Trying to buy a Class C with budget of 20000 dollars. Want bunk over cab, dinette across from sofa, rear walk around queen. 29 feet or less, prefer ford.Want to minimize leak situation. Born Free would work except budget precludes walk around rear bed. Can't find any coach house within the budget. These are fiberglass I believe. Now there are all the rest. Need them rated in order of best constructed to minimize leak problems. CoachmanDutchmanFleetwoodForest RiverFour WindsGulf StreamJaycoLazy DazeShastaThorWinnebagoI think fiberglass roof better. Fiberglass caps would be nice, but don't know how important they are. On the basis of construction, with best chance of avoiding leaks, give me a priority list for my search. I know nothing about the construction differences of the 1990s mh, but have read that some are wood frame, some are aluminum frame and some are steel. Some have fiberglass roofs and others have alum, and rubber. It would help me if you could identify those in the list that have whatever. I would think a fiberglass roof would be a good choice with aluminum next and the rubber roof last. I know there are exceptions to all cases but I would put a rubber roof, wood frame Class C at the bottom of the list, but from the list I don't know which ones are which. This forum should have the knowledge to give me guidance in my search for a "least likely to have leak problems as a result of construction techniques and materials". That way I can narrow my search to a few brand names and than travel to check them out. Thanks

I'm not very familiar with the differences in material or construction techniques of the motorhomes you have listed but have you looked at any Lazy Dazes? http://www.lazydaze.com/wrkmship.htm They have a very good reputation.

Yes, I looked at one, but the floor plan didn't work. I should have had them on the list as they do make a good motorhome. Again, like the Born Free they are hard to find and not sure they even made them in the floor plan we are seeking. Thanks for the suggestion.

Just find one you like, purchase it and enjoy.The brand name doesn't mean much except to some folks .I have a 1998 Tracker sold by BPS and built by Fleetwood that has gave excellent service

fighterpilota wrote:Trying to buy a Class C with budget of 20000 dollars. Want bunk over cab, dinette across from sofa, rear walk around queen. 29 feet or less, prefer ford.Want to minimize leak situation. Born Free would work except budget precludes walk around rear bed. Can't find any coach house within the budget. These are fiberglass I believe. Now there are all the rest. Need them rated in order of best constructed to minimize leak problems. CoachmanDutchmanFleetwoodForest RiverFour WindsGulf StreamJaycoLazy DazeShastaThorWinnebagoI think fiberglass roof better. Fiberglass caps would be nice, but don't know how important they are. On the basis of construction, with best chance of avoiding leaks, give me a priority list for my search. I know nothing about the construction differences of the 1990s mh, but have read that some are wood frame, some are aluminum frame and some are steel. Some have fiberglass roofs and others have alum, and rubber. It would help me if you could identify those in the list that have whatever. I would think a fiberglass roof would be a good choice with aluminum next and the rubber roof last. I know there are exceptions to all cases but I would put a rubber roof, wood frame Class C at the bottom of the list, but from the list I don't know which ones are which. This forum should have the knowledge to give me guidance in my search for a "least likely to have leak problems as a result of construction techniques and materials". That way I can narrow my search to a few brand names and than travel to check them out. ThanksI own a Born Free and it's roof has developed leaks in numerous areas. Water damage has definitely done irreparable damage too. I don't know where ppl get the idea that a Born Free roof will not leak water, but they do.Forrest River or Winnebago would get my vote for a coach.

I don't see the importance in initial build quality of a 1990's motor home being as important as the care/maintenance that it has or hasn't received over the years.

Rating of the class C 90s Class Cs??? | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

Bordercollie
Explorer
Aug 31, 2013
I am 74 now and not able to do much work on our rig. I wouldn't want to buy an old rig that will need serious fixes if our budget couldn't support paying somebody for maintenance and repair/replacement labor.
fighterpilota
Explorer
Aug 30, 2013
Appreciate all the replys but it is too hard right now. I have decided to step back, take a deep breath and see what the winter brings. Again, thanks for all the information. I'll be 80 Sunday and this old fighterpilot is going to rethink the motorhome route.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Aug 30, 2013
BTW have you considered a well-maintained ex-rental? In your price range I think you'd come out way ahead by going that route.

Here are a bunch of Thor Majestics, which are the house brand of CruiseAmerica rentals. All under $20K.
http://www.rvtrader.com/New-and-Used-Thor-Motor-Coach-Class-C-For-Sale-On-RV-Trader/search-results?make=Thor+Motor+Coach|765315924&schemecode=AD&type=Class+C|198069&vrsn=hybrid&&price=*:20000

There is a 28 footer, 2005, in Orlando from a private seller for $19K. It has 143K miles, but you have to compromise on something. If you can see the service records, I'd bet it's been well maintained at least for most of those miles.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Aug 30, 2013
Mich F wrote:
I don't see the importance in initial build quality of a 1990's motor home being as important as the care/maintenance that it has or hasn't received over the years.

I'd have to agree. The build quality makes a difference, but the care is the biggest factor.

As you see above, even a Born Free can leak, because there are still many penetrations into and through the walls and roof. The same is VERY true with Lazy Daze, and until lately they used a seamed aluminum roof which if not maintained will eventually leak at the seams.

If you can find fiberglass caps, I think that's a good thing. A rubber roof from the 90s is due for replacement or the new Rhino coverup or something. I would take a leak-free RV with wood structure over a leaker with metal!

Google Phreds Poop Sheets and read up on maintenance, as it was written during the era you are looking at.
Skid_Row_Joe
Explorer
Aug 30, 2013
Mich F wrote:
I don't see the importance in initial build quality of a 1990's motor home being as important as the care/maintenance that it has or hasn't received over the years.
I don't think care and maintenance matter much to a coach 20 +/- years old. It'll likely be a repair nightmare on wheels, from the tires up. I've read too many horror stories from new RVers that wanted to get a cheap RV that was decades old, only to spend all their time and money broke down or trying to get stuff fixed on it. Takes all the fun out of RVing.
Mich_F
Explorer
Aug 28, 2013
I don't see the importance in initial build quality of a 1990's motor home being as important as the care/maintenance that it has or hasn't received over the years.
Skid_Row_Joe
Explorer
Aug 28, 2013
fighterpilota wrote:
Trying to buy a Class C with budget of 20000 dollars. Want bunk over cab, dinette across from sofa, rear walk around queen. 29 feet or less, prefer ford.

Want to minimize leak situation. Born Free would work except budget precludes walk around rear bed. Can't find any coach house within the budget. These are fiberglass I believe.

Now there are all the rest. Need them rated in order of best constructed to minimize leak problems.

Coachman
Dutchman
Fleetwood
Forest River
Four Winds
Gulf Stream
Jayco
Lazy Daze
Shasta
Thor
Winnebago

I think fiberglass roof better. Fiberglass caps would be nice, but don't know how important they are.

On the basis of construction, with best chance of avoiding leaks, give me a priority list for my search. I know nothing about the construction differences of the 1990s mh, but have read that some are wood frame, some are aluminum frame and some are steel. Some have fiberglass roofs and others have alum, and rubber. It would help me if you could identify those in the list that have whatever.

I would think a fiberglass roof would be a good choice with aluminum next and the rubber roof last.

I know there are exceptions to all cases but I would put a rubber roof, wood frame Class C at the bottom of the list, but from the list I don't know which ones are which.

This forum should have the knowledge to give me guidance in my search for a "least likely to have leak problems as a result of construction techniques and materials". That way I can narrow my search to a few brand names and than travel to check them out. Thanks

I own a Born Free and it's roof has developed leaks in numerous areas. Water damage has definitely done irreparable damage too. I don't know where ppl get the idea that a Born Free roof will not leak water, but they do.

Forrest River or Winnebago would get my vote for a coach.
DUNEBUGGYDOUG
Explorer
Aug 28, 2013
Just find one you like, purchase it and enjoy.The brand name doesn't mean much except to some folks .I have a 1998 Tracker sold by BPS and built by Fleetwood that has gave excellent service
fighterpilota
Explorer
Aug 28, 2013
Yes, I looked at one, but the floor plan didn't work. I should have had them on the list as they do make a good motorhome. Again, like the Born Free they are hard to find and not sure they even made them in the floor plan we are seeking. Thanks for the suggestion.
tonyandkaren
Explorer
Aug 28, 2013
I'm not very familiar with the differences in material or construction techniques of the motorhomes you have listed but have you looked at any Lazy Dazes? http://www.lazydaze.com/wrkmship.htm They have a very good reputation.

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Rating of the class C 90s Class Cs???

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