Checking out a used Motorhome this weekend **UPDATED**

[nessz79]

**UPDATE in thread. Read down a few posts**


We're checking out a 1985 Fleetwood Jamboree this weekend. It's advertised as $5500. Supposedly it's in good mechanical order and has all the bells and whistles, etc. The owner says that the husband starts it and drives it every week and that the reason they are getting rid of it is their 2 teenagers are no longer interested in going anywhere.

What should we be looking for when we check it out? Also, anyone have any idea if they are asking a good price?

We are complete newbies. My husband knows cars, but I'm sure RV's are a different story.

Thanks everyone! You guys have been so helpful with all my questions!

 

[medic9016]

Look for any sign of water leaks and damage. Check all the appliances, propane, plumbing and electrical systems. You may want to take it to a third party mechanic and have the motor and transmission checked. Ask to see any service record if they kept them.

 

[PanFanAL]

Look for any sign of water leaks and damage. Check all the appliances, propane, plumbing and electrical systems. You may want to take it to a third party mechanic and have the motor and transmission checked. Ask to see any service record if they kept them.

Also look underneath! I almost bought a trailer recently, but decided to look underneath just before I worked out a deal. I found where one of the holding tanks had been leaking and rusted some holes out underneath.

 

[Disney Campers]

Check the DATE on the tires, 6 new tires would cost a pretty penny, i think this is a class c so check the bunk area for leaks or water damage - this is where most class c's leak.

 

[nessz79]

With leaks, how are they repaired?

Thanks for the speedy replies!

 

[PanFanAL]

Google it! You will find others for sale to compare with. Might also find some info about any problems that might have occured with that model.

 

[LarryJ]

We're checking out a 1985 Fleetwood Jamboree this weekend. It's advertised as $5500. Supposedly it's in good mechanical order and has all the bells and whistles, etc. The owner says that the husband starts it and drives it every week and that the reason they are getting rid of it is their 2 teenagers are no longer interested in going anywhere.

What should we be looking for when we check it out? Also, anyone have any idea if they are asking a good price?

We are complete newbies. My husband knows cars, but I'm sure RV's are a different story.

Thanks everyone! You guys have been so helpful with all my questions!

Take it to a local RV dealer and pay them the $100 to $200 to do an inspection and give you a written report on their findings.

Larry

 

[John VN]

In 1985, DW and I ordered a 1986 Fleetwood Tioga Arrow. The Tioga and Jamboree where almost identical with each having 3 levels. Knowing how they were made back then and thinking about 23+ years of road pounding use and non-use, I would not buy it at that price unless it was from original owner with all records and everything getting a clean bill of health from a mechanic who is also a RVer.

Being a 1985 means it could have been manufactured in 1984. You could be looking at a 24 year old MH. Fuel line hoses, brake hoses, engine hoses, engine belts etc. should have all been replaced. Tires are considered getting old at 5 years after manufacturing date. Refrigerator, air conditioner, water heater, heater for house can all be a concern.

Many new to MH buying individuals are under the impression that low miles and low hours on a generator are good things to look for. Not so.

Please make sure you have done your research and homework and don't jump in without some easily obtained knowledge.

Happy hunting and keep us posted.

 

[AuburnJen92]

In 1985, DW and I ordered a 1986 Fleetwood Tioga Arrow. The Tioga and Jamboree where almost identical with each having 3 levels. Knowing how they were made back then and thinking about 23+ years of road pounding use and non-use, I would not buy it at that price unless it was from original owner with all records and everything getting a clean bill of health from a mechanic who is also a RVer.

Being a 1985 means it could have been manufactured in 1984. You could be looking at a 24 year old MH. Fuel line hoses, brake hoses, engine hoses, engine belts etc. should have all been replaced. Tires are considered getting old at 5 years after manufacturing date. Refrigerator, air conditioner, water heater, heater for house can all be a concern.

Many new to MH buying individuals are under the impression that low miles and low hours on a generator are good things to look for. Not so.

Please make sure you have done your research and homework and don't jump in without some easily obtained knowledge.

Happy hunting and keep us posted.

I definitely agree. We bought an older model coach (94) and it was in immaculate condition. Even with that being so, we are still doing maintenance like hoses getting old and such. If it is in good shape and you can verify what they are telling you with expert opinions, you are still going to be looking at a higher than average maintenance schedule with it because of its age. Please take that into account when you are making a decision. We went in knowing this, but the deal we got could not be refused, so we budgeted it into our finances.

 

[nessz79]

Thank you for your honest advice. We will be checking it out thoroughly, but we are also planning on putting some $ in. $5500 is well within our budget so we'll have some room for repairs. I'm hoping it won't need too much at once, though.

We also own a 1987 Cadillac Brougham and we have put some $ into that. I know that's apples to oranges, but we are into buying older things

The people selling it were Ft Wilderness regulars.

 

[nessz79]

Well, we checked it out today. We were pretty impressed with its condition. The owner took us through everything. There were some things that needed updating or repairs: tires will be changed for safety (the tread is good, but they are about 3 years old or more and have been sitting a lot), the hot water switch needs to be replaced, the transmission dip stick handle is broken, and we'll replace the brake pads to be safe.

Everything was very nice on the inside. Had a full working bath, full working kitchen (although the owner says that he doesn't like to use the stove top as it gets so hot), a dinette that folds out to a full size bed, 2 chairs that we may replace into a pull-out sofa, and a bunk queen size bed over top.

DH got on the roof as the owner said that it did have a previous leak. The original owners had installed a luggage rack without sealing underneath and it developed a leak. Current owner took off the luggage rack and put cool coating down and fixed the small damage. DH inspected it and couldn't find any signs of damage.

DH and current owner drove it (while I sat in the captain chair- I've already made it clear to DH that I do not intend to drive this thing unless it's a dire emergency). DH says it is very easy to drive, the motor was great, there are only 60 K miles on it. Owner says they are original miles. He bought it in 2001 and the owner he bought it from was a snowbird. They drove it from the north to FL every year and just parked it while here.

So I hope we did ok. We are putting a deposit down while we're waiting for the current owner to get his title (he just paid it off). Basically they haven't gone camping in about a year and they would like the $ to go towards a Harley.

I'm very excited! I went in expecting worse and I have to say that I was very impressed with the motorhome. I know there will be things that will need to be fixed and maintained, but DH loves this kind of thing.

Thanks for letting me share!

 

[medic9016]

Congrats. Hope you and your family enjoy it.

 

[AuburnJen92]

I am very happy to hear that it was well taken care of. Just remember this...an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...

because it is older, fix things as soon as you can possibly afford to...it will serve you very well....

I am so happy for you and hope to meet you at the Fort!

 

[LONE-STAR]

Congrats

 

[des1954]

Make sure that the seller gives you all the manuals, and go thru them. It does make for boring reading, but well worth it in the long run! If for some reason some of the manuals are missing, e-mail the manufacturer of the item and ask if you can still get one. If you're mechanically inclined, some repairs are easily done without the manual. Others (like hydraulic levelers) are not. Our first Class A was a 1978 Southwind that we picked up for $4K and totally re-furbished - and I mean totally!! We put about $5K into it, used it for around 1.5 years & were able to sell it for $12K. It was a great, inexpensive way to see if we would like a MH vs. trailer. We sold it because it only had bunk beds, and we're way beyond the bunk bed stage of life (lol). I hope you enjoy your new toy!! (and FtW)

 

[nessz79]

Thanks everyone! We are very excited. DH even more so as he loves fixing things up. If he doesn't have a project, he's not happy. We will check on the manuals and order them if necessary as suggested. Thanks again! I can't wait to post when we're going to the Fort for the first time! Neither of us have ever been.

 

[Rhonda]

Thanks everyone! We are very excited. DH even more so as he loves fixing things up. If he doesn't have a project, he's not happy. We will check on the manuals and order them if necessary as suggested. Thanks again! I can't wait to post when we're going to the Fort for the first time! Neither of us have ever been.

You are going to have a Fantastic time!!!

 

[terri01p]

Congrats, I have thought long and hard about selling our set-up because of gas prices, I don't forsee gas ever coming back down to a decent price, but I have such a phobia about hotel room beds that whenever I think on that it makes me glad I have my own stuff ! Enjoy, the fixing up is part of the fun !