stheuer
Member
Just starting the education process prior to the search for a retirement motorhome. Last owned was a Bounder 40Z, so obviously like a big rig. Next one will definitely be a diesel, have looked a bit at the Discovery 39 (possibly L, S or J). Also, would be buying used, perhaps 3-4 years old or so to get the price under $125 and closer to $100.
Looks like Fleetwood has upgraded the Bounder a lot, and the floorplan of the diesel is very similar to the Discovery, however I wasn't that happy with some workmanship bits on my last Bounder. Also, the Discovery (of course due to the fact that it's a step above the Bounder) has some features unavailable on the Bounder. Interestingly though, one item (a REAL oven) seems to be missing on the Discovery ??? My wife is quite the cook, and I absolutely do not see her being happy with a little convection microwave "big enough for a chicken!" There are any number of aftermarket installers so I suppose if the oven was the only item missing it could be added. (Any comments on that thought?)
Anyway, some questions for Discovery owners out there (or anyone with knowledge of same):
Aside from the floor plan (which is fantastic) what drew you to the 39? Anything unique/special about the Discovery 39 that simply can't be found elsewhere?
There is always something an Rver would change about his rig, what do you wish was different on yours (or what have you seen on Discoveries that you didn't like)?
Have you had any problems? How do you feel about the workmanship?
Living "back east" we have very cold winters with which to deal, so it's an absolute must that the unit can easily be used in zero degree weather with no freeze-up problems. How is the heating in the basement? Have you (or others you know) had the Discovery in extremely cold weather?
Having been out of the market for some time (and even when I was in it, we're talking about a completely different market i.e. 40' gas), I am not the least bit familiar with the myriad choices out there in the under $150K 40ish foot pusher diesel class. I am sure that in this market (like every other) there are brands/models with substandard workmanship, poor design, etc. What brands/models would you avoid and why? What brands/models would you consider as an alternative to the Discovery and why?
I was VERY dissatisfied with the brakes on the Bounder, so used a compressed air dinghy braking system that I was fairly happy with, but of course with gas (and therefore no air brakes) I had to have an auxiliary air compressor and tank dedicated to said braking system. Now considering a diesel with air brakes, I assume there will be no braking issues. Does one even need dinghy braking with such a unit?
Also, I assume one would want engine braking?
What is the winterization process for the Discovery? Back in PA we of course have to winterize as least once a year, and several times if used in the winter. Some rigs can be a very tedious process. Mine was a tedious hour long process with pink fluid, always hoping that when I de-winterized something wouldn't be cracked.
With a 36,000+/- GVW are you happy with the power? Does the 330 Cat have a turbo? I see units of this size with anywhere from a 285 Cummins and up (500+ on the luxury rigs). Realizing that the answer is subjective, what kind of power should one be looking for (considering towing around 5000 lbs)?
A follow-on question to the power - Cummins? Cat? Other? Turbo? Known problems?
What kind of mileage do you get and what is the fuel capacity?
What is the water capacity on the Discovery?
Does anyone have interior shots with the slides retracted that they could email? Having had a unit with a single 12' X 36" slide, I do realize there is some impact on the interior when retracted. I am particularly interested though in what these units with opposing slides look like inside when retracted.
I see some ads that say "auto-start" generator - what's that?
Phew! That's all for now! (More later I'm sure)
Thanks all,
Scott
Looks like Fleetwood has upgraded the Bounder a lot, and the floorplan of the diesel is very similar to the Discovery, however I wasn't that happy with some workmanship bits on my last Bounder. Also, the Discovery (of course due to the fact that it's a step above the Bounder) has some features unavailable on the Bounder. Interestingly though, one item (a REAL oven) seems to be missing on the Discovery ??? My wife is quite the cook, and I absolutely do not see her being happy with a little convection microwave "big enough for a chicken!" There are any number of aftermarket installers so I suppose if the oven was the only item missing it could be added. (Any comments on that thought?)
Anyway, some questions for Discovery owners out there (or anyone with knowledge of same):
Aside from the floor plan (which is fantastic) what drew you to the 39? Anything unique/special about the Discovery 39 that simply can't be found elsewhere?
There is always something an Rver would change about his rig, what do you wish was different on yours (or what have you seen on Discoveries that you didn't like)?
Have you had any problems? How do you feel about the workmanship?
Living "back east" we have very cold winters with which to deal, so it's an absolute must that the unit can easily be used in zero degree weather with no freeze-up problems. How is the heating in the basement? Have you (or others you know) had the Discovery in extremely cold weather?
Having been out of the market for some time (and even when I was in it, we're talking about a completely different market i.e. 40' gas), I am not the least bit familiar with the myriad choices out there in the under $150K 40ish foot pusher diesel class. I am sure that in this market (like every other) there are brands/models with substandard workmanship, poor design, etc. What brands/models would you avoid and why? What brands/models would you consider as an alternative to the Discovery and why?
I was VERY dissatisfied with the brakes on the Bounder, so used a compressed air dinghy braking system that I was fairly happy with, but of course with gas (and therefore no air brakes) I had to have an auxiliary air compressor and tank dedicated to said braking system. Now considering a diesel with air brakes, I assume there will be no braking issues. Does one even need dinghy braking with such a unit?
Also, I assume one would want engine braking?
What is the winterization process for the Discovery? Back in PA we of course have to winterize as least once a year, and several times if used in the winter. Some rigs can be a very tedious process. Mine was a tedious hour long process with pink fluid, always hoping that when I de-winterized something wouldn't be cracked.
With a 36,000+/- GVW are you happy with the power? Does the 330 Cat have a turbo? I see units of this size with anywhere from a 285 Cummins and up (500+ on the luxury rigs). Realizing that the answer is subjective, what kind of power should one be looking for (considering towing around 5000 lbs)?
A follow-on question to the power - Cummins? Cat? Other? Turbo? Known problems?
What kind of mileage do you get and what is the fuel capacity?
What is the water capacity on the Discovery?
Does anyone have interior shots with the slides retracted that they could email? Having had a unit with a single 12' X 36" slide, I do realize there is some impact on the interior when retracted. I am particularly interested though in what these units with opposing slides look like inside when retracted.
I see some ads that say "auto-start" generator - what's that?
Phew! That's all for now! (More later I'm sure)
Thanks all,
Scott