Advice on buying used Class C camper...

[TnTWalter]

Thinking of buying camper with the great deals [seem like to me] out there....


Does anyone have advice or links to information to help.

We are tent campers but I would like to 'move up'.

We have a boat so can't do pop-ups or fifth wheels, etc.

We could do truck campers but they look so tight for our family of 5 with growing kids...it would be nice to have space to spread out and some privacy.

My goal is <$20K...IDEALLY ~$10K...figure might be a great time to get a DEAL. Or perhaps I'm dreaming [probably].

DH is very handy.

Thanks so much.

Trish

 

[69RoadRunner]

There are deals out there, and you're right, a truck camper for a family of 5 would be cramped.

In that price range, you'll need to be prepared to do some fix up work, most likely.

How heavy is the boat and trailer?

Go do some shopping. Look at the floorplans, and figure out where everyone will sleep.

Also check out www.rv.net/forums.

 

[jkincer]

I suggest you spend some time at RV Net. I can't post the link becuse I don't have enough posts, but you can google it. Go to the forums section and start reading.

The folks on that board are subject experts just like the people on this board. We've owned both an older Class A and a new Travel Trailer over the last 5 years and they were very helpful on both of these project.

Buying a used motorhome (Class A or C) is a great idea right now. There are some deals out there. There are also a lot of ways to get yourself in trouble. Make sure to do the research in advance.

Good luck

 

[jkincer]

69RoadRunner beat me to the punch!

 

[TnTWalter]

I've been playing around at RV Net.

We're also going to the boat sport and travel show next week. We were planning on buying a new tent but we'll have to check out rvs as well. I will not buy a new one though, can't afford it and they depreciate too much [i don't buy new cars either].

Thanks so much.

Trish

 

[69RoadRunner]

http://www.rvt.com/rvdetail2049191.htm

 

[TnTWalter]

Thanks...

I also saw these...

http://www.generalrv.com/inventory/54462/Used-1990-Cobra-Cobra-28.aspx?inventoryid=54462

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/rvs/999536086.html

http://www.campingworld.com/rvsales/detail.cfm?v=1909005

out of price range....but sweet...
http://www.campingworldofindianapolis.com/class-a-gas/2000/fleetwood-southwind-storm/49424 [and did a search and seems 25-28K would be good purchase price].

 

[69RoadRunner]

It's a shame that they didn't start making bunkbed models (like mine) until the last few years. It will be a while before there are low priced used ones on the market.

Make sure you have enough towing capacity for the boat.

 

[4mickey2]

who's to say that with the right floor plan and a handy dh she couldn't come up with her own bunk beds? maybe you should keep that in mind while looking at floorplans and rigs..

we are thinking about taking out our entertainment system and cabinetry to put in a light weight, larger flat screen. we won't get rid of all cabinets in the overhead but, we are thinking of re-arranging some and getting that area a little lighter..
keep an open mind when you are looking.

 

[Tigger1966]

Check the front cabover setion thoroughly for water damage and leaks. Class C motorhomes are notorious for leaking in this area. I replaced the entire front wall section on a 2001 Winnebago Mini 2 years ago and I think that labor and materals cost was something like $12,000. I have an 1988 that I am currently patching up for a customer. If you do find a good one be sure to inspect the roof seals regularly. Also if it is raining when you are out do an inspection for leaks in that area.

 

[TnTWalter]

Tigger...you're in my neck of the woods...do you sell RVs by chance? If so, I'd love a link or something. PM if needed. Thanks.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Dont limit yourself to a class C.....there are some very decent deals on Class A's also....many people who havent done much research dont realize that class a is simply THAT ...a classification for the type of rv it is...not that its BETTER, or MORE EXPENSIVE...although-the most expensive RVs ARE class A's, but all class A's are NOT neccessarily expensive....incluse them in your searches...you may be very surprized at how low the prices are on them as well. Ive seen tons of class A's for well under 20 grand on the web.

 

[Cindy F]

I'll sell you our Class C
(kidding, it is not in sale condition)

The Good:
Inside totally redone and adorable
Bathroom
Sleeps 4
Kitchen with oven
Freezing cold A/C-both overhead and dashboard

The Bad:
Transmission needs an overhaul-it will only go in reverse! You don't mind driving all the way to Disney in reverse do you?
Fridge stopped working and has to be replaced
Needs a new propane bottle-old one is empty

The Ugly:
It's a 1972 Shasta Mini Motor Home, you have to say "bless it's heart" when you see it (that is a southern euphemism for "your baby is ugly")

Seriously though, don't rule out older motor homes even if they may appear "not so pretty". Ours was $1500 when we bought it and everything worked great, we probably put 1000 miles on it and the girls loved it! We also loved "fixing it up" inside-replacing the linoleum, painting, replacing all cushion covers and curtains etc. It was our very first camper so we wanted to try something inexpensive first in case we didn't like it.

It only "went to pot" so to speak while serving as a guest house for family when my aunt was on hospice (lived way out in the country). We'll probably get it back and work on it this summer since there's no longer a use for it there.

Enjoy looking for your camper and I hope you get something you can "fix up" a little and make your own!

 

[Shan-man]

I think you are probably thinking along the right lines considering a C. Like Rog said As are not necessarily more expensive I do think that Cs tend to be geared toward accommodating families, and As are more geared toward couples spending substantial time on the road. That is a gross generalization, and you certainly find As that are very family centric, but those are often newer As (especially toy-hauler As) and would be out of the price range you want to stay in.

One thing I have seen motorhoming boaters do that makes a lot of sense is to put a hitch on the front bumper, which is a lot easier than backing down the boat ramp.

As for advice when buying a used moho, my main suggestion would be to take a bright flashlight and carefully inspect the inside of cabinets for signs of water damage -- floors and walls. Walls and ceilings can be painted or covered to hide damage, hiding it inside cabinets is a whole lot harder, especially in floor-to-ceiling cabinets, which cannot be removed. Look for rust inside the door frames for the basements too.

 

[69RoadRunner]

Excellent advice from Santa. The cabover bed in a C gives you more sleeping options than older class As provide. In the last few years, Class A manufacturers realized there are customers out there that have more than 2 people who want to sleep somewhere.

 

[TnTWalter]

The cheapest Class A I found was the one I posted above $35K. Not in the budget right now.

Plus with towing a boat, I'd like to keep it as small as possible. I'm thinking a slide-out would be nice....

If I were designing one of these I'd have a slide-out bunk...with a bunk on each side...so 4 beds...then a back master room.

I've seen tons of 5th wheels with slideout bunkhouses, why not the RVs?

Thanks.

 

[Tigger1966]

Tigger...you're in my neck of the woods...do you sell RVs by chance? If so, I'd love a link or something. PM if needed. Thanks.

Yes the company I work for does sell RVs. They are in southern IN.

 

[Shan-man]

The cheapest Class A I found was the one I posted above $35K. Not in the budget right now.

Are you looking at new RVs? $35K is a lot. I bought my old jalopy of a class A for $5600 on eBay. Of course it was 18 years old at the time, but it has served us well. My ideal "move-up" motorhome would be a $20000 10 year old single slide unit (with a REAL bed!), and I have seen scads of such motorhomes listed on eBay and Craigslist (if only I could come up with $20k quick... anybody need a kidney ). Just keep looking, there is so much available I'm sure you'll find the perfect fit for both your family and your budget.

 

[TnTWalter]

No that was a used Class A. I've seen many Class As listed for >$75K. Crazy to me.

Thanks so much for all the kind help!!

Now to get DH excited about the idea....we'd have to budget it annual storage fees, etc. so it may not be happening anytime soon.

 

[Cindy F]

I have to admit, we really liked the cabover bed in our class C, it's comfortable and nice to have a stationary bed that's out of the way.

Ours is very small (like I said-starter RV) I guess maybe 19' or so, the dinette folds down to make a bed, the couch opposite from the dinette makes a bed- or you can make the two join to make a big king sized bed.

I hope you find exactly what you're looking for--at exactly the right price!

PS: If you pay cash, in person-many people on ebay will come WAAYYY down. Our camper van (some call it a class B) was listed on Ebay at $20K but after talking with the couple at length on the phone, emailing and establishing a bit of a rapport, they allowed us to have it for $15K cash. Most excellent deal for us!