Reliability in purchasing older diesel A

I think on posts like this people are looking to comfort nerves because even though units are older, it is still a big buy.

The thing is there are really TOO many variables. How was the coach cared for? What is the interior/exterior shape? Will it be used mainly for local ventures or touring?

The main thing is define the usage, look at the overall shape, and go from there. Trust your gut. Get a checklist when looking at it and go over all details.

Also (I hate saying this) look at the owner. Are they well kept? Is the lawn kept well? How is the home kept? (Doesn't matter if they are rich, just maintained). If they have a junkyard in their yard and weeds growing everywhere typically they kept up the RV the same way.

We have a 13 year old Newmar. We take good care of it and do not hesitate to take it on long trips. We typically take a month long trip each year with week long trips throughout the year. You are more likely to have issues with house systems than the engine and transmission. Refrigerators, heat pumps, hot water heaters, etc, may need to be replaced at some point. If upgrades to the TVs and the satellite dish have not been done, you will need to do that. The other thing to look at is the condition of the paint. If it has sat outside its whole life, it may need a paint job.

Also make sure there is no paint checking - search the forum for paint checking and you will get a lot of info. If there is paint checking, you may have to replace the sidewalls if that is possible with that coach.

IT is also nice to have a coach where the manufacturer is still in business, although many systems are common across many different brands of coaches. Newmar has been very helpful.

IMHO, the key to having a relatively hassle free experience in an older coach is to buy one that was high end when new. In the days before the 2008 crash, these were built by craftsmen who were giving the time and resources to do a quality job.

As mentioned, 20 year old appliances are the biggest issue, but even there I don't think a Dometic fridge built today would last anywhere near 20 years. As for body parts, even if the manufacturer is out of business (and most of them are or have been absorbed by another company), salvage yards usually have the parts. The only real manufacturer specific body parts are the front and rear end caps.

We bought the Sahara at 19 years old. It has most of the Mx records in a book and I could see what needed immediate attention. The tires were replaced right away. We took a season to do some short and extended weekend trips to shake things out, changed all the fluids and hit the road for 6 months, putting 6000 miles on the bus. The issues were.

- a roof leaked that developed, probably due to the rough road conditions in the northeast
- most of the parts on the toilet failed. Should have just gotten a whole new one
- the seal around one of the roof air conditioners leaked

All were repaired by me on the road. When we got back I took the coach to a CAT shop for the required valve lash adjustment and a lube, and they found a bunch of suspension worked that needed to be done. I put the rig into the local shop over the winter and had the sway bar ends replaced and all the stuck grease fittings freed up. Then I added another 100 watts of solar to the roof and replaced the house batteries with 4 - 6V golf cart batteries so we could do more dry camping.

IMHO, the older coaches have way more character than the paper bag buses being sold today. Every place we stay, someone always comments on how nice the Sahara looks. The interior layout is good even though we don't have 4 slides, and it's not done up like a French bordello.

Someday I might trade it in someday for a newer (2001) Beaver. Cari - yours for sale???

We bought a 2001 Beaver 5 years ago. The quality was there and solid wood. Made like a tank. Looking at many of the entry level DP's today and they are very cheaply made and going to have longevity issues. We are happy with what we have.

We have a 20 year old DP by Newmar. We were lucky to get it with around 45,000 miles on it and paid less than 17,000. We were newbies too, and figured we didn't want to over invest. We absolutely love it after a year full time. I think the secret to buying older is the brand and the condition. Buy something you really like right off the bat. We looked at many, many RVs then we just loved everything about ours as soon as we test drove it. I couldn't live without at least one slide, I will say. Happy shopping.

We own a 18 year old coach, The most important thing to know is if the manufacturer is still in business and making body parts for it. fender benders happen. the chassis and engine parts will be at NAPA even when you must order them.
This year we broke a #4 injector line, on the Cummins, we had on over night in Glennallan Ak.
we needed a lower right fiberglass corner of the front cap, ( we hit a bear on the caviar highway) I ordered it today, It's 4-6 weeks out, it must be manufactured, there are none on the shelf, but it is on the way.
I'd hate to try getting a body part for some older coaches, you'd be at the mercy of the wrecking yards.
IMHO stay later than 2000 and with a coach manufacturer that is still in business.
All coaches become projects, some are simple personalizing, and others are a total restorations and up grades.

Old appliances are your biggest worries. but they can be replaced, and upgraded.

You know,, the old water heater, Fridge, washers, tanks. plastic plumbing. Stuff the UV light can destroy. A/C covers, vent covers, awning fabric.

I purchased mind at 17 years old with no service records and did not get it inspected before purchase.
So far so good no problems.

IMHO, the vehicle parts of a diesel pusher RV are typically the same engines, transmissions, brakes, suspension, drive train, wheels, steering gear, etc. that are used in over the road trucks.

Long haul trucks typically operate for over 100,000 miles per year, and don't need to be overhauled for three to five years.

I saw something on RV.net that suggests that typical RV usage is about 5,000 miles per year.

This suggests that a 20 year old diesel pusher should still be good for another decade or two before needing a major overhaul.

Of course their are other elements of an RV that might well be in need of repair or replacement on a twenty year old RV such as batteries, refrigerators, air conditioners, tires, paint, etc. Also, rust might be a concern.

I think a thorough inspection would be in order on a 20 year old rig to determine the work that might be needed now, and how long it might be expected to operate in the future.

Also, maintenance records would be nice to review if available.

BTW, our DP is 17 years old, we've never had any major maintenance required, and according to the shop we use is in very good condition. It has had the brakes relined, and we are planning to replace the shock absorbers this year. It has over 100,000 miles on the clock.

I think you have to suggest more to your intended use of the RV. Some people buy older units to live in, and barely move about, and others want to roam, and want a reliable power train. I think people buy to where they can afford, but it seems that buying a quality unit at 15/20 and paying a fair price is better than spending less for something that might become hard to get rid of later on. Lot's to consider, spend wisely for your use planned, and for your years of ownership.