Diesel Pushers...

[macgyvr]

Anyone got one? Anyone tow trailers with it?

I'm throwing the idea around of one. I'm looking at 30 to 35ft class A's with 260-300 cummins or cat motors on freightliner or spartan (sp?) chassis...

The ones that would appear to be in my price range are about 2000 to 2003 with 40 to 70k miles.

Some of the weights for them are around 18 to 19k.

Anyone know what they will feasibly tow? I'm looking to be able to tow a minimum of 10k...and 14k would rock...

Also, and I am sure that I should know this...but total length shouldn't exceed 65ft correct with the coach and the trailer right?

What are things to look for? What are things to shy away from?

Who can insure them?

Who can finance them?

I'm realistically looking to put about 10 to 12k miles a year on something to cover all my wheelin and competitions...

mac 'my megacab may be forsale in the near future' gyvr

 

[2xtreme]

I don't have too much info on specifics. So my info probably isn't that usefull but I will add a few comments because I have considered something similar.

1. Those years, chassis and engine choices should provide a good base unit. I would look into tranny's also, I suspect they are more of an issue than any other large ticket item.

2. Length I believe is based on standard/commercial license, check with your state laws and other states that you might drive through. I see 40+ foot coaches with 20ft + trailers reasonably often. but I believe you are correct, 65ft tractor trailer is total length acceptable in SOME states, I don't believe this is for all states.

3. What will they tow? Just about anything. I see them towing 30ft triple axle trailers regularly. I would check a few and see what they are rated for but I suspect the biggest limiting factors would be the hitch type, receiver strength, brake set up on trailer. I think you might find 10K is tough to get beyond.

4. I can't remember who I had insure mine but I did have to do some research on this and finally a dealer helped me find someone. Same went for financing.

Sorry if this doesn't help, but I thought I would add a few thoughts.

Michael

 

[Darky]

If it has a toilet, you should be able to claim it as a house and get tax benefits from interest and such. Also, depending on when you buy, you might be able to qualify for the current homeowner's tax credit of $6500.

 

[macgyvr]

I don't have too much info on specifics. So my info probably isn't that usefull but I will add a few comments because I have considered something similar.

1. Those years, chassis and engine choices should provide a good base unit. I would look into tranny's also, I suspect they are more of an issue than any other large ticket item.

2. Length I believe is based on standard/commercial license, check with your state laws and other states that you might drive through. I see 40+ foot coaches with 20ft + trailers reasonably often. but I believe you are correct, 65ft tractor trailer is total length acceptable in SOME states, I don't believe this is for all states.

3. What will they tow? Just about anything. I see them towing 30ft triple axle trailers regularly. I would check a few and see what they are rated for but I suspect the biggest limiting factors would be the hitch type, receiver strength, brake set up on trailer. I think you might find 10K is tough to get beyond.

4. I can't remember who I had insure mine but I did have to do some research on this and finally a dealer helped me find someone. Same went for financing.

Sorry if this doesn't help, but I thought I would add a few thoughts.

Michael

It appears that most I have looked at have an allison transmission. Some of the setups look like the push button stuff that looks like what i have seen in charter buses...my single place weighs 7k loaded, my buddys enclosed with buggy weighs 10k (competition setup), and my two place loaded is 14k...my two place is also 34ft long...

If it has a toilet, you should be able to claim it as a house and get tax benefits from interest and such. Also, depending on when you buy, you might be able to qualify for the current homeowner's tax credit of $6500.

funny you mention that...i'm getting my taxes done tonight and i'll asked my accountant what she thinks about that...

mac 'would be sweet to write some stuff off...tho i'm pretty reserved about that' gyvr

 

[macgyvr]

It appears that most I have looked at have an allison transmission. Some of the setups look like the push button stuff that looks like what i have seen in charter buses...my single place weighs 7k loaded, my buddys enclosed with buggy weighs 10k (competition setup), and my two place loaded is 14k...my two place is also 34ft long...





funny you mention that...i'm getting my taxes done tonight and i'll asked my accountant what she thinks about that...

mac 'would be sweet to write some stuff off...tho i'm pretty reserved about that' gyvr

I talked to my tax lady and the only thing I can write off would be some of the registration...including the part of the registration where Indiana puts a higher tax on the motor homes in lieu of paying property taxes on one...

mac 'no credits or right offs beyond that' gyvr

 

[Darky]

I talked to my tax lady and the only thing I can write off would be some of the registration...including the part of the registration where Indiana puts a higher tax on the motor homes in lieu of paying property taxes on one...

mac 'no credits or right offs beyond that' gyvr

Dang. Maybe it was only for tow behinds/5th wheels. A friend of mine is looking into getting a 5th wheel and says that he can claim it as a residence on his taxes when he gets it.

 

[lesslimited]

Unless they've changed the tax laws in order to completely kill the RV industry, this is what applies...


----IRS Cut & Paste ---
Qualified Home
For you to take a home mortgage interest deduction, your debt must be secured by a qualified home. This means your main home or your second home. A home includes a house, condominium, cooperative, mobile home, house trailer, boat, or similar property that has sleeping, cooking, and toilet facilities.

The interest you pay on a mortgage on a home other than your main or second home may be deductible if the proceeds of the loan were used for business, investment, or other deductible purposes. Otherwise, it is considered personal interest and is not deductible.

Main home. You can have only one main home at any one time. This is the home where you ordinarily live most of the time.

Second home. A second home is a home that you choose to treat as your second home.

Second home not rented out. If you have a second home that you do not hold out for rent or resale to others at any time during the year, you can treat it as a qualified home. You do not have to use the home during the year.

Second home rented out. If you have a second home and rent it out part of the year, you also must use it as a home during the year for it to be a qualified home. You must use this home more than 14 days or more than 10% of the number of days during the year that the home is rented at a fair rental, whichever is longer. If you do not use the home long enough, it is considered rental property and not a second home. For information on residential rental property, see Publication 527.

More than one second home. If you have more than one second home, you can treat only one as the qualified second home during any year. However, you can change the home you treat as a second home during the year in the following situations.
If you get a new home during the year, you can choose to treat the new home as your second home as of the day you buy it.

If your main home no longer qualifies as your main home, you can choose to treat it as your second home as of the day you stop using it as your main home.

If your second home is sold during the year or becomes your main home, you can choose a new second home as of the day you sell the old one or begin using it as your main home.

----End cut and paste----

As far as I know, any RV with a bathroom qualifies. We deducted interest on 3 different travel trailers, and our motorhome.


I did a little research on tow ratings the other night, and it seems like many RV manufacturers are somewhat stingy with that info. The chassis manufacturers will give you the GCWR, but deducting the RV weight from that won't necessarily give you the tow rating. Many RV manufacturers add on to the back of the frame with thinner material, sufficient to support the living area and a 5000 lb hitch. Our Ford chassis had a GCWR of 26k, RV weighed a little over 13k, but Winnebago only set it up to tow 5k.

And we financed and insured with USAA.

If you have this for Winterfest, I call dibs on the couch

 

[macgyvr]

Unless they've changed the tax laws in order to completely kill the RV industry, this is what applies...


----IRS Cut & Paste ---
Qualified Home
For you to take a home mortgage interest deduction, your debt must be secured by a qualified home. This means your main home or your second home. A home includes a house, condominium, cooperative, mobile home, house trailer, boat, or similar property that has sleeping, cooking, and toilet facilities.

The interest you pay on a mortgage on a home other than your main or second home may be deductible if the proceeds of the loan were used for business, investment, or other deductible purposes. Otherwise, it is considered personal interest and is not deductible.

Main home. You can have only one main home at any one time. This is the home where you ordinarily live most of the time.

Second home. A second home is a home that you choose to treat as your second home.

Second home not rented out. If you have a second home that you do not hold out for rent or resale to others at any time during the year, you can treat it as a qualified home. You do not have to use the home during the year.

Second home rented out. If you have a second home and rent it out part of the year, you also must use it as a home during the year for it to be a qualified home. You must use this home more than 14 days or more than 10% of the number of days during the year that the home is rented at a fair rental, whichever is longer. If you do not use the home long enough, it is considered rental property and not a second home. For information on residential rental property, see Publication 527.

More than one second home. If you have more than one second home, you can treat only one as the qualified second home during any year. However, you can change the home you treat as a second home during the year in the following situations.
If you get a new home during the year, you can choose to treat the new home as your second home as of the day you buy it.

If your main home no longer qualifies as your main home, you can choose to treat it as your second home as of the day you stop using it as your main home.

If your second home is sold during the year or becomes your main home, you can choose a new second home as of the day you sell the old one or begin using it as your main home.

----End cut and paste----

As far as I know, any RV with a bathroom qualifies. We deducted interest on 3 different travel trailers, and our motorhome.


I did a little research on tow ratings the other night, and it seems like many RV manufacturers are somewhat stingy with that info. The chassis manufacturers will give you the GCWR, but deducting the RV weight from that won't necessarily give you the tow rating. Many RV manufacturers add on to the back of the frame with thinner material, sufficient to support the living area and a 5000 lb hitch. Our Ford chassis had a GCWR of 26k, RV weighed a little over 13k, but Winnebago only set it up to tow 5k.

And we financed and insured with USAA.

If you have this for Winterfest, I call dibs on the couch

The paragraph in bold confuses me...

No one seems to want to share the tow ratings...but if the back of the frame is strong enough for a diesel motor then....

you're welcome on my couch anytime john...

mac 'my truck needs to sell asap for this to happen by winterfest' gyvr

 

[lesslimited]

The paragraph in bold confuses me...

No one seems to want to share the tow ratings...but if the back of the frame is strong enough for a diesel motor then....

you're welcome on my couch anytime john...

mac 'my truck needs to sell asap for this to happen by winterfest' gyvr

Unless you already have a second home, the RV would qualify. The first and second are always deductible, with the exception being that if you rent out the second home, you must also use it yourself a minimum of 14 days a year.

 

[BlueCuda]

A friend of mines dad has a 36ft(monaco maybe) with a Cat and an allison. He tows a 28 ft enclosed race trailer with a dragster and a golf cart in it so maybe around 10Klbs. He has towed all over the country with it and hasn't had much trouble with it. I think its borderline under powered with the 330HP cat in it however.

I don't think you will have to worry to much about the chassis handling the 14K. I think the motor choices for that size may not have the nuts to tow it well.

 

[DrMoab]

What kind of a discount are you making on your Dodge?

I really want another one and would buy yours in a heartbeat if the price was right.

 

[pajeepman]

A friend of mine has a 40' diesel pusher. She has never towed anything with it but I will say one thing, it's damn nice and fast. Last summer we went to get it out of a campground she kept it in. I was in my brothers F-250 PSD and I though she would be lagging behind on the hiway. She was crazy fast getting up tp speed(She has a 425hp engine in it). She can also get 16mpg in it. I was damn impressed. FWIW it's an Allgero bus. I what to try and borrow it and tow my Mustang to some drags this fall with it. I don't think I would hardly notice the weight of the trailer behind it.
It might be possible to easily up the hp on the engine you end up with if you find you need a little more.

 

[macgyvr]

What kind of a discount are you making on your Dodge?

I really want another one and would buy yours in a heartbeat if the price was right.

I assume you have seen the ad in the midwest forum?

PM me what you think your price should be

mac 'money talks' gyvr

 

[DrMoab]

Actually I had not seen the ad until last night. That's a damn good price for a damn nice truck. There is only one problem for me... It's an auto. Ugh. If it had a six speed I would probably be on a plane to pick it up from you (seriously)

My 05 was an auto and I swore never again. Coming from the semi world I hate not being in control.

You should think about posting it on the national classifieds. Not here but like auto trader and such. They are going for a lot higher price out this way.

 

[macgyvr]

Actually I had not seen the ad until last night. That's a damn good price for a damn nice truck. There is only one problem for me... It's an auto. Ugh. If it had a six speed I would probably be on a plane to pick it up from you (seriously)

My 05 was an auto and I swore never again. Coming from the semi world I hate not being in control.

You should think about posting it on the national classifieds. Not here but like auto trader and such. They are going for a lot higher price out this way.

makes me feel good about the price, which i thought was pretty fair...was going to try to keep from spending money on a national thing, but will probably look into that this week...

btw, this auto has a modified valve body which makes the shifting a lot nicer...

mac 'lets talk more diesel pushers' gyvr

 

[scottmcneal]

Most diesel pusher will tow 10 thou easy.. You can ask the dealer that you want to buy from...I just sold my 05 phaeton diesel.. I towed a toy house with one xj and 4 quads, one was a small one... Check the hitch on the motorhome, it tells you the TOW RATE..
Like i said mine said 10 thou

HTH

 

[bwinter1946]

Some diesel pushers will tow 10,000 lbs but not all can.

Each motorhome is required by the government to have a data plate installed that will state Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). Be advised some are well hidden but you need to find it. Say the GVWR is 25,000 lbs and the GCWR is 35,000 lbs. Subtract the 35,000 from the 25,000 lbs and you can see it is rated to tow 10,000 lbs.

However be advised before you buy, I would recommend you weigh the coach at a truck scale. It could be over it's max weight rating. This is not uncommon and not good. That means the tire, suspension, brakes, engine and reans are over taxed. Weighing the motorhome also tells you how much stuff you can carry in it. Be sure to leave room to account for the weight of fuel, propane, food, and water.

Shop wisely and you will be happy.

Another thought is if you want to tow over 10,000 lbs you might want to consider one of the heavy duty class C units that are built on the medium duty truck chassis. They are popular and being built by a number of companies. These are built on a chassis like the Kodiak. Dynamax, Four Winds, ToyHauler, Gulfstream are brands that come to mind. Some are gas and some are diesel. The weight some of these can tow is impressive.

Ref: http://cgi.ebay.ca/2007-FUN-MOVER-T...ZViewItemQQptZRVs_Campers?hash=item1c0f0bfbb0

http://cgi.ebay.ca/2008-Gulfstream-...ZViewItemQQptZRVs_Campers?hash=item3ca8685f5c

http://www.rvsuperstore.net/dynamax_grand-sport_specifications.html

Good shopping

 

[bmyohn]

If it has a toilet, you should be able to claim it as a house and get tax benefits from interest and such. Also, depending on when you buy, you might be able to qualify for the current homeowner's tax credit of $6500.

I have heard this as well. I'm not sure about the tax credit part, but I know that boaters do the same thing. If your boat has a toilet you can claim it as a home.

 

[macgyvr]

I have heard this as well. I'm not sure about the tax credit part, but I know that boaters do the same thing. If your boat has a toilet you can claim it as a home.

you can claim it as a home, the rv, i dont know about the home buyers credit...

to update, I sold the megacab and now working on financing...still looking at pushers...nothing else with a diesel has come up any more affordable...

mac 'need to save up a little cash' gyvr

 

[Ogrebonz]

I drive a 38' Bluebird front engine for work quite often. (Bloodmobile) It weighs in at ~22k lbs. With a Cummins 6BT rated at 175hp, it wouldn't be much fun to tow with.

I used to know a guy who had a 40-something foot class A pusher that he pulled an oversize car trailer (open) and whatever he was driving at the time, from a Subaru Baja to a Suburban, from Michigan to Baja Mexico every year. He sprang for the big horse though and got a Detroit Series 60 with something like 450 hp.

Then there's my brother-in-law's father, he's got a 40' Geeorgie Boy that pulls a custom built car trailer with his Wrangler on the bottom and his 19' boat, on it's own trailer, over it. All I can say from what he's told me is, don't skimp and get hydraulic brakes on the coach. Insist on full air brakes.