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olywa1978's avatar
olywa1978
Explorer
Aug 03, 2014

Newbie needs help buying a 1987 Fleetwood Bounder Motor Home

Hey all, my name is Mike and I am looking to be a first time RV owner and needing a little guidance in a possible purchase, if you don't mind.

First off, since this is an online community, let me give a brief summary of me and my story. I'm 36 years old, been stuck in a rut and miserable for the last 6-7 years. Up and quit my job last month and was planning on using my retirement funds to do some traveling, but decided that my retirement money shouldn't be squandered and should go toward something that could benefit me for the rest of my life.

I have about $12,000 saved up and planned on buying 2-3 acres of undeveloped, forested land near a river or creek in the middle of nowhere. I've been looking at owner finance listings with minimal down payments and roughly $150 per month. Then I will get a used RV or camper to park on my new land. Then I will install a solar power system (priced out at $1,200 at Home Depot). Then drive in a 25' pitcher hand pump and HOPE that I get any water at all that shallow, to suffice until I can afford to drill a well. I will dig a hole and build an outhouse over it. Then I will buy materials and start building a small cabin (the design I have come up with has a materials list of only $2,000!).

Having said that, I just got my retirement money yesterday. Haven't had a chance to lock down the land quite yet, but I found a pretty sweet 1987 Bounder (made by Fleetwood?) for sale right down the road for $5,600. I looked it over, inside is clean and immaculate. Outside is also very immaculate, aside for a half-moon shaped crack on the rear panel. Has brand spanking new matching tires. For Sale sign says it has 94,000 original miles, has a 454 Chevy motor, runs great. I looked up the value on Nada's website and the LOWEST retail value for the base model is $8,500. That's not counting the A/C, generator, awning and any other bells and whistles this thing has. Honestly, it truly looks as though it has been driven sparingly and taken very well care of. Is this a steal or what? Do I need to jump on this before it's gone?

I have no experience at all with RV's, so if there are other things I should check out, someone please tell me. I plan to listen to it, drive it and check for leaks. Any other red flags I should look for?
Class A

10 Replies

  • BULLETLS1's avatar
    BULLETLS1
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2014
    My first MH was bought from COPART.COM a 28' Fleetwood Southwind, 89 it did drive and run (at the time), all things worked, the "house" part was well taken care, not so with the chasis part (no problem if youre mechanically inclined and have time, not nesesarily expensive btw), I won the auction @$1600 !!!
    Now the catch, it had salvage title, (suposedly not driveable) it did not mater to me because I had it exported..
    Of course it had, and still does water damage and water gets inside, lasted me 6 years (with me) and now I need to change the cooling unit of strong amonia smell. Short circuited the furnace, now repaired, had to do an extra heavy duty cleaning!, the wood bellow the tanks had compressed about 1 1/2" and i need to place spacers bellow tanks so the fittings from e downtubes fit!.
    Had done A LOT of mechanical work, maintenance, etc and it stills entertain me (even if its parked).
    All bad things said, and seems like too much trouble for some, but PRINCES JULIANA, had given me and my fam such wonderfull memoryes, adventures, headaches, THERAPY!!!, I drove once every 3-4 months, start and use all systems at least every three weeks, and twice a year, I do camping with trips >700 mi.

    I think that youre buying market value, nothing extraordinary, Ive seen better offers in ebay, or in RVtrader, also Ive seen listing of repossesed RVs w/incredible prices. (Is a tradeoff of how much you want to work in the thing!) Shop around for unwanted rvs, sometimes they will give AWAY the RV just for the space, I did witnessed a guy that gave his RV, to a shop that I was visiting (K&K rv in MiamiFl), the RV was just like mine!, also in his parking there where a few abandoned, perhaps in any RV parks there is always some abandoned that the owner will be happy must to let it go for the space, the risk is very low since if you pick up one, if its not right you have loosed NOTHING!, because it cost nothing!
    Hope my thoughts open your mind for more options AND CHEAPER!
  • Bugman114's avatar
    Bugman114
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2014
    If you plan to park it for a long time, you'll atleast want to drive it at least once every couple of weeks to keep bad stuff from happening to the motor, tires, etc. Try to find some ethanol free gas if your going to let it sit. This E10 garbage they sell now has a very short life, before the ethanol starts to separate out, absorb moisture, and cause corrosion issues. If you can't find ethanol free, be sure to get the proper amount of the ethanol version of sta-bil. And pour some in at the proper intervals. I'd really recommend either a 5th wheel, or travel trailer though. MH'S don't like to sit for long periods of time.
  • ncrowley's avatar
    ncrowley
    Explorer II
    Aug 03, 2014
    If you are just going to park it, do not buy anything with a motor! Purchase a good used trailer. You will get a lot more for your money and something newer.
  • Canadian_Rainbi's avatar
    Canadian_Rainbi
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2014
    Hi Mike, Good luck on your venture.

    A few comments about the solar kit from Home Depot: 1st, I like Home Depot for home stuff but I doubt they know much more than diddly squat about Solar. Go to the the Tech Issues Forums on this site and be prepared to be overwhelmed with information.

    Most "all inclusive" Solar Systems are barely adequate at best and seriously over priced at worst.

    You will need to learn at least the basics of electricity, both AC and DC, then do an energy audit; How much electric power do you really need, How much solar charging (watts will you need and how many batteries (AmpHours) will you need? How big an inverter? (Watts) It is easy spend a lot of cash then find the system doesn't meet your needs. Not enough solar panels will quickly kill your batteries because they never get fully charged. If you have installed minimum wire, controller etc only to find you need more power it can be costly.

    There are a lot of knowledgeable people on these forums; Ask lots of questions and sift through the answers for the nuggets. Unfortunately there is some gravel mixed with the gold!

    Keep us posted as you progress.
  • Bugman114's avatar
    Bugman114
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2014
    Feel around the inside walls and ceiling for any soft spots, peeling wall paper, etc. That could indicate water damage. Water damage isn't necessarily a deal breaker especially in such an old unit. I had some in my 85 Pace arrow, but if your handy, it's not hard to fix. Just so long as the damage isn't extensive. If the wall seems soft and the floor around it does too, I'd probably pass. Replacing the flooring can get complex and expensive especially if cabinets or walls have to be removed. Check for old water damage or leaks (wood turns black around leaks). I'd try and go back in a day it's raining, or shortly after its rained to see if you can find any wetness. Especially inside around roof vents, A/C's, light fixtures, or any other areas where holes were drilled into the roof and later sealed (I.e. antennas, roof racks, ladders etc).

    Be prepared to reseal the roof if you decide to get it. It's something i would do to prevent expensive repairs in the future, especially if the old caulk is old and peeling/ cracking. Btw, Fleetwood used a fiberglass roof. Not a dig deal to seal, but I'd wear coveralls when up there as you will get fiberglass all over you and it itches like crazy if you lean yourself on the roof and touch it with your skin XD.

    Good luck bro
  • Artum_Snowbird's avatar
    Artum_Snowbird
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2014
    Only buy one after a pounding rainstorm, and go around with your hand into every roof wall joint, and around every door and window and every roof opening. Buying a unit that old in a dry spell is almost certain doom when the rains come. You can really feel where they leak. Buyer beware.
  • darsben's avatar
    darsben
    Explorer II
    Aug 03, 2014
    Take it to a INDEPENDENT TRUCK mechanic and have the motor and tranny looked over.

    Do not take to an RV dealer but to a good truck mechanic.

    MAke sure genny works if the unit has been sitting without being exercised that could be a problem.
    Is the fridge original? if so it is 27 years old and could be near the end of its useful life.. Expensive to replace unless you trade out to a residential fridge but you do not have electricity at the site so you need the propane capability.
    For comparison I bought my 1990 Fleetwood Southwind with the 454 engine in it for $4000.00 but it needed new tires which set me back about $1500.00.
    On the other hand the fridge is a a 1998 model as the original bit the dust when the previous owner had it.
  • olywa1978's avatar
    olywa1978
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2014
    Ductape, well, if I had a choice between motor home and camper, then I guess I would prefer the one on four wheels. I'd rather drive a motor home than pull a trailer and I would like to have the option of taking the motor home on a trip if the need ever arises, though I do plan on having it be pretty stationary for a while. I was thinking that I would be stuck with a camper with my $6,000 spending budget, but was hoping I could find a motor home in that price range that isn't beaten to death already.
  • Grandpere's avatar
    Grandpere
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2014
    Take it to a mechanic that deals with large trucks and have them give it a complete going over, it will probably cost $200-300 but it will be money well spent. If there is one in your area, also take it to a good RV coach mechanic and have them give it a good looking over, another $300-400. Between these two inspections you will have a good idea if it is in good shape or just good looking on the surface. We have an 86 Fleetwood Southwind and when they were done I knew what was going to need fixing and if the $2900 we paid for it was worth it. We bought it, had the mechanic fix the brake system, fuel system,and generator, the coach problems I could fix myself. Better to spend some money up front than get stuck with something that is an escapee from the junk yard.
  • Ductape's avatar
    Ductape
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2014
    If you're not planning to travel in it no use buying a Moho. More bang for your buck with a trailer if it stays parked.

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