Extended Service Plans/Extended Warranties

As a general rule, if an extended service plan is a good deal for the seller, its a bad deal for me. At least read the fine print. Often, the most expensive repairs are excluded from coverage.

I recommend against wasting your money on an ESP. I bought a 1983 MH and have done all work myself. Even with a motorhome that old, the engine only had 50K miles on it.

If you can work on your home and your car COMPETENTLY then you will be able to take care of pretty much anything you come up against. If you are someone who must take a car to someone else for an oil change, or call an electrician when a light switch is on the fritz, then set aside about $5K and be ready to touch that cash at any moment.

An RV can include all the niggles of owning a boat, house and car all in one. Sometimes it can be "affordable" and other times it could be a lot more. As an example, if your refrigerator goes out then you are probably looking at $2000 to replace.

I had an RV place in Napa do a roof re-seal and appliance "check" when I bought my 1983. The work they did was essentially a waste of money. Soon after, I replaced the fridge, I rebuilt and modified my water heater, I rebuilt all the coach electrics and the engine electrics and I completely rebuilt the cabover as it was completely rotted out by water leakage.

If you found something with the floorplan you like, have a mechanic check the engine and then have the coach pressure checked for leaks. Water is THE enemy of your RV. If the running gear and leak check are good, you can buy with fairly good confidence. After that, you will most likely end up checking/patching your roof seal yearly and doing basic maintenance, but keep that reserve of cash at the ready just in case.

As far as purchase price, I would keep in mind that it is the end of the "real" camping season and demand for RV's should be down. I would start closer to low blue book on my offer. Tires rated for RV use have a 7 year life span. Many folks will use D load rated truck tires and those should be replaced every 5 years.

Jose

As all the others have said, keep your money and put it away for any problems that may arise,the companies that offer those things are in to make money, not help you out.

All the other advice given here is all very good and in my opinion very sound.

As you said that this was a former Rental from El Monte RV, then the person that you are buying it from should have a detailed service record for it from El Monte RV, ask for it.

This will tell you in detail what has been done to it. Ex Rentals are a good value because of the maintenance they receive.

The link in my signature will lead you to a Thread about buying a Ex Rental, just click on it and you can see what others have to say about buying one.

As for the price, well that is always negotiable. What do they want for it? Is in the NADA range if it is I would start at the lowest number and go from there. If it needs tires then deduct that from the offered price.

Good Luck.

Everybody has opinions, hopefully based on experience. You are more likely to need to replace air conditioning units, fridges, fresh water pumps, and need to have generator and furnace serviced and awning fabric replaced at around ten years old, depending on various factors including amount of usage and storage/weather conditions. Tires develop sidewall cracks and ten to come apart at 5+ years regardless of appearance and tread depth. (Not worth taking chances) Brake fluid should be flushed and replaced and brake system checked/serviced every couple of years to prevent brake fade on grades. Engine cooling system should be checked and all belts and hoses etc replaced as needed. Front brake flex lines should be replaced at ten years old or sooner to prevent internal rupture and dangerous sudden pulling in steering. I don't think that extended warranty schemes are worth the cost, too many loopholes.

Best to put that money aside and use for repairs. You will be way ahead. Chances of something catastrophic happening are slim. Regular scheduled maintenance using quality products is the best extended

warranty I ever had. The warranties are slanted towards the seller. I don't pay for warranties or pay a store to shop there. good luck with your decision.

n7bsn wrote:


Something my Grandfather (a self-made Millionaire, back when it meant more then today) told me.

Never insure something you can afford to lose/replace/repair -always- insure something you can't.

Well stated.

The first level of insurance is money in the bank. If you don't have to use it, it's all yours. Money paid for insurance is gone....forever.

Run a high deductible and keep that plus some to cover it. You are also making a bet but the odds are on your side.

Tires do not necessarily have to be replaced at 5 years BUT since it is a rental they probably do. With care the tires can last up to 10 years.
DO NOT BELIEVE ANY WORDS OUT OF CAMPING WORLD EMPLOYEES MOUTHS.
Most ESP's will not cover a unit over 10 years old.
The interior items are not what you have to worry about as much as the engine, powertrain. Take the rig to a good INDEPENDENT TRUCK MECHANIC for a good going over spend the $100 - 200 bucks for a check of the chassis. Then call a good mobile repair guy and spend the $75.00 for his service call to check the interior items, awning etc.
If it passes you should be good if there are any bad items then you have negotiating power if you still want the unit.

The first thing you need to realize is, on average any company that would write the policy is going to make a profit on it. That is, on average, you will pay more in premiums then you would get in claims.

Something my Grandfather (a self-made Millionaire, back when it meant more then today) told me.

Never insure something you can afford to lose/replace/repair -always- insure something you can't.

ESP's are very expensive and cover surprisingly little after you read all the if's, and's, and but's.

If the inspection comes back good, I wouldn't bother. The upfront cost of the ESP will pay for lots and lots of repairs.

If the inspection comes back with bar news, keep looking.

Either way, enjoy your choice.