Stuck between trucks
After a few very trying trips across the mountains with our Ford Excursion/31' Travel trailer and two transmissions later, the DW and I have decided that we need a C+, Super C, or a HDT conversion for our upcoming trip to Alaska.
Our current favorite is the Dynamax (in either a Force HD or DX-3) with the 9L ISL Cummins. However, after doing some reading on this site, I fear that I may still be disappointed with the power. Unfortunately, the new Dynamax is at the upper limit of our budget which doesn't appear to put us in much of a HDT conversion, unless it is fairly dated. Questions for now: In a no towing situation, do you think the power of the 9l Cummins will be sufficient to keep up with traffic in all situations? Would a dated HDT Conversion coach be preferable to a new MDT conversion in general? |
WELCOME !
when you say upper limit of a budget....do you mean NEW ? you could EASILY get into a very nice / clean USED Haulmark, Renegade or Showhauler for considerably less than a new Dynamax. i would definitely avoid the jayco (gm/gmc chassis) set ups. |
We've been considering a new Dynamax Force HD or a year old DX-3 in the $175-200,000 range. I haven't found many HDT Conversions in that price range that aren't fairly dated.
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I have a "bot" search for eBay that sends me emails each time a new listing is created - i use the manufactures as key words i.e.: haulmark, renegade, showhauler, etc. all of these dealers list coaches pretty often on eBay & may of them are not just used but also consigned - - Motorcoaches Motorhomes | FLYING A MOTORSPORTS Used Cars for Sale Des Moines IA 50313 Brown Motorcars Current Inventory - Desert Autoplex | Pre-owned Dealer | Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona |
Don't compare new prices. There are so many good deals on used Truck Conversions. You would be miles ahead and way happier with a used Truck Conversion than a new Super C.
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There are lots of places to look for them. Here's a good one:
Toterhomes/RVs/Motorhomes, Class 8 Truck Conversions for sale on RacingJunk Classifieds - 45 available |
Did you see this one?: https://www.hawkengineering.com/4509mhrbrta1cstk-1.html
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Thanks to all for the links and your insights. I explored all of the links, but haven't found anything yet.
The DW and I believe we have settled on a queen or king master, with double bunks and a large cabover bed as our preferred layout, at least 450hp, washer dryer, and twin screws would be nice. Showhauler has an excellent floorplan for this, but I can't find any older ones with it. |
here's one that meets ALL your retirements....
International / LoneStar front end, BUNKS...and TWO outside beer coolers...i mean coolers ;) Immaculate Renegade XL Bunk Model International Lonestar Toter Hauler Diesel | eBay |
as i look at that lonestar.....the basement storage is REALLY shallow....i have those same coolers & have a lot more storage BEHIND the electric cooler, where their basement bins are completely consumed by the two coolers.
also - what idiot decided placing those side view cameras on the leading edge of the front fenders would be ascetically pleasing UGH! |
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Now my DW has changed her mind. She no longer wants 2 bunks, cabover, and a master queen/king stateroom. Now she wants a big cabover, master stateroom, and a garage big enough to be a bunkroom for the children! Just out of curiosity, how to you guys go about shopping for/purchasing one of these things?! It looks like I need to take two weeks off, get a fistful of airline tickets, and start criss crossing the country! I am inclined to work with dealers who have good reputations with BBB, online reviews, etc. However, there appear to be quite a few clean units for private sale. |
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I think a unit withOUT bunks will be significantly easier to find & easier to sell later too. for me - mine was listed on FlyingA's web site, they didnt actually have it in their position, it was a consignment unit from a customer of theirs in st louis. they put me in touch w/ the owner....i do a lot of biz in arkansas so i took a 5 hour drive to look at the coach & go for a test drive.....we went back and forth on price & eventually agreed upon a price. I did a wire transfer w/ my banks assistance & then flew back to pick the coach up. |
I had been scouring the interwebs looking for a rig. I did find a few close to me that I went and looked at. Even tried to buy one of them but we couldn't agree on the price. Poor guy should have taken my offer because I found the truck a year later still for sale by the same guy and he was then asking 15K less than what I offered him! Hahahaha. Anyhow, I found mine about 5 hours drive away on their web site. Drove down and checked it out and we made the deal.
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I have to be careful even looking at those units out of our price range. We did that on a boat once. Found a model and configuration we liked so much that we could not accept anything else. We had to wait a year and a half for one to hit the used market to get to our price point!
I've asked two brokers/dealers to be on the lookout for what we want. Unfortunately, it appears that these operations have lists of regular customers waiting for the right rig. I think we are quite low on the list. In the meantime, they are very helpful educating us about the various manufacturers and dizzying array of options. We've identified about 5 rigs that more or less meet our requirements. We have resolved to clear our schedules next week and hit the road to take a peek at a couple of them. By the way, we have been shopping at: RacingJunk, RVTrader, and a few Dealers who Represent Showhauler, Renegade, Haulmark, United, Chariot, and NRC and who post their used inventory. Any suggestions for other places to look? |
I think i covered all the dealers i know.
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Bob, thanks for the new links.
I am officially overwhelmed with this decision. I have identified trucks in AZ, IL, OH, & MA that I want to see up close! I need a way to thin the herd. Is there such a thing as a "Truck Surveyor, Inspector, or Appraiser?" By the way, since we've been sort of warned off of the older Lonestars, we've started to gravitate to the Coronados. I had a dealer warn me about the turning radius on them, due to the front axle placement. Anyone have any insights on that? |
Where in AZ? I have business reason to be out there in the next couple of weeks, id be happy to look 'em over for you & walk thru it while on the phone or video you stuff i find.
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Thank you for the offer. If I get a little closer, I may take you up on that.
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