First off please excuse any stupid questions i may ask. We are very new to Rv-ing both my Wife and i are in our late 50s and still working. We both are self employed so getting away at short notice is not a problem. We would like to do many long weekends and at least one long stay (60 days) per year. The 60 day trips being 1500 miles each way and park. The long weekends maybe 1000 miles total. We have a small dog and a parrot(best friends) the parrot can stay home for the long weekend trips :). Apart from that it will be for the most part just my wife and i. We know that we want to go with a class A but maybe on the shorter side, We have a small budget of $25,000 to buy a used coach. So far we have looked alot on Craigslist and a few local dealers. Not test driven yet. i looked at a ITASCA (29ft) last night and liked what i saw although i know nothing about this ( or any other maker. I have room at my home to park and store so that wont be a problem. We live in New Hampshire where the weather can be extreme ( Cold and Hot) so i think we will need GOOD heating and cooling as well as insulation. Some questions i have for you all are What are your thoughts on ITASCA 27 - 30 ft, 2000 - 2004Where are the best places to buy Dealers or PrivateWhat are the biggies to look for when buyingI am seeing a lot of deals in Florida, Is it worth going down to buy? (one of the places we want to spend some time )We are not set on ITASCA, So do you have any recommendations in the 27ft - 30ft range. Thank you all for your help Steve and Carol (New Hampshire)

Welcome!First, it has to be appealing to both of you, floor plan, kitchen etc.Second, I look at condition and maintenance. Check for records and ask the owner a ton of questions if you buy private party. From a dealer, same questions. In both cases, I would pony up the bucks and get it professionally inspected.Third, do your research on the net for the models you have an interest in for common problems and other information.Fourth, take it for a long test drive. Preferably with all types of roads and check how the rig feels to you.Its a large investment,take your time and don't let yourself be rushed into a decision.

No recommendations and I believe you will get a better deal in Florida.that said you will not survive a winter in New Hampshire in the average Class A it gets just too cold. Any rig in the price range you are looking at will NEED NEW TIRES. RV tires rot(simplistic term) out before they wear out usually lasting 5-7 years. A term you must learn and know the meaning of is delamination.Take no ones word that anything works INSIST on seeing it function. Be prepared to spend money on repairs every year. Make sure the genny works as they go bad if not exercised enough.LOTS more but somewhere there is a good check list for RV's I hope someone posts it.By the way remember the dealer IS NOT YOUR FRIEND he is out to make you pay as much as possible for the rig. At least with an owner you stand a chance of coming out ok. You can tell right away when you walk into a rig with a long time owner whether he babied the rig

Definitely test EVERYTHING yourself! Don't take their word for it...whether private sale or dealer/broker sale. Insist on a test drive on the highway. Look closely inside the coach for evidence of leaks. Check the ceiling and along the walls. Check the floors for weakness near joints. Look inside cabinets and around pipes. Make sure the fridge works on both electricity and LP if so outfitted. Verify maintenance records like oil changes and general maintenance items. Check tire date codes....if you don't know how to, then do a quick Google search on reading tire date codes. Tires are expensive and like said earlier, they go bad from age faster than they wear out.Believe me when I say check everything yourself and don't take their word for it. I bought mine from a couple I've known all of my life and I took their word for the tire dates and several pieces of equipment. They didn't intentionally mislead me, but I found that their perception of working and mine were two different things. Fortunately, I'm pretty handy with most repairs, so I have been able to fix things without a whole lot of expense. Have fun and good luck with your search!

I just traded in a Winnebago Sightseer that is like what you would want. Its a 2006 model 26p. I paid 20k and it had new Michelins all around. They are out there if you look.

Welcome. A great adventure awaits. Having camped for many years and owned several RV's may I strongly suggest that whatever you purchase prior to purchase take it to a qualified non biast RV service center and have everything checked out. An honest sales person will be fine with this and it will minimize problems later after money has changed hands while there is motivation to fix problems. And most of all have fun with it all.

First Time Buyers (Used) | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

bsinmich
Explorer
May 09, 2015
I just sold my 2003 Newmar 2 weeks ago. My roof was not fiberglass but Brite-Tek and the warranty was still in effect for another 6 mo. Newmar is one of the few who will give the R factor of walls, floors and roofs. I also had dual pane windows with no problem ever. They make the MH quieter and better insulation factors. Quality makes a difference.
OutdoorPhotogra
Explorer
May 08, 2015
TXRVCouple wrote:
Texas has no state taxes!

No income tax but sales tax. Does TX exempt RV's from sales tax?
Bumpyroad
Explorer
May 08, 2015
Ductape wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
the Itasca will have a fiberglass roof. that puts it head and shoulders above much of the competition.
bumpy

An opinion not universally shared.

JackUtah needs a new roof

if you want a lot of interesting reading, do a search on EPDM roofing.
some fiberglass roofs may have a problem. ALL rubber roofs will have one.

bumpy
Ductape
Explorer
May 06, 2015
Bumpyroad wrote:
the Itasca will have a fiberglass roof. that puts it head and shoulders above much of the competition.
bumpy

An opinion not universally shared.

JackUtah needs a new roof
Kidoo
Explorer
May 06, 2015
Bumpyroad wrote:
any vehicle that needs to be titled/licensed/etc. regardless of where you buy it, where you license it will cost you tax/fees/etc.
bumpy

But if you buy it and license it only in a state that does not have taxes, you should not pay taxes?
Bumpyroad
Explorer
May 06, 2015
any vehicle that needs to be titled/licensed/etc. regardless of where you buy it, where you license it will cost you tax/fees/etc.
bumpy
TXRVCouple
Explorer
May 06, 2015
Texas has no state taxes!
Bumpyroad
Explorer
May 06, 2015
be wary of dual pain windows. do a search.
bumpy
Ivylog
Explorer III
May 06, 2015
OP, a gas engine is good to about 36' and then a diesel for 38+. Not enough difference in MPG at 30' or 36' to worry about. Many smaller A's will have a 3500 lb hitch which will limit your choices for a toad while bigger ones usually have a 5K hitch.
I bought a used car from a dealer in Fla this past winter and he gave me a 30 day temp tag and no sales tax as I titled it in GA. I looked at the same car at a county auction and they stated that unless it was shipped out of state, sales tax would be charged. The above post about delivering to GA adds up but not sure why the difference. Had much the same on a MH I bought in AZ, but they delivered it to NM so I did not have to pay AZ sales tax.
For cold weather I'd put dual pane windows at the top of the list and then heated tanks. I would also want to know how to winterize as some are fairly easy (low point drains & hot water heater bypass valves) while others are not.
Kidoo
Explorer
May 06, 2015
Sdyer1357 wrote:
No sales tax in New Hampshire, So if i go to Florida for a deal i will have to remember that.

I bought a pick up truck and an enclosed trailer in NH, it was nice not to pay taxes, although I had to pay back 15% taxes in Canada, yerk! I also bought a Truck Camper in Pensylvania and was exempt from taxes as being non-resident.

There are many many RV for sale in Florida and Texas, you might find a deal that will outweight the taxes.

I am not sure, but in Florida you have to pay the state taxes, no matter if you are resident of Florida or not, you cannot be exempt. But the dealer that sells the RVs in Cocoa says he can delivers the RV in Georgia so you will not have to pay the 6% Florida taxes. Since you do not have taxes in NH, you would probably be exempt of taxes, all you need is a temporary license plate and insurance to get back home. Another dealer, Camping World, said he could deliver in Georgio also.

I do not know about Texas taxes if you can be exempt or not, a call to PPL could clarify this.

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First Time Buyers (Used)

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