a series of maneuvers set up in a very large parking area. This was done with each type of truck, aerial, engine, rescues, trailers etc.

 

[team bradfield]

the black pearl is gone, Pulled the trigger on 2023 Newmar Dutch Star 4081, pick it up on Halloween

 

[Teamubr]

Congrats!

Nice looking rig.

j

 

[team bradfield]

Congrats!

Nice looking rig.

j

thanks, actually with price of fuel, end of year sales and interest rates on the rise, they gave me a pretty good deal, got a nice trade on the montana, more than i expected anyway

 

[tigger92662]

Congratulations on the new ride

 

[team bradfield]

thanks, actually with price of fuel, end of year sales and interest rates on the rise, they gave me a pretty good deal, got a nice trade on the montana, more than i expected anyway

We are going to be "grey nomads" and sell the house and full time a while until we decide on a place to settle, it won't be Florida lol! looking at Idaho, Montana, Utah. We have 1 daughter in Utah and DD#3 just got accepted to Neumont computer science college in SLC where DD2 graduated.