Purchasing an RV...suggestions?

[kkwis2]

I usually frequent the Budget Board here on the DIS, but I've headed over here in hopes of getting some help from my friends here on the Camping Board. If this is not the correct place to ask this question, feel free to redirect me!

OK, we have been seriously considering purchasing a used RV for several years now. My husband would like to "camp" much more often than I am willing (I really don't care for tents, which is all we currently have).

Our dream trip is to travel from here in MN out west and slowly make our way to NM to stay for about a week at a family member's cabin. Then we'd drive east through the Louisiana to visit family, over to Orlando to spend some time at FW (I have the BEST memories of FW from when I was growing up!), and then back up north again.

My first thought was to rent an RV as we have never owned one and would like to see how we like traveling in it as a family (there are 4 of us, kids are ages 7 and 5). Renting is SOOOO expensive, though, and their mileage limitations wouldn't even get us to Colorado and back.

SO, we have been looking at used Class C RVs. A few that we have checked out either online or in person are:

2003 Four Winds Chateau 31' for $40,900; 45,000 miles

2004 Coachmen Freelander 31' for $39,995; 12,437 miles

2004 Jayco 31' for $42,775; 29,793 miles

2005 Winnebago Minnie 29', $47,495; 34,319 miles

2004 Four Winds 31', $22,000; 69,000 miles

Any ideas on mileage, make or model, price, tips and suggestions on what to know before buying a used RV would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ram101]

I really can't add a lot of info here to help as we have only ever owned one RV and thats the one we have. We bought it in 2007, 31' Coachman Santara for $30k with 52k miles. It is loaded with all of the extras. Biggest problem is I might have gotten 8-10 mpg on our trips.
We needed a really big class c as there are 8 of us. If I were you with the economy and the gas prices going back up, even though oil is going down, I would consider a smaller RV. But that's just me... What ever you do make sure you inspect it well, be sure to look for any water damage.
I did a lot of research before I bought ours to see what I should look for and what to try and avoid. I had one dealer try to sell me a Class C that they never winterized and when I came to look at it all the pipes were frozen and some were broken the fresh water tanik was one big ice cube!! They refused to cut the price and said they would fix anything that was found broken at a later date which was the result of the freeze!!! Yeah right. I didn't buy that one...
Good luck

 

[kkwis2]

Great things for us to think about! Thanks for responding! I will continue to check back for more responses. I also found a great thread on the Camping at Disney Board so I will be checking out some of the sites suggested there, too!

 

[bord1niowa]

We went to the RV show in Chicago today and a place had a Brand new 2007 33' Class A motorhome, slide outs and all down from $93,000 to $59,990. There were some REALLY great prices on some of the trailers and motorhomes. Most were 25 - 35% off list. Where else can you get a new 29' trailer with slides etc for $13,995?!

 

[des1954]

From the RV's you've listed...here are my recommendations in the order listed and the reasons:

1) 2004 Jayco 31' for $42,775; 29,793 miles - Jayco is a very good brand, 31' is a perfect size, 29K miles is just broken in.

2) 2005 Winnebago Minnie 29', $47,495; 34,319 miles - IMHO - Winnebago is the best brand out there, but 29' for $47K is a little pricy.

3) 2004 Coachmen Freelander 31' for $39,995; 12,437 miles - Coachman is a good product, but doesn't have the "fit & finish" of the Jayco or Winnie - BUT - This is a great buy if it's in good condition.

If you're buying a used RV and have never owned one before, take someone with you who is an experienced RV'er to go over it with a fine toothed comb. There are things someone with experience will know to look for that the novice might not pick up on.

Also - all RV's have maintenance nuances & issues that can be very frustrating and expensive if you or your spouse are not "do it yourselfer's".

I have owned (over 35 years) every kind of RV out there with the exception of a 5'er & a Class B MH - both new & used. If both my DH & I weren't good at do it yourself repairs and modifications, we would have been sunk a long time ago.

 

[Brer Bear]

If you are dead set on getting a MH, then you are getting some good advice already!

I don't own a MH simply because I would have to tow a car also to most destinations to keep from pulling up camp each time I wanted to go somewhere. To me that is double the maintenance and upkeep on an engine (for the MH and Car) as compared to my Truck which I drive daily and my TT. My wife and have talked about a MH when our kids get grown and we can spend more time on the road...going to the potty while going down the road would be NICE, but it's not for us just yet.

www.RV.net is a GREAT place for advice on all types of RV's and related topics. Good luck on whatever you get and just START CAMPING!

 

[kkwis2]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! May I ask if there is a reason you didn't recommend either of the Four Winds? Is there something I should know that I haven't come across yet?

We are definitely not "jump into it" kind of people. We don't have a lot of extra cash sitting around, so this would be a big commitment and a big decision for us to make. I know that no RV is going to be perfect and we will definitely have a friend of ours who is an RVer come with us to inspect it.

Thanks again for your time and advice!

From the RV's you've listed...here are my recommendations in the order listed and the reasons:

1) 2004 Jayco 31' for $42,775; 29,793 miles - Jayco is a very good brand, 31' is a perfect size, 29K miles is just broken in.

2) 2005 Winnebago Minnie 29', $47,495; 34,319 miles - IMHO - Winnebago is the best brand out there, but 29' for $47K is a little pricy.

3) 2004 Coachmen Freelander 31' for $39,995; 12,437 miles - Coachman is a good product, but doesn't have the "fit & finish" of the Jayco or Winnie - BUT - This is a great buy if it's in good condition.

If you're buying a used RV and have never owned one before, take someone with you who is an experienced RV'er to go over it with a fine toothed comb. There are things someone with experience will know to look for that the novice might not pick up on.

Also - all RV's have maintenance nuances & issues that can be very frustrating and expensive if you or your spouse are not "do it yourselfer's".

I have owned (over 35 years) every kind of RV out there with the exception of a 5'er & a Class B MH - both new & used. If both my DH & I weren't good at do it yourself repairs and modifications, we would have been sunk a long time ago.

 

[des1954]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! May I ask if there is a reason you didn't recommend either of the Four Winds? Is there something I should know that I haven't come across yet?

We are definitely not "jump into it" kind of people. We don't have a lot of extra cash sitting around, so this would be a big commitment and a big decision for us to make. I know that no RV is going to be perfect and we will definitely have a friend of ours who is an RVer come with us to inspect it.

Thanks again for your time and advice!

No particular reason. I've never owned a Four Winds product, or have even looked into one. They do make the really cool Kodiak, but IMHO, if you're going to have something that big, why not just get a Class A.

Perhaps others on the board can voice their opinion of the Four Winds brand. I was giving you my opinion based on experience. We've owned 3 Winnebago Class A's, had a Coachman TT & a Jayco TT. Loved all of them. Personally, I prefer Winnebago. But that's JMHO. Everyone has their own preference.

What ever you end up with, I hope it brings you years of fun and many trips to Fort Wilderness.

 

[disney4dan]

The MHs are great for the convenience of the bathroom while driving, but we considered a travel trailer as the best option because we will always have a pick-up for various reasons, and the TT's were so much cheaper. Plus, they have the advantage of being able to disconnect and drive the tow vehicle away to get parts.

However, there is more complication from trailer sway, having to stop to use the facilities (with a 21 gallon gas tank, we stop frequently anyway).

Good luck and post pix when you go on the trip.

 

[big kahuna1]

Those prices just seem high to me in the market when you can get a steal on new ones these days. You may want to look at some new ones. Especially 08 models.

 

[bord1niowa]

I agree with Steve. The new ones 08s and even some 09s are cheaper than ones a few years old at this time.

 

[kkwis2]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone! We are definitely in the early stages of looking and have already learned quite a bit. We don't have a vehicle that could pull a TT, and are very happy with our current vehicles, so that is not an option. Also, the pull of the motorhome is that we wouldn't be cramped into our minivan with a cooler between the kids' seats.

Reading this board and the Camping at Disney board are not helping....I just want to jump into one so we can go!!!!! Unfortunately, (or fortunately if you want to see it that way) I have a very strong "let's think this through" side that won't let me jump into anything.

I'll keep you posted! And I still welcome any thoughts on the subject!

-Kim