Hi everyone, been searching for an RV to purchase and I got this seller to agree on 6k WITH the car. I know nothing about RV's other than I want to begin to travel in RV fashion with my family before the kids leave the nest soon. On the surface does this seem like a worthwhile deal?This is the CL http://fresno.craigslist.org/rvs/4921654237.htmlLINKLooked at it yesterday and she's not new, but definitely mechanically sound. Some minor cosmetics on the interior, no leaks, all in working order..thoughts? Things I need to look at prior to handing over any money?Here is the descriptionAPEX 32 FT MOTOR HOME SELF CONTAINED72,500 ORIGINAL MILES3RD AXEL UNIT, BETTER HANDLING, MORE STABLE/SAFER THEN MOST MOTOR- HOMES.OVER HEAD AIR CONDITIONINGCOMES WITH ONAN GENERATORMICROWAVE/STEREO/TV/ANTENNA/CB/FANS/ELECTRIC STEPS,REFRIGERATOR, ETC.RUNS AND DRIVES LIKE NEWCLEAN CALIFORNIA TITLE (NOT SALVAGED) NO BACK FEE REGISTRATION PENALTIES.VEHICLE IS REGISTERED IN MY NAME , I AM SECOND OWNER, PURCHASED FROM DAN GAMELS RV FRESNO, CA1998 SATURN WAGONCOMES W 1998 SATURN STATION WAGON THAT WAS TOWED BEHIND MOTOR HOME,4 CYLINDER /AUTOMATICCLEAN CALIFORNIA TITLE/ TAGGED TILL JUNE 2015RUNS GREAT, GREAT MPG.HAS FACTORY TOW HITCH WELDED ON FRONT FRAME FOR TOWING. SATURN IS INCLUDED IN TOTAL PRICE OF $6995

Check to see if the tires are about to "age out", in other words 7+ years old and may have cracks in the sidewalls. This could add a few thousand in expense to have tires that are safe. Check batteries, house and chassis, to see if they hold a charge. This might add a few hundred if new batteries are needed. Is the TV compatible for today's digital channels? Other than that just go through the basics and make sure that the AC's, both dash and overhead, put out cold air. The furnace and all appliances work. The refrigerator and water heater work. The coach has brakes that will stop you and the Saturn when applied. Make sure that the transmission is shifting smooth and that the engine doesn't have an excessive amount of smoke(I'm not sure if CA has emissions checks for RV's). If you are comfortable with the price, go for it and enjoy.

rgatijnet1 wrote:Check to see if the tires are about to "age out", in other words 7+ years old and may have cracks in the sidewalls. This could add a few thousand in expense to have tires that are safe. Check batteries, house and chassis, to see if they hold a charge. This might add a few hundred if new batteries are needed. Is the TV compatible for today's digital channels? Other than that just go through the basics and make sure that the AC's, both dash and overhead, put out cold air. The furnace and all appliances work. The refrigerator and water heater work. The coach has brakes that will stop you and the Saturn when applied. Make sure that the transmission is shifting smooth and that the engine doesn't have an excessive amount of smoke(I'm not sure if CA has emissions checks for RV's). If you are comfortable with the price, go for it and enjoy.THANKS! Any input on the year or model? Tires were the first thing I looked at, good tread no sidewall cracks but is there a code or year stamped on the tires that I can reference? Going back tonight to test drive it, and fire everything up one by one.

rgatijnet1 wrote:Check to see if the tires are about to "age out", in other words 7+ years old and may have cracks in the sidewalls. This could add a few thousand in expense to have tires that are safe. Check batteries, house and chassis, to see if they hold a charge. This might add a few hundred if new batteries are needed. Is the TV compatible for today's digital channels? Other than that just go through the basics and make sure that the AC's, both dash and overhead, put out cold air. The furnace and all appliances work. The refrigerator and water heater work. The coach has brakes that will stop you and the Saturn when applied. Make sure that the transmission is shifting smooth and that the engine doesn't have an excessive amount of smoke(I'm not sure if CA has emissions checks for RV's). If you are comfortable with the price, go for it and enjoy.Good advice right here. I'm assuming with the Ford chassis you will have 16" tires which should save you quite a bit over larger tires. There should be a date stamp on the tires (you may have to look on the opposite side of the tire to find it. Here's how you read the date stamp reading tire date stamp. Don't let the amount of tread left fool you. Many new people make that mistake and end up stuck on the side of the road with a blowout and damage to their "new" RV becasue of the shredding of the old rotted tires.If all the appliances are working and there are no water leaks or soft spots in the floor, then I would say you have found yourself quite a bargain. Heck just setting up a car to tow four-down can cost between $1-2k.See if the PO (previous owner) has maintenance records for the RV. And so you don't go into this blindly, ask him what kind of mileage he was getting don't expect more than 6 or 8 tops) and make sure that fits into your budget.Oh yeah, one big thing... Are you handy or mechanically inclined? Because a unit this old will require maintenance and repairs and if you have to pay someone it could eat you alive.Doug

Welcome to the forum.How to Read Tire CodesDouble check for signs of leaks. A small leak can do a lot of hidden damage if not repaired.

Deal or No Deal? (new here) | Good Sam Community

AllegroD
Nomad
Mar 27, 2015
Let the fun begin.
SuicideCharley
Explorer
Mar 27, 2015
Excellent idea on the pots and pans. New for the home, hand me downs for the RV it is!
SuicideCharley
Explorer
Mar 27, 2015
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND It's home. Thanks for all the tips, advice and comments!
superk
Explorer
Mar 27, 2015
John Wayne wrote:
Camp in your drive way this week end and you will discover all the things you forgot to pack. Go to good will and buy pots pans etc that will stay in the RV so you don't have to take them out of the house and back in after each trip.

When we bought our coach in the fall we cheated lol.

We bought new pots and pans for the house and took all the old, mismatched, or slightly worn pots and pans and donated them to our coach.

A tip, if you plan on using it primarily as a camper, dont waste your camping trip doing dishes, buy paper plates and plastic cups/cutlery. These plastics are usually recyclable, the paper burns nicely in evening campfires, AND you are NOT stuck watching that pretty campfire from your kitchen window!
John_Wayne
Explorer II
Mar 26, 2015
Camp in your drive way this week end and you will discover all the things you forgot to pack. Go to good will and buy pots pans etc that will stay in the RV so you don't have to take them out of the house and back in after each trip.
SuicideCharley
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
msmith1199 wrote:
SuicideCharley wrote:
samsontdog wrote:
Did not look like the mileage indicator {72500} lined up straight across. Sometimes that shows that the mileage has been turned back. Also the number 22 on the outside front and back, was it a rental? Just a few things that I learned
when I used to buy and sell. {many} Otherwise you got a hell of a deal !!! Good luck

Good eye, owner bought from a dealer, one owner previous to him. Didn't notice the odometer until just now. I'll need to take a closer look at that.

Don't trust the info that may have come out of the dealership. Mr. Gamel is a convicted felon that stemmed from his business dealings in selling motorhomes.

Info on Dan Gamel RV

Carfax confirmed the mileage, and yeah Gamel is a turd.
westernrvparkow
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
Unless I am missing something, that is pretty much a steal. It's only $6,000. How much could you lose even in the worse case? These people worrying about tires, exact mileage and the like would probably complain about the Frame on a Van Gogh found at a flea market for $20.00. Buy it, enjoy it and if you like the lifestyle but the rig is a bit too old sell it and buy a better one.
msmith1199
Explorer II
Mar 26, 2015
SuicideCharley wrote:
samsontdog wrote:
Did not look like the mileage indicator {72500} lined up straight across. Sometimes that shows that the mileage has been turned back. Also the number 22 on the outside front and back, was it a rental? Just a few things that I learned
when I used to buy and sell. {many} Otherwise you got a hell of a deal !!! Good luck

Good eye, owner bought from a dealer, one owner previous to him. Didn't notice the odometer until just now. I'll need to take a closer look at that.

Don't trust the info that may have come out of the dealership. Mr. Gamel is a convicted felon that stemmed from his business dealings in selling motorhomes.

Info on Dan Gamel RV
glamisorbust
Explorer II
Mar 26, 2015
I think you got a smokin' deal. If I was looking for one, that would be a great unit! And the car as a bonus? Come on, too good to be true! Get some new rubber, batteries and go enjoy that beautiful rig!
SuicideCharley
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
Executive wrote:
Congratulations on your find! That said, I'd NOT take it on a trip with your family UNTIL the tires are replaced. They are a time bomb that will ruin your maiden run.

Expect the generator to be worthless. Why were the batteries removed? Don't the batteries that run the genset also run the stuff on the inside????

Also, 137 on the Saturn...remember Saturn's do not record towed miles....still a good deal though..IMO....Dennis

Thanks, yes we discussed even prior to checking the tire codes. Pay now or pay on the trip in more than just $$. Time lost, stress, etc. Definitely not worth putting it off.

Not sure what the deal is with the batteries, he never had them in. We plugged in the electrical so we could run everything inside.

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