Help in Buying Used Class C

We are first timers and recently purchased a 2006 Dutchmen 29A with 32k.
Note, once your are interested, take your time and do not feel rushed looking it over. Will save you in long run.
A few items on our checklist were the following-

-Cab Leaks- around windows and get on roof to check caulking/seal/cracks
-Tires as others stated
-Run Generator, A/C, water heater, circulating pump,etc
-Run appliances
-Witness a plug in to power at house or where ever you purchase from for 1/2 hr ,put all lights on and make sure battery does not drain. Did this and it saved me hundreds on deal.
-Roll out awning. Also saved a few bucks by doing this as there was missing bracket.
-Witness that CO2 sensors are installed and operating. If disconnected could be sign of electrical issue
-Check circuit panel to make sure nothing missing
-When driving feel for front end wobbles on steering wheel. Feel for shifting issues in tranny
-Have a mechanic look it over if you can. 2nd pair of eyes always helps and a small fee maybe worth it if you are seriously thinking of purchase.

Good luck.

I'm surprised no one mentioned getting the suspension checked out. Any vehicle after 10-15 years is probably going to need some attention to shocks or rubber bushings.

I'll throw out one of the most overlooked and yet critical items for buyers.... Test drive it!

I'm not talking a ten minute spin around the block. Take it out for an hour and get on the freeway. Hows the acceleration? How easy is it to merge? What sort of visibility do you have from the drivers seat? Blind spots? What happens when an 18 wheeler blows by you at 80?

Does it handle easily or are you fighting the wheel with two hands. Rollover some railroad tracks, take some steep driveways - does the rear end bottom out? Keep in mind that during any test drive the rig will probably be significantly lighter that when you are actually loaded for a trip. Probably no way around that but think in terms of couple thousand pounds of extra weight and how that will impact the ride and handling.

This forum is full of posts from folks who spent big bucks on a new or used coach and then suddenly they are not happy with how it drives. This could have easily been avoided by a proper test drive. They now are compelled to spend thousands on aftermarket gear to make it better. :S

If it does't drive well before you buy it don't expect it to get better when you get it home.

Good luck!

:C

Read over the stickies at the start of this forum. AC systems, fresh water pumps, house batteries, fridges, water heaters, awnings and RV generators may require repairs or replacements at around 10 years old and average use. Tires older than 4-5 years old may be unsafe with sidewall cracks from sitting parked in the sun even though they look new. Six tires about $300 apiece. Make sure brakes and engine cooling system are in good operating condition. Brake fluid should be replaced every couple of years to prevent brake fade on long down grades. Learn to use lower gears instead of riding brakes or for climbing grades. Don't let impatient car and truck drivers pressure you into taking curves too fast, pull over and let 'em go buy when safe to do so. Make sure that roof AC, dash AC, furnace, fridge, RV generator, water heater and house batteries and charging systems work properly and know how to operate them.

toedtoes, thanks for the great checklist, very helpful to have this!

Good plan to have a quality independent shop do an inspection - regardless of whether you're buying from an individual or a dealer.

Individuals will lie just as much as dealers - don't assume otherwise.

Specifics to look into:

1. Check all house appliances (water heater, air conditioner, stove/oven, fridge (on propane and electric), furnace, water pump, generator (if applicable), converter/charger, inverter (if applicable), microwave), shore power connection, exterior of windows for gaps in trim/seals, interior of windows for signs of water intrusion, inside cupboards for signs of water intrusion, under cushions and mattresses for signs of water intrusions, outside seams for gaps/splits.

2. Engine - get it fully checked out.

3. Brakes - have them completely checked out even if told they were just replaced (mine HAD been just replaced but the idiots apparently forgot to put brake fluid in them - thank heavens my mechanic checked!)

4. Fuel lines and propane lines - check for any leaks. Better to check now instead of finding out on a camping trip that you have one.

5. Rubber - plan on replacing hoses, belts, and tires. They time out faster than they wear out on RVs.

Yes, you'll have maintenance costs - it's a given with an RV. How much depends on how carefully you check out before buying, how much you're willing to take on for the particular RV that you fall in love with, and how much you can do yourself. Be smart and even with a lot of work a used RV will cost a lot less than a new one.

If the seller won't let you test any item - NO MATTER THE REASON - DO NOT BUY IT. This is a huge red flag and so often you will hear a new owner say "well, I didn't test it because the seller didn't have..., couldn't connect..., just winterized..., etc., but he says it works just fine - and of course, once the buyer got it home and tested it, it did NOT work and cost $500+ to fix/replace.

tires are a big chunk of money, learn how to read the date code on them , even if the look show room new tires over 5yrs gotta go, they rot,from the day there made.

Thanks everyone for the good advice. In terms of pre-purchase I was going to have a local RV repair shop do an inspection. Besides water marks which sounds like should run from. Any other things (engine, electrical, etc) that would get away from fast?

Thanks for the Winnebago rec. I'll look into the 25b. Any particular manufactures should stay away from. In this price point I'm generally seeing Tioga, Fleetwood, Coachman, Itasca, few others. Having a hard time knowing if the manufacturer matters or more of an RV by RV thing.

sounds like your on the right track. remember IF YOU SEE water marks ,RUN!!! don,t trust that its been repaired,people will say any thing to make a sale. I like for sale by owners ,I think there more to tell you the facts,not a bull story.

When I was looking with a budget and size considerations,I did a lot of shopping.

Then I went with the Former Rental Market. It is another avenue you can explore.

Read about it HERE