My mother is having me look at older class B RVs for her. Today, I looked at a 1992 Roadtrek 190. Mechanically it is sound, but there are a lot of little things that need to be fixed. The guy that owns it used it the last two years just to live in it while being a river raft guide. He didn't use any of the appliances as it was not plugged in and did not have a generator anyway. The roof A/C does not blow cold. Any clue on what a recharge would run on this at a service center? Or could this be a DIY thing? I cannot get the water pump to turn on at all. May just be wiring, but lets assume I will need to replace it as well. There is no hot water heater in it, just a fresh water, grey, and black water for the single toilet. No Shower.Gas gauge does not work. Well, it bounces between 1/2 and E all the time from what the guy told me. I will assume a new gauge will be needed. Worst case would be a new sending unit. I cannot verify if the fridge works at all since he's never used it. I am having him plug it in for a few hours to see if it gets cold though. It will need new rear tires, some fixing done on the windshield wiper motor, and some cosmetic TLC over the whole thing. He is very negotiable on price and I bet I could get it for around $5000. At 104K miles, that seems like a pretty good deal even with the work it needs. I own an offroad shop and have access to all the tools/space needed to rehab this. I figure for an additional $2000 in repairs it would be a nice camper for her to travel in without a payment. Any thoughts or other things to look at? IMHO, the fridge is the most critical piece to the puzzle as I do not want to have to buy a new fridge for it.

You mention the a/c blowing warm air...red flag! Refrig....red flag...appliances not used....this has too many red flags. I say this in the vain that 2K is a great price, but it is the getting it up to par for camping that could prove the killer. I have a RT, so I would want this checked by a RV Shop that do all of the work competently.....and hear their recommendations after they go over it thoroughly.....and what the bottom line is. Take a look at RT International - they have used RT's for sale. Safe travels.

I suggest keep looking around, as there's better out there for your mum. I'd go a bit newer (frame rust?), and not a "project", even though you're handy. I found it worth it to get the full mechanical and RV inspections, and infrared check for leaks if your city has that service. I say this especially since mum might be traveling alone in it--it could leave her stranded/at risk, or nickel & dime her to death. I'm speaking as a solo lady traveler, sure I'm handy like mad, but wouldn't want this grief because it takes the "R" out of "RV".I agree 100% on checking the forums. Almost had one there but it got away!

So, we are passing on the Roadtrek. I agree, its just too much work and I would like to find something more turn key. Instead, I found a very nice 1993 Airstream on a Ford Chassis. Its a 460 with 100K on it. Zero leaks, runs great, looks great, and has been taken care of both inside and out as well as mechanically. Not a leak under it and everything works. Its a rear bath with sit down shower and toilet next to it. Everything works too. Generator has 316hrs on it and runs great as well. My biggest concern is how top heavy it feels with that massive roof on it. We had some good 30-40mph winds today and it was a handful just test driving it on some back country roads here in CO. Anyone run airbags on these models or dual shocks to help control the sway?

Be sure to check the rear most passenger side exhaust manifold bolts.The 460 frequently had problems with those bolts shearing off and causing an exhaust leak. I was told that it was caused by the block and manifold cooling off at different rates putting strain on those particular bolts. Letting the engine idle for a few minutes helped to avoid the problem. Or so others told me.My first RV was a 1996 Class C with the 460 engine. Bought it used with about 60,000 miles on it. One of the bolts broke on our first long trip.

There are Airstream van forums. They will help with handlinh issues. Dodges and Chevys handle better.

Help buying an older Class B | Good Sam Community

stan909
Explorer
May 21, 2013
This is the same as Colorado but much less miles and hopefully no gravel roads.There is a toillt but no indoor shower. Maybe you could use your money as a down payment and have a lowcost lone. SoCal coachman
stan909
Explorer
May 21, 2013
NADA prices on B's are considerably lower than real world prices. I don't think your mom would enjoy driving the Airstream anyway and would end up not using it. I have had two Dodge vans and my little wife has had no trouble driving them. She does have to sit on a pillow to see out well enough.
AddictedOffroad
Explorer
May 21, 2013
goreds2 wrote:
In Boulder, CO

In Fort Collins

In Brighton, CO

The 1st roadtrek is the one I mentioned in my first post. It needs a lot of work. Too much for the asking price.

The 2nd one looks nice, but above her cash $$$ budget at this point.

The 3rd is a little older than I would like for her.

This is the Airstream I looked at yesterday:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorized-RVs-Class-B-RVs-/181142643768?pt=RVs_Campers&hash=item2a2cf16438

Unfortunately he is firm on price. Even though high retail NADA on it is only $7800.
McK
Explorer
May 21, 2013
I added front and rear sway bars and a steering stabilizer to my E-350. Those additions significantly improved handling. I bought the parts at JC Whitney. It was a lot less sensitive to the wind but was a long way from being enjoyable to drive in very windy conditions.
goreds2
Explorer
May 21, 2013
In Boulder, CO

In Fort Collins

In Brighton, CO
jeomelia
Explorer
May 21, 2013
5000 would be close to high nada with everything working and good shape
The ac is really a widow unit there are posts on how to replace it.
Check the "hide a hose" sewer system.
Roadtrek's Site has a archive of brochures a user manuals the fridge manual look online
loving_retireme
Explorer
May 21, 2013
Not sure that dual shocks will improve the ride that much. If handling is a major concern, it will be hard to beat the great handling of a used Roadtrek built on a Chevy Express chassis. Roadtrek started building the 190's on the Chevy chassis in 2002.
stan909
Explorer
May 21, 2013
I should add that Airstreams look very well made but are around the 11 mpg range. The others and Fords with smaller V8s do 15 mpg on up.
stan909
Explorer
May 21, 2013
There are Airstream van forums. They will help with handlinh issues. Dodges and Chevys handle better.
McK
Explorer
May 21, 2013
Be sure to check the rear most passenger side exhaust manifold bolts.

The 460 frequently had problems with those bolts shearing off and causing an exhaust leak. I was told that it was caused by the block and manifold cooling off at different rates putting strain on those particular bolts. Letting the engine idle for a few minutes helped to avoid the problem. Or so others told me.

My first RV was a 1996 Class C with the 460 engine. Bought it used with about 60,000 miles on it. One of the bolts broke on our first long trip.

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