I'm still in the market for a ~$75K 2001-2006 "higher-end" (Newmar, American Coach, Holiday Rambler) DP Coach and I want to pay cash for it because I hate payments. However,that will not leave me with a lot of money for recurring costs and "the unexpected." So, I'm getting cold feet.So, not counting tires and batteries, how bad is it regarding recurring maintenance and "the unexpected" for a Coach this old?thanks in advance for your replies.

Are you planning on doing most of the maintenance yourself or paying high shop 100-$125 a hour rates?That will make a big difference on oil/filter changes for engine, transmission, air etc.

You can never predict the unexpected costs. Those unexpected costs are something that can strand you and your coach at a distant location with no recourse other than to do what you can to pay for the repairs or sell the coach in it's unrepaired condition. I would guess that to travel in a Class A RV you should have access to a $10,000 cushion of funds that are set aside just for emergencies. Obviously when you are not traveling, that same cushion could be used for any family emergency. Tire can run several thousand but they are something you can somewhat plan on in advance. Other yearly scheduled maintenence items should be around $500/year or less if you do the work yourself.

A 10 to 15 year old unit can have lots of unexpected expenses.

I have a 2001 American Coach Tradition and it came to me with all the records and approximately 38,ooo miles. Now it is up to over 5o,ooo and I have done most maintenance except the changeover to the extended coolant, (I let a shop do that for me although I provided the materials). I have also replaced a lift pump as well, but otherwise, relatively trouble free. I think I spent around $400 on maintenance which included changing everything so it was now on my schedule instead of the previous owner's. I think it will be a little less next year, (finding some wood to knock on!).If I were like you, I would expand my search a little older than I originally thought and see if that perfect coach comes up. I ran into a 2000 American Coach Tradition camping this year across from my spot and theirs as well as mine are pretty nice! They are out there, so try to be patient. If I were selling mine, it would be in the 30-40K range if I wasn't in a hurry. A coach like mine with all the records, everything working, and no major expense like tires on the horizon would allow for the rest of your funds to be saved for expenses or maybe trips. There are a lot of overpriced rv's out there, but don't forget "cash is king" and if they know you have it, maybe a deal is closer than you think!Good luck! I bet you find a real nice coach that makes you happy!

Triker33 wrote:Are you planning on doing most of the maintenance yourself or paying high shop 100-$125 a hour rates?That will make a big difference on oil/filter changes for engine, transmission, air etc.Yup, need answer to this to even be able to put you in the ball park as far as Preventive Maintenance costs.

Average Maintenance Costs? | Good Sam Community

Skid_Row_Joe
Explorer
Feb 22, 2015
DanLee wrote:
I'm still in the market for a ~$75K 2001-2006 "higher-end" (Newmar, American Coach, Holiday Rambler) DP Coach and I want to pay cash for it because I hate payments. However,that will not leave me with a lot of money for recurring costs and "the unexpected." So, I'm getting cold feet.

So, not counting tires and batteries, how bad is it regarding recurring maintenance and "the unexpected" for a Coach this old?

thanks in advance for your replies.
Count on a minimum of at least $1,000 a year, with a more reasonable number being $2,000 per year.

Worst case scenario - $10,000 in one year.
DoubleVeteran
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
"The OP asked for ANNUAL maintenance budget...$900/yr X 7 = $6300......Dennis"

Makes much more sense.... ;)
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
Executive wrote:
DoubleVeteran wrote:
Executive wrote:
Annual maintenance:

Oil, filter change-oil and fuel X2 incl SCA check $300 - SPEEDCO
AquaHot - nozzle and service - every other year - $125 MASTERTECH AZ
Detailed wash and wax - $300 - PRIVATE
Tires - X8 - every 7 yrs - $900 FMCA
Generator - Filter/oil Fuel + oil - $ 125
Misc: $1000

Budget $ 3000 / 12 = $250/mo

We full time..YMMV....Dennis

"Tires - X8 - every 7 yrs - $900 FMCA"

$900 for 8 22.5 tires I think is way underestimated. I paid $2500 for six, and that was a good deal.

The OP asked for ANNUAL maintenance budget...$900/yr X 7 = $6300...:W...Dennis

Dennis, your post caught me off guard just for a second and then I realized you were talking 'annual'. Your $6,300 is pretty exactly what we paid for new tires in May of 2013.

MM.
Executive45
Explorer III
Feb 19, 2015
DoubleVeteran wrote:
Executive wrote:
Annual maintenance:

Oil, filter change-oil and fuel X2 incl SCA check $300 - SPEEDCO
AquaHot - nozzle and service - every other year - $125 MASTERTECH AZ
Detailed wash and wax - $300 - PRIVATE
Tires - X8 - every 7 yrs - $900 FMCA
Generator - Filter/oil Fuel + oil - $ 125
Misc: $1000

Budget $ 3000 / 12 = $250/mo

We full time..YMMV....Dennis

"Tires - X8 - every 7 yrs - $900 FMCA"

$900 for 8 22.5 tires I think is way underestimated. I paid $2500 for six, and that was a good deal.

The OP asked for ANNUAL maintenance budget...$900/yr X 7 = $6300...:W...Dennis
DoubleVeteran
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015
Slojoe72 wrote:
2500 ... WHAT SIZE ... I JUST GOT A 3600 ESTIMATE FOR 6 TIRES 275-70-22.5 MICH

Firestones: FS-560 275-70-22.5 16 ply
keurig
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015
Quote:AquaHot - nozzle and service - every other year - $125 MASTERTECH AZ

Depends on how much diesel you put thru it and where its located.U can go 3 or 4 years if all u use is electricity 80% of the time
Also the location of the unit will determine the cost.If the motor/nozzle is right at the front its easy. If the unit is in the middle of the MH and the hose reel has to be removed etc it costs a lot more than 125.00. the nozzle and filter is around 35$
Slojoe72
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015
2500 ... WHAT SIZE ... I JUST GOT A 3600 ESTIMATE FOR 6 TIRES 275-70-22.5 MICH
DoubleVeteran
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015
Executive wrote:
Annual maintenance:

Oil, filter change-oil and fuel X2 incl SCA check $300 - SPEEDCO
AquaHot - nozzle and service - every other year - $125 MASTERTECH AZ
Detailed wash and wax - $300 - PRIVATE
Tires - X8 - every 7 yrs - $900 FMCA
Generator - Filter/oil Fuel + oil - $ 125
Misc: $1000

Budget $ 3000 / 12 = $250/mo

We full time..YMMV....Dennis

"Tires - X8 - every 7 yrs - $900 FMCA"

$900 for 8 22.5 tires I think is way underestimated. I paid $2500 for six, and that was a good deal.
JetAonly
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015
Make sure you don't confuse scheduled maintenance with unscheduled maintenance. Scheduled ~$300 at Speedco. $200 if you do it your self. Unscheduled can be high, make no mistake. But don't succumb to the hysteria, you won't have to sell your MH due to a failure. :R

Have ~$2-3k, a towing service like Coach Net, and a credit card for the unforeseeable. Make sure you do due diligence like oil samples and a pull of the ECM codes, etc. If you are handy with a wrench, you can reduce costs dramatically.
DanLee
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015
Wonderful information, thanks!