I've read many times that low mileage on a Class C is not necessarily a good thing. What are the issues due to low usage?What do you consider to be too low mileage on say, a 10 year old MH? Occasionally I see one listed with very low miles like 15K or so. Also, what would you call high mileage for 10 years?It's looking like I can afford a MH with 45k to 60k miles, which for a car is pretty young, but I don't know about these big Ford engines. Thoughts on that? Thanks.

It's the oil seals and bearings that dry out from non use that can cause problems.Hoses, belts and tires can also dry out. 60 to 80K miles on an engines not the problem at all, if the unit has had regular service done.Low miles can be a worse nightmare than high miles.

Mileage that low on a 10 yr old unit means it probably sat a lot. Either unused or lived in permanently and not moved much. The previous poster is right, seals and hoses dry out. You also have to consider what happens to an unused MH, rodents, bugs, roof, seals, plumbing etc. A mh, just like anything needs to be used and cared for. It's also probable that the genset hasn't been run much either. And not exercising a generator under load at least once a month is the worst thing you can do. All that said, it does not mean it's a bad MH. It may have been meticulously cared for and used sparingly for weekend trips. Those are the variables you need to find out - how it was cared for and used. If it sat, I would look elsewhere unless it's a killer deal and you are prepared to really check it out and possibly bring it back to life. Might be a good find.

the other post are good advice, then there,s a few rv,s sittiing in a garage well cared for ready to go, just gotta go look and check them out.low miles does not scare me ,its where the rv has been sitting for so long and care.

I would take low over real high any day. in between even better.

Although it's somewhat contrary to the accepted wisdom here, at least according to some, I think there's no inherent problem with low miles. Hoses and belts and tires and other rubber parts can and do wear out after, say, ten years due to age, low or medium or high miles. I rather doubt that a ten year old belt or whatever with 50K miles is going to be in better shape than a ten year old belt with 10K miles. I'd even say much the same thing for brake calipers; there's a reasonable chance that any ten year old caliper is going to be sticky and may need to be rebuilt or replaced.If the caulking and other maintenance items have not been attended to, that of course is a significant problem; and if not being driven much does in fact also mean not receiving proper periodic maintenance (as is sometimes the case), then avoid due to the lack of that maintenance. On the other hand, it may just mean that it hasn't been driven very far which is no big deal in my opinion.In short: I would look at the condition, and more or less ignore the number on the odometer on its own.

Low mileage issue | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

midnightsadie
Explorer II
May 20, 2019
the other post are good advice, then there,s a few rv,s sittiing in a garage well cared for ready to go, just gotta go look and check them out.low miles does not scare me ,its where the rv has been sitting for so long and care.
way2roll
Navigator II
May 20, 2019
Mileage that low on a 10 yr old unit means it probably sat a lot. Either unused or lived in permanently and not moved much. The previous poster is right, seals and hoses dry out. You also have to consider what happens to an unused MH, rodents, bugs, roof, seals, plumbing etc. A mh, just like anything needs to be used and cared for. It's also probable that the genset hasn't been run much either. And not exercising a generator under load at least once a month is the worst thing you can do. All that said, it does not mean it's a bad MH. It may have been meticulously cared for and used sparingly for weekend trips. Those are the variables you need to find out - how it was cared for and used. If it sat, I would look elsewhere unless it's a killer deal and you are prepared to really check it out and possibly bring it back to life. Might be a good find.
Tyler0215
Explorer
May 20, 2019
It's the oil seals and bearings that dry out from non use that can cause problems.
Hoses, belts and tires can also dry out.
60 to 80K miles on an engines not the problem at all, if the unit has had regular service done.

Low miles can be a worse nightmare than high miles.

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Low mileage issue

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