Repairs and Maintence

To the OP. I put about $500/month into a 'maintenance' account, for my good friend, Justin Case. Oil changes including oil and fuel filters, lube and radiator test will run you about $300/yr. If you respect your coach and take care of things as necessary, you'll find your yearly expenses are much much less. Letting things go will cost you more in the long run. I spend about $750/yr. for maintenance. The rest is saved for expenses like tires, $4500 every 7 years, major tuneups every 100,000 miles etc......and yes, entry level coaches will cost more in the long run due to quality of materials and build, including fit and finish, of the original coach.....Dennis

I have come to consider it my (hobby). some have golf, muscle cars and the such which are just as expensive.

Maybe buying a fifth wheel would be a less costly venture since it doesn't have the drive train and engine and big tires to service and or replace. I am retired and on a fixed income. Maybe the safer bet economy wise???

old guy wrote:
I am debating whether to buy a MH or just build a house in the yuma or phoenix area. don't know which would be less a problem

Depends...if you build your house in Yuma then decide you like Phoenix better, you have to build another house. If you're in your RV in Yuma, you simply turn the key. Just sayin.... :)...Dennis

Specific information about actual cost over a specific time span really helps. That is great advice on not over spending and holding back some for the future is great. Also looking for the sweet deal ...all of this really helps. Thanks so much for you efforts and your help.

I guess it depends if you know what end of a hammer to hold.
I guess this is how these threads disintegrate?
If you have something to contribute great and many of you have really helped but otherwise please don't bother!

Yes, the repairs on a DP are very high in part because it's a commercial vehicle. If the idea such things as a $4000 radiator repair scare you (like they do me) then this kind of rig may not be for you.

We bought a 2001 Beaver DP 6 years ago and got a good deal on it.

Did it need work done, oh yes.

I do about 90% of my own work. I think over the 6 years I have spent roughly $12000 in replacement costs, ie: frig cooling unit, one roof a/c, generator repairs, 6 new tires, all new brakes, all new roof plastic covers, jack conversion from hyd to air, etc.

I took that into consideration when making my offer. We looked for over a year to get the best quality coach we could for the budget we had.

Good luck!

billy1davis wrote:
And the correlation is??????? More spent on the new purchase means more was spent on Maint?

I think what he is saying is if you buy a quality coach over an entry level coach it should hold up better.
“you will also find in this forum that most of the folks that say that oil changes, etc. are not much more than a gasser, fess up that they do much of the maintenance work themselves.
bumpy”
This goes directly back to “How much work/maintence can you do verse taking to some one for every little thing” I do nearly all my own work/maintenance. Yes it is more expensive for a diesel but not that bad. You have a couple extra filters. My oil change/lube is Yearly or 15,000 miles. Gas coaches (depending on year /motor) yearly or? I have heard the new Ford’s are at 7500 miles?? I don’t know but if driven 15000 a year that would be 2 oil/filter changes to one.
The big difference is Where you have the work done if you can’t do it yourself. Some shops are up to $150.00 an hour shop time. I would look for a mobile repair service guy that has some references they are usually cheaper.
Billy1davis, if you are looking for a smooth ride for your wife, I would look at a nice older diesel and add air ride seat to the co piolets position.
Lots of good coaches out there
https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/used-rvs-for-sale/diesel-motorhomes/1997-newmar-mountain-aire_rv-36183
or this one
https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/used-rvs-for-sale/diesel-motorhomes/2003-monaco-diplomat_rv-37957
One thing is to not over buy, leave some money in the budget for those unexpected items. You will have more fun if you are not pinching pennies to get buy.
Bill

Tom/Barb wrote:
I have found that there is a correlation between how much it cost new, to how much was spent on repairs.

Not sure I agree with this. I'm going on 14 years (bought a middle of the $$$$ DP at 6 months old) and other than one set of tires, 2nd set of batteries, LED TVs, and the refrigerator everything else is original. Yes, I've made some upgrades like AGM batteries, LED light bulbs and newer Sat dish...not a long list and not that much money. Granted I do my own repairs/maintenance/upgrades and do not buy into most of the things RVers think you have to do...oil change every year, new tires at 5-6 years.
Today there is no reason to buy a 6 month old DP, but back then quad slides were new...not any more. Now if you want to add in depreciation...$$$$$$$ or you can stay on the porch.