Looking at various Class Cs lately ranging from 2000 to 2006. The latest 2000 we came across has delamination in all 4 top corners. Owner said they did have a leak in the top cabin which they fixed immediately. Nothing seems soft on the inside. It's a 2000 Coachmen Leprechaun 313qb with 38K miles listed at 15900. Originally looking for 1 slide but this layout is ok with no slideout (only the 2 of us plus maybe one more sometimes). Rode nice. Everything is good but the delamination and the back 25 percent of the roof looks like it needs some work. Ball Joints never replaced (~$800-$1000) but it passed inspection in 8/2016. This would be our first Class C but not first camper. Listed at $15900, the online Nada Guides says average retail is $9000 (???). Some of our thoughts seeing most research says run when you see delamination.* Treat as a starter Class C. Keep for 3-4 years then trade in (knowing if delamination is not fixed may not get much). Will the delamination grow if the leaks have been fixed?* Would save $$$ versus buying a $25K-32K used class C even if we did some roof work maybe letting the delamination go or trying a DIY delamination repair kit.We were thinking maybe going low, but how low for an offer seeing the delamination is one of the big issues?Some picts of the delamination:Pict 1Pict 2Pict 3Pict 4

Pass unless you are a big risk taker.It's very likely that the owner and you don't understand the extent of the delam and what could be involved in repairs. "Will the delamination grow if the leaks have been fixed?"The correct answer is yes, no and maybe. If the area is dry there will be no further dry rot. But the seams etc are compromised no amount of calking etc will last. If the area was small which this one is not then maybe...

Run, to many RV's for sale with the right price and no delamination! Water leaks big cause of delamination.

With delam in all 4 corners and 25% of the roof in need of work on a 16+ year old camper, it sure sounds like the owner is really proud of his MH considering he wants almost double the average retail NADA Guide price. That means the trade-in value is even less than $9,000. If you were to trade it in a few years from now, you wouldn't get much at all.I would surely run from this motorhome. You should be able to find better. That's a really big leak or a lot of smaller leaks for there to be delam in every corner. We just had the ball joints done on our E450 and it was almost $950. It might also need new tires, that's another $1,200+.I would keep looking.-Michael

Walk away. There are too many potential problems and expenses with that unit.If they were asking half the NADA retail price, maybe.They want way too much to even consider. Walk away.

No!!!!!!!!Unless it's free, your an experienced DIY'r and want a big winter project.

Buy Class C with Delamination if price is right?

Gjac
Explorer III
Oct 20, 2016
CA Traveler wrote:
TripleClamp wrote:
Wow, thanks for all the replies. I think we'll keep looking.

CA Traveler - I read somewhere about mounting boards against the ground at 35 degree angles but how are they staying tight against the ground?
There are cargo straps on each angled support that are connected to the suspension and cause them to flex and apply pressure to the vertical portion. Some of those angled support boards are long and made up of 2 2x4s so that they don't flex to much.
I used the side of a brick building and car jacks to apply pressure when I did mine.
TripleClamp
Explorer
Oct 20, 2016
CA Traveler wrote:
There are cargo straps on each angled support that are connected to the suspension and cause them to flex and apply pressure to the vertical portion.

Ah, I see them now. I didn't know they ran underneath to the suspension. :C
cgmartine
Explorer
Oct 20, 2016
No, don't walk away....run, run, run Forrest....
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Oct 20, 2016
TripleClamp wrote:
Wow, thanks for all the replies. I think we'll keep looking.

CA Traveler - I read somewhere about mounting boards against the ground at 35 degree angles but how are they staying tight against the ground?
There are cargo straps on each angled support that are connected to the suspension and cause them to flex and apply pressure to the vertical portion. Some of those angled support boards are long and made up of 2 2x4s so that they don't flex to much.
stew47
Explorer
Oct 20, 2016
I saved a bunch of money on buying a class a with some delam. I'll never do that again. RUN! It cost way more for me to fix and took way more time. I was never completely happy with my repairs and ended it selling.
TripleClamp
Explorer
Oct 20, 2016
Wow, thanks for all the replies. I think we'll keep looking.

CA Traveler - I read somewhere about mounting boards against the ground at 35 degree angles but how are they staying tight against the ground?
pianotuna
Nomad III
Oct 19, 2016
Run, don't walk away.
DrewE
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2016
Delamination is a bad sign, no doubt, but there are degrees of damage and of causes and of concern. I myself would not automatically write off any motorhome in your price range that has any hint of delamination, but I would be cautious and investigate as thoroughly as I could.

Frankly this looks pretty bad to me. The seams or corners at the ends of the roof have leaked a good bit, it would seem, and likely you have some significant wall repairs ahead of you. I would guess that the side walls of the cabover on the inside are soft and quite possibly the bunk board is, well, bunk, and a good chance the curved carpet covered bit that forms the front wall quite thoroughly soaked through. If the roof decking is soft for a good portion of the roof, that suggests that the roof and ceiling structure also might be nasty. The price seems high for the probable level of damage; I don't think this is a good deal.

For what it's worth, from what I can find online the layout is very similar to that of my '98 Coachmen Santara 315QB, and I think it's a very nice and usable layout. The kitchen space is relatively large, with some actual counters even, and I actually appreciate not having to deal with slidouts; just park someplace level and you're set up to camp for the night.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Oct 19, 2016
Delam repair can be very expensive and/or a major DIY project. My son had delam in both rear corners. This pic doesn't begin to show the work before we got to reattaching the fiberglass panels. About day 5 with both of us working on the rig.

So think carefully before buying a delamed rig. But it was great father son bonding experience. :)
2_many_2
Explorer III
Oct 19, 2016
Runnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!

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