How many engine miles is too many?
Not interested in how well maintained or functional the interior is. I'd just like to know how long Class C engines generally should last. I read everywhere about how mileage shouldn't really matter i...
Forum Discussion
Hi,
I am a rookie RV owner, however, my advice would be to spend a bit more on a better unit then taking the cheap route. I learned the hard way. I purchased a 1987 Fleetwood Jamboree with about 37,000 miles that just passed inspection (supposedly) in the state of PA. I paid $2,300 from someone selling it on Craigslist. However, when I took the RV to my mechanic he said it was a death trap and not worth repairing. Major rust problems all around, bad brakes and brake lines, manifold leaks, transmission leaks, etc. I ended up selling it for $1,500 even after I made full disclosure to they buyer of the issues the RV had. I actually gave him a copy of my mechanics report listing all of the problems.
I then saw a 2000 Coachmen Santara 31ft with 57,000 miles on the lot of a used car dealer. They were listing the unit for $10,000 - however, it had some water damage but everything else worked great (generator, refrig, a/c in both the RV and the Ford E450 chasis with a Trition V10, hot water heater, furnace,etc). I had a guy who repairs RV water damage take a look at it and he said it would cost about $4,000 to repair the water damage and reseal the roof to make it "like new". I was able to get the used car dealer to sell it to me for $4,000 considering the water damage. Since they only sold cars I think they wanted to get rid of it as quick as possible. I took the unit to my mechanic and he changed the oil, flushed the coolant, changed the transmission fluid, put on new brakes all around plus new calipers in the rear and installed air bags and checked everything else out for $1500. Therefore, all in I am a little under $10,000 for a 2000 unit that runs like a charm and everything works great.
I am a rookie RV owner, however, my advice would be to spend a bit more on a better unit then taking the cheap route. I learned the hard way. I purchased a 1987 Fleetwood Jamboree with about 37,000 miles that just passed inspection (supposedly) in the state of PA. I paid $2,300 from someone selling it on Craigslist. However, when I took the RV to my mechanic he said it was a death trap and not worth repairing. Major rust problems all around, bad brakes and brake lines, manifold leaks, transmission leaks, etc. I ended up selling it for $1,500 even after I made full disclosure to they buyer of the issues the RV had. I actually gave him a copy of my mechanics report listing all of the problems.
I then saw a 2000 Coachmen Santara 31ft with 57,000 miles on the lot of a used car dealer. They were listing the unit for $10,000 - however, it had some water damage but everything else worked great (generator, refrig, a/c in both the RV and the Ford E450 chasis with a Trition V10, hot water heater, furnace,etc). I had a guy who repairs RV water damage take a look at it and he said it would cost about $4,000 to repair the water damage and reseal the roof to make it "like new". I was able to get the used car dealer to sell it to me for $4,000 considering the water damage. Since they only sold cars I think they wanted to get rid of it as quick as possible. I took the unit to my mechanic and he changed the oil, flushed the coolant, changed the transmission fluid, put on new brakes all around plus new calipers in the rear and installed air bags and checked everything else out for $1500. Therefore, all in I am a little under $10,000 for a 2000 unit that runs like a charm and everything works great.
