First Time Buyer...Updated 03/06/2006
This post is intended to be helpful to the first time buyer of a motor home. For those of you who don't fall into that category or believe this post is incomplete or off the mark, do us all a favor, a...
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Super post! If it isn't too long in the tooth to add my 2 cents . . .Due Dilligence, asyou captured it pays off thousands in the long run. Go to RV shows, subscribe to or buy several RV mags each month, visit several dealers, join forums such as these to read issues and solutions.
Price range is a great place to start. If you can afford 10K and under, and still use it . . .stop looking at 300K models. Get busy in the want ads.
Find out what 10K buys and keep you reye on want ads and dealers. I found dealers ran about 30 to 50% higher than want ads, and I never did have a good feeling the rig was reconditioned, or even inspected for that matter. I want to see a list of what was inspected and what was repaired/replaced. Don't show me a bogus checklist with OK next to every single thing!
Always check fluids and rubber on all used RV's. If you find the model you like but it has sat for three years . . . you will need all new rubber, adding an easy $1500 to base price. Probably want to replace all fluids as well.
Check it out from top to bottom, light that stove off, not just the pilot, fire up the AC and heat, run the CO detector, pump, flush toilet, run shower, etc. Use all lights and outlets.
Just a few items. And never count on any support post sale from a dealer. Its just better that way. You are never disappointed.
Price range is a great place to start. If you can afford 10K and under, and still use it . . .stop looking at 300K models. Get busy in the want ads.
Find out what 10K buys and keep you reye on want ads and dealers. I found dealers ran about 30 to 50% higher than want ads, and I never did have a good feeling the rig was reconditioned, or even inspected for that matter. I want to see a list of what was inspected and what was repaired/replaced. Don't show me a bogus checklist with OK next to every single thing!
Always check fluids and rubber on all used RV's. If you find the model you like but it has sat for three years . . . you will need all new rubber, adding an easy $1500 to base price. Probably want to replace all fluids as well.
Check it out from top to bottom, light that stove off, not just the pilot, fire up the AC and heat, run the CO detector, pump, flush toilet, run shower, etc. Use all lights and outlets.
Just a few items. And never count on any support post sale from a dealer. Its just better that way. You are never disappointed.
