Help before we make the plunge.

[Brumeiser]

I finally talked my wife into a Class c motor home and we are going this weekend to look at a used one. Since we are very new to this, here is what we found. It is a "1983 Cruise Air Cruise Air 23 Motor Home", asking price is around 4500 dollars from a Rv dealer. It has 67,141 miles on it. What do we need to look at when you look at one of these? How bad will the mileage be on this for gas consumption? We have been tent campers for 3 years on with our age getting close to 50 I want to take the plunge. Can you dicker on the price with this or is the price set in stone? The price guide I found was from 89 on up so I could not find the value of this. I know the one thing to look for is for water leaks. What about tires are they priced like car tires or are they more expensive? The dealer talked about a small exhaust leak which is typical for the age is this true and can it be fixed? Any tips will be appreciated.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Depending on your mechanical ability you could be walking into a nightmare. If you dont have any experience with RV's or with medium duty trucks you could really step in it. At the very least have a reputable RV dealer that you trust look the unit over including the chassis. Nothing for a medium duty truck is the same price as a car, they are expensive to put brakes and tires on. Keep in mind that if you are looking at an 83 model it is 24 years old, would you drive a 24 year old car on long trips ?
Beware of the "its common for those" trap. Something small like an exhaust leak could cost several hundred to repair, ask yourself "if its that simple why didnt they just go ahead and fix it"
As an example, a friend bought a used Taurus for his daughter. He knew the ABS light was on but figured it was nothing big. Of course the owner downplayed the problem. After he bought it he decided to look into the repair and it was well over $1000. Unforutnately he learned that lesson a little late.
If you have any specific questions about the chassis I would be glad to offer my opinion. I have experience with a fleet of medium and large trucks.

Scott

 

[djblu883]

Some campgrounds won't allow you in if your camper is more than 10 years old! They have seen breakdowns and then abandoned vehicles and have had to deal with getting rid of those at a cost to them...it's low mileage but I was given a car with low mileage but "aged"....6 months later at only 36k miles it blew a head gasket...old is OLD

I finally talked my wife into a Class c motor home and we are going this weekend to look at a used one. Since we are very new to this, here is what we found. It is a "1983 Cruise Air Cruise Air 23 Motor Home", asking price is around 4500 dollars from a Rv dealer. It has 67,141 miles on it. What do we need to look at when you look at one of these? How bad will the mileage be on this for gas consumption? We have been tent campers for 3 years on with our age getting close to 50 I want to take the plunge. Can you dicker on the price with this or is the price set in stone? The price guide I found was from 89 on up so I could not find the value of this. I know the one thing to look for is for water leaks. What about tires are they priced like car tires or are they more expensive? The dealer talked about a small exhaust leak which is typical for the age is this true and can it be fixed? Any tips will be appreciated.

 

[stacktester]

I'm with Scott on this one. If that's your price range I would consider a pop up. You can get a new one for what you're looking at. I hate to see you get something that's not enjoyable because you're always working on it.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I'm with Scott on this one. If that's your price range I would consider a pop up. You can get a new one for what you're looking at. I hate to see you get something that's not enjoyable because you're always working on it.

Thats twice this week someone agreed with me
I am on a roll.

Scott

 

[stacktester]

Please don't get to used to it Scott lol. It may not last long.

 

[becky1960]

Usually when some of the older Rv's have that many miles on them and at that age they develope engine trouble. Its not like a cars miles, its a lot harder on the engine. As tires go you will need to get new ones. I bought a used 5th wheel and the tires looked new but I had two blowouts. I guess they were old.

 

[djblu883]

I also agree if that counts...I'd pick a popup over a used 23ish year old class C any day!!!!!!!!! I learned my lesson the hard way myself....the life of a camper is not near as long as that of a car...they just don't hold up as well....and engines at that age can be real IFFY...so if you aren't prepared to have more funds to sink into a possible "nightmare" I'd keep looking for different options in your price range. I took months to find what I wanted and am soooooooooo glad I did!!!

 

[John VN]

I finally talked my wife into a Class c motor home and we are going this weekend to look at a used one. Since we are very new to this, here is what we found. It is a "1983 Cruise Air Cruise Air 23 Motor Home", asking price is around 4500 dollars from a Rv dealer. It has 67,141 miles on it. What do we need to look at when you look at one of these? You need to look at EVERYTHING and on a motorhome that old there is too much that can break down.


How bad will the mileage be on this for gas consumption? If you are lucky, maybe 7mpg.


We have been tent campers for 3 years on with our age getting close to 50 I want to take the plunge. Can you dicker on the price with this or is the price set in stone? You can dicker and since gas could be heading towards $4.00/gal there might be a lot of MHs sitting and looking to be sold in the near future.


The price guide I found was from 89 on up so I could not find the value of this. I know the one thing to look for is for water leaks. What about tires are they priced like car tires or are they more expensive? Tires are probably 16" truck so they are not near the cost of the larger 19.5s and bigger.


The dealer talked about a small exhaust leak which is typical for the age is this true and can it be fixed? Any tips will be appreciated. There is no such thing as a SMALL EXHAUST LEAK in a MH.

See my highlighted answers.

 

[Gatordad]

Here is a link to a very good camping website, with plenty of helpful people. They are good, and may give a review that you can't get here. I know there is a section on buying a used motorhome.

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php

 

[bradisgoofy]

I too, have to agree with Scott. ( us Michiganders have to stick together ) Unless you are an experienced RVer, don't get into a unit that old. Here is another forum to check and ask questions -

http://www.rv.net/forum/

 

[29bhs]

Depending on your mechanical ability you could be walking into a nightmare. If you dont have any experience with RV's or with medium duty trucks you could really step in it. At the very least have a reputable RV dealer that you trust look the unit over including the chassis. Nothing for a medium duty truck is the same price as a car, they are expensive to put brakes and tires on. Keep in mind that if you are looking at an 83 model it is 24 years old, would you drive a 24 year old car on long trips ?
Beware of the "its common for those" trap. Something small like an exhaust leak could cost several hundred to repair, ask yourself "if its that simple why didnt they just go ahead and fix it"
As an example, a friend bought a used Taurus for his daughter. He knew the ABS light was on but figured it was nothing big. Of course the owner downplayed the problem. After he bought it he decided to look into the repair and it was well over $1000. Unforutnately he learned that lesson a little late.
If you have any specific questions about the chassis I would be glad to offer my opinion. I have experience with a fleet of medium and large trucks.

Scott

Again,great advice. I had a 93 27foot minnie winnie. , 2 months after purchase, front brake job was $700.00...and it got 8 mpg with a tail wind,lol.Now have a new tt,31bhds,and will hang on to this one,.We like ruffin it comfortable.

 

[tellnotails]

IMHO......run away as fast as you can.....

You will thank me later........This rig sounds like a real boat anchor.....

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Thats twice this week someone agreed with me
I am on a roll.

Scott

Okay, I'll jump on the band wagon and agree with you, too.

 

[Gatordad]

Dog pile on the bandwagon. I'll agree as well.
next thing, we can form one of those men support groups, and go in the woods and tell each other how great we are.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Dog pile on the bandwagon. I'll agree as well.
next thing, we can form one of those men support groups, and go in the woods and tell each other how great we are.

I'm feelin' kind of misty already.

 

[DisCamper]

I have a 1990 motor home. when I bought the unit it was sitting for a long time. After our first trip I had to spend about $3000 to get it where it was reliable. I on a good day I get 7mpgs. I wouldn't get that unit just to old.

 

[tellnotails]

If a bear ate a sleazy rv salesman out in the woods...would anybody care

 

[Minnie's Mate]

The price is always negotiable. If it isn't, the price should be zero! In other words, walk away.

There is no such thing as a small exhaust leak on anything!

Plan on new tires. On a travel trailer that sits much of the year, plan on replacing them every 3-4 years or every 15K at most. Whichever comes first! I would expect the same for motorhomes. Inactivity lets the plasticizers evaporate-this is dry rot and UV degredation; use brings them to the surface to replenish them from the inside out. This is why auto tires last longer.

All appliances are probably original. They will all start to go soon. Figure the purchase price will be the down payment. Price of a new Dometic fridge $1,100-1,500. Depending on model and whether you install it or if RV shop installs. If you aren't handy and don't know your way around an RV, let the RV shop install it. You'll be glad you did. New A/C, $500-$700 installed. Again, same advice. New furnace, not sure about price but don't take any chances with anything that produces carbon monoxide like furnaces and exhaust systems. Hot water heater, same as furnace. Plumbing, probably leaks somewhere or has in the past and that spells floor rot. This can spell big bucks to remove the interior furnishings to get to those floor boards under the cabinets, especially those under the water heater and fridge. Window leaks and most "roof" leaks occur on outside walls. Again, those result in floor rot if they go undetected for any length of time, like during storage, and that is usually found under cabinets, behind furnature or other hard to get to places. Condensation during winter months will also occur on perimeter walls and find its way to the perimeter of the floor.

Engine will need some repairs unless it is a diesel. They last forever, but they really need more exercise than this one has had...by the way, how do you know that is original mileage. IIRC, the speedometers back then weren't always sealed against tampering. I believe that started around mid-'80's. Might not have been the dealer, might have been previous owner once or twice removed. Early '80's speedometers could be rolled back with a coat hanger.

Long and short of it is this is a 24 year old motor home. It is going to be a money pit either now or in the very near future. Make an informed decision and proceed cautiously.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

If a bear ate a sleazy rv salesman out in the woods...would anybody care

Yea. I'd feel sorry for the bear!