A friend has class C rv. Tryton V-10, less than 30k miles I think. Late 90's model year.He has not cranked it in over ten years. It did run and work perfect when he parked it.He said I can have it, he wants it gone.Major delamination on the drivers side, but I have experience doing those repairs. Probably a little in the roof, but it looked good. Some general cleaning up. The entire side panel will have to come off.it has a nice 2 cylinder Onan, that has not been cranked, but I am more confident in getting that back to life.Im sure the gas is all varnish.The interior is not bad.Im torn wether to take all the valuable RV stuff out to resell and try to sell the motor for parts with the chasis, or to get it running and sell for a little profit.

It will be a whole lot of work to rebuild, though you presumably already know that. For most people, I think the best advice would be to walk away; but if you're looking for a large project to work on, maybe it would be reasonable. I doubt you'd make much money off the venture in either case, especially once you factor in what your labor is worth; a 20+ year old class C, even if it's in pristine condition (which of course this one isn't), is not especially valuable. Likewise 20 year old RV appliances do not command particularly high prices.Water damage, as you probably already know, is quite often more extensive than it first appears.

In a late 1990's Class C there is no "valuable RV stuff to resell". If you want a hobby project, get it and have fun. I seriously doubt you can repair / rebuild and make any sort of profit.

The Class Cs never had the "real" Triton engine. The cramped engine bay meant they all got the 2 valve head lower powered V10. Not a desirable motor power wise. So bulletproof and long lasting (300K+ miles) most vehicles with them go to the junkyard with a perfectly good engine ruining the motor's resale value. Easy visual check: 2 valve, plastic valve cover, 3 valve, aluminum cover.

garyemunson wrote:The Class Cs never had the "real" Triton engine. The cramped engine bay meant they all got the 2 valve head lower powered V10. Not a desirable motor power wise. So bulletproof and long lasting (300K+ miles) most vehicles with them go to the junkyard with a perfectly good engine ruining the motor's resale value. Easy visual check: 2 valve, plastic valve cover, 3 valve, aluminum cover.The three valve variant was introduced in 2005, so before that year all vehicles--not just the E series chassis--had the two valve version. To my mind both versions are real Triton engines (and so Ford calls both versions).They're good dependable engines, as you say, but quite common and so not valuable in terms of money.

If it hasn't been started in over 10 years, you can count on every single seal, gasket, and hose on that engine needing replacement --- a major undertaking in and of itself, and that's just the engine.

Mini Winnie needs major work | Good Sam Community

winnietrey
Explorer
May 25, 2020
Just thinking out loud, but maybe just glue and screw that left side? For that kind of money, could be great for a young family, that just wants to do some local camping
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
May 25, 2020
This is a real "shot in the dark" ! If you have the time, the talent and the energy to stick with a long term project, you could make a fair profit on this.

For giggles, contact RV ROOF INSTALL and see if they will give you a ball park quote. New roof, delamination side repair could easily cost >$20K, but it might be worth it !
time2roll
Nomad
May 25, 2020
If I could easily make $5,000 profit to flip the thing I might take it.
If I needed a cheep RV to get out and have fun I might take it and do the minimum to make road worthy.

Otherwise I advise the owner to place an ad in the freebie section of craigs list and let it go as is where is, bring your own tools and start battery.
BFL13
Explorer II
May 26, 2020
Your friend wants it gone and so will you. Let him "part it out" when it is in his yard, not in your yard.

You could get the gen as one of the parts he is selling before it gets hauled away.
ron_dittmer
Explorer II
May 26, 2020
If all you really want is the generator, I would ask him for it.

If you were in the Chicago area, I would ask to donate the rig to Our Church's CARS Ministry. They would come and get it as-is. They would likely get it running and safe to drive, then put it up on eBay HERE. I have served as a volunteer mechanic and leader in that ministry for 23 years now. They do great things helping the under resourced with reliable transportation.
klutchdust
Explorer II
May 26, 2020
time2roll wrote:
If I could easily make $5,000 profit to flip the thing I might take it.
If I needed a cheep RV to get out and have fun I might take it and do the minimum to make road worthy.

Otherwise I advise the owner to place an ad in the freebie section of craigs list and let it go as is where is, bring your own tools and start battery.

IF I had the space I would do the same, get it roadworthy and let the kids take it to the desert or whatever. As long as it was safe

and dry inside I know people that could care less about having everything in working order. Gut it and put in bunk beds and take

the whole tribe, use a working RV as the kitchen, man what great times that would be.
ajriding
Explorer II
May 26, 2020
He is undergoing cancer treatment, so might be in a phase where he would want to give stuff away or see it go to some use as it is just stuff and means little to him. He has money so doesnt care about selling it, just does not want the extra stress in his life.

I have a young friend that is building out his passenger van so is interested to take a look at what he can salvage out of it too, so we will go soon, and I will try to start it then also.

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