We are looking for something that can tow a trailer/vehicle behind it. Found a coachman santara 1998 for 20k. We are planning on living in it full time while we travel the country for a few years. It's older but only has 78k miles on it. I know very little about rvs, but have the itch to drop everything and change my life. I could spend more but the less I spend the more money I have in my emergency fund.

Hi,What ever you buy make sure chassis parts are still readily available.I would not buy something more than about 5 years old. Plastic parts last about ten years. After that they become increasingly brittle.

In my opinion you cannot bet the quality of an "older" high end Motor Home.Parts are a little harder to come by but there are a number of salvage yards.The point though is the parts used in the high end coaches last and you are not repairing them as often as the newer cheaper built motor homes.Here is an example of a Prevost http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/1988-Prevost-Country-Coach-Mirage-113921482

The most important part of your post is the "itch to drop everything and change my life". I would focus and explore that part more before deciding on what type of rig to buy. We are all in different situations and it's often very difficult to plan anything. I have read posts about people who had to stop driving because of health issues or they dont have sustainable income sources etc.I have only been a snowbird for 2 years and dang if I myself haven't got a health issue already. It's not terrible but but it may change what we had planned to do.So when looking at rigs I chose a used fifth wheel and a new truck. I figured if we had trouble with the truck we could still have the 5er in a park and not lose our home. If we have trouble with the 5er or change it we can still drive the truck. If you get a motor home will you also have a towed and the resources to put you in a motel if repairs are needed on the MH? Will you have the resources for major repairs. It's not always as cheap to travel as some think. I have seen a lot of rigs and talked to several people who end up parked in an rv park because of issues they didn't expect. If it happens to me I'll be parking a non motorized cheap used fifth wheel in a park and just drive the truck or get a new car. Nothing wrong with getting a motor home but study the big picture before deciding. You may even go with a new or decent truck and a cheap TT. I would surely have a large chunk of money set aside if riding off with older motorized equipment. I would also be the do it yourself type.

I agree. Buy a high end model that's older. That Prevost is a pretty good deal if EVERYTHING works and it don't need $5000 worth of tires......There are a lot of them around and don't be afraid to offer a lot less than the asking price on any of them.......Someone said not older than 5 years---Really?, My high end DP is over 15 years old and 100,000+ miles and I find none of these "plastic" parts breaking or wearing out.....maybe on a cheap, entry level unit as cheap is just that--CHEAP. And if you worry about what "might" happen in the future you won't do anything--ever.

Looking to spend between 20-50k. any recommendations?

24 Replies

roadtriptoforev
Explorer
Feb 16, 2015
I appreciate the feedback towards getting a 5th wheel but I am not interested in a 5th wheel for a couple reasons.

1- I have found it will cost me nearly the same for a decent truck + the 5th wheel than I can probably get if I am patient looking for a deal on a class A

2- the idea is to be in the same vehicle with my family, but in my own vehicle alone driving everyone else.
mike_brez
Explorer
Feb 16, 2015
TomB. wrote:
Keep looking. I found a 99 Winnebago Adventurer with 21,000 miles on it. It looked brand new, complete with the protective plastic covering the carpet. Price was about 20K. Already put 1125 more miles on it with no problems. Only updates I have done is to replace the analog TV's with flat screens. Plus I found Winnebagoparts.com for a parts supplier.:)

Looks like 20k is about right.
TomB_
Explorer
Feb 16, 2015
Keep looking. I found a 99 Winnebago Adventurer with 21,000 miles on it. It looked brand new, complete with the protective plastic covering the carpet. Price was about 20K. Already put 1125 more miles on it with no problems. Only updates I have done is to replace the analog TV's with flat screens. Plus I found Winnebagoparts.com for a parts supplier.:)
Pogoil
Explorer
Feb 16, 2015
I would go the PPL route, offer $2000 less and buy tires with the savings.

I personally have the 8.3 larger version of the 5.9. but use a 5.9 when I help a friend with harvest and the 5.9 tows 22 thousand pounds of fruit plus the truck weighs 8000 plus for a total of 30,000 pounds. Truck has 183 thousand miles and no major repairs, runs like a top.
You will not be the first to the top of a hill but who cares.
That coach probably weighs around 24,0000 pounds.

Pogoil.
TriumphGuy
Explorer
Feb 16, 2015
roadtriptoforever wrote:
What do you guys think of these two

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/diesel/2001-Landau-26781.htm

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/rvs/4841133947.html

Both with the Cummins 5.9 - I hear that's a good engine. But you'll need to do your homework on maintenance, to make sure it's been taken care of. But that mileage wouldn't scare me.

The one at PPL seems to have a well kept interior. Could be a great coach, all depending on condition. $20k leaves lots of room for a nice toad :) ... but leave some aside for surprise repairs, and always look for leaks!
roadtriptoforev
Explorer
Feb 16, 2015
What do you guys think of these two

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/diesel/2001-Landau-26781.htm

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/rvs/4841133947.html
Pogoil
Explorer
Feb 16, 2015
Nothing will run flawlessly!! Even a brand new coach. I would take my 20 year old MH. over many of the newer coaches.

Country Coach is in business right here in Oregon.

Pogoil.
Pogoil
Explorer
Feb 16, 2015
pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

What ever you buy make sure chassis parts are still readily available.

I would not buy something more than about 5 years old. Plastic parts last about ten years. After that they become increasingly brittle.

REALLY,

My Beaver is 20 years old, everything on it is pretty much original.
Of course I have replaced the tires and updated the interior. Only appliance that was replaced was water heater as previous owner let it freeze and crack but it still worked.

Back to OP. question, check PPL Motorhomes on the Net.

Pogoil.
azrving
Explorer
Feb 16, 2015
Roadtripforever, I'm getting off track a little but I noticed that you mentioned computer programing. I always pay attention to post that pertain to internet and data usage as I have been down the Verizon 30 gig road. What will you do for internet connections? I haven't been in a park yet that was worth a darn. I, like everyone else am still waiting for the good connectivity UNLIMITED data plan at a reasonable cost. We got unlimited text, now for the data. :) Share anything you can. thanks.
TriumphGuy
Explorer
Feb 16, 2015
DSDP Don wrote:

Only you can really decide what you need and how you'll use it. From what you describe as your situation, I would buy a good quality 2-3 year diesel 3/4 or 1 ton truck and then use a smaller budget to buy a decent trailer or fifth wheel. You'll at least know you have a reliable vehicle and the worse that could happen to the trailer, that would prevent you from moving around, is that the axles fall off. Then if you find that you really like the RV lifestyle, wait awhile and step up to a nicer trailer.

I tend to agree in principle ... if OP doesn't need to move a lot I like the 5er / truck combo better.

But a 2-3 yr old diesel truck is going to cost some $$$. When I was thinking about replacing mine I was going to have to cough up at least $35k for something in the 6 yr old range.

I might prefer a V10 based MH for the lower cost / ease of maintenance on the powertrain and a cheap dingy for getting around otherwise. Two fairly simple gas engines instead of a post-2007 diesel powertrain. Of course I'm biased as that's what I'm planning to transition into. :) My $0.02