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livemusic's avatar
livemusic
Explorer
Jun 21, 2016

Help Newbie: Is this Class C worth it?

A friend owns a 1992 27' Winnebago Minnie Winnie. It has 46k miles. Asking $15k. Also owns a 1993 Saturn car, pulled behind the RV. Asking $1,500 for the car. I don't know mileage but it runs good and looks fine. Started out asking $20k for both. I am wondering if $15,000 for the RV or $16,500 for both is a good deal.

The RV has... a long awning, maybe 20' wide? Everything supposedly works. A/C is crucial for me! It has two new tv's, microwave, stovetop and oven, refrigerator and freezer, nice size bathroom with toilet and shower. A queen size bed in the back and another bed area above the cab and also the table folds to make a bed. I only need it for two people. Gas mileage of 12mpg claimed. It looks fine; paint is slightly faded due to age and the paint stripes or decals are peeling a little. Not real bad. Rear hubcaps are missing but I guess that doesn't matter much to me. More interested in function. Ford 350 base. The generator uses gas from the main fuel tank, that seems like a nice feature, and it can be started from inside the RV. I assume the heater works; owner never used it, just plugged in and used a portable electric heater off the RV Park's juice. It has pretty new tires (dual on rear). Has a CB! Does anyone use a CB anymore, lol?

Owner put 30k miles on it and all went well. Owner is pretty meticulous, so, that's good, and trustworthy. Is second owner, first owner died. Owner has a big binder -- the complete manual for every item in the RV.

This RV is not self-leveling. I don't know how important leveling is.

To my knowledge, has not ever been used around salt water.

Supposedly, it's easy to hook up the car to pull it.

Thirty years ago, I owned a small travel trailer, but that's it for my RV experience. But I'm outdoorsy and reasonably proficient at easy repairs, raised on a farm, so I can drive anything.

I would think this size RV is not too hard to drive and park, so, not sure how important the small car would be, but I would think it would sure come in handy to have the little car sometimes. The car price seems like a real good deal. The RV price, is this a good deal? "Everything works" -- I like that! But I am a bit confused because I plugged in all the options I know about into a valuation site, and the "retail value" it showed me seemed REAL low. Like a range of $4k to $6k. But then it showed a base price MUCH higher than that. So, apparently, I don't know how to read the valuation, lol.

Thanks for any replies on valuation.

20 Replies

  • NADA says average retail is $4,000

    When using NADA for an RV you do not check ANY of the options to get a realistic price.
    The high number you saw was the MSRP when it was NEW in 1992. Ignore.
  • Agree you don't want a money pit buy newer and don't worry as much
  • DownTheAvenue wrote:
    Both the car and RV are worth about $5,000 to $10,000 combined. You are talking about a RV that is 24 to 25 model years old and a car 23 to 24 model years old. In some states, they are eligible for antiques auto license plates!

    At the ages your have listed, condition is everything!


    I agree with this, he's asking too much money! 5k-7k tops.
  • Ask if the in tank fuel pump has been replaced. Not a difficult job but those years had lots of problems with them. Acted like vapor lock.
  • If all appliances, roof AC, furnace, RV generator, house battery converter charger and house batteries, dash AC, cooling and brake system are in good shape including clutch fan, and tires are actually less than 5 years old, this may be a bargain. In my personal experience the roof AC, fridge, converter/charger and house batteries needed replacement at around ten years old. If you are not a truck and RV repair person, expect to spend some big bucks the first year getting the rig ready for serious travel and camping. Don't risk driving on "iffy" tires or brakes. Motorhoming is not cheap and keeping an RV ready is a hobby in itself.
  • As previously noted, condition is everything on an older unit. As far as price goes, I think Class C units are bringing a premium right now. Still, compare the asking price to NADA value to get some perspective. $15K ???
  • The worst areas for this kind of rig is upper bunk, and lower front panels just behind the cab. Pull the mattress out of the top and inspect the roof line and the floor line all around for problems.

    Open all compartments and look carefully inside for wood rot, lack of attention, wetness.

    If possible, inspect it after a good rainstorm. Run your hands around and detect the wet areas on the walls near the rooflines, under windows.

    Looked for cracked sealant up on the roof, particularly where front and sides comes together. Roof might be filthy...not a good sign.

    Check all tires. Many are put on inside out so you might have to get underneath to check the date code. Tires can easily look great, but be ten years old.

    Run the furnace!! It should operate in almost any heat by turning up the thermostat.

    and good luck with it....
  • tires if older than 5yrs gotta go ,they rot , and look at the cieling real close ANY WATER MARKS?? its a no deal . water marks are a sign there rot up there you can,t see.this is a old rv ,lot of little things need attn ,brakes,tires,,hoses,,belts etc.
  • Both the car and RV are worth about $5,000 to $10,000 combined. You are talking about a RV that is 24 to 25 model years old and a car 23 to 24 model years old. In some states, they are eligible for antiques auto license plates!

    At the ages your have listed, condition is everything!
  • Nobody can tell you very much without close inspection.
    While the price seems reasonable, it is 24yo and will soon need some attention. None of this is very expensive unless you don't do it. You can probably do it all yourself.

    The tires may look good, but did you check the date codes?
    When were the brakes last checked and the system flushed?
    All the rubber should be suspect.
    Is there ANY evidence of roof leakage. I believe that these have an aluminum skin on a wood frame. Any water leakage can do severe damage before it is even found.

    Look it over real hard, it may be a good deal.

    Matt