check out the new remote control Jockey Wheel SmartBar Topargee products Enginesaver Low Water Alarms
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> Techies' Corner -> Info needed on whats the best power plant for Motor Home
Post Info TOPIC: Info needed on whats the best power plant for Motor Home
Jimbo48


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 23
Date:
Info needed on whats the best power plant for Motor Home
Permalink  

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


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 7642
Date:
Permalink  

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 ..

__________________
Whats out there
Peter_n_Margaret


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4375
Date:
Permalink  

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

__________________

OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
Baz421


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2206
Date:
Permalink  

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.



__________________

Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
madaboutled


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 848
Date:
Permalink  

My next Motorhome won't be a 302 V8, but gotta say this one is fun to drive!.



__________________

Steve, Di & Ziggy We named our Motorhome "Roadworx" because on the road works "On The Road Again"
Ford Transit with 302 Windsor V8 conversion, C4 Auto, 9 Inch Ford Diff All Lighting L.E.D., 260 Amp/h AGM, 530 Watt Solar + Kipor Backup Gen.
Aus-Kiwi


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 7642
Date:
Permalink  

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

__________________
Whats out there
jonathan


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 97
Date:
Permalink  

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

__________________

 <<  Living Life  >>
dorian


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4188
Date:
Permalink  

My mechanic advised me to go for something Japanese. However, all that I could find at the last motorhome/caravan expo were European based.

__________________

"No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full."

Lucius Cornelius Sulla - died 78 BC 

 
Jimbo48


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 23
Date:
Permalink  

Thank all for your info. I appreciate your comments

Jim

__________________
PeterInSa


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1047
Date:
Permalink  

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)

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


__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> Techies' Corner -> Info needed on whats the best power plant for Motor Home
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
Purchase Grey Nomad bumper stickers Read our daily column, the Nomad News The Grey Nomad's Guidebook