Hello,Very, very new to RVing. My wife and I have been looking at a lot different class a motorhomes and have zeroed in on a 2006 Holiday Rambler. It has only 7000 miles on it and was stored in a heated garage. The owner bought it new and drove it to Florida and back, never slept in it or even used the stove (rich guy, stayed in hotels along the way??) The thing is spotless, it even still has the tags on the couch and table. The storage compartments look like there was never anything put in them! It ran great, drove great, is there anything I should be looking for before I make an offer? I really don't have any experience in what to look for.Thanks

In my opinion it is better to buy a coach that was used regularly otherwise things rot, rust, and harden. Be sure you get a good policy of extended coverage and offer a low amount. I have several friends that have Holiday Ramblers and IMHO they are good coaches. If it were me doing the buying I would far prefer a coach that was used regularly. Me personally I would pass on this one. Find a previous owner who took care of the coach and maintained it properly.

What is the size and model, gas or diesel. Seals dry out and tires will probably need replaced. You would probably want to figure those costs in and more. If you should get it, have all fluids replaced as soon as you can, including brake fluid. It could be a great buy but check everything as best you can and expect a few surprises along the way. If gas, specifically check that the generator runs well under light to medium load for a while. If gas, it should probably be replaced or diluted right away and carry some extra fuel filters whether it is gas or diesel. Look into a good extended warranty for at least the first 2 years to help you out. Best of luck with your decision. It could be the purchase of a lifetime. Happy Trails Bert

Thanks for the replies, it is a 2006 38' gas Holiday Rambler Admiral. I was thinking about the fluids and getting them changed. He did offer to bring it back to the dealer to have them go over it, I will have to see what exactly that means. The tires seemed brand new, Michelins, no dry rot or checking. It was inside most of its life. The generator did start and run but not under load, I will have to do this. My wife really likes the newness of it but I am a bit scared of the lack of run time.

if the low miles are as described in the original post, wouldn't scare me a bit. every time I see complaints about low mileage I always wonder if this is by somebody who bought/owns a half way worn out high mileage unit and is trying to convince themselves otherwise.bumpy

Sounds like a potential keeper but plan on replacing the tires very soon. You can use that as a negotiation point to get a few $$$ off the price. Regardless of storage and low use the power train is still going to need servicing if it hasn't been done based on time. Engine and transmission oil, brake fluid change, there are 13 or so grease fittings on a Ford front end (if that is the chassis). Are the chassis and house recalls up to date if applicable? Does the owner have maintenance records. Big bonus for you if they do.You want to run everything on the house side. Roof ACs, furnace, fridge, water heater, TV's, dash radio, everything. Coach and engine batteries might need replacement due to age so negotiate on those items also. How was the movement of the slides? Same with the jacks, awning, steps, microwave and generator under a full load. How is the view the rear camera provides. Is the camera foggy? Any possible problem you find use to your advantage getting a fair price.Pull a CarFax just to be sure it wasn't in a flood or other such disaster. The report will probably show nothing more than yearly registration but doesn't hurt to check. Saw a couple of very nice rigs for sale post Hurricane Sandy that were in water up to their floor. Insurance write offs but clean up well. Potential electrical problems down the road will make your life very difficult.

Newbie looking at used coach | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

mant
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
Thanks for that tire information! I never gave them any thought, just replaced when necessary. I guess I better get some tire prices, It has Michelins on it, should I stick with them?
TZScales
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
Congrats on buying your first Class A. Enjoy and be safe.

:C
dougrainer
Nomad
Jun 18, 2014
mant wrote:
Thanks for all the encouragement! We're excited! I thought we would be getting it next wee, but will have to wait till after 7/3, the RV place is booked until then.
I do have a question on tires. This is really new to me! I have a dump truck thats used for hauling, I change the tires when they need it. It is a 2000 and I think I have changed all the tire once, not all at the same time. This is really an education, I'm learning more about tires than I thought I needed to know. If a tire sits at the tire dealer in their warehouse, stacked in a pile are they no good after a set amount of time? Do they just throw them away? What would they do with my tires that seem ok, throw them out? Is there a market for used RV tires? Just random thoughts...

Yes, Tires wear out from just sitting. Tires have Emmolients in the rubber (kind of a grease to keep the rubber pliable). These emmolients are distributed thru out the tire evenly. When a tire sits, especially with 25k of weight, these emmolients dry out and are not kept evenly distributed to keep the rubber pliable. When rotated (driven), the constant rolling keeps these emmolients distributed evenly to keep ALL the tire pliable. That is why you see the disclaimers about replacing RV/Auto tires every 7 years or so due to long periods of inactivity. The tires look great and have like new tread, but are not a safe tire to travel on. Just because you do not see cracks on the sidewall areas does not mean the tires are safe. Tires that have been sitting for a year are ok but if they have been sitting for years in a warehouse, they should not be sold (IMO). I got BF Goodrich to replace all 4 of my 1975 Corvette tires that Discount tire installed after I found out the TA Radials had sat in a warehouse for 2 years before they were installed on my Corvette. My Corvette gets NEW tires every 6 years and the car only has 29,000 miles on it. I will not drive on old tires even tho the Car sits in my garage all the time. Replace the tires on your new motorhome. Doug
Hatman
Explorer
Jun 18, 2014
I sold my old 22.5 tires very quickly on Craigs List for $100 to a trucking company that uses them on their trailers. Be aware that you'll need a van or pickup and some muscle to get the tires back from the tire shop.
ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Jun 18, 2014
I don't know your tire size but I sold my 7 year old 22.5 rim size ones for $125 each for use on the tag axel of a dump truck.
mant
Explorer
Jun 18, 2014
Thanks for all the encouragement! We're excited! I thought we would be getting it next wee, but will have to wait till after 7/3, the RV place is booked until then.
I do have a question on tires. This is really new to me! I have a dump truck thats used for hauling, I change the tires when they need it. It is a 2000 and I think I have changed all the tire once, not all at the same time. This is really an education, I'm learning more about tires than I thought I needed to know. If a tire sits at the tire dealer in their warehouse, stacked in a pile are they no good after a set amount of time? Do they just throw them away? What would they do with my tires that seem ok, throw them out? Is there a market for used RV tires? Just random thoughts...
Smitty77
Explorer
Jun 18, 2014
OP - Happy you met a good person, they're out and about - but too often all we hear about are the not such great people.

Enjoy your new to you rig, hope it is smooth sailing for you. If it is the Workhorse chassis, and is in the brake recall years, be sure that dealer does the fix...

Concur with the new tires, sooner then later. And even though the owner/seller is going thru it, I'd stash some contingency funds to the side for 'just in case'.

Have fun learning this rig.

Best,
Smitty
backhoemike
Explorer
Jun 17, 2014
i am 6month owner of a newmar and love it lots of rookie mistakes feel free to PM me if you have anything you need help with, if you could mess it up i probably done it. Fast learner but still a big curve with the RV world most of the people on here are great, Bumpy and doug grainer from texas has helped me lots i read their stuff and they have a ton of knowledge.. dont know them or dealt with them but reading what they have helped other with i had similar issues...
Deano56
Explorer II
Jun 17, 2014
i'm glad for you, I also glad you didnt listen to the one who said to pass on this coach. It is basically a new coach and as far as things hardening, using it more doesn't mean that they will be softer, what ever he was talking about. Have lots of fun and enjoy the good times in it. Keep on this forum as you will be able to learn lots of good things.
Sully2
Explorer
Jun 17, 2014
38 feet is too long for a gasser