Xavpil wrote:
I did my due diligence and read the FAQ and also did a search
I am looking at a 97 Winnebago Minnie Winnie with a ford engine with 47,000 miles on it.
It looks great cosmetically and drives good. But I know this is the tip of the iceberg and it will require a thorough inspection.
It is my first RV. I’d take it across country.
I know it depends on a lot of factors but is there a rule of thumb that says RVs shouldn’t be older than....
Thx guys
There is no rule of thumb with age. If it smells good inside (no moldy smell) and there are no water stains on the interior walls, especially in the cab-over bed area, then at the right price, that rig might be worth considering.
Given the rig is a 1997, the Ford chassis might have the older V8 engine, or the later V10 engine. The older V8 gets worse fuel economy and are prone to exhaust leaks where the manifolds bolt to the engine. The manifold bolts like to break. The V10 engine that replaced it is a much better engine with improved fuel economy and reliability. Since you mentioned going cross-country, know what to expect concerning fuel consumption.
You did not mention the length of the rig, but back in 1997, the E450 chassis did not exist. So if that rig exceeds 25 feet in length, it may sag a lot in back when you are loaded for a trip. Unless a previous owner addressed that problem, plan on adding a leaf spring or two in back per rear corner. Also heavy duty front and rear stabilizer bars and heavy duty Bilstein shock absorbers. Going cross country with these things addressed will make your cross country driving experience much more comfortable and safe.
If you buy that rig, you will surely want to adjust the rear drum brakes so the shoes are right there at the drums with a free-spinning slight drag after you pump the brakes. Otherwise the front brakes will work exceptionally hard, and the rears won't contribute adequately. Trust me on that, I know from personal experience with my previous motor home. It is a night/day difference in safety, especially noticed in mountain and canyon driving. If that chassis is not equipped with 4-wheel anti-lock front brakes which I believe to be true, the front brakes will lock up and skid when slowing down in the turns. Think about that nightmare. The rear drum brakes work exceptionally well, but only if adjusted properly for maximum performance. With 4 tires in back, they will stop that rig very nicely without skidding, especially because of the weight on those rear tires.