Class A Diesel RVs
- Class A Diesel RVs, like Class A Gas
RVs, are built on larger,
longer chassis that are designed specifically
for RVs or larger vehicles. Some
manufacturers like
Monaco custom design each
chassis to exacting specifications for each individual
model. Some of the upper-end Class A Diesels are built on actual
bus chassis.
All of the benefits of owning a Class A Gas RV
also apply to Class A Diesels, however the Diesel
versions do have several advantages over the Gas RVs.
If you can afford it, a Class A Diesel is by far the best way to go if you plan on spending a
lot of time on the road and enjoying your experience to the fullest. When a salesman tells you that everybody
eventually moves up to a Diesel Pusher no matter where they start out, he's not lying to you...that's the way
it goes.
- The Good News
- Larger interior space.
- Like 5th Wheels,
Class A RVs have several
slide-out options,
giving you the
opportunity to add more
living space while
you're parked.
This greatly increases
your floor plan options
as well. Check out
the full-side slide on
some of the new
Fleetwood
Diesel Models,
for example.
The driver &
passenger seating area
are
incorporated into the
living room. While
you're parked, you can
turn the two seats
toward the interior of the
RV so that you have more
seating in the living
area.Larger bedrooms,
kitchens, and bathrooms
are all advantages of Class A
RVs.
Full-size appliances
are, for the most part,
standard, and there's
usually no problem
finding a place to
install an optional
washer/dryer combo.
There's plenty of
room for passengers to
spread out and move
around while you are on
the road.
Ceiling height is
usually tall enough for
anyone at 7' or higher.
You've probably heard the
term "Diesel Pusher." This
terminology is derived from the
fact that the engine is in the
rear of the vehicle. This
greatly reduces engine noise in
the cockpit and improves
performance as well.
-
Entry-level Class A Diesels have 300 Horsepower (HP), and you
can find high-end Diesels with over 500 HP.
-
Diesel engines get better mileage than gas engines.
-
Diesel engines have more torque than gas engines, so you'll get better performance when towing and driving uphill.
-
Diesel engines
require far less
maintenance at
longer intervals, so you'll have less down time.
-
Diesel engines are far more durable and will
last 2 to 5 times longer than gas engines.
Because of the improved horsepower and chassis, the payload is greatly
increased. This often translates to higher quality building materials
with regard to cabinetry, furniture and flooring.
Abundant interior and
exterior storage are standard.
There's room for everything you
might hope to take on your
trip...even over-size objects
like skis or outdoor tables and
chairs.
- Look for a Class A Diesel with a "Raised Rail Chassis" and
pass-through storage that creates an entire basement underneath
the coach. A nice upgrade to this feature is the addition of
full-extension slide-out trays for easy access to your storage.
Class A RVs have larger tank
capacities than any other class
of RV, and Diesels have the largest. That means larger
fresh/gray/black water tanks,
larger LP Gas tanks, and larger
fuel tanks too. You'll have the flexibility to
dry-camp or "boondock"
more easily and more often, and
you won't have to make as many
trips to the dump station or the
diesel pump.
Generator space is included.
While manufacturers and dealers
refer to generators as "optional
equipment," they're typically
installed before the units hit
the lot for sale.
Towing ability is almost
always exceptional. You can tow
a full-size SUV like a Suburban,
a large boat, or trailers to suit
just about any need.
Exterior amenity options are
vast: exterior showers,
awnings, entertainment centers.
You have far more custom choices
available with a Class A.
Lengths and prices vary from Monaco's 34'
Lapalma
for $135,000 to Country Coach's
Prevost 45' Bus Conversions for $1 million or more.
There's nothing quite like
looking through the windshield
of a Class A RV! I've
often said that even when
they're parked on a dealer's lot
and the only view is of a brick
wall or another RV, I can still
"see the world" through the
dash-to-ceiling windshield.
Better suspension = smoother
ride.
Auto-leveling is standard
equipment. All
you have to do is pull into your
campsite and push one button.
The leveling is done
automatically as opposed to the
cranks, levers and blocks
required to level most other
classes of RVs.
- Most leveling systems use airbags that not only level your RV while
you're parked, but provide a smoother, more level ride while you're
traveling.
- The airbag system uses an air compressor to inflate the bags. You can use the
same compressor to inflate flat tires, rafts and other items.
Some manufacturers are developing ways to make it more affordable for you
to enter the Class A Diesel market. Check out Tiffin's
Allegro Bay FRED (Front End Diesel) with prices from the low $140,000s.
You lose some of the benefits of having the engine in the rear, but equipped with a 300 HP Cummins 5.9L, you can't beat the price!
They hold their value!!! Diesel RVs--from the cheapest to the most expensive--by far, have the best resale value of all RVs.
Do some shopping around. You'll be surprised to see five-year-old Diesel Pushers that sold for $200k when new, still holding their own at $150k or more.
I recently did a search at RVSearch.com for 6-year-old Y2K Diesel Pushers
over $250k, and got 13 results.
- The Bad News
- Gas mileage is a tough pill to swallow.
- Moving to a Class A RV, means more interior room. Why do they typically sleep fewer
people than cheaper trailers and Class C RVs? I don't know the answer, but this is often
the case. Diesel Pushers are the worst in this regard. Some only have room for two to sleep.
- Several national parks, state
parks, RV parks and campgrounds have restrictions on the length
of vehicles allowed. With 40'-45' Class A Diesels, you have a good chance of being turned away from
some places.
- Driving vehicles this large can be a challenge for some, although it is much easier than you may think.
My wife's biggest objection to a Class A was that she was afraid of
becoming a "white knuckle wife."
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