What engine to go with my Motorhome?

Wayne o · Veteran Member

What engine to go with my Motorhome?

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Not about the motor, but I would not purchase a Fiat because they are front wheel drive and can get bogged on damp grass. I have even seen them spinning wheels on wet bitumen and unable to proceed. They may also have very limited towing capacity because of the lack of any decent chassis at the rear (the chassis is NOT made by Fiat).
Fiat and Iveco are both made by Fiat.
If $$$$s are not an issue, go for a 4WD Iveco and you will be able to go anywhere.
Cheers,
Peter

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I like the Jap light trucks as the platform . The Fiat style are virtually front wheel drive added to van . Servicing Euro vehicles is expensive! Getting or finding a good mechanic familiar with them . The transmission is very expensive to repair . You dont mention budget , new, second hand ? $20k to way over $150k . Toyota, Fuso, Mitsubishi, Isuzu etc . Even though mine is US based . Jap vehicles have it on durability and serviceable !! Without costing too much !!! Be aware of weight ! Depending on licence . Which btw is not a big deal to up grade . Mrs has done it recently .

dorian · Guru

Which manufacturer puts a motorhome on a Japanese chassis today?

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

dorian wrote:
Which manufacturer puts a motorhome on a Japanese chassis today?

ATW, SLRV, Earth Cruiser and others.

Cheers,

Peter

Bicyclecamper · Guru

When I started back working partime some years ago, doing a "Milk Run" Sydney to Rockhampton weekly, was given a in good nick, Iveco, double bogey, 12 tonner Pantech. It had a 2 up sleeping arrangement. 300.000km added to the 500,000km already on it of the 18 months that I drove it. If I was ever going to drive trucks again, it would be an Iveco, same if I got into MH'S. I had no problems with this truck, nor did the owner as well for all those km's

-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Monday 1st of March 2021 12:36:12 PM

-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Monday 1st of March 2021 12:40:48 PM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

That is a Real Truck with proper chassis etc with 12 ton . Very different to the RV type !!

Craig1 · Guru

Ric, Double Bogey?. that's a quad mate

bgt · Guru

There must be a reason why there are more Fiat built motorhome/campervan on the road. And don't say it's because they are cheap. Cheap crap doesn't sell. 99% of Fiat owners have no issues. Like all commercial chassis they aren't designed for RV use. All of them can be fine tuned for better enjoyment.

Bicyclecamper · Guru

When, I drove trucks, it was known as a double bogey, and if it has changed now, I did not now. to me it means 2 drive axles at the back.

yobarr · Guru

Bicyclecamper wrote:
When, I drove trucks, it was known as a double bogey, and if it has changed now, I did not now. to me it means 2 drive axles at the back.

Hi Ric...trucks are single drive (one rear axle) bogie drive (two rear axles) or tri-drive (3 rear axles).Cheers

oldbloke · Guru

Both Iveco and Merc make diesel's. No idea about Fiat.

dorian · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
dorian wrote:
Which manufacturer puts a motorhome on a Japanese chassis today?
ATW, SLRV, Earth Cruiser and others.

None of the web sites have prices, and some don't even have a "gallery".

I'm too scared to ask how much this costs:

http://www.allterrainwarriors.com.au/global-warrior/

Tony LEE · Guru

Dorian, we test drove the original model 12 years ago - (the one you could drive on a car license PROVIDED it was completely empty and your copilot weighed no more than 35kg) and driving around the back streets on roughish bitumen roads, it was so rough that we went and bought an OKA instead. Price then was astronomical. My view is that fitting suspension seats to make up for crappy suspension is a bad idea

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

If you have to ask how much, you probably can't afford one.
This is why many of us build our own.
That said, there are several manufacturers building this type of vehicle in Oz and they are all staying in business, so there is a market.
Cheers,
Peter

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yes the Toyota Coaster makes a good platform . If your going new and Euro ? Just to buy NEW with warranty ? I would chose the Mercedes first . Also consider you may have warranty ! But it doesnt really help When your out Ship Creek ! Coaster and Mitsubishi Rosa run motors common in other vehicles here . Plenty businesses out there doing small bus conversions . Ive run into ( not literally ) 3 or 4 couple on there way to Tazzy to pick up their converted RV .

bgt · Guru

Keep in mind a few other factors. Not just the engine. Front wheel drive = no transmission tunnel. The Fiat has "almost" vertical walls. Merc and coaster etc have walls the slope inwards at the top. Thus storage/ furniture is compromised. My guess is that Merc has a larger service network. Don't get fixated with just the engine.

bgt · Guru

Bogies can be driven or lazy. Just because a prime mover has 2 axle, 8 wheel set up doesn't mean it's 2 axle drive. Our bus conversion had 2 rear axle, both with 4 wheels. But only the front axle was powered. But the same bus could be ordered with both axles powered.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Definitely go with Diesel engine . I just prefer a chassis over using the RV as the frame even if you step up a little higher . On the larger RVs theres STORAGE under frame . Theres such a WIDE selection . Imo go for the largest you can . You MAY think an RV is too large !! But trust me . Living in full time ! The awning in ours was a great choice ! Giving extra room so we are not couped inside on bad days .

Wayne o · Veteran Member

Thank you all for your suggestions. Believe me, I am taking it all in.

Keep them coming if you have more to add.

cheers,

Wayne

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

How big and what features are appropriate depends a lot on where you want to go.
That can vary from anywhere anything can drive to sticking to the black top. With more and more people touring this country there are great advantages in being able to go where most of the others can not and where all the camping is free.

Cheers,
Peter

bgt · Guru

Peter's right. The correct path is to figure out what you want to do. Then figure out what sort of RV will do that task.

Tony Bev · Guru

I have the motorhome in my Avatar, it is an old 2006 year Fiat, so may not be comparable with newer models

To answer this part of the question

most of the motorhomes are either powered by Fiat, Mercedes Benz or Iveco engines.

On the smaller (less than 4,500 KG) motorhomes, both the Fiat and Iveco engines are made in the same factory, and are basically the same engine

The Fiat engine, being front wheel drive, is situated east west in the engine bay

The Iveco engine, being rear wheel drive, is situated north south in the engine bay

As you have said that you are willing to do some mechanical work yourself, then the Iveco would be easier to work on, than the Fiat engine

I have no experience of any Mercedes engines

-- Edited by Tony Bev on Tuesday 2nd of March 2021 05:04:55 PM

Spook · Senior Member

Winnebago Alpine on an Isuzu NQR450 chassis. Not sure if still available but I had one and it was absolutely brilliant! Mine was a 2855.

Jaahn · Guru

Wayne o wrote:

Thank you all for your suggestions. Believe me, I am taking it all in. Keep them coming if you have more to add.

cheers,Wayne

Hi Wayne smile

Well we previously had a '99 Winnebago on a Isuzu 3T truck. It was a good unit inside, good layout for us, plenty of power, could go anywhere sensible you want really, taking in the bigger size. BUT we got sick of the crap ride in the front over the wheels and also the getting in and out of the cab. It had been "improved" by Carrols so it must have been bad originally. OK on a smooth road but we like to go other places. I did the servicing and parts etc were no problem. The cab did not lift so it was ackward to service but simple enough. disbelief

Soo we moved on to a 2000 Merc Sprinter bus with low Kms. The ride was simply much much better, getting in and out was easier and comfortable. We use the side door mostly which has an electric fold out step, so good for 70++ year olds and we can walk through to the front seats. We did a simple conversion and have been happy with it. It is much lighter, frontal area less, so fuel use is much better with equivalent good performance. It has rear wheel drive and except for the long wheel base will get to normal places. I service it and parts for the old model are OK to find. I believe the older models are more reliable than the newer fancy sh*t electronic controlled new models. It is a bit smaller inside so if you want all the mod cons you will be a bit squeesy. hmm

So there is some thoughts for you to contemplate. aww

Jaahn