Thinking about going to a diesel pusher and an enclosed, probably a stacker as i want to carry a car, a razor and 4 quads. We are from northern california so every trip for us involves 500 miles and mountains. I would be buying used and would like at least 1 slide in the living area. It seems most are rated for 5k and some at 10k, this seems to be hitch capacity and not related to braking or suspension or the horsepower available to move it. I know the more horsepower, the better but is 300 - 350 enough or should I look for 400-450?

I found a Moho offered local to me with a 11 liter Cummins with 450hp. It is 40' with one slide and its uvwr is 30.5k with a gross of 35k and has a 5k hitch. 30k seems really heavy for a 1 slide moho? I called the manufacturer, Gulfstream, they told me that I could have the hitch beefed up and could do 40k gcwr with that chassis. This is a 1999 with 65k miles and asking around $55k. I have had toyhaulers all my life but know next to nothing about Motorhomes. I don't know a Gulfstream from a Winabago, just don't want to buy one to find out I needed something else.

Thanks

My 40' DP only has 315hp and pulls my 28' trailer just fine. The price you mentioned seems a little high for the age.

I would be intersted to see the torque specs on them. Thats what gonna give you that grunt to get up the hills.

Your on to the key item it's the hitch you will need to have work done especially for a stacker. My Haulmark Stacker 22' with fuel tank and 70 gal fresh water tank full tips in at 12,936 lbs then you have to add toy/tools/stuff. The Moho you get might need a trans cooler also. FYI a 40' will put you in a Class B Lic. the DMV web site has info on that.

I have a 340 cummins and I pull a heavy trailer just fine over the grades.
When I am not towing, and just traveling I can get amazing mileage out of it too


Brandon

Don't forget about the new regulations on diesels that is coming for 2012. My Matco dealer just bought a new truck instead of retro fitting his.

Look for coaches that have at least 400HP. Mainly because the 400 HP uses the bigger Allison trans and will handle the 1200 lbs of torque that the 400 puts out. The smaller motors 350 hp and under use a smaller tranny and only put out 860 lbs of torque. Having had a Cummings 400 HP in a 40' Alfa for the last 5 years and having pulled a TPD stacker weighing close to 14K you will still slow down considerably on the hills but if you keep the engine in the power range by down shifting the trans it will keep the engine cool and pull the load. I don't think your going to find a Stacker that will fit a car, rhino and 4 quads that will be any shorter than about 30 feet. That means you have to find a M/H that is 35' with the big motors and that's pretty much impossible to do. You will either end up over length or taking less toys It's just the way it works!
If I had my druthers and would have known then what I know now I would have gone for a toter home and a big muther trailer:)
I would look for that set up as there are a lot more out there for sale than five years ago when i was looking. Both on this site and Racingjunk.com
Good Luck!

Terry

You definitely need to look at all the aspects. Are you always going to be towing? How many major highways will you travel on ( legal length ) What kind of weight are you planning on towing. I have friends towing 10k with a 330hp a little sluggish on hills but 11-13mpg when not towing. I have a 525hp Cummings it has all the power in the world but mileage is 6 mpg when towing and about 7 1/2 mpg not

I have a 330 Cat in my 38ft Forest River and it does ok. I think a lot depends on your budget. I drove a rig with 270hp and it was quite a bit slower on any type of grade.

STAY AWAY FROM GULFSTREAM

The hitch rating is one thing. You need to also find what trans is in the coach. Most lower Hp coaches, usually the ones with the 5.9l cummins, have the Allison 2500 in them and will not handle the extra weight back there. Most coaches with around 320hp on up have the Allison 3000 trans, and those larger coaches with 450hp on up have the Allison 4000. Needless to say you are not going to hurt the 4000, and not likely the 3000.
I have a 330hp Cummins with the Allison 3000. I pull at least 5k every time I pull and up to around 8k to head to the dunes. At my higher elevations on the largest passes I travel the old girl will drop down into the 45mph range........I dont find that all that bad moving 38k. I average around 8mpg.

I would also try and get as many slides as you can. You can never have enough space.

I would agree. Their coaches look nice and I'm sure there are many happy owners... until they have to have something repaired and the dealer they take it to has a nightmare trying to order parts and it takes forever.

I got nothing to say.

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How many slides can you get on a toter now Exotica? Those are the way to go if you tow a lot.

They will do 5 if you want 'em.

X-2

Gary 400hp is nice but you can get away with 300+ might slow down on big hills. If you can get the 350 you can always add a tune and air filters to it. You can pump them up. for a single slide 99-00 you should be under the 40K mark you can get dual slides and 03-04 for in the 50+ range.