Buying advice (again)

If you have that frige cold and don't open the door, it will stay cold a long time.Many times we have driven 12 hours w/o the propane on and everything stays cold.

I installed a new refrigerator, resealed the roof, replaced the toilet, repaired kitchen faucet. There are a few more issues to work through, but nothing too pressing. I'm into the MH for about $5k total. We've put about 1500 miles on it so far without any major problems other than the seats are lacking lumbar support.

It isn't new or fancy, but it works and it is paid for. I suppose it could go up in smoke on our next trip (another 1k+ miles up to Seattle), but so far we are having a ball.

Thanks again for the help and support.

You would have to install big solar to try and run a fridge off battery without a generator. If you don't have a genny already, then I would combine ideas. Go with batteries in the genny space, fridge on an inverter and a small generator, like a Honda 2000i. That would be a great little setup. The generator could run a single AC unit and charge. If you had a fridge on your inverter with two batteries and the genny, you would need to run for about 3-4 hours each day, but the Honda generator is really quiet. You could even have it on an extension cord and run it out behind the coach to really minimize any noise. Going the small generator route would allow you to have a smaller solar array to fill in and keep the batteries topped up.

Of course, at the price point of all the combined stuff above you could buy a tri-power fridge and be done with it.

Jose

You paid the going price for an old rig that needs some expensive replacements and repairs. If you spend another $10K on repairs, upgrades and replacements, the resale value will stay around $5000. We bought a similar old rig and spent a lot of time and money on it, but eventually we made a number or cross country tours and lots of local camping. We were dissatisfied with the carbureted engine and inadequate engine cooling system and eventually bought a new Tioga 26Q. If you had saved $15K you might have bought a much newer rig with everything working and more "ready for the open road". However, the roof AC, dash AC, fridge, fresh water pump, converter /charger and batteries furnace and awning fabric may last about ten years in any case. Good luck and make sure safety oriented stuff is in good order. Have brake fluid flushed and brake system thoroughly inspected and serviced, including replacement of old front brake flex lines.

I installed living quarters in a trailer I purchased new back in 04. At the time I couldn't justify the price of some toy haulers and the poor quality. All of my appliances came from PPL in

Texas. My first thought would be the fridge. They are easy to install. Sounds like a great project. The tech section on this website is a great place to visit also.

DaHose wrote:
That looks like a pretty good buy.

Propane tank is fine as long as it doesn't leak.

Vents are an easy fix.

The fridge issue can be resolved with either a new $1800 fridge, or batteries/inverter and a small residential fridge. Pick your poison.

My fridge was dead when I bought mine and the price tag of a new tri-power was unappealing. Like you, I am also quite handy. I knew we would have power hookups at most places we might go and running the generator is usually not a problem. My choice was to buy a fridge for $500. I ran that way for about 2 years and have now added an inverter with cutover relay. Price of inverter, cutover parts and batteries is about $450. The Ford E-350 chassis also has holes on the driver side frame to mount extra batteries.

If you will be off grid a lot, then it would be more convenient to just bite the bullet and get a tri-power fridge.

Unless .... you plan to boondock a whole bunch and will add on a hard core solar array. Then you have a whole nother' can of worms to think about. ;-)

Jose

I don't know that we plan to boondock 'a whole bunch' but I'd certainly like to from time to time. I might be installing a solar array and perhaps put batteries where the genset currently sits... time will tell. First I need to deal with the refrigerator issue.

Is it feasible to run an electric fridge off batteries and solar?

Quick update to the saga -

We went back out to show the rest of the family, check the mechanics and take it for a test drive. Test drive went fine. Mechanics don't all work, but no major problems and the kids LOVED it.

I made the owner an offer and the owner actually countered me $500 lower than my offer. That was a first. So now we have an RV sitting in front of our house... now where to start...?

That looks like a pretty good buy.

Propane tank is fine as long as it doesn't leak.

Vents are an easy fix.

The fridge issue can be resolved with either a new $1800 fridge, or batteries/inverter and a small residential fridge. Pick your poison.

My fridge was dead when I bought mine and the price tag of a new tri-power was unappealing. Like you, I am also quite handy. I knew we would have power hookups at most places we might go and running the generator is usually not a problem. My choice was to buy a fridge for $500. I ran that way for about 2 years and have now added an inverter with cutover relay. Price of inverter, cutover parts and batteries is about $450. The Ford E-350 chassis also has holes on the driver side frame to mount extra batteries.

If you will be off grid a lot, then it would be more convenient to just bite the bullet and get a tri-power fridge.

Unless .... you plan to boondock a whole bunch and will add on a hard core solar array. Then you have a whole nother' can of worms to think about. ;-)

Jose

I looked at the rig this morning. I did a visual, ran the engine, but didn't drive it or run any of the mechanical stuff. I wanted to go home and mull over what I'd seen. I am going to go take another look and run all the mechanical systems.

My thoughts and findings thus far:

THE GOOD
water damage/leaks - I can find none. Everything I pushed and poked was solid. No staining or peeling that looks like it is due to anything but age.

The engine fires right up and runs very smooth. Only 51k miles. All belts and hoses look to be in good shape. Master cylinder was replaced by a reputable mechanic about 6 months ago.

Tires were all replaced about 6 months ago.

Interior is old, but in good shape. No weird smells.

THE NOT SO GOOD
LP refrigerator is dead and removed. Owner installed an electric residential mini-fridge. He says he just uses ice while driving and then hook-ups at campgrounds.


Genset does not run. I haven't verified, but owner says it starts and then dies. Fuel issue? Probably an easy fix. My last genset had the same issue and it wasn't too bad to resolve.

The LP tank is old - will it be a problem?



Vents are in bad shape. He installed covers over them, but they will all need to be replaced.




Floor is linoleum tiles that are peeling up. Will need to have new linoleum put down.

There is a small patch on the roof right over the passenger side door. Owner claims it was from bumping his eve. Looks like it to me. I checked that area inside thoroughly and could find no evidence of leaking. You can just see the patch in the first image. The sealant needs to be replaced, but isn't in terrible shape.




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Given all of that - anything I should be on the lookout for when I go back to look? Any big red flags?

Thanks again for all the input.

Me? A creeper searching underneath, that tells a lot. Service records also. Appliances work? Furniture and carpet can be replaced within reason. I like it. 5 grand sounds fair if no water damage.