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Super C Diesel or Prevost
I have been a member of this great forum for a few years now and have learned a great deal in helping me decide how and when I should make the jump into a Coach. I have always had my heart set on a Prevost and still have a special feeling everytime I see one on the road or parked. They stand out and reek Class.
As I read the forum threads and read the emergency posts and hear of the highs and lows of ownership I have become concerned about the servicing of the systems especially the engine and transmission. I look at the Detroit sandwiched into the small area and the support systems really difficult to get to and the cries from members trying to find shops to work on the drive train. I begin to question a breakdown and how to find people to fix them.
That being said I am beginning to think a Super C diesel with the engine and drive train easily accessible is the way to go. Pop the hood open and there it is. Also, if you have an easily accessible drive train with a common engine, (Detroit, Volvo) just about every town in America has a truck mechanic to work on the problem. I think the cost associated with an accessible drive train would be less also.
Some of the New Super C’s are very interesting. Dynamax Grand Sport Ultra would one i am looking. I would appreciate comments.
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26 Replies
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Apples and oranges.
You are comparing a Silverado with a Peterbuilt.
There is no doubt the drive train of a super C is going to provide long service, but why would you think it is not going to have the same potential for service issues?
The two vehicles share diesel technology, similar if not the same transmissions, pneumatic brake systems, etc. so chassis reliability can be considered the same. If the Class C is significantly newer it is going to have a more complex emissions system.
But the house is going to be conventional RV quality and construction. Likely single inverter, 1/2 the generator output, 1/2 the AC output, etc.
I am biased because I have yet to see something built to RV standards that was as robust as a Prevost conversion.
Keep in mind whatever you read here about service issues is coming from almost 4500 owners and in the overall scheme of things if the issues are totaled up they are likely not significant in terms of how they compare to typical RV service discussions and complaints
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A super C rides like, well, a truck. Because it is.
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lets see? coach 2ft to front bumper or C 10 ft to front bumper. lots of floor space there. Maybe 64 plus sq ft?
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Hang in there Michael, I now have a 2020 40′ Renegade Verona LE after 15 years of Prevost ownership and couldn’t be happier. We down sized and it works for us, not for everyone. The ride is very good, air in rear, spring up front, but has enough weight that is takes rough roads pretty good. Is it a Prevost, no. I have Multiplex, 150 gallons of fresh, 75/75 black and grey, Magnum inverter, Solar Panels, all 12v with simple easy to use systems. King bed, triple slides, 1 1/2 bath, factory TPMS and many other goodies.
Nothing like a Prevost, I love them, but for me personally smaller is better at this point in my life. The Weenies here will make me park in the back of the campground with the goat people, but I’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.
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Dang what a good looking garage
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Got them ears spread wide swinging high and tall talking wall to wall tree top tall come on come on big buddy, got to go 10-4.
Wishing you kicking that cat and walking that dog
Later
bv
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Well. I’m one of Tom’s campground goat people neighbors. We both jumped ship at the same time for the same reasons for Renegade Verona LE’s. Ditto Tom’s comments. It’s not a Prevost but ride and handling are superb. Factory support is superb. We used to own a Dynamax and Renegade is far superior. Much better quality and support.
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nice to have choices! we have a toter/5th wheel freightlinner W 12 ft national box also. Bus just can’t pull steam engine. Wheel base is killer. Life is a adventure!
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The choice between a Super C and a Prevost has got to be similar to trying to decide between any two things, one being bigger and more complex, one being smaller and more easily serviced.
First, you have to decide your budget, not only for acquisition, but maintenance. Both are going to require routine maintenance involving the same actions, but long term maintenance costs on a Prevost are going to be more. A Prevost has more tires, batteries, etc.
As far as engine maintenance they are all equally reliable and there is no way to accurately say any of us are going to have more or less engine maintenance issues in which engine access becomes a deciding factor.
Depreciation is an expense and cannot be ignored. Spend time looking at all the sites in which the values of various model years are listed. You can then determine if that factors into the decision.
Most Prevost conversions have systems with both redundancy and capacity. Decide if having a 20 KW generator, 2 inverters, 1000# of batteries, etc is important, or if less is better. One thing is for certain, a Prevost is an energy hog and when on shore power most of us have to be careful we don’t trip breakers, but have less energy requirements in a Super C may mean you sacrifice some creature comforts.
You will not have to park at the goat farm, regardless of your choice, but you may be expected to bring the beer to the campfire because we can’t afford it because we own a Prevost.
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I get it. I understand Super C’s are not built like a Prevost, they don’t drive like a Prevost, they don’t carry the lure of a Prevost. They are not a Prevost. I am looking at something like this Coach.
https://www.racingjunk.com/RVs-and-Motorhomes/184011373/2018-Haulmark-45SB.html
They are not less expensive than a good used Prevost, and I don’t find them lacking that much in comfort or conveniences of a Prevost. What I do look at is the drive train, which is probably the most expensive component to fix and the most complex. While 90% of the Prevosts’ on the road are solid and run as advertised everyday every mile; the question to me is what will “I” do when something goes wrong on the road. I might not be near a Prevost Service Center or have to wait in a que for service. While this one has a Volvo engine, I would look for one with a Detroit 60 and I know I can get that engine serviced just about anywhere in America and parts should be readily available. I like that they can get at the engine without going into the back bedroom and pulling up the floor door or trying to get into the back to address an issue. I like having lots of steel between me and another car or truck on a two lane road. I like having simpler systems to worry about. BUT, it still is not a Prevost. I get it; I am torn. Keep talking to me, I respect all opinions and welcome them.
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What I cannot grasp is why you seem to think you are going to be getting into serious engine repair and that if you encounter a major issue the extra couple of hours to literally pull and engine in a Prevost is a deal breaker.
If you want a Series 60 it isn’t going to happen in a relatively new Super C. It has been a while since they were replaced with newer Detroit engines.
The newer the chassis the more complex the emissions systems and the vast majority of complaints seem related to the emissions system components or software.
What you choose obviously is none of my business but I am curious about the factors that drive your decision.
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On a trip last year we had to have the Series 60 pulled at a DD dealer who had never worked on a Prevost. We had no choice. We were very lucky we could ‘limp’ to the DD dealer. Bedroom floor section had to be removed. But, the tech was fantastic and was amazed at the quality of all the ss fittings and the relative ease of sliding the engine out. Two weeks later, living in a hotel, throwing away all fridge and freezer contents, and $20k paid up front, we were on the road again as happy campers.
Nothing is like a Prevost. Amazing machine. But go in with eyes open and lots of $$.
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Check out the dryer cartridge location, lower right.
Jeff is going to give it the first service, but I’m concerned about the gate access at ETLC. I was told by a reliable source I would have to come in at night and leave by daylight.
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We had a Haulmark 45′ coach with the series 60, drove awesome, super simple systems, was awesome for what we wanted. However, seems like you had to have the stereo cranked up as you could not hear the person in the passenger seat, let alone the kids in the back. Super loud, and the turning radius, only complaint. The ride in the back going down the road was not great, but I was always driving: ) Upgraded to an 07 H3 with bunks, amazing how quiet the ride is. It really is an entirely different on all levels. Now you have to crank up the stereo to get some alone time, as you can hear everything from everywhere, it is truly amazing. I wish the systems were simpler, I have had campers and motor homes all my life and i am still learning how everything works. They are not nearly as good for boondocking as they are a power hog, but that is ok, they are unbelievable on the inside. Ac was another issue, the haulmarks 2 ac’s did struggle to keep up, however, with all the windows and exterior colors on the H3, the four ac’s struggle as well.
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Michael,
Your comment about pulling up the floor in the bedroom to access the engine applies to production motorhomes. A Prevost, on the other hand, has unparalleled access from the back and sides of the engine. We had the outfit in Springfield in Missouri take the engine out, and they had it out and back in in a day and a half. Of course they had done it a few times. An H3 has better access to the top of the engine than an XL due to the higher floor.
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