New to me Motorhome, Closer to Retirement

[38Chevy454]

I plan to do a lot more RV'ing in retirement. My old MH was not small by most people's measure (34 ft length) and was actually a few years newer being a 2008. I wanted a bigger MH so DW and I can take longer trips, and one that could tow anything I want. So I recently traded up for this 2005 Kenworth Showhauler. Showhauler is the truck conversion company that puts the MH part onto the truck chassis. This was done on new truck back in 2005 and it only had 43K miles when I picked it up in Indiana.

Drove my old MH approx 1400 miles in 3 days and then drove this one home in same 3 days time. Six days of driving, several of the days were 600-700 miles. I do not mind the driving, so this does not bother me. Plan to do a lot more miles in retirement. I don't even need a special license to drive this new MH since RV's are allowed over 26K GVWR, although I do have a non-commercial CDL type endorsement on my license. Basically I can drive anything over 26K as long as for personal use. Should save any hassles if a cop wants to make issue.

Few details on the truck part: 450 hp Cummins ISX (14.9 liter inline six), 10 speed Eaton Fuller autoshift trans. On big trucks the auto trans is still like a regular manual trans with clutch, but the computer does all the clutch and shifting. No clutch pedal or shifter inside the cab. Just a keypad to let it know R or D, or can manually set the gear.

Few details on the MH part: 35 ft length box behind the cab, two slide-outs on driver's side one large on in front section and one smaller the in rear bedroom. 12 cu ft frig, small washer/dryer combo unit, and queen size bed I plan to modify for king size. Has a 12kW diesel generator, that is enough to run my whole house! Lot of storage in the basement boxes, half of them are still empty for now.

With this I can tow anything I want, usually take one of my hot rods behind on trips. Usually on a trailer, but setting one or two up for flat towing. It may not be the cheapest way to RV, but I did not work hard and save to sacrifice on things I want. I am not really a diesel pusher class A MH type person, and so the truck conversion works out good for us. Now just need to hurry up OMY so I can be completely retired and take those longer trips.

First trip tryout/shakedown run will be this coming weekend, to a state park lake campground. Have a few trips already set for later this summer and fall.

 

[Trix55]

Congrats, that looks like a sweet ride!

 

[Jack_Pine]

Do you have access to living area from the cab?

How tall is it to the top of the air conditioner?

Besides towing cap. what is it you like over a pusher?

BYW, nice rig.

 

[MRG]

Wow that's a serious machine, very nice. Showhauler did a very clean integration.

My only question is it a twin screw or a dead axle?
Can't see why a person would ever need a twin in a MH, unless you're offroading.

 

[InTheSticks]

Very nice. 40000 pound towing?

 

[grasshopper]

Very cool.

 

[Bamaman]

Your Super C is a magnificent machine. And with 43k miles, it'll last you a lifetime properly maintained.

Let me caution you about one thing, however. There are some RV parks in Florida and other places that rent spaces and also have 'condo' spaces people have paid big money for. Sometimes these type of campgrounds have homeowners associations with bylaws that specifically prohibit any Class C's in their park. This includes Super C's that sometimes cost $500K or so that cost twice what some of the diesel pushers cost.

Just be aware of these type campgrounds, and call ahead to make sure your very large rig is welcome.

 

[38Chevy454]

Wow that's a serious machine, very nice. Showhauler did a very clean integration.

My only question is it a twin screw or a dead axle?
Can't see why a person would ever need a twin in a MH, unless you're offroading.

It has a switch to connect the second axle to power, normally drive with only one. I agree the twin screw is not really needed except for low traction situation, but it does give extra load capacity for a heavy hitch weight; and maybe more significant is an extra set of brakes. The engine brake works quite effective on my limited driving coming home. It has airbag rear suspension to adjust for the weight and ride height.

Do you have access to living area from the cab?

How tall is it to the top of the air conditioner?

Besides towing cap. what is it you like over a pusher?

BYW, nice rig.

Yes, has a fairly large opening between cab an back area, it is easier to get through than most std class C's.

Height is around 13.5 feet, that is what most bigger RV's are so they don't have a problem with clearance on overpasses or power lines across roads.

I prefer the truck vs class A because of much easier maintenance on engine and accesories, better safety with driver not being right at the front, and just general styling.

InTheSticks, the towing is 40K I believe. Have to check the exact hitch and GCWR values to be sure. Certainly it is way more than my current std open car trailer. Many racing teams use similar and tow a large stacker trailer around 20-25K lbs.

Also for bamaman, I am aware of the rules at some of the FL locations. While I do not agree with their arbitrary rules, it is private business and they can make rules they want. So when I am potentially in FL, just go somewhere they appreciate my money. I tend to like state parks or boondocking though over crowded RV parks, so may be less of an issue for me. I am not really into having cable TV, swimming pool, and on-site laundry facilities as a req't for place to stay. I actually need to figure out to get a satellite receiver for the new MH as it is all set up for that, again not really a major issue for me.

 

[Fermion]

Wow nice rig. Pulling a trailer though, you would be around 70 feet long? What type of boondocking do you envision?

 

[Tom52]

Nice rig! Do you have the corresponding garage for it?

 

[38Chevy454]

Wow nice rig. Pulling a trailer though, you would be around 70 feet long? What type of boondocking do you envision?

Total length of MH is about 44 ft, so 20 ft of trailer is within the 65 ft limit. Longer trailer might be near 70 ft, and many big RV's pulling the longer trailers are over the 65 ft length, but it varies per state rules, many are more than 65.
My boondocking is at races mostly. Also just getting away from the cities and enjoy the outdoors. There are a lot of national park areas you can stay without any hookups.

Nice rig! Do you have the corresponding garage for it?

I wish I had a garage to fit it. The pic of it is at my house outside where I park it. I do have a bigger detached garage for my hot rods and working on the cars, but it is too small for the MH. Maybe some day if we move to a final retirement location I can have a big enough garage I joke that my perfect retirement house is 1500 sq ft and 3000 sq ft of garage.

 

[REWahoo]

I joke that my perfect retirement house is 1500 sq ft and 3000 sq ft of garage.

Too much house, not enough garage.

 

[Looking4Ward]

That's an awesome looking rig! Just out of curiosity, what's the fuel economy?

 

[REWahoo]

Just out of curiosity, what's the fuel economy?

"Lousy for a car, great for a house!"

 

[Looking4Ward]

"Lousy for a car, great for a house!"

LOL! I'm guessing 7-8mpg.

 

[REWahoo]

I'm guessing 7-8mpg.

That's what I got in our 2001 diesel pusher, and that was at 62 MPH.

 

[Fermion]

There is no magic for fuel economy when you get 13.5 feet tall and 8 (8.5?) feet wide. It is all going to depend on the speed you drive because you are pushing a wall of air.

At 12 feet high with a 5.2L diesel we get 14mpg at 50mph and 10mpg at 65mph.

 

[Sarah in SC]

That is a beauty! And so interesting about the licensing not being a problem. I always assumed that the big rig types would need a commercial CDL. Thanks for the info on that.

You are going to have a blast with that, I hope we'll get to see pictures!

 

[38Chevy454]

I only filled up once driving home, 80 gal fuel tanks on each side, but I figured about 7 mpg at 70 mph. I was no interested in slower, my goal was to get home in shorter time. The engine turns 1500 rpm at 70 mph, and driving a little slower would help mpg some. As pointed out, it is a lot of air and weight to move down the road. I don't worry about the mileage and subsequent fuel costs, it is what it is.

 

[ls99]

Excellent choice. Many happy trails.

 

[Looking4Ward]

I only filled up once driving home, 80 gal fuel tanks on each side, but I figured about 7 mpg at 70 mph. I was no interested in slower, my goal was to get home in shorter time. The engine turns 1500 rpm at 70 mph, and driving a little slower would help mpg some. As pointed out, it is a lot of air and weight to move down the road. I don't worry about the mileage and subsequent fuel costs, it is what it is.

I once had a cruiser with twin inboards that would burn 40 gallons an hour at cruise - roughly three quarters of a mile per gallon. So I agree that "it is what it is", the price we pay for our toys.

 

[Sarah in SC]

Our school bus got 8 or 9 miles per gallon, but we still took it 29,000 miles around the world.

Fortunately, more than a few of those were "sea miles" where we just had to pay our share of the diesel on the cargo ships!
It is what it is, exactly!

 

[Looking4Ward]

Our school bus got 8 or 9 miles per gallon, but we still took it 29,000 miles around the world.

Fortunately, more than a few of those were "sea miles" where we just had to pay our share of the diesel on the cargo ships!
It is what it is, exactly!

Interesting that you mention that - used school buses in pretty good shape can be bought all day long for less than $20K. I wonder how wise of a project it would be to turn one into an RV?

 

[Sarah in SC]

Check out Skoolie.net for some cool ideas. It is a pretty big project to turn one into an RV, but if you are handy and dedicated, the results can be amazing. There are an awful lot of half finished ones out there for sale, which tells me that it isn't easy.

Our bus is a shortie, 23 feet, and is all original, including the wheelchair lift (one of our crew was in a chair, so we kept it operational). The seats are also all the same miserable ones you remember from elementary school, too!

We will likely pull the lift out and replace it with a little kitchen cabinet dealie, for our next trip. We also added a big secure jobsite box bolted through the floor, for tools, parts, and gear.

And yes, they are amazingly durable. No flat tires, no overheating, no mechanical problems of any kind on ours, which is a 1991 Thomas-built bought in NC for $2500.