We have a 1999 Fleetwood class A we bought from my son and used a few times, but it needs to go to motorhome heaven. We want to buy a nice used one and are stymied as to how to know what to choose. Our budget: Up to 65,000.Only the two of us.DH's priorities: 30 feet, no more. Well built inside and out. Mine: Lots of storage, decent kitchen space. Comforts of home on the road but don't need a bunch of slideouts or things like a fireplace. We like our no-slideout Fleetwood but it's worn out. Don't want to feel like it's poorly made. We'll use it several times a year for 2-week to 1-month trips. We live in Colorado.We've looked online for a while but find all the possibilities confusing. Can anyone give us advice about the most efficient way to look? Thank you in advance!

Whatever you liked about your old one look for in the new one. Whatever you did not like about your old one make sure the new one corrects. Make a "must have" and a "nice to have" list. The lists will help simplify the looking. Don't get hung up on colors an cosmetic stuff. Buying used you must focus on the really important items and take what you can get cosmetically.We just went thru the process and our present rv fixes what we did not like about the old one, but some small things we would have done differently if buying new. We are now in the process of changing those items to suit us.

Condition is the important factor when buying a used RV.A low end unit in excellent condition is usually a better choice than a high end unit in poor-fair condition.Be prepared to compromise on what you want.Look at everything in you budget range, don't limit it to the make.when you find something you like, concentrate on that make/model. But, be ready to make a compromise.PPL Motorhomes is a good place to search, they have the floor plans on the advertisement, it will give you an idea without seeing the unit in person.When you narrow it down to certain RV's, don't forget to check the tire age. RV tires usually age out before they wear out. You may find the right motorhome and then realize you need to buy new tires.Use the search as a learning experience and ask lots of questions on the forum BEFORE you give the seller any money or sign any agreements.Hire a RV tech to do the inspection if you feel you are not capable.

Read bjopp suggestions again as he has nailed it!

It's a personal process with what might have work for some won't work for others. But since you asked -We started out as looking for out first RV by going to the Hershey Show here on the east coast. Talk about a head spinning, on your feet all day, gazillion models to look at. Hit a show in Atlantic City, Washington DC, Richmond, one in North Carolina and such over the winter. The shows gave us a fell for the various floor plans and allow us time to establish a list of likes, dislikes, wants and needs. We zeroed in on a primary floor plan and a back up we want and started looking at the used market. Since I had several specific models that fit the list the searching wasn't all that hard.After a few months of reviewing new listings as they appeared a coach with the floor plan we wanted in the year range that was acceptable, within our budget range and a day drive away showed up on a dealers lot. Did the 800 miles round trip twice and the third time drove the coach home with the car on a U-Haul dolly. The two trips to inspect and negotiate the sale were the last time we stayed in a hotel.What we were not prepared to do was exceed our budget. If you find the one but you can't get the price down then walk away. You can love a coach but it will never love you back. Inspecting is paramount regarding the condition of a coach. The dealer I was working allowed me just about unlimited access to the coach so I was in, on and under the coach for several hours checking everything. Even pulled an engine and transmission oil sample to get sent out to analysis (at my cost).Good luck and have fun. We used the weekend shows trips as a get out of town weekend. About what we do now but in the coach rather than a hotel. List the Fleetwood on Craig's List for a few thousand with the tag "As is, Where is, Cash Sale". Easier than working out a trade in and you might get a few more dollars selling it yourself.

If you find a floor plan that you like within the perimeters you set, price length..........and so on then I would look for wear on the inside furnishings, counters and such and also see how clean it appears in spots that you would really need to clean out of the way stuff. All this just to,get an idea as to,how it's been cared for. Make sure the fridge and freezer are working properly along with other appliances hot water heater..........if your buying from a dealer make sure you feel comfortable with the service they will provide.........but most of all you have to love the floor plan and feel comfortable not just settle because of others factors price ........and so because no matter what they are if you don't love it you will regret not looking more. Best of luck:B

how in the heck to pick a used class A | Good Sam Community

big_jim_2
Explorer II
Nov 04, 2016
Read bjopp suggestions again as he has nailed it!
gbopp
Explorer
Nov 04, 2016
Condition is the important factor when buying a used RV.
A low end unit in excellent condition is usually a better choice than a high end unit in poor-fair condition.

Be prepared to compromise on what you want.

Look at everything in you budget range, don't limit it to the make.

when you find something you like, concentrate on that make/model. But, be ready to make a compromise.

PPL Motorhomes is a good place to search, they have the floor plans on the advertisement, it will give you an idea without seeing the unit in person.

When you narrow it down to certain RV's, don't forget to check the tire age. RV tires usually age out before they wear out. You may find the right motorhome and then realize you need to buy new tires.

Use the search as a learning experience and ask lots of questions on the forum BEFORE you give the seller any money or sign any agreements.

Hire a RV tech to do the inspection if you feel you are not capable.
georgelesley
Explorer
Nov 04, 2016
Whatever you liked about your old one look for in the new one. Whatever you did not like about your old one make sure the new one corrects. Make a "must have" and a "nice to have" list. The lists will help simplify the looking. Don't get hung up on colors an cosmetic stuff. Buying used you must focus on the really important items and take what you can get cosmetically.

We just went thru the process and our present rv fixes what we did not like about the old one, but some small things we would have done differently if buying new. We are now in the process of changing those items to suit us.

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how in the heck to pick a used class A

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