Info needed on whats the best power plant for Motor Home
Jimbo48 said
04:40 PM Nov 22, 2015
Hi all hopefully Im in the right area for some advice.
I'm a newbie and currently looking around at the various motor homes with the view of buying one and spending 6 months of the year enjoying our great part of the world. I'm particularly interested in information on what power base or platform is the best. I noted that there are a few different ones. Mercedes, Fiat, VW, For Transit and Iveco.
I'm interested in any known problems with any of these, whats your preference, maintenance costs etc.
I hired a motor home last year for a two week holiday on the south coast. It was on a mercedes base and two days into the trip the torque converor died which turned out to be an expensive repair for the rental company admitedly it had done 200,000 ks and was a tad tired. I enjoyed the motor home and trip but glad I wasnt paying for repairs.
Thanks in advance for any advice
Jim
Aus-Kiwi said
06:26 PM Nov 22, 2015
Converter could be from previous abuse ? Never know ..
Not too much of an issue if buying new ..
I look at engine etc and it's price for repair ..
Must say though motor home engines etc .. You can't really drive them too hard as You beer can break inside.. Lol ..
Peter_n_Margaret said
09:02 PM Nov 22, 2015
The engines on all of those vehicles are good engines.
Personally I would not buy a front wheel drive MH (Fiat), due to traction issues with most of the weight on the rear axle, despite their being the most popular (due largely to price).
Cheers,
Peter
Baz421 said
10:17 PM Nov 22, 2015
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
The engines on all of those vehicles are good engines. Personally I would not buy a front wheel drive MH (Fiat), due to traction issues with most of the weight on the rear axle, despite their being the most popular (due largely to price).
Cheers, Peter
Good advice here for you Jim. Saw a Fiat get bogged quiet easy and towed out and then it only just got across a wet patch of grass. Not a comforting sight.
If you are looking to travel a lot look for turbo diesel and improved/better fuel economy as fuel is a bit cost to us all. A turbo and good driving practices could save 5-15% (conservatively) on fuel bills.
madaboutled said
12:18 AM Nov 23, 2015
My next Motorhome won't be a 302 V8, but gotta say this one is fun to drive!.
Aus-Kiwi said
01:37 AM Nov 23, 2015
Turbo diesel for sure .. I usually like or go for Jap engines as there parts availability has been excellent .. Just make sure you don't get a dumped end of model engine in limited production run here in Aust.. The manufacturers Yu said are fine .. Engines etc can be sourced from anywhere ..
yes I came close to FWD Fiat too... I don't like FWD cars...
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Monday 23rd of November 2015 01:40:35 AM
jonathan said
05:01 AM Nov 23, 2015
I had a Front wheel drive Fiat Ducato for 4 years from new ..
Reliable and economical, but unless you planned to stay on sealed roads all the time, I wouldn't even consider it !
Power plant .. yes .. turbo diesel for me ..
-- Edited by jonathan on Monday 23rd of November 2015 05:05:26 AM
dorian said
06:46 AM Nov 23, 2015
My mechanic advised me to go for something Japanese. However, all that I could find at the last motorhome/caravan expo were European based.
Jimbo48 said
06:31 PM Nov 23, 2015
Thank all for your info. I appreciate your comments
Jim
PeterInSa said
06:41 PM Nov 23, 2015
I have attended a CMCA rally and by far the most popular motorhome was the Jayco Conquest Fiat based. Probably the second most popular was the Toyota Coaster cannot recall the Long and short wheel base split up.
In your case I would seriously consider a Toyota Coaster here are some suggestions ( a TD model)
Hi all hopefully Im in the right area for some advice.
I'm a newbie and currently looking around at the various motor homes with the view of buying one and spending 6 months of the year enjoying our great part of the world. I'm particularly interested in information on what power base or platform is the best. I noted that there are a few different ones. Mercedes, Fiat, VW, For Transit and Iveco.
I'm interested in any known problems with any of these, whats your preference, maintenance costs etc.
I hired a motor home last year for a two week holiday on the south coast. It was on a mercedes base and two days into the trip the torque converor died which turned out to be an expensive repair for the rental company admitedly it had done 200,000 ks and was a tad tired. I enjoyed the motor home and trip but glad I wasnt paying for repairs.
Thanks in advance for any advice
Jim
Not too much of an issue if buying new ..
I look at engine etc and it's price for repair ..
Must say though motor home engines etc .. You can't really drive them too hard as You beer can break inside.. Lol ..
Personally I would not buy a front wheel drive MH (Fiat), due to traction issues with most of the weight on the rear axle, despite their being the most popular (due largely to price).
Cheers,
Peter
Good advice here for you Jim. Saw a Fiat get bogged quiet easy and towed out and then it only just got across a wet patch of grass. Not a comforting sight.
If you are looking to travel a lot look for turbo diesel and improved/better fuel economy as fuel is a bit cost to us all. A turbo and good driving practices could save 5-15% (conservatively) on fuel bills.
My next Motorhome won't be a 302 V8, but gotta say this one is fun to drive!.
Turbo diesel for sure .. I usually like or go for Jap engines as there parts availability has been excellent ..
Just make sure you don't get a dumped end of model engine in limited production run here in Aust..
The manufacturers Yu said are fine .. Engines etc can be sourced from anywhere ..
yes I came close to FWD Fiat too... I don't like FWD cars...
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Monday 23rd of November 2015 01:40:35 AM
I had a Front wheel drive Fiat Ducato for 4 years from new ..
Reliable and economical, but unless you planned to stay on sealed roads all the time, I wouldn't even consider it !
Power plant .. yes .. turbo diesel for me ..
-- Edited by jonathan on Monday 23rd of November 2015 05:05:26 AM
Jim
In your case I would seriously consider a Toyota Coaster here are some suggestions ( a TD model)
www.motorhomesoz.com.au/motorhomes-for-sale
Have had no dealing with this company other than making an Enquiry when a friend was looking.
Peter