I'm thinking 1995 to early 2000s.

28ft to 32ft.

Prefer Chevy 454, would consider the Ford V-10 (but heard the early models had issues), not so sure about the Ford 460.

I'd consider an 80s coach that was in great condition, but it has to be fuel injected.

My budget will be around $20,000 - $25,000.

Manufacturers I respect include Tiffin, Foretravel, Winnebago, Rexhall, and Coachmen.

This rig will be making three 1200 mile (round trip) trips per year, as well as numerous "local" trips of 20 to 200 miles.

Any experiences, suggestions, opinions appreciated.

Coaches are like boats, buy a tent and head north, I'm an excellent chef and blue collar dude is bringing the cigars.

fixed

Why would you want gas over a diesel? I used to drive a 40 ft bus with a 6 cyl turbo diesel and you want to talk about power? Wow. And the diesel will almost always outlast a gas engine. Just curious why you would rule out what most would probably consider the better option.

There's a few reasons I'm leaning towards gas:

1) I'm not a professional mechanic. I am a decent shade tree mechanic...........for big block gas motors.........I don't know shyte about diesels.........but I could learn I suppose.

2) My budget. At under $25k, for the most part, you're looking at older bus conversions, or an early 90s Safari Trek with the 4 cylinder Isuzu turbo diesel (somewhat under-powered, but a heck of an engine and great mpg.) The other option would be find an 80s forward control BlueBird Wanderlodge in great shape, with pristine service records that is within my budget. I haven't found that rig yet, but I'm still looking.

3) Power/speed isn't an issue for me. I'm never in a hurry.....take lots of breaks...........and generally drive easy, usually at or below 60mph.

4) Fuel costs..................not much difference there really.

5) Size. I'd like to stay as close to 30 ft as possible, and would actually prefer 28. (With a 28 you can sort of fudge your way into state/national parks and similar, which often have 26ft maximums.) Not too many diesels under 30ft, and many are 34+, which is too big for what I want to do.

Diesel motors last longer, much longer. If I was planning on full-timing, with lots of travel, for the next 20 years, I'd go diesel, no doubt about it.

But realistically, we'll probably only put 50,000 miles or so on this coach. Depending on its condition when we get it, I might have to do an engine overhaul for a gasser.............but that's not a big deal.

Wait....what?

So you're that guy holding up traffic! [ram27bat]

Seriously though, this discussion is interesting. My wife and I are retired and thought about a motor home, but I just cannot see the costs working out. We prefer to travel in our crew cab truck and stay in hotels. We have considered renting a motor home or better yet a camper trailer set up in a campground.

oh man...............I forgot...............#-o

I had a thought the other day tho... with the price of oil dropping recently and many people losing their jobs it might be a good time to pick up a used 5th Wheel travel trailer... there's prolly some poor bassards out there that desperately need to sell.... 😟

We don't really hold up traffic with our driving/traveling style.

Typically, when traveling to a longer destination, say 500 miles or so, we do this:

Leave around 7:00pm, and drive until "midnight-ish" to a Walmart, and stay in the parking lot for a quick sleep.

Get up at 4:30am or so, and head to our destination, with a one or two hour breakfast break to let commuter traffic die (if it's an issue where we're at.)

IDK......hotels are expensive these days, and the ones that are still in the $60-$80/night range......................ehh...................I'll pass.

Also, eating out is expensive, and gets old (for me) REAL quick. I spent too much time on the road, in hotels and eating out, (for work) from 1990 thru 2003...........just not a fan...........at all.

And, I just prefer being in a cozy "home-away-from-home" land yacht.

Sleep in my own bed. Eat food I cook. My own bathroom. Liquor cabinet and travel humi within easy reach.

I love it.

(No, never smoke inside my coach.............ever.)

Thats my biggest complaint about motorhomes, you're stuck at the destination unless you pack everything up to make a run somewhere.

Every time I go camping, there's always something I forgot and need.

I prefer a camper trailer.

It does sound like a pleasant way to travel, especially for an extended period of time.

Does Victor post as KingoftheCove?