Greysquirrel
Hendersonville NC
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Joined: 08/30/2010
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New here, this is my first post.
Have been looking at Class B motorhomes and can relate some horror stories but I'll keep them till later.
Right now I am going to look at a 21' 1989 Dodge, 318 engine and 94k miles on the rig.
The asking price is $5600, seems high but what do you experienced owners think.
I haven't seen it yet but at 21 yrs. old there is bound to be wear and tear on it, one thing I know is that the generator does not work, I would think the best thing to do is scrap it if it is the original and replace it with a new one if I could find one to fit, anyone know the cost of a generator for this size rig?
I'll check the age of the tires also if I have to replace all the tires it will cost I have a MB ML and the tires for that are around $200 each so I imagine for the Dodge it will be about the same.
With that in mind what should I offer the owner if anything?
There is only two of us and two dogs and we will not be traveling far and only probably staying a night or two, mostly weekend trips to hiking areas, at least to start so a B is just right for us.
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TheCanuckian
Pierrefonds, Mooers Forks, Bushnell
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Joined: 08/07/2007
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You might want to look at something newer in the $10,000 range instead of buying a fix-it project on wheels..... just my opinion !!
2008 Class A WindSport
Marc and Linda -2 Yorkies- LuLu and Lindy
Next year we will fill in UTAH !!! Maybe Alaska too !!!
Visit our Blog - The Canuckian
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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Hmmm... the only '89 Dodge B that's 21 feet long that I can think of would be the Xplorer with its longer-than-OEM fiberglass tail behind the rear wheels. Are you sure that this isn't really a small C (built on a cutaway chassis, vs built in a van)?
Anyway, the pretty-much standard Onan 2.8 kW installed in most B's will run you about $2500-3000 new. Another alternative may be to carry a portable in the compartment if there is one, but to take it out to run it. Loud contractor-grade ones start at a few $100's; good quiet ones are a good bit more.
Tires more than 5-6 years old need to be replaced, regardless of remaining tread. The FAQ's here contain the collective wisdom of the group on buying used. At that age, price depends largely on condition. $5600 sounds high unless it's darn in good shape with pretty new tires & everything but the generator working.
Jim, "Be careful reading health books. You might die of a misprint."
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigermotorhomes.com
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LadyRVer
Florida
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Joined: 09/04/2007
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Last year we bought a Class B, Pleasure Way and had the dealer install an Onan
2.8 (usual size) for a B. We have 118 hours on genset, serviced regularly and just put about $200 into it for repairs. Onan was new when installed. If I had it to do over again, I would buy a Honda, have mounted on the back and go from there.
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Greysquirrel
Hendersonville NC
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Thanks for the replies, I am going to look at it tomorrow but my gut feeling is that it will need new tires, new plugs, cables and distributer and maybe valve cover gaskets and a front end alinement. From the picture from what I can see it seems to be in fare shape what you cannot tell to much from it.
Maybe I am just a pessimist, I have owned 20yr old cars and they have been in great shape because I alway kept them up, maybe this one will be also.
What does bother me is that I asked how long he had owned it and he said three weeks, either it has problems he does not want to deal with or he got it for a song and is flipping it.
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DRSFUN
MAYVILLE, NY
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Joined: 02/13/2007
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I think you will be buying more problems thank you want or need. RVs always have something to fix, even when relatively new, so give it a very good going over before committing. And, make a low-ball offer. You might be surprised at how low the seller will go. My guess, he/she will take $3,000.
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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Yep, it's a (nominal) 19 foot B. Based on the twin roof windows, maybe-maybe an early Pleasureway? I think (not real sure) that the factory Onan is hung under the floor at the rear, so there's no generator 'compartment' that could be adapted to carry a small portable. A rear carrier and good quiet portable, about $1K total, would work, but not be as convenient, and ~2' of added length sux on a B.
Looks like the rear springs need a bit of help, not surprising. A set of 5K# air bags would be about $250, and DIY-able if you have modest mechanical skills & tools.
Definitely see how it drives before committing; you can spend a lot of $$$ on trying to 'cure' one. New front-end parts aren't cheap. I'd suggest a chassis inspection by a mechanic especially considering that he's had it for so short a time.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
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billharrison
Akron, OH
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Joined: 08/27/2010
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I just bought a b myself, I would not pay that for one that old with that many miles, a quick craigslist search will show up plenty under 5k with miles in the 50-60k range of that vintage.
While the older ones may need more maintanance, they are also cheaper to maintain parts wise.
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Greysquirrel
Hendersonville NC
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billharrison wrote:I just bought a b myself, I would not pay that for one that old with that many miles, a quick craigslist search will show up plenty under 5k with miles in the 50-60k range of that vintage.
While the older ones may need more maintenance, they are also cheaper to maintain parts wise.
Not too many listed within driving distance in my area, I check within 200 miles or so each morning, lots of C class but no B's, but I am not going to rush into this the right one will come along if this one in has more problems than I want to tackle.
You guys have me just about persuaded not to look at this but I have nothing to loose by looking I am not committed to anything.
Yes, before I buy anything I will have my mechanic take a look at if I think it is a rig I would be interested in.
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juliev
SE Minnesota
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Joined: 07/29/2004
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Be sure to check for signs of water leaks. I've been helping a friend of mine shop for a used B. We're finding many older ones with water damage.
Julie
_____________________________________________________________________
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~ Lao Tzu
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