Search results

  1. rjdhomes

    The Rv Truck Coach Coming Of Age!

    K & C Conversions is a good company for the person who would like to finish their own interior, they will do as much or as little of the conversion as you want. Bob
  2. rjdhomes

    I'm in the market for a used truck conversion but need advice

    Matt, I was a KC-130 flight mechanic (VMGR-234), we were training reserve pilots on unimproved runway operations and JATO lanches. We were sleeping in tents while our air crews in SWA were staying in a hotel in Bahrain next door to Gulf Air flight attendants- go figure. I also flew quite a few...
  3. rjdhomes

    I'm in the market for a used truck conversion but need advice

    Geof, WERA's coach is a good example of pricing for a used coach and how much you would expect to pay. If he were to tell us how much he paid and how much he is selling for- those are the numbers that would help Matt. I just delivered a 2005 30' coach on a tandem axle Columbia this morning. This...
  4. rjdhomes

    I'm in the market for a used truck conversion but need advice

    Matt, I agree with everything that MxRacin said. I somewhat disagree with Geof though - ...a gouge of about 30-40% when you drive over the curb with a new unite is not uncommon now.... I have seen plenty of used units and they generally only loose 12% to 16% after 1 year and 20,000 miles. If...
  5. rjdhomes

    dealers with used conversion motorhomes?

    Matt, also try RacingJunk.com website- many used units there. http://www.racingjunk.com/exec/ca/browse/48/?page=1 Bob
  6. rjdhomes

    rough estimate of towing capabilities

    Matt, you won't have a problem towing your trailer with the 300HP Cat, you just may be unhappy later while you are slowing down up the hills. Also remember the resale is better on motorhomes with big horsepower (1 million mile) when compared to the 300HP Cat (400-500,000 mile) engines. You can't...
  7. rjdhomes

    dealers with used conversion motorhomes?

    Matt, try Gebhardt's Trailer Sales in Jacksonville, Illinois. Jacklyn usually has a good selection of used units in stock. http://www.gebhardtstrailersales.com/trailersales/inventory.html Bob
  8. rjdhomes

    Ideal truck / engine / transmission combination

    Matt, if by used you are looking at a factory converted '04, the best and most common combination is the Freightliner Columbia with Mercedes 450HP and the Freedom Trans. Anything '03 or a couple years older that was commercially built will most likely be built on a Freightliner FL112 chassis...
  9. rjdhomes

    Conversion Costs

    azrandy, back to your original question on costs. A 30' to 34' conversion (44' total length) on a new Columbia will cost between $155,000 stripped down 30' single axle and $210,000 loaded 34' tandem axle. A new Columbia is priced somewhere between $72,000 (single axle, Mercedes, Freedom) and...
  10. rjdhomes

    Towing question. Please Help!!!!

    The hitch on your friends motorhome was most likely made by VRT in Constantine Michigan. The dealer can have VRT make a hitch for a 2" reciever so that you can tow anything. Bob
  11. rjdhomes

    Front axle weights

    Gordy, I weigh each coach we sell, 13,880 used to be normal now 14,600 is close to being overloaded on some of our conversions. Haulmark is requiring 16,000 on the heaviest floorplans and Renegade is ordering all 16,000 fronts. I have noticed that a coach with a load that is close to max will...
  12. rjdhomes

    Motorhome MSRP vs Sale Price

    Ken, that may be hard. There is no standard retail markup between coach manufacturers. You probably will not find a United Specialties Retail Price Sheet, Renegade does not markup the chassis where other manufacturers do. Haulmark has a retail price sheet that does not relate to the others...
  13. rjdhomes

    Model Year 2004, 2005, or 2006

    Ken, I don't think there is any rhyme or reason to when the model year starts. Renegade is the only manufacturer that I know has the '06 price sheets out, Haulmark may. We are ordering 2006 model year Renegade coaches now for April or May delivery. You may find a good deal on an '04 in-stock...
  14. rjdhomes

    newbie starting century class

    Jeff, the only chassis modifier that I know is certified by Freightliner is VRT, just north of Elkhart Indiana in Michigan. I've seen their work, they do a great job. Renegade, United Specialties and others send their chassis' there to be stretched. Contact Tyson at (800)482-1839 Bob
  15. rjdhomes

    Alternatives to the M2

    The problem with any other chassis is that the conversion companies may or may not have any alternatives on order and to order from Freightliner takes forever. Renegade does have 350HP Cat engines with the 6 spd Ultrashift trans in the M2, in stock. Bob
  16. rjdhomes

    New Guy to Forum

    Ken, all of our Columbia motorhomes have been very easy to stop, easy brake application. What chassis did you test drive? The hardest, or most brake pedal required, that I have driven was a Sterling. Bob Dill
  17. rjdhomes

    How to rate quality of builders

    CM, I talked this over with my Renegade sales Rep this week, we are designing a coach with the water tanks below in a heated compartment and enclosing the waste tanks in a heated compartment. We have not had the engineering done yet, but he said we can build it like this. United Specialties...
  18. rjdhomes

    How to rate quality of builders

    Bill, The PRI Show will be held December 1-3, 2005. It will be held in the new, 1,000,000-square-foot North/South Complex Exhibition Halls at the Orange County Convention Center. http://www.performanceracing.com/content/?id=2659 All the big manufacturers were there, either themselves, or their...
  19. rjdhomes

    Facing Slideouts on a Class 8

    Renegade has a floorplan with three slides, 2 in the living area and 1 in the bedroom. This is a new option so I don't know if they have had any problems. I will show the concerns noted on this post to the Renegade engineer, he may have some input. Bob Dill
  20. rjdhomes

    How to rate quality of builders

    Renegade will enclose the tanks and run heat to them, they also offer Thermo pane windows as an option. United Specialties has a winter package that includes thermo pane windows and heat strips for the holding tanks. I attended PRI this week and would suggest to anyone looking to compare...
  21. rjdhomes

    Fresh/Grey/Black Tank Volumes

    Travis, sounds like a good size for your needs. Most of the conversion companies have smaller tanks than your plan. Bob
  22. rjdhomes

    How to rate quality of builders

    Glamis, The previous posts are right on track. I have experience with Haulmark, United Specialties and Renegade. You will want to partly base your decision on how flexible you can be finding a floorplan that suits you. The next question is: which exterior coach frame & wall system you prefer...
  23. rjdhomes

    Meritor Freedom 12-Speed Transmission

    I am fairly sure that the warranty is 3 years/300,000 miles with extended coverage available. I will double check when I get back in town. Bob Dill
  24. rjdhomes

    Meritor Freedom 12-Speed Transmission

    Bill, I have driven the Allison in the M2 with a 30' coach close to yours, but only unloaded or not pulling a trailer. It is very smooth, you will enjoy it. The Freedom trans can be a little jerky when trying to accelerate hard, at least in the lower gears, you really feel the torque of the big...
  25. rjdhomes

    Meritor Freedom 12-Speed Transmission

    Tom, I have experience with this transmission. I think that you would really like it. As far as tight quarters manuvering, you can't go from drive to reverse in a split second, but I don't do that normally. The 12 gears are nice when you need them, the transmission and engine brake work great...

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top