IAMICHABOD
Sunny So Cal
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Op here again.Well I see that others have done what I have done and
upgraded their Ex rental.
Getting a rental is very cost effictive and with that extra money you can use it to do upgrades.
Like I did. By putting in a swivel seat in the passenger side,this gives more room and an extra seat when needed.
Like this
If any one has done any up grades to their Ex rental or has anything to add to this I would like hear about it.
2006 TIOGA 26Q CHEVY 6.0 WORKHORSE VORTEC
Former El Monte RV Rental
Retired Teamster Local 692
Buying A Rental Class C
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IAMICHABOD
Sunny So Cal
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Bump
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jdog
Northern California
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OH YEA, I'll bet he will be sanctioned!Mocoondo wrote:Wrong Lane wrote:I was really suprised by a Cruise America rental recently.
I was on I90 in New York, West of Albany, in a car. We had a radar detector and traffic was light so the cruise was set at 90 MPH. At that speed one really wants to be aware of your surroundings which includes frequent looks in the rear-views.
I see about a mile back a Class C out in the left lane. I am thinking to myself, "I don't remember passing that motorhome".
My next check of the rear-view puts the motorhome much closer and I then know that he is in the left lane travlelling faster than me. I pointed the vehicle out to my co-pilot.
OH YEA, I'll bet he will be sanctioned. Sure, they won't take his money next time he wants to rent. THEY don't care so as long as someone pays.
We maintained our 90 MPH and sure enough I was overtaken by the rig. No idea how fast it was going but it soon pulled away out of sight. The trip for me ended in Seattle WA. I was ribbed for the entire drive by the co-pilot (my son) about driving like an old man and letting motorhomes pass his sportscar.
Anyhow, when buying a rental you always run the risk that someone has been driving the living******out of it. My biggest fear is that renters don't own , have no investment other than a damage deposit and some just don't care how they treat objects. Just like private sales and any other dealer - buyer beware.
I would opine that if YOU were driving through New York at 90MPH, then you too were "driving the living **** out of it". I sure hope you disclose that level of abuse when you try to sell your automobile. ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
All Cruise America motorhomes have a six digit number on the front and rear of the unit. Next time you see one driving recklessly or at a high rate of speed, write down that number and call the telephone number emblazoned on the side of the motorhome. Cruise America takes those types of calls very seriously and will contact the renter on his cell phone right then and there. The renter in question will be sanctioned as a result of his actions, up to and including forfeiture of use.
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USMC0369
Jacksonville, NC
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I bought a 2010 Fourwinds Chateau C21 from Camping World, Raleigh, NC two months ago. It had been a rental and had 51,000 miles on it. I got a fabulous price on it, and I bought the extended warranty. They were fabulous about making sure it was like new before I took it off the lot. I went through it with the salesman, made a list, and I picked it up the next week with everything good as new. I just returned from a 700 mile trip to the mountains of NC and 5 days of camping. I had no problems at all. The service records were with the RV showing all scheduled maintenance had been completed. My wife LOVES it, so I am happy also.
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ironwood6058
Harrisburg NC
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Finally made the purchase. Got a 2006 28A from the sales location in Manassas, VA. We rented prior to the purchase and had our rental costs rebated. The salesman was very helpful and quickly fixed the few things we found that were in need of repair. We camped a night and returned to NC. 600 uneventful miles so far.
Based on research and reading countless articles on this forum, I'm comfortable that we made a good choice. Thanks to the forum members who have shared their experiences. It made our buying decision much easier.
We'll update positive/negative over time.
2006 Four Winds Majestic 28A
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Roy&Lynne
Pacific Northwest
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We purchased our Class C from a soldier who purchased it from El Monte and we have had no issues at all.
Our Road Less Traveled
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IAMICHABOD
Sunny So Cal
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Congratulations Ironwood on your purchase. Please keep us updated on how it going with your new,to you,Motorhome.
The good or the bad,as a resource to share with the others in the Forum.
Happy Camping and Good Luck.
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derosacamp
Connecticut
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Another approach to the RV rental experience. We were looking at RV's primarily at dealers, and when inspecting the one we purchased, we noticed the shadow of lettering identifying it as a rental. The dealer had taken it in on a trade from a private owner who bought it from a local dealer that rented it. Although cosmetically compromised, the mechanics were in good shape, relatively low mileage 32K for a 2006)and had lots of nice features, including new decals! We are finishing up our first season, had all the warranty work done including trouble igniting the water heater and a leaky shower drain and over all pleased with the unit. I am planning on replacing the couch and some of the cushions to bring the decor more in line with our tastes.
Peter and Cindy
2006 Gulf Stream Ultra
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travelintraceys
Apache Junction, AZ
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Thanks for the thread IAMICHABOD. Here's pro's and con's buying rental motorhomes (at least in our case--a 2003 Ford Class C Four Winds Majestic 23A purchased from Cruise America in 2006 with 99k miles). After six years of use, 20k added miles and dozens of states traveled from CA to MI, we can say:
PROS
1. PRICE--Not everyone can afford a new or low-mileage unit. We figured the 30K we saved could buy a lot of repairs, and that proved true. 6 years and 20k miles later, we have only spent $100 on repairs (coil went bad, and it still ran). Just usual maintenance items like fluids, battery, etc.
2. CONSTRUCTION--Rock solid. Yes, we believe people when they say these units are abused. But think about it: A company couldn't stay in business if their rigs were always in the garage or behind tow trucks. That's why they order them solidly built with no frills. We like the diamondplate low-level entry step, the solid wood cabinetry and easy care linoleum floor.
3. DURABILITY--The Ford van is about as generic as it gets. If you break down, you'll get parts. I drive the same 5.4 V8 in shuttle vans and they are running with over 350,000 original miles on them. Just keep the fluids fresh. Plus, the little 5.4 V8 climbs mountains better than our previous carburated 460 V8 and gets double the gas mileage (11 mpg vs 6 mpg). Even the coach--with all its appliances--has had zero breakdowns in 6 years of year-round use (including a fulltime gig).
CONS
1. EXPENSIVE WARRANTY--With high mile vehicles, a warranty seems like a no brainer, but really, you could replace an engine yourself for what it costs. Would not buy warranty again. Plus, the mandatory service intervals were "setup to trip-up"--like, odd mile oil changes and such.
2. DEALER HANKIE-PANKIE--Purchased as 2003 but when registering with state, computer said 2002 (6/02 per vin). I found they can go by coach--not chassis--date when selling. Also, roof had been patched. No maintenance records, no disclosure, so buyer beware.
3. ALWAYS HAVING TO EDUCATE--Plan on spending lots of time educating folks who have never owned a rental unit yet have all kinds of opinions.
Overall, we would definitely buy another rental unit (but maybe from another source, like El Monte). Like we said, $30k savings would buy a lot of repairs--if needed--and they weren't. Enjoy your rig!
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IAMICHABOD
Sunny So Cal
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travelintraceys
Thanks for the great post on the Pros and Cons of buying a rental.
I think it will help others that are looking at buying a RV.
I have to agree on all of the points that you made.
Price was a factor in my decision to go with the rental,as I said in the original post. I had looked at a lot of others of the same year,model and Mfg. All needed work or tires or something which meant
I had to spend more money to get it in shape. Granted they had less miles but I had no way of knowing how they had been matained. For less money I found one that had newer tires,Had a new interior,and a bonus I had a 28 page log of all matainance and repairs that had been performed.
Construction,this unit had to be made well,to stand up to the rigors of the trade. I also got the build sheet for mine and it is listed as a Tioga Commercial 26QR.
As far as Durabilty I think that it speaks for it's self, as you said,you got it with a lot of mileage and put a lot of more trouble free miles on it. Todays vehicles are designed to last if properly maintained or the manufactures would not put such a long warranty period on them. As the service manager told me if this rig is not rolling they are losing money so it is in their best intrest to mantain it to keep it on the road.
As for the Cons I have to agree with you on the Extended Warranty. When I looked at Cruse America a lot of their sales pitch was their Extended Waranty. I found it off putting and very expensive for what you get.
I had no dealer Hankie Pankie. I was told going in that it was a 2006 but was on a 2005 Chasis but I already knew how that works from the days that I had my Class A.They were upfront about everything that I asked about.
They also offered a Extended Warranty, when asked, but admitted that it wasn't a really good deal. It came with a 1 year/12000 mile power train warranty from them also 30 days on all appliances,from El Monte RV.
Having to educate people about owning a rental, I have to agree you get all kinds of opinions but after I had a few folks actually come in my RV and saw how nice and clean and well appointed it was they were impressed. I even had a few that went and looked at the place that I bought mine.
I have to agree Go Out And Enjoy and use that money you saved for other things, I know that I did..........
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