Motorhomes

[YodaGirl]

DH and I are dreaming about the day our pop-up gets to grow up.

It will be several years from now (let's say 5 years or so), before we're in a position to upgrade. I posted a thread previously about whether or not to get a smaller PU now then a TT later, and ya'll gave me some awesome advice. I especially liked the line "Buy your second RV first".

So, just for giggles we checked out motorhomes. Never really thought we could afford them...especially a class A. Those things are expensive!

Now, I'm not really picky, and DH and I aren't afraid of a little work, so we checked into some used ones. I've found SEVERAL used ones (15-20 yrs old) that "look" pretty decent for about $15,000 - $20,000. Out of the price range now, but in about 5 years or so, it should be cool if all goes according to plan. The ones I've looked at are Class A, and most are gas (although I'm told that diesel is optimal, right?). A couple had slide outs, but they were on the newer end and cost a few thousand more. Nothing seemed really special about them...bed, bath, dinette, coffee pot , etc. Most of the mileage was anywhere from around 15k to 50k.

Does anyone know if the price range sounds right? I figure anything with a decade or so of wear and tear will require some work, but I don't want a lemon, either....although I know that's a possibility no matter what.

And, yes, I know that 5 years is a long way off, but a girl can dream, right?

 

[des1954]

Take it from my experience. We bought that low mileage $4000 fixer upper motor home as our first Class A. My DH is extremely handy, but, when you're talking motor home chassis mechanics, you are not talking "do it yourself". It takes special equipment to be able to hoist and repair chassis problems. Our $4000 investment (this was back in 1996) ended up costing us another $10K, and most of that was to make the vehicle safe to drive. The dolly dress up on the interior is the least expensive part to upgrade if you can do that yourself.

Low mileage on a diesel motor home spells trouble. It means it sat way too much - which is not good for diesel fuel or diesel motors. Regular gas doesn't pose as great a problem. Also - low mileage and original tires equals dry rot on a MH 5 years old or older that has been stored exposed to weather.

Unless you are more than moderately handy, i.e. very handy & mechanically inclined, wait until you are in a position to purchase a used motor home from a reputable dealer. You might pay a little more initially, but, you will ultimately save money in the long run.

BTW - Our first Class A, total investment $14K? We used 4 times (spent a year fixing it up) and sold for $12K - and was very pleased to get that much out of it.

 

[ftwildernessrick]

First of all, I would stay away from diesel motorhomes for now. If you are a do-it your-selfer, gas engines are easier to repair & maintain.

To me, unless you really need the power of a diesel or intend on putting a bunch of miles on it, it is just not worth it. For example, one of my last motorhomes was a 1994 Allegro Bay on a Ford chassis with the 460 engine. The exact same floor plan, but on a chassis with a diesel was something like $16,000 extra & that was back when diesel was cheaper. I could by a lot of gas for $16,000.

Shop, shop, & shop until you find what you want & the price you want to pay. There are some really good deals out there especially if you are willing to get your finances lined up before hand & are willing to travel to get it. I don't mean to sound like a vulture, but there are always those persons who by an RV, then realize, that it is not for them, or a retired couple who can no longer use theirs, or someone who has lost their job & needs to just unload it (OK, I said I can be a vulture). My last motorhome I bought new from a dealership that went bankrupt and their inventory went to auction. I did have to go 890 miles to do this, but it was well worth it.

As long as the outside is good, no delamination, no leaks in the roof or softspots; it is fixable. You can always put new carpet or flooring in & upholstery. Of course the engine & chassis has to be in good shape because that can run you into the poor house. If it sags in the rear, you can always add Goodyear Ride-Rite air bags.

Check out Ebay, RVsearch, and other online adds and just watch the prices for what you are looking for.

 

[ChateauFive]

We have camped in everything from tent to MH....
We oped for a Class C rather then a Class A and I love it!! I went from a 37ft double slide out (the one slide was extra long) TT to a 31ft one slide out Class C. it was an adjustment...there are 5 of us and my guys are TALL (teen boys to boot) but we make it work. I (the DW) do most of the driving on short trips and DH meets us after work....it's very easy to drive
We test drove 2 Class A's and 2 Class C's and fell in love with how like driving a truck the Class C was compared to the Class A "bus" feel....don't get me wrong, I look forward to upgrading to Class A when I retire but for now the C is fine with me

We also looked at used, most are well used in that price range....at certain times of the year you can get really good deals on units that camper places rent out, they take better care of the units then some private sellers ...just a thought

 

[tlh0726]

I will 2nd what DES1954 said about putting in extra dollars to get everything fixed. We purchased a 1994 Fleetwood Pace Arrow (gasser) as our first class A. Got it at a good price and then put another 5K into getting things worked out of it.

Biggest question to ask yourself is if you should keep fingers crossed that the older unit will not require additional money for repairs or just go ahead and invest that money in a newer unit?

With children, best advice I will give you is to go either with a class C or a Class A with bunks. Having your living area taken over each day, making up and tearing down dinettes or couches into beds every morning and evening gets old real fast.

Make sure the floor plan and storage will work for you. We went with our current motorhome due to the fact of being able to get to the rear bedroom either through the bathroom or through the bunk area. In our last MH we were constantly having to back up to let the person coming from the bathroom or bedroom out, or they were stepping back to let the next person into the bathroom. Plus the stove was right there at the hallway.

When you do find the unit you think is the one, spend the afternoon at the dealership just hanging out in it and taking it for a test drive. I actually looked at and test drove the unit we have now before DH did.

You have plenty of time to make your must have list.
Happy Hunting!!!

PS the saying that I hear alot is not buying your 2nd first it is - Buy your LAST unit first

 

[YodaGirl]

Thanks, everyone! I was talking to a friend not long after I made this post about MHs. Turns out that her parents are looking to sell their older class c coachmen in a year or 2, and it sounds like it's in our price range. I know that even friends (or friends of friends) can lie, but I feel slightly more settled knowing the people. Course a lot can happen between now and then. Guess we'll just sit back and let God steer us to the one that is right or us.