Re: RE: "Newby" needs advice................
As a GM retiree I am going to speak up for the Chevy or GMC chassis and engine. If you go with the 8100 (496) GM engine you are going to get better gas mileage and just as much power. Plus GM has a new heavy duty transmission to bolt to their engine. The Kodiac chassis have been around along time. I have an 8100 engine in my Class A on a Workhorse chassis with the Allison transmission. I tow a Colorado Quad Cab and haven't had any problems going through the mountains of WV or Virginia. Although I have quit using cruise control because it makes the engine rev to about 4,000 rpms going up the long climbs and I can just hear the fuel pump sucking gas. It seems to do a pretty good job maintaining a speed over 50 mph even on the steepest and longest grades.
And I average 9 to 10 miles per gallon. If it were all flat land I could probably hit 12 but that may be wishful thinking. It does have 345 horses though and I think the new ones have even more.
I agree with you about the vinyl floors. Wish I had them in the motorhome just for grandkids. One other item I would make sure I got, a fold out hide-a-bed. We bought our motorhome with a "J" couch, supposed to be the latest thing. Most uncomfortable piece of furniture I have ever sat on and impossible to sleep on. Also, make sure you check out the outside storage on your new motorhome. You aren't going to want to keep all that dog food inside your RV.
And be aware of items that the dealer will try to sell you like Life Insurance, Clear Coatings, Extended Warranties, etc. etc. Read the fine print. For example, they may try to sell you life insurance at a cost of thousands and then you will find out it is only good for 2 years. That is pretty expensive life insurance. Just some thoughts.
Good Luck and Happy Trails to you.