Buying/shopping advice

Very good, have fun!

I hate unfinished threads, so I thought I'd do my good internet deed of the day and finish the story.

Bought a 1990 Tioga (Ford 460) with ~50k miles. It has a few minor issues, but it runs great, the interior is in excellent condition and everything has been well maintained. The previous owner put new tires and got the brakes done a few months prior - receipt for $2k+ in the dash pocket.

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.

So - good deals are out there. 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.

It is not easy to find a good used rv at a reasonable cost, but it is also not impossible. You are in a good area--Las Vegas has a ton of dealers, Phoenix is not too far away and there are usually a lot for sale on CR in that town, plus we bought ours in Tucson.
Retired lifestyles especially can change quickly through illness or moving from a starter smaller RV to something larger--also the opposite. So places where people retire, like Florida, Texas and Arizona and to a lesser extent Nevada, Utah, etc. are good hunting grounds.
There is a lot to say for a Lazy Daze and I looked for one, but settled for a Winnebago that has been great for just two of us along with grandkids sometimes. The parents will join us but sleep in a tent. They like getting away...:)
With our jackknife couch and fold down dinette across from each other we can make one big bed by using foldable tables in between and cushioning that with pillows and a comfort camping rollup self inflating air mattress (I'm being specific because I hate those inflatable air mattresses!) Then it is a huge sleeping area that can easily fit two kids and two adults. Plus the cabover bed for two more. So we have more room than most small RV's just because of the layout.
I wouldn't look at anything older than 2005 right now and expect to pay at least in the high $20,000 range. If you are looking at something in the early 2000's you could stay under your limit but you would expect more damage and appliances with less life in them.
The only thing I can think of that you can't easily add is an oven. Newer RV's often don't have ovens, just convection microwaves and stove tops. With a family you might want one.

How old? :). Most from the 80's will have more or less what the ones from the 2000's will have plus a few bed bugs and a lot of water damage. ;).

If you are truly handy then you should be okay. That said, water damage means walk away. You may be the most handy guy in the world but water damage will cost you big time financially 9 out of 10 times no matter how much free time you spend on it. Make sure to check the over head cab on a Class C. They are notorious leakers. I have seen new ones on dealer lots with minor leaks in them already.

Here is the only hole in your plan I see. Barring getting lucky and finding that gem, and I hope you do, you are likely gong to find most used used RV's that fall into a few categories. The first is the old beater. It's only 5 grand but it will need 20 grand worth of work and yes, your time is money. The second is the three year old rig in great shape but the seller still wants about 1 grand less than they paid for it plus an extra 2 grand for the upgrades they added. Don't waste your time on these people. I did and I regret it. They aren't living in reality. And the kicker is their units need some attention too. Usually tires just to start.

Here is another one to look for. A 10 year old rig that appears to be in perfect cosmetic shape and only has 4000 miles on it. This one could cost you big time. It means they didn't use it and it sat a lot.

Pardon my negative sounding attitude in this response. My only intention is helpng you learn from some of my own mistakes. In the end, having a hard time finding your dream rig is a darn good problem to have! :)

Thanks for all the advice.

I know many think a family of 6 in a small RV would be a disaster, but I assure you we will be just fine. We don't all have the same living space requirements/desires - see the tiny house movement for proof of that!

I am going to start looking for an older unit that is perhaps in better condition, lower miles. Then I'll have a good cushion to do some remodeling/upgrading/repairing as needed. I am a handy guy who does most of my own everything. Does that sound like a reasonable plan?

What are the features that an older coach will not have that I would want to add? What features will a newer coach have that are difficult/impossible to add?

You have some "what to look out for" experience having used a travel trailer. Take the time to read over the various stickies, and posts on this forum answering buyers who just bought an older used class C and have problems with the house box 12 volt dc and 120 volt ac electrical system and/or appliances or the truck part. If tires are older than 5 years by date codes, have them replaced with correct tires and have solid metal valve stems (Borg or Tire Man)installed. Have entire brake system flushed and serviced and replace front flex lines. Have entire engine cooling system including radiator,water pump, and belts and hoses. Have dash AC serviced if needed. Check awning for need of new fabric.Make sure RV generator,roof AC, fridge, microwave, fresh water pump/plumbing, works properly and get independant estimates about any major repairs/upgrades needed.

koda55 wrote:
Something to consider is how many seats with seat belts will what you buy have. I See you are in Nevada. How well will your children do in the heat being in the tents? Our daughter has a 33 ft Leprechaun 371sa and has no problem getting in or out of campgrounds.

Funny you brought this up. Was just researching this. Not only how many seat belts but what kind and where are they located and will they work for you. My RV is jammed with seat belts but all of them are simple lap belts and only one of them has a safety latch system. Those lap belts aren't designed to work with car seats for children under a certain weight. Sure, I used to sleep on the dash board of my parent's car when I was small but times have changed. :)

This leads me to believe that most people using RV's with young kids are taking some chances with the current child restraint laws and recommendations. Luckily, I only have one young child but we did have to buy her a new car seat (hard to find version) for the RV and we attach her car seat to the only latch system in it. Not sure what we will do if we ever bring a young friend.

Just some things to think about.

If you are interested in a Lazy Daze, check out the for sale files on "Life with a Lazy Daze RV". It is a restricted site, so you may have to join. If you find what you are after, be prepared to make a decision quickly. They sell fast. Recently, one in New Hampshire sold in less than a day. Good Luck on your search. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/lifewithalazydazerv/

NADA is just like KBB Need to read the small print.

On KBB everybody thinks theirs is in EXCELLENT shape small print 3% of all the cars on the road fall into that category !

Same with NADA most newer ones something like 2000 and up clearly state "SEE SPECIAL NOTES" , you click on that it, it reads certain models come equipped with AC,furnace, etc etc etc... BUT everybody pulls up their fill in the blank_________ and then builds it with all the options.. Including what is considered standard equipment !!!!
I literally got up from the table in a few used RV lots wadded up their BS build sheets and through it at the garbage cans and said you want to try again?! Most times I just walked .

Funny how tho when your talking of trading in , how yours only books out for $ yet the one on the lot books for $$$..

CL ones I went and looked at several ,some were worse than car salesmen lying out both sides of their mouths !
My advise for somebody new looking would be have them take lots pictures of all 4 corners of the outside, roof, tires , underhood, several shots of the interior (close up shots) , not standing in back taking a picture of the front etc. If they don't/won't do it , don't waste your time.

There was one on the Reno CL older 26ft had auto leveling jacks and a few more ad ons, the ad stated firm something like $26 I could only get it booked at $17K
So yeah most are way overpriced..

Here's 3 that I'm sure you could get the price down lower , and not have alot of money tied up in it..!
https://reno.craigslist.org/rvs/4938426264.html
https://reno.craigslist.org/rvs/4937878787.html
https://reno.craigslist.org/rvs/4937133941.html

Good luck in your hunt , but remember anything used plan on having some $$$ in reserve , they always need something !!

Malder wrote:


Of course that could be someone just asking way too much, but I'm also curious to know of other's experiences with NADA. Have you found their pricing to be accurate?

Earlier today I posted on another web site about NADA prices. I looked up my 2014 Itasca 31K, which I've had for two years. According to NADA my MH, without any of the options being added in, has an average retail value over $2,000 more than I paid for it, brand new.
Who knew RVs went up in value ? :R

With 4 kids? (your signature says 2 girls, a boy, and a dog ?) you can't go with too small a unit. ;)