Built on Peterbilt chasis...

[Vitaver]

If money was not a consideration, would you consider a motorhome built on such a chasis, like a Renegade or a Newmar? If not, why please?

Advantages/disadvantages?

Thank you for any comment!

[Goin camping]

If I were a Moho person. I surely would.

A commercial frame and drivetrain seems like a great idea.

[Vitaver]

Sorry, it flies over my head... what does it mean and why used on this context?

Thanks!

[wulfraat]

moho = motorhome

[SilverFire]

Your initial post stated Peterbuilt chasis. Then you asked about Newmar motor coach chassis. Two different suspensions and designs. Commercial heavy duty rigs are rugged and have stiff chassis, and significant mass (translates too greater vibration). Stock Airstream cabinetry would not hold up to the higher vibration if you dropped a stock AS shell directly on a stiff commercial chassis without modifing cushioning & bushings. The stock Airstream plastic plumbing fittings, electrical componets would also be subject to more damage I suspect. Washboard roads and off-grid travel would increase vibration to the Airstream shell. I have a medium duty Freightliner and it is too stiff to pull my small 19' AS. My 6 liter V-8 Avalanche is a much more civil TV for a smaller 19' AS. I would only consider pulling a large AS with my Freightliner (but carefully). I'd also be lashing down everything more diligently.

[Mollysdad]

If I had lots of money, and the urge to be frugal and do my own maintenance, I'd buy a "Super C".
The class C built on a truck chassis, but the engine in front. Open the hood, and do your own oil changes and filters.
This is a Newmar Super C based on a International chassis.

[Mollysdad]

Here's a Peterbuilt!
But, all the Peterbuilts I found were custom one off's, and not made by a brand manufacturer.
They're more popular in the racing circuit.
It's possible you may need a CDL license to drive.

[Rich W]

If money wasn't a consideration and if I was going to go full-timing or near full-timing, I would consider going with a motor home. For our wants/needs I would rather have a travel trailer. My wife got to pick the brand, I got to pick the color.

For me, maintenance is a major factor. Even if someone gave me a motor home I'm still the one to do the maintenance or pay someone to do it. With my AS I don't have a motor, huge dual tires or other things to worry about. With a motor home you'll have a "toad", so another motor to take care of. I'm sure the insurance on my AS is considerably less than it would be on a motor home.

If I'm not full time then I'd have to worry about navigating a motor home in my subdivision of older, large tree limbs, bad enough with my small AS. With my AS I don't have to worry about size limits in state and national parks or maneuvering around narrow park system roads.

While having an AS is nice, I do miss the luxury of the motor home, the larger amount of space and traveling for months instead of weeks. (We did 3 months in our 23' AS and we were both very happy to get home again. We think a maximum of 2 months or get a bigger AS and TV.) Having a regular size dining area, big couch and a drop down TV screen instead of having to sit at an angle to see a TV mounted perpendicular to the couch would be nice.

Before I retired we talked about all of the differences but ultimately our decision came down to cost and best bang for the $$$. I know that if I want to sell our AS it would (I think) result in a quick sale. Our size is good for an entry level purchase. I think everyone has to look at what they want for a lifestyle and then match that to what they can afford, initially and on-going.

[martin300662]

Interesting that all the responses to 'would you buy' a certain type of motorhome, are coming from folks with trailers.

The motorhome owners response is probably 'meh'.........

[TerraYacht]

My 2005 TerraYacht is on a Workhorse chassis. GM spun off their truck chassis business to WorkHorse and WorkHorse does not offer these anymore. 8.1 liter GM engine and the one I bought had mod's by the PO: Banks intake/exhaust and some other stuff. We really like the interior size, 30', and the self contained aspect. also, I think we have more storage space than a similar trailer would have.

Downside: I have to bring it to specialist for service and that is where it is now: most of the steering suspension components need replacing with only ~20,000 miles. I would not expect that with a "standard" TV for a trailer.

So, yes, I would probably do another similar size moho, although that Newmar super C gets my hormones pumped, arrrrghh.

[SilverFire]

Dry weight on that Super C is over 42,000 lbs, so yes a CDL in Oregon would be required (anything over 26,000 lbs!). Purchase price $$$$$, Insurance $$$$$, Maintenance$$$$$, etc... Ouch!!!

[davejay]

Hey.
Putting AS body on a big rig frame is probably not such a good idea. The two are really from different worlds. I own one of those big bunk semis. My sleeper is 132 inches long. My wheelbase is 320 inches. I weight 25k pounds. How would you wheel that pig around a campground. 6.8 mpg is pretty standard. You d get about 10 to maybe 11 as a mh. Everything on a big rig would be total overkill as a motorhome. If you choose this route. I'd look for a straight truck chassis. It gross weight is 33k. Thats more in keeping with a class a mh weight. And you don't need a cdl to drive it. Peel the box and cab off the frame. And now you got a workable chassis. Make sure the frame is good. Look at the cross members on the frame for wear and rust. A cummins engine with a 6 speed Allison is what most intracity box trucks have. You can buy one from penske Ryder or a small fleet owner. You can get one pretty cheap too. Depending on how may miles the unit has will dictate how much you pay for said unit. Good luck on your quest. Its doable . I think AS had my built on a gillig frame. Thats right in line with your idea . I will tell you though. Your going to need to play with the suspension. Or your going to have c a very rough ride. Not so much on the rears if it has air bags . The front may need a few springs pulled out of the pack to get it a little softer. Cool idea. Lots of work. Dj

[Vitaver]

I was not clear, sorry for that. Never intended to put on a truck bed or tow and AS with a Class C+, but replacing the AS with such, an alternative all together . Sorry for the confusion.