Forum Discussion

gccch's avatar
gccch
Explorer
Sep 02, 2017

First timer - diving in

Hi all,

We are new to this, but have shopped for RVs off and on for many years (when kids were kids) never pulled the trigger. Recently our lifestyle is under significant change. We now have the freedom to travel and make our own schedules. So we are going ahead with a purchase. After reading the new buyer thread I think we are on the right track with a 34 ft. Motor Home. We have rented one in the past (Luxury MH) and also rented a small travel trailer (other end of the spectrum). Both were good experiences and have given us a feel for what is involved. It is just me and the wife. Two grown kids are on their own (mostly).

After leaving my corporate job, we are now full time landlords, and are used to making repairs of all types on our own, with some limitations. We're not afraid to take on anything with regard to the MH. I have restored an old Corvette ground up, rehabbed multiple buildings, built one, and do mostly all my own home/auto repair and maintenance. So we feel we can handle this. We can weld, woodwork, plumb, some electrical, most mechanical, etc.

We are planning to purchase this week from a private seller. The MH is a 2010 Winnebago class A and has just 11000 miles. We had our choice locally between a couple of the same model and are happy with the floor plan. This one has less use, while the other was a lived in during winter. We need to do a complete operations and condition check now that we are ready to make a deposit. We plan to go through the manual, and look for signs of trouble throughout.

Our interest is driven by: (1) we like to travel with our dog, (2) are always concerned about hotel cleanliness and quality (wife tears them apart to find bed bugs), and (3) are generally thrifty. This is a huge move for us and comes with a lot of anxiety. To reduce that, we are choosing something we think will be adequate for as long as we are interested in having one. We are also buying used, but not worn out.

We are getting into this just below NADA low retail, but it seems the value is easily overstated using the NADA tool. For example, this model comes standard with three slides, so if you add those to the list as options the price gets inflated. I took the approach to add nothing to the list of options, even though there are several listed on the original invoice. Still we are below low retail. Both sellers we approached were in sync on price level and we pushed them both, so we feel as though we are at the right price point.

After reading this, please raise other red flags we should look for. Our first trip will begin immediately heading from New England to Denver, then touring around the west until we get homesick. Some form of checklist to verify everything would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance for any and all inputs!
G & C

24 Replies

  • First trip should be close to home. Longer trips should be close to Walmart. Bring credit cards!
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Welcome and being handy really helps owning something with lots of systems. NADA low retail/no options is where you want to be. Before taking off on a trip I would live in it for a couple days at home where you will have the tools to repair items you missed on the PDI.

    Now if you used this PDI there may not be that many surprises. Good Luck and X2 on water damage.

    *Check the date codes on the side of the tires...at 7 years they need replacing, especially with that few miles.
  • You seem to have your head in the right spot with regard to your new (to you) RV purchase. I would only suggest that for your first trip you do something more local rather than a long trip. That way in the unlikely event that something does go wrong at least you'll be in more familiar territory.

    It's normal to have some anxiety doing anything fairly new. (I did) Take your time and enjoy yourselves. It will be fine.

    Chum lee
  • Water intrusion is a death sentence for a RV, and it usually does not show up in the ceiling, but in the walls and floor. Look for peeling wallpaper and wood veneer around windows, marker lights, and ceiling vents. Push on the sidewalls throughout the RV on the outside. Feel for soft spots just like a soft spot on the floor. Any signs of water intrusion- cancel the sale. If you can find a talented RV inspector in your area, consider paying him.