My wife and I ended up buying her parents 1999 Bounder! We had a fifth wheel so camping ain't new to us just a motorhome is! They had a few problems the last time they took it out, the brakes quit working! They ended up getting them fixed and it works fine now! I have it scheduled to get a couple other items looked over at a dealer! My question is they offer a complete check through of the motorhome for $650 would this be a waste of money that I could do myself or a be an ease of mind to pay for and have gone through! We have scheduled a two week trip up to Maine end up June first of July! Thanks for the help!

Given that it is a "new to you" coach with some age to it and you have not had a motor home before, I think it would be a good idea to get it done. Have them make the list, then you decide which, if any, items you have them fix and which ones you will do. Hopefully, they will only find minor items but that will also give you peace of mind that there aren't any major items lurking unknown waiting to bite you.

If it makes you feel good then do it, but personally I'd never spend it.

sriethman wrote:My wife and I ended up buying her parents 1999 Bounder! We had a fifth wheel so camping ain't new to us just a motorhome is! They had a few problems the last time they took it out, the brakes quit working! They ended up getting them fixed and it works fine now! I have it scheduled to get a couple other items looked over at a dealer! My question is they offer a complete check through of the motorhome for $650 would this be a waste of money that I could do myself or a be an ease of mind to pay for and have gone through! We have scheduled a two week trip up to Maine end up June first of July! Thanks for the help!do you have tbe skills, equipment/tools and most importantly tbe experience to conduct tbe insoection? if yes then maybe you ciuld save yourself $650. i'd still want a professional opinion...objective set of eyes. best if the inspector does not work for a garage or you'll make it clear that you'll be doing whatever repairs are needed...even if that's not the case. good luck.

I would never do it again. When we bought our used MH we took it to a dealer and payed big bucks for them to go over everything - engine, brakes, transmission, generator etc. The didn't do anything we are pretty sure as the air filter on the generator was so clogged it was getting no air. We changed the filter and generator ran much better. Not sure if they changed the fluids they were supposed to have done. Only went to the dealer as RV was our first one. DH usually does everything on vehicles so he just started doing all himself.

Tell us what Bounder model number and type of chassis. If it's a Ford, which engine. I may be able to tell you some things to be watchful for.

New to me 1999 Bounder | Good Sam Community

JayGee
Explorer
Feb 27, 2017
Most important! Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work.
Tyler0215
Explorer
Feb 27, 2017
JayGee Has it right. Save $650.
darsben1
Explorer
Feb 27, 2017
Take it to a COMMERCIAL TRUCK repair place and have them look at the power-train, chassis and brake system because you own a truck. The rest you already know how to do (fridge, water system, heat, roof a/c. While there have an engine oil and transmission oil sample taken and mail it to http://www.blackstone-labs.com/. in the kit that Blackstone will mail you if you ask. The basic tests are $28.00 each
They will be able to tell you what is going on in the engine and transmission that the mechanic cannot see. Have the truck place do a compression test and a radiator pressure test.
Make sure the place you take it is happy to see you and is not doing it grudgingly then you have found your go to place for repair. I feel myself blessed that I have 2 places like that in my life one in NYS and the other in Arizona
vegasfoodguy
Explorer II
Feb 27, 2017
Hi, As Jay Gee said do it, Then have a mobile RV mechanic go over it.
You can follow him during inspection, Verify the fix it list, and he could fix the tough stuff.
Probably for less than the dealer quote.

Terry.
howdy35
Explorer II
Feb 27, 2017
A 1999 Bounder is a nice motorhome. Probably does not have a slide so check to see that it has some information on maintenance. I agree with take it for a weekend trip and find out about what may be problems on the test outing. Then get back on the forum and get info about how to fix them. You will learn about the coach and save money.

Good luck with your new adventure> Arnold.
JayGee
Explorer
Feb 27, 2017
Take it camping close to home. Then take that $650 and apply it to the fix of what does not work.
Gulfcoast
Explorer
Feb 27, 2017
I'd be curious to know how many hours they will spend inspecting it for $650.
bbaker2001
Explorer
Feb 27, 2017
At 650 dollars they better do some extensive work. Then not a bad idea for peace of mind
good luck
tommy_g
Explorer
Feb 27, 2017
Tell us what Bounder model number and type of chassis. If it's a Ford, which engine. I may be able to tell you some things to be watchful for.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Feb 27, 2017
I would never do it again. When we bought our used MH we took it to a dealer and payed big bucks for them to go over everything - engine, brakes, transmission, generator etc. The didn't do anything we are pretty sure as the air filter on the generator was so clogged it was getting no air. We changed the filter and generator ran much better. Not sure if they changed the fluids they were supposed to have done. Only went to the dealer as RV was our first one. DH usually does everything on vehicles so he just started doing all himself.