We have talked about purchasing a used DP for years, but now we have to do it. Sold my gasser, so there is no turning back. Need some opinions. We have a budget of $125,000 to $175,000. We have narrowed our search to Newmar, Tiffon and Fleetwood. My question is this, am I better off buying a older one for the $125k or getting one 3-5 years newer for $175k. Both comperable in lay out, miles, etc. My concern is that appliances and so on are going to need to be replaced shortly, on the older one, but am I going to spend $50K over the next 5 years or so. Obviously, I would like to only have to spend the $125K, but looking at it long term which would make more sense? Not afraid of spending $175 if that is the right move. We plan on full timing for a minimum of the next 2 years at least.

I think a lot depends on how much you plan on using the coach. If you use it as per the RV average of 5000 miles/year, those appliances may last another decade. If you use it to full time, or to put 25,000 miles/year, then everything will wear out sooner on both coaches. .

Tiffon is still in business and the factory is only a few miles up from you in Alabama if that is important to you....

The appliances in RVs hold up about as well as they do in homes. There are a few items which have a less than 10 year lifespan in RVs:BatteriesTiresAir ConditionerRefrigeratorFresh Water PumpWith the exception of batteries and tires the others may last beyond 10 years with proper maintenance.On the other hand the drive components in a DP are designed to provide fleet service in truck so you can expect up to 500,000 trouble free miles vs only 300,000 for a gas MH.If not for my DW I would always buyy used. She only wants new. She wins...

We've been fulltimimg in our 2006 Tiffin Phaeton since Dec 2005, with 130,000 miles driven. Two of the major appliances have failed to the point of replacement, 1st is the Norcold refrigerator, that has been replaced under warranty twice and the cooling unit was replaced 4 years ago an aftermarket unit and going strong. We are on our 4th front Coleman Heatpump and still using the original rear heatpump.

Buy the one that had the highest initial quality, although all 3 of those coaches should be pretty close. Appliances will have issues, but the good news is that parts are available for most house systems up to 20 years old.My 22 year old Sahara is still in excellent shape and the only part I haven't been able to replace is the seals on the fridge.You won't spend anywhere near $50k in 5 years on replacing appliances. I tell people to expect to spend 10% of the price in the first year to "get things right".

Financial balancing act | Good Sam Community

Mile_High
Explorer
Dec 01, 2017
Go at least new enough to get a residential fridge and LCD/LED TVs. Beyond that, technology hasn't changed that much. Should be easy to do at the price you are throwing out. You'll probably not get into an all electric coach for that.
jplante4
Explorer II
Dec 01, 2017
Buy the one that had the highest initial quality, although all 3 of those coaches should be pretty close. Appliances will have issues, but the good news is that parts are available for most house systems up to 20 years old.

My 22 year old Sahara is still in excellent shape and the only part I haven't been able to replace is the seals on the fridge.

You won't spend anywhere near $50k in 5 years on replacing appliances. I tell people to expect to spend 10% of the price in the first year to "get things right".
Teacher_s_Pet
Explorer
Dec 01, 2017
We've been fulltimimg in our 2006 Tiffin Phaeton since Dec 2005, with 130,000 miles driven. Two of the major appliances have failed to the point of replacement, 1st is the Norcold refrigerator, that has been replaced under warranty twice and the cooling unit was replaced 4 years ago an aftermarket unit and going strong. We are on our 4th front Coleman Heatpump and still using the original rear heatpump.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Dec 01, 2017
The appliances in RVs hold up about as well as they do in homes. There are a few items which have a less than 10 year lifespan in RVs:
Batteries
Tires
Air Conditioner
Refrigerator
Fresh Water Pump

With the exception of batteries and tires the others may last beyond 10 years with proper maintenance.

On the other hand the drive components in a DP are designed to provide fleet service in truck so you can expect up to 500,000 trouble free miles vs only 300,000 for a gas MH.

If not for my DW I would always buyy used. She only wants new. She wins...
USAFBILL
Explorer
Dec 01, 2017
Tiffon is still in business and the factory is only a few miles up from you in Alabama if that is important to you....
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Dec 01, 2017
I think a lot depends on how much you plan on using the coach. If you use it as per the RV average of 5000 miles/year, those appliances may last another decade. If you use it to full time, or to put 25,000 miles/year, then everything will wear out sooner on both coaches. .

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