Forum Discussion

bellolove's avatar
bellolove
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013

Buying a previous rental?

Hi I'm new here and have browsed around a bit before posting so hopefully this question hasn't already been answered but just curious if you would advise buying a Class A that was a previous rental? The dealer claims the benefit is that they have a service center on site so all their rentals have been regularly serviced. We considering either a 2012 Hurricane with 48K on it that was a previous rental OR a 2001 Southwind (not a rental) with 60K. I'm not sure if it's better to buy a newer rental with less miles on it or an older coach with more miles but less possible abuse?

A little background on us.. my husband and I are in our late 30s with a 4 year old daughter and 2 year old son. We had an older Class A Southwind (I think it was an 82 or 85?) several years back and loved it minus how old it was. It was well taken care of and we bought from the original owner.. still it didn't have all the bells and whistles of newer motorhomes and a few glitchy things we learned to work around. This was pre-kids although we took along my teenager brother and our 3 dogs and loved being able to make lunch and use the bathroom en route. We sold it and now 7 years later were ready to get back into camping mode again so we can have some adventures with our kids. We were all set on getting a travel trailer but we keep finding ourselves drawn back to the Class A although we can't afford brand new. It just seems so dang convenient with all the kids and we want to be more of the "travel" long distances and hop around type versus set up and camp in one spot for a week. Another question I have is how is the ride on a newer Class A versus a Class C? We will be getting a gas (not diesel unless we run across some insane deal on a diesel). Our old Class A was gas powered, 27 feet and it felt like we were sort of floating along in a boat at times. Just curious if the newer Class As were similar and if there is less of that sway feeling in a Class C? I really would prefer an A but if the ride is better in a C than it might be something I'd consider.

Thanks so much!

16 Replies

  • Thanks everyone! Yeah I think were going to keep looking until we find a better deal. I would love bunks but have yet to see a used Class A that we can afford that has bunks. Still trying to decide how old is "too old" to buy. Is it better to have a newer model with more miles or an older model with less miles. This seems to be what we are up against in our price range.
  • JMHO, but I would not even consider a rental...especially one with 48k on it. That's lots of miles for a MH.
  • Welcome to the forum.
    Someone posted a question a couple years ago:
    What is the difference between an All Terrain Vehicle and a rental RV?
    Answer: The rental RV can go anywhere.

    Whatever you chose, I would recommend getting something with bunks.
    Setting up and taking down the dinette and or couch every night gets old, real quick.
    Keep asking questions and don't be in a hurry to buy.
    Have fun with your search.
  • I've talked with some European renters who were not happy with the quality of their rental unit.
  • I have seen many CruiseAmerica rental units on unpaved roads not designed for RV's, like the dirt Valley of the Gods road in Utah. The rental was swaying from side to side and hitting bottom at every crossing. I have no idea if he ever made it all of the way through to the other side. It was a rough road for our toad on that day. I saw another rental stopped and pulled over halfway up Mokey Dugway where there is a sign that warns against RV's. The facts are that you have no idea how the coach was treated by people that rent one and have no financial investment in the RV. Some have zero RV experience and will try to take them anywhere a car, or Jeep would go.
  • I would say no way would I ever buy a rental! There are too many other Class A's available who have only had 1 owner and hopefully have been maintained well, etc.

    WoodGlue