bar_20
Somewhere West of Laramie
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Joined: 05/22/2003
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NCTOM wrote:Cotch,
I'm also looking for a Class A, but I want to buy in the next couple of months. Right now I'm trying to determine which makes are the most reliable. What makes it difficult is on the forum when owners share their ideas it's rare that you come away with a difinitive opinion.
I would look at manufactures that sell mostly higher end units but also make some upper entry level units. I would rather buy a used low mileage unit from a quality manufature than a new one with qustionable quality. I would look at Country Coach, Foretravel,Newmar, Tiffin and Monaco's different divisions. I have found that in most cases manufactures that specialize in mostly low cost MH's but also make upper end MH's, don't make them as well.
Go to an RV show and look at the different brands. Take a look at the two most popular brands and then walk into the ones I mentioned. You will see the difference right away in the fit and finish, the quality of the cabinets and the quality of the hardware used.
Steve & Donalee
2007 Roadtrek RS-Adventurous
2011 KIA Sportage SX
1999 Jaguar XK8 convertible
1948 MG TC
2005 PT Cruiser convertible Toad
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vinkar23
New Jersey
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Joined: 05/04/2007
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IT'S HERE ! ! ! ! ! !![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin") AND IT'S MAGNIFICENT ! ! ! ! ! !
The hubby and i picked up our Holiday Rambler - Ambassador yesterday!
I was prepared with the PDI check list and reading. Boy was our sales guy and mechanic impressed! We picked it up from PA and drove home back to Jersey. I drove our pick up home as we used a trade (a hybrid w/ 3 expandable bunks-perfection)and i played the defensive back for lane changes and yellow line guidance ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile") We stayed overnite and have a good buddy with a sister unit (twins - go figure!)who helped us remember and reviewed proper generator and inverter useage. Yes - we did use the digital voice recorder to tape our dealer orientation - thanks for that handy tip.
Well...it got to go put some more supplies in and hit the road!
Thank you all....till next we chat. Oh, yes we did whack a tree branch or two ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/doh.gif "doh") ...compound coming right up dear.....
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pwelch1021
Dallas, Tx
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Joined: 07/07/2007
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I have two motor homes that I am thinking about buying. Which one would you buy.
#1 1986 32' Mobile Traveler. The coach has 75,000 miles on the chasie. The 454 Chevy motor and the automatic transmission were both rebuilt and have 2,500 miles on them. The refridgerator needs replaced, the carpet needs replaced, all 6 tires needs replaced, and the fresh water tank needs replaced. Everything else is in working condition. No leaks. Price $4,000.
#2 1987 34' Gulfstream. The coach has 40,000 miles on it. It is powered by a Ford 460 on a John Dear frame. The only thing wrong with the coach is the dash air does not cool, and the netural switch on the transmission is out. The motor home can be started and runs strong by jumping the started silinoid. The carpet was replaced with prego flooring and there are no signs of water or heat damage. Everything on the coach works. The tires are in good shape. The price on this one is $5,200.
Which one would you buy?
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Mr.Mark
Out West and Mid South
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Joined: 09/24/2006
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pwelch1021, if you are mechanically minded which you must be if you are looking at older coaches. I would think the unit that you can get the cheapest is the one you should buy. Offer half of what they are asking and go back and forth to see who breaks.
From your description, they both sound like they are in need of some TLC. The new engine and transmission rebuilts seem like a strong plus. Depending how old the tires are on #2, they will need replacing if they are older than 7 yrs old whether they have good tread or not.
Good luck and let us know which one you decided on.
Mr.Mark
Mr.Mark
2021.5 Pleasure Way Plateau FL Class-B on the Sprinter Chassis
2018 Mini Cooper Hardtop Coupe, 2 dr., 6-speed manual
(SOLD) 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach, 45 ft, 500 hp Volvo
(SOLD) 2008 Monaco Dynasty, 42 ft, 425 hp Cummins
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adtchris
Jacksonville, FL
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Joined: 02/18/2007
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Camp2Boat -- you did the right thing by leaving that dealer and driving the 700 miles home. a 1,400 mile trip the dealer thought you probably wouldn't make vs. buying damaged goods they just wanted to unload.
The price of gas is cheap compared to what you almost bought. Dealers beware; we're getting smarter.
Chris & (good sport) Wife Holly with Yorkies Troy & Amy
Winnebago 38J "Her Five Carat Diamond" ">
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Gordon_R
Northwest
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Joined: 07/07/2004
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vinkar23 wrote:IT'S HERE ! ! ! ! ! ! AND IT'S MAGNIFICENT ! ! ! ! ! !
The hubby and i picked up our Holiday Rambler - Ambassador yesterday!
I was prepared with the PDI check list and reading. Boy was our sales guy and mechanic impressed! We picked it up from PA and drove home back to Jersey. I drove our pick up home as we used a trade (a hybrid w/ 3 expandable bunks-perfection)and i played the defensive back for lane changes and yellow line guidance We stayed overnite and have a good buddy with a sister unit (twins - go figure!)who helped us remember and reviewed proper generator and inverter useage. Yes - we did use the digital voice recorder to tape our dealer orientation - thanks for that handy tip.
Well...it got to go put some more supplies in and hit the road!
Thank you all....till next we chat. Oh, yes we did whack a tree branch or two ...compound coming right up dear.....
Congratulations!!! I hope you guys have years of fun with it. We have been very happy with ours. Post some pics when you get a chance.
GORDON & LORI
U.S. Coast Guard Chief (Retired)
2016 Ford Crew Cab Lariat F-350) w/6.7 Diesel
2018 Arctic Fox 27-5L
Semper Paratus
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camp2boat
Colorado
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Joined: 06/18/2007
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On the trip home from not buying the MH we towed our 5W 700 miles to trade in, we stopped at dealers & kept searching. In Albuquerque, to our surprise, found 3 deals; 2006 Winnebago, 07 Monaco, & 07 Bounder. The Winnebago was a great deal w/resident style AC, washer/dryer, top-of-line furniture, but I thought too heavy & too long @ 36' (I wanted 32', easier to launch boat). Also, when we returned to the campground, an 05 Winnebago Voyager had pulled in next to us with the whole side of his roof taped on with duct tape (it had just happened that day). May have been an isolated incident, but we decided not go with the Winnebago.
The Monaco was a NEW FLOORPLAN & when we did the 'deciding' walk-thru, we found you couldn't sit on the toilet comfortably (my husband & I are both thin, but had to sit slightly sideways to not have our elbow scrunched into the wall) & you had to hold the lid open! The salesman called the manufacturer to find a "fix" but we weren't interested. He came back & said the toilet should have been installed at more of an angle, but that didn't fix the "lid problem."
That left the Bounder 33R. We did our final decision walk-thru & found no negatives (as with the other 2 MH's). We made the deal & are tickled with the results! There are so many thoughtful small things in the Bounder that weren't on other MH's we looked at (unless you paid much more). After all the research & looking, the Bounder gives you more bang-for-the-buck! The dealer in Albuquerque was the nicest we dealt with also. Now I know why there are so many Bounders on the road!
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Larry S
Mims, FL
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Johnny,
I have to agree with you.
Don't beleive salesmen, get it in writting, it saved us around $2000.00.
Take Care,
Larry
!997 Newmar Mountain Aire Diesel
2004 Honda Element
2001 Saturn L200
WebSite: Where is Schmitt dot Com
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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Paul if you picked up the 86 or 87 model that you was looking at back in July update us. One with the newly rebuilt engine and transmission sounded interesting and I would like to know did some local shop do it or was it like factory rebuilt. It is a little strange that one would sell a “good” MH for less than the recent repair bill. Most of the time we spend money like that on something we plan to “drive” it out of it, not sell it at a price that would have meant giving it away before the engine and transmission job would have be the best financial decision. John Deere chassis’s typically have a high load rating and many like the 460 but both may be “pre” fuel injected. Many of the 454 and 460 engines will have less than the 16 required (at least on my 454) manifold bolt heads showing due to the fact they tend to pop off over time so make sure you count exhaust manifold bolt heads before you settle on a price. After some back firing (which I fixed yesterday with a $13 distributor “pick up” coil) I went under my engine after dark with a strong flashlight and that was the first time I realized I had a missing bolt on our 1992 Georgie Boy 32’ Pursuit with 90K miles that I paid $7995 for this past July to the previous owner of 10 years. So far after about 800 miles of driving the manifold bolts were the only thing that I have found that I missed on the quick initial inspection but I am sure there would be other things show up. There still is not a leaking sound that one hears over the engine sound and had it not been for the high RPM miss and back firing I am not sure when I would have caught the missing exhaust manifold bolts.
As a thought you may look for something a little more current (less than 20 years old) unless you are more into restoring than spending a lot of time on the road. By not getting in a rush with the price of gas being $3+/- much fresher units (ones that has seen 3K+ miles each year of its life) with many less years of age in the $7K-$10K range. In my case I got great tires (both in tread and condition) that are on 19.5 inch wheels, a GM Good Wrench remanufactured (not rebuilt) transmission with updates with 16K miles on it plus new shocks and air bags around the same time. The overall condition is good but it has been used and is 15 years old.
The older the more bottom side rust you may find unless it has never been out of AZ. Most of the electronics from the engine to coach are dated along with the appliances. Fuel injected engines are much more desirable for service and power. The roof AC units and the generator, etc may demand more service. I know a guy that got an 84 Class C 23’ unit for like $2500 but has been rebuilding if for the longest and still is running the factory front tires on mountain areas. He is looking at converting to fuel injection because the 350 is not powerful enough to tow and buying a new gas tank because of rust he is only getting about 400 miles before he has to replace the fuel filter.
Paul I realized I have rambled here but it there is a point it would be look at what you really want. If you are looking for an evening and weekend project the older the better. If you are looking for a project and going 40 miles to a lake to fish once a month then the older the better perhaps. If you want to make 5K mile trips you may want to upgrade on the front end to something that will be easier to find parts and service for should you break down on the road where it could cost you $500 just to get towed to a service area. From what I can see buying an old one in need of repairs, tires, roof, etc cost no less than to buy one that someone else has kept road worthy and is 8 or 10 years newer after 6 months down the road if you make it road worthy. Go to www.rvtraderonline.com and you will see it is a buyer’s market.
After almost buying one off of E-Bay we on advice of another person looked in 3-4 of the penny ad shoppers like find at the door of your local greasy spoon restaurants. There are more older cracker boxes on wheels out there that you can shake a stick at. Granted most will be priced 2X what they are worth but no one is going to pay it so as one said over them 50% of the asking price but ready to write the check because they know the real value and will accept it when they get ready to get it out of the yard. Most that set a couple years and start leaking can not be given away. Read this site and others you will fine with Google. Clearly you are good with your hands so learn all you can about motor homes and go for it. For $10K you can find motor homes like others are paying $15K for and they are no better. Remember a 1990 HM with 120K miles is most likely a better MH than a 1990 with 17K miles on it and they are out there. If the one with 17K miles has been kept inside it will look like new but if the miles were put on it in the first five years it has not been maintained and when you hit the road and the elements you are going to find out that fact. If you can fine the 17K mile 1990 after some one has spent $8K on it during the last 5000 miles over the past two years then you are the lucky one most likely and it can happen.
Heart attacks, strokes and cancer put 1000’s of quality MH’s on the market each year for a quick sell and these will not be found mainly on dealer lots. Many of us start too late to enjoy many years of RV’ing. Keep your eyes open and more deals may come your way than your bank account will want to handle. There are more sellers in a rush than there are buyers in a rush. This may not apply to new MH’s but does to the more “mature” ones.
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[email protected]
Texas
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Joined: 09/10/2007
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My husband and I have were first time buyers this year. We love the layout of our MH and everything about it, except for one major factor.
It is a total LEMON. From day one we have had nothing but problems.
It is a Sportscoach Elite with quad slides. It has been in the shop more than in our possession. TV's not working, Slide outs not sliding,windshield wiper broke, leaking exhaust into closet etc....
The repair man says ALL MH are like this, unless you get a PREVOST.
What is your opinion.
Kay, ticked off in Texas
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