Best used DP value for 100K?
In about two months our house will be sold and it will be time to make a decision... We plan to full time in this coach and looking at units in the 38-40 foot range with a large fridge and preferab...
Forum Discussion
We are down in San Diego area a couple of hours south of you. The key things about looking for a motorhome in my opinion is that the floorpan meets your needs, it has enough CCC (carrying capacity) to tow and carry your stuff, you feel comfortable driving it, and you really like it.
You do need to check to make sure there is not extensive water damage from a leak (s). But if you buy in the south west which I advise you to do it hardly rains or freezes so damage from water leaks is less likely. If you are going to full time or half time you need a coach with heavy duty house materials like solid counter tops, well made floor coverings and so on. Almost invariably the price it cost new is in direct proportion to how heavy duty stuff is.
In my opinion it is very helpful to talk to the previous owner to find out what has been done to the coach maintenance wise and get records. It is very good to get a coach that has been well maintained. If you buy a coach that you don't know the details of it's background get an extended warranty so you don't break the bank. A rebuilt transmission is 7-8 grand. A used or rebuilt diesel is around 20. A replacement aqua hot boiler is 8,000. To replace a charge air cooler is 6,000 and so on.
I like side radiators. I like air brakes. Cat or Cummins motor. No off brand motors.
Shop and test drive a lot. Do not take checkbook the first seven test drives. I used the RVCG (RV consumer group) data sheets to narrow down my search. I do agree with their highway handling ratings. I only seriously looked at coaches they rated excellent in handling. The RVCG info tells you which coaches are, in their opinion, heavy duty.
Have fun looking. I did.
The coach you buy is important, the brand less so. You are buying a coach not a brand. And just because a coach is a brand thought to be good does not mean that particular one is. You need to make sure of that by yourself. So look in dark corners to make sure everything is made and assembled right.
After 5 years of owning a Country Coach we are very happy with our choice. A very well made machine. And the factory is in Oregon 1 1/2 days away not in Indiana, many days away. Or Alabama, also many days away.
You do need to check to make sure there is not extensive water damage from a leak (s). But if you buy in the south west which I advise you to do it hardly rains or freezes so damage from water leaks is less likely. If you are going to full time or half time you need a coach with heavy duty house materials like solid counter tops, well made floor coverings and so on. Almost invariably the price it cost new is in direct proportion to how heavy duty stuff is.
In my opinion it is very helpful to talk to the previous owner to find out what has been done to the coach maintenance wise and get records. It is very good to get a coach that has been well maintained. If you buy a coach that you don't know the details of it's background get an extended warranty so you don't break the bank. A rebuilt transmission is 7-8 grand. A used or rebuilt diesel is around 20. A replacement aqua hot boiler is 8,000. To replace a charge air cooler is 6,000 and so on.
I like side radiators. I like air brakes. Cat or Cummins motor. No off brand motors.
Shop and test drive a lot. Do not take checkbook the first seven test drives. I used the RVCG (RV consumer group) data sheets to narrow down my search. I do agree with their highway handling ratings. I only seriously looked at coaches they rated excellent in handling. The RVCG info tells you which coaches are, in their opinion, heavy duty.
Have fun looking. I did.
The coach you buy is important, the brand less so. You are buying a coach not a brand. And just because a coach is a brand thought to be good does not mean that particular one is. You need to make sure of that by yourself. So look in dark corners to make sure everything is made and assembled right.
After 5 years of owning a Country Coach we are very happy with our choice. A very well made machine. And the factory is in Oregon 1 1/2 days away not in Indiana, many days away. Or Alabama, also many days away.
