Hedgehog
Fairhaven, Massachusetts
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Joined: 08/30/2002
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Let me start off by saying that my wife and I have been looking for a class A for a while now. In the beginning of our search, we had a truck and a fifthwheel to trade in so at the time we were at the mercy of dealerships. Well, a three months back, we sold the truck and fifthwheel and now have a down payment for a class A. With that said, I am running into the following problems.
Most private party sellers owe more than there worth or just plain want more than they are worth.
Dealers around my area either have consignments, orphans, or giant 40+ footers with tag axles.
My wife and I still work and would like to get into a half way decent DP or gas class A at a reasonable price. I would like to stay with a quality name brand that is capable of towing a 5,000# enclosed trailer. It seems that ever dealership I go to elaborates on how scarce used inventory is and how the prices are going up. And my gonna have eat it on both ends. I sold my Montana fifthwheel and F350 close to wholesale value and now I have to pay retail or close to it if I want a motorhome. I should have just saved myself the aggevation and traded it in. I would like to buy pretty close to my area mainly because what I call mint condition and what someone else calls mint condition are two different things. I have already looked at pictures on line and then drive 2 plus hours to find the motorhome is not in good shape. Any input would be appreciated.
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Hedgehog
Fairhaven, Massachusetts
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Joined: 08/30/2002
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One more thing, can someone give me some websites for used RV's?
I've been on rvtraderonline, classyrv, rvt. Any other?
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UltraKen
Ohio
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Joined: 06/05/2007
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Hedgehog wrote:Let me start off by saying that my wife and I have been looking for a class A for a while now. In the beginning of our search, we had a truck and a fifthwheel to trade in so at the time we were at the mercy of dealerships. Well, a three months back, we sold the truck and fifthwheel and now have a down payment for a class A. With that said, I am running into the following problems.
Most private party sellers owe more than there worth or just plain want more than they are worth.
Dealers around my area either have consignments, orphans, or giant 40+ footers with tag axles.
My wife and I still work and would like to get into a half way decent DP or gas class A at a reasonable price. I would like to stay with a quality name brand that is capable of towing a 5,000# enclosed trailer. It seems that ever dealership I go to elaborates on how scarce used inventory is and how the prices are going up. And my gonna have eat it on both ends. I sold my Montana fifthwheel and F350 close to wholesale value and now I have to pay retail or close to it if I want a motorhome. I should have just saved myself the aggevation and traded it in. I would like to buy pretty close to my area mainly because what I call mint condition and what someone else calls mint condition are two different things. I have already looked at pictures on line and then drive 2 plus hours to find the motorhome is not in good shape. Any input would be appreciated.
I think more information would get you better advice.
Are you looking for new or used? If used how old would you go? Ballpark budget for purchase? Diesel or gas? Necessary features? If you, apparently, don't want a 40 footer than what is your maximum/minimum desired length? etc.
Living in Ohio I bought a great coach in Oregon. It took a lot of communication to be sure it was worth the inspection/purchase trip.
Edit: Here's a list...
http://craigslist.thingweb.com/
http://www.rv-online.com/
http://ww2.rvtraderonline.com/
http://usedmotorhome.com/search.asp
http://www.nationalmultilist.com/find_rv.php
http://www.rvsearch.com/
http://www.rvclassified.com/adsearch1m.htm
The first one gets you to every Craig's list in every state. It's a little cumbersome but much easier than trying to get there through Google. 
UltraKen
Ex - 1968 Ultra Van
NOW - 1996 Safari Sahara 35' - Model 3530 - Cat 300
Pictures of my Coach
A $93 Rear Camera System
My take on replacing tires
Used MH Checklist
Toad: Dodge Grand Caravan on Tow Dolly or 1981 Vespa on utility trailer
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mchero
Concord, NH
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Joined: 11/09/2004
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PPL Motorhomes down in Texas is the place to shop for used diesel pushers.
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/diesel/diesel-motorhomes.htm
Robert McHenry
Concord, NH.
1993 Fleetwood 36' Pace Arrow
Cummins 8.3l Turbo 300hp (uprated)
Allison 3060 Trans
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
http://dieselrvowners.com/forum/index.php
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lizbard
Nacogdoches, TX
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Joined: 05/24/2009
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I was going to suggest a couple in Texas, but you would have to fly out here.
My former boss bought a used 2003 Winnebago Brave from PPL in Houston.
Foretravel RVs are manufactured here in Nacogdoches, TX. You can check out Foretravel.com to look at the factory used or Motorhomes of Texas in Nacogdoches is an authorized dealer for new and used Foretravel and other brands.
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Buck62
Charleston, South Carolina
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Joined: 04/28/2005
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It is very stressful trying to find your perfect motorhome I feel your pain. You are correct in finding that most sellers are upside down on their MH's and will never sell it for their asking price. On the other hand it will be almost impossible to find one that is in great shape selling for a little over wholesale. I would narrow your search to one or even two motorhome models and begin searching to find an average selling price. Continue trying private owners and don't give up on dealers but recognize that you will probably not find a "steal" unless it is in the shape that no ones wants. Once you realize what the realistic selling prices are you can then begin dealing. Good Luck in your search. Your perfect motorhome is out there waiting for you.
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Hedgehog
Fairhaven, Massachusetts
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Joined: 08/30/2002
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I was looking to stay with a Tiffin, Winnebago, or Newmar product.
I would like to stay around 36 feet but if the 40 footer is a steal, I would buy it.
I prefer diesel but I would not say no to a mint condition gas coach on a 24K chassis.
I was thinking in the 50 to 100K price range.
A local dealer has a 2007, 36' Phaeton on consignment but is asking $159,ooo and says he will take no less than $139,000 because the seller wants to net $130,000. My wife and I like the coach but we find this price to be on the high side. The coach also needs a little work (some fogged dual pane windows, water leak around one slideout, a few areas of mouse poop in the coach, rear-end had slight leak, slight play in steering). The finish is excellent as well as the interior.
I also found a 2005 Itasca Horizon 40 footer with 10,000 miles on it but dealer says he'll go no lower than $130,000
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william554
Minn U.S.A
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Joined: 04/02/2002
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Depending on the year look at a 2000 winnebago Chieftain 36ft DP 275 hp cummins 6 speed allison. We love ours and i pull a jeep 2008 wrangler sahara 4 door.Good fuel milage and i will not complain about the horse power.Anything else send me an e-mail.
Bill&Diane 2000 Chieftain 36DP
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driveby
Vancouver BC Canada
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Joined: 01/07/2005
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for that kind of budget you could easily find a very late model Winnie Adventure in that size.
I just did a quick search and found some 2010 (new) models around $160K. Assuming 25% of list that gets you ~$125K
that way location is less of an issue. its new.
2008 Itasca Sunova 35J Class A
1997 TJ Sahara, hard and soft tops and AC
Held together via Roadmaster Falcon 2 tow bar and stopped by US Gear Unified Brake system.
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Suescasa Mycasa
In front of the TV, Pa.
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Joined: 01/23/2010
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I wouldn't believe used are hard to find.
They are all over the place
Private and dealers
MHSRV.com in texas did not use them but they always seem to have alot
Nationalmultilist.com has alot
Rvonline.com has alot
I found mine privately 1300 miles away.
Sometimes you have to go the extra 1300 mile.
2003 Travel Supreme Select 45'
ISM 500 Oh Myyyyyyyyyy
2003 Yamaha V Star 1100
Joeylift motorcycle lift
rollin rollin rollin... keep those doggies rollin
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