ISO guidance, info about class B
Good evening all! My wife and I are starting to look at motorhomes for our many trips. We were hoping to get some input and opinions about some choices that might be available to us from seasoned ...
Forum Discussion
I have a lot of info for this thread, but don't know how much I can get in one post. First, while we later want to get a newer, modern Class B, we started this year on a tight budget. We eventually found for under $10,0000 a 19 year old Coachman on a 19-foot Chevy Van platform. It had 59,000 miles. Having bought a small number of classic cars, like my father before me, I knew that low mileage on a good vehicle did not require worrying too much about age in years. Checking condition and getting a professional checkout helps. Plus, with a Chevy Van, parts should be plentiful, even at 19 years of age.
Our purpose was similar, touring around, getting to travel with two dogs and having more freedom. The Class B is perfect for that, fits in a parking space, can drive in town (we recently visited Syracuse and Montreal and drove through both towns), decent fuel mileage. The freedom it allows, and the flexibility are just want we expected.
The 19 year old van has been great so far: drove 1000 miles from FLA to MD, drove 500 miles to NC and returned, drove 600 miles to Montreal and returned, we are in love with that. I trust the Chevy platform completely, even though I am a MOPAR guy. Plenty of Dodge vans out there two.
On fuel mileage: if you want $30K purchase price or less, that probably means a Chevy, Ford, or Dodge. Mileage might be 12 to 15 mpg from what I know (13 for me). But if you spend more, then you can look at diesel MB Sprinters, and get well over 15 mpg. Or the Dodge Promaster platform, front wheel drive and gas, which I like as a target, gets good mileage.
When we were shopping, I devised 4 price ranges to study. $70k to $125k new, $45k to $60k recent used, $25k to $35k slightly older or higher mileage used, and $9k to $20k, older used. These were just my own ideas of ranges. I shopped and shopped for a good deal in one category that was as good or almoat as good as the next category up. So when we found a cheap price at 59,000 miles, I knew it was one to buy. While B's are less often seen, regionally, there are plenty to shop amongst (ebay, RVTrader, craigslist to a lesser degree). Many are well cared for, and some have low mileage.
If you shop well, I don't think you have to worry too much about repairs. My local country mechanic did tires, window repair, vehicle inspection, etc. Oil change at the local gas station, and also a/c recharge and minor repair. Dealer could be a backup. Around here, there are a million and one contractors in similar van platforms, so repairs should be easy to arrange, even at 19 years old. Then, for any repairs of RV appliances, we have a local RV shop, or I'll go the do it yourself route (plenty of advice here online).
Just consider when you buy, have a good concept yourself of what a good trustworthy older vehicle is, OR deal with a reputable dealer who offers a warranty or service plan. Pick your price range after shopping a while, try to bargain price down or find a creampuff in great condition as a decent price.
I can tell you from our experience, Class B's DO increase your mobility with a dog, and touring is still quite possible.
Good Luck! and report your results!
Our purpose was similar, touring around, getting to travel with two dogs and having more freedom. The Class B is perfect for that, fits in a parking space, can drive in town (we recently visited Syracuse and Montreal and drove through both towns), decent fuel mileage. The freedom it allows, and the flexibility are just want we expected.
The 19 year old van has been great so far: drove 1000 miles from FLA to MD, drove 500 miles to NC and returned, drove 600 miles to Montreal and returned, we are in love with that. I trust the Chevy platform completely, even though I am a MOPAR guy. Plenty of Dodge vans out there two.
On fuel mileage: if you want $30K purchase price or less, that probably means a Chevy, Ford, or Dodge. Mileage might be 12 to 15 mpg from what I know (13 for me). But if you spend more, then you can look at diesel MB Sprinters, and get well over 15 mpg. Or the Dodge Promaster platform, front wheel drive and gas, which I like as a target, gets good mileage.
When we were shopping, I devised 4 price ranges to study. $70k to $125k new, $45k to $60k recent used, $25k to $35k slightly older or higher mileage used, and $9k to $20k, older used. These were just my own ideas of ranges. I shopped and shopped for a good deal in one category that was as good or almoat as good as the next category up. So when we found a cheap price at 59,000 miles, I knew it was one to buy. While B's are less often seen, regionally, there are plenty to shop amongst (ebay, RVTrader, craigslist to a lesser degree). Many are well cared for, and some have low mileage.
If you shop well, I don't think you have to worry too much about repairs. My local country mechanic did tires, window repair, vehicle inspection, etc. Oil change at the local gas station, and also a/c recharge and minor repair. Dealer could be a backup. Around here, there are a million and one contractors in similar van platforms, so repairs should be easy to arrange, even at 19 years old. Then, for any repairs of RV appliances, we have a local RV shop, or I'll go the do it yourself route (plenty of advice here online).
Just consider when you buy, have a good concept yourself of what a good trustworthy older vehicle is, OR deal with a reputable dealer who offers a warranty or service plan. Pick your price range after shopping a while, try to bargain price down or find a creampuff in great condition as a decent price.
I can tell you from our experience, Class B's DO increase your mobility with a dog, and touring is still quite possible.
Good Luck! and report your results!
