SJ-Chris wrote:
Earlier this year (pre-Covid) I purchased two Cruise America refurbished Majestic 28a Class C RVs. I was pleased with the experience. Prior to purchasing, I completed a very thorough inspection and came up with a list of items I wanted them to fix. They fixed most of the items which was nice.
I cleaned them up (they were already in good shape) and then did the following...
- Added wireless backup camera
- Added 3 USB charging ports (over couch, over dinette, over rear bed)
- Added a 2nd battery (in 2nd from rear on driver's side small bay)
- Added a TV/DVD player
- Added a Aili battery monitor
- Will be adding solar soon...
I let family and friends use them (...that's the exact reason I got them, so no "warnings" needed). I specifically wanted some "simple" RVs that are relatively idiot proof. That's what attracted me to the Cruise America models. After about 9 months of use I have been quite pleased. They have each been out about 15 times. I've taken them a few times each myself. I've towed my boat a couple times without any issues.
There have been some issues that I would put in the "regular" RV owner catagory. I changed all the tires on one of the units just because I want to make sure they are in great shape and they were starting to look questionable. One of them did require a steering gear box to be replaced (~$800). But in general, I would say things have been holding up pretty good so far.
One thing I'm wondering about....The exterior siding and decals. One of the nice things about the Cruise America refurbished units is that they repaint, reseal, and put on all new decals, so basically they look almost brand new on the outside. I'm wondering about the quality of their work and whether or not it is done as cheaply as possible and after just a few years I'll start to see the deterioration. I have already noticed a few things like the black trim around the windows seems to be chipping off a bit in some places. For those of you who have had their Cruise America units for 3 years or more, can you comment on how the exteriors have held up? Decals still good?
Thanks! I have found this thread (and the forums in general) to be invaluable!
-Chris
Hi
After 4 years the paint job and decals were still good :) The only problem i found was in a couple of places the end of a decal was lifting about 1/4 inch and i just neatly cut it off - this was near the beginning so adhesion was never good on the ends. Black around the windows was also not a problem. The refurbishment was done in Mesa.
The only external items i did not like were the original items from Ford! Front bumper looking through the gap to the engine compartment rust on the inside which i cleaned and coated and stayed black afterwards. Various other areas of the Ford chassis you could see from "outside" i also treated and then went underneath and anywhere I spotted rust i used cans of rustoleum spray and it has stayed good :) Plenty of room to crawl underneath and do these jobs.
