Tossing up between two different motorhomes...hoping for some advice.

Discussions regarding bus to motorhome conversions are welcome here.
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Beer O'Clock
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Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2022 12:00 pm

Tossing up between two different motorhomes...hoping for some advice.

Post by Beer O'Clock »

The wife and I are - barring unforeseens - going to travel full-time from early/mid next year (depending on her contract status, and a few other things).

We're looking about for a motorhome, which will suit our use case (2-up, predominantly off-grid/free camp, able to tow a 4WD in a trailer etc etc.), and have been eyeing off a couple.

Exhibit A is a converted Domino/Austral Tourmaster, which was converted back in 2005. Roof raised, so skins have been off/frames rebuilt and it has a flat floor. Nice build, but as you'd expect for one of these, it's powered by a 6V92T of unknown provenance (Coach odo is just shy of 600,000kms). No reason to suspect that anything is amiss with the engine or (auto) trans. but am a bit worried about the decreasing amount of mechanical expertise around for the two-stroke diesels. (I'm hoping Rustbucket is still on these forums and can chime in on the two-strokes generally?)

Exhibit B is a Merc 0303 with OM 402/Allison auto. (The OM 402 is a 12.8lt naturally aspirated V8). Again, nice early noughties build, roof raised etc. The big difference here is that the engine is claimed to have been fully rebuilt recently, so there is that.

The Detroit-powered bus will obviously cruise better, given the difference in power/torque outputs between the two. (~320/330hp for the 6V92T, Around 255 for the OM 402). (Again) obviously, the Detroit will turn more diesel into smoke and noise :wink:

They're both similarly priced.

*shrugs*

Head says go for the (rebuilt) Merc. Heart says go for the (slightly larger) Tourmaster.

Thoughts?
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