So, I am still shopping and have found an RV that has been sitting up for a while: It is a 2006 Phaeton with 15,000 miles. The owner says it has not been used in a little over 2 years, he cranks it and runs the generator when he thinks about it but it has not moved in 2years. If I buy this coach what do you do with the engine, trans & genset?I talked to 3 local RV service depts and got mixed messages from all of them. Service Dept #1 said drive it like it is, oil does not break down in a bottle on the shelf and it does not breakdown in an oil pan either. Don't touch the trans, as soon as you start changing filters you are gonna move a piece of dirt in the trans and the problems will begin.Service Dept #2 Change it all. Start with all new filters and fluids in the engine, trans and genset. ( I tend to lean in this direction)Service Dept #3 said change the oil and filter for the engine, and genset, change the filters on the trans but not the fluid.After those three calls I was more confused than when I started.....GO.

Service dept #2 gets my vote.Plan on buying new tires. It's very possible it has the original tires.

Tires are original and he knew they had to be replaced, we got that out of the way quickly.

If, he really has "cranked it up when he thinks about it" (but doesn't drive it)be sure to take the oil fill cap off the engine and check for moisture/RUST.No way to get rid of the moisture in a diesel engine except on the road under load. Starting and idling, even fast idle only adds moisture to the crankcase.Said another way, you can get the COOLANT up to operating temperature without driving, but can NOT get the OIL/CRANKCASE up to operating temperature.

Check for leaks, it probably had no maintenance or inspections in at least two years.Have a diesel mechanic/RV Tech check everything. Especially the engine and drive train.Where was it sitting for two years, inside, outside, covered, not covered?

Change ALL fluids is the best option. The coach would have been better off had the owner done nothing! Just starting an engine is NOT good for the engine. You need to start it and DRIVE it. Getting it up to operating temperature is very important and this never happened if the coach never moved. If, by chance, the owner started the generator AND put a reasonable load on it (run at least 1 A/C unit) for at least an hour then the generator is likely OK.My concern would be the engine. Diesels don't like what you describe but Tiffin is a great product and if you can get a diesel mechanic to confirm that the engine is good I would not have a problem making the purchase assuming the price is right.

RV sitting for over 2 years - recommendations | Good Sam Community

JetAonly
Explorer
Jun 27, 2016
If he buys a pig in a poke, nobody but him is out the money. You guys will argue over anything.

If you wanted to ruin a perfect MH then you do what the seller has done. Condensation in the engine and entire fuel system, it's not been kept full. Now let's talk moisture penetration in the MH. If it's not been dehumidified inside it will have mildewed, perhaps in places you don't see. Mice? I'm sure, what have they chewed behind the dash, not to mention chassis wiring. Tires have not rolled in two years. Then there are all the Tiffin issues to be checked.

Here

Enjoy!
mike_brez
Explorer
Jun 27, 2016
Well let's see I have actually done this. I had my 1994 PaceArrow with a 454 for 14 years and life got a little busy and it sat for almost two years without being used in my backyard. When time came to use it de-winterized and used it with no problems.
Busskipper
Explorer
Jun 27, 2016
mike brez wrote:
Well let's see I have actually done this. I had my 1994 PaceArrow with a 454 for 14 years and life got a little busy and it sat for almost two years without being used in my backyard. When time came to use it de-winterized and used it with no problems.

You are surely not alone!

I tell the story of buying two Mack Dump Trucks that had been sitting for 10 years - 10 - put batteries in them - pumped up the tires drove them to the shop. Where we changed fluids and put them to work for three years - without even a broken hose.

10 Years - I surely think 24 months will survive - if the deal is right jump on it.

JMHO,
doublev
Explorer
Jul 02, 2016
If you are getting a good deal and the coach is otherwise in excellent condition, then go for it. Sounds like a great coach to me since it has little wear and tear on the inside given these conditions. There are pluses and minuses.

To me, the price is the most important factor. I have let my coach sit for 6-12 months all the time. I am using it now after it sat in storage for 12 months. I have a list of things "to do" on the coach. A lot of it, though, is nothing to do with it sitting around. Some things have broken but I attribute it to the item being 8 years old and not because the coach just sat around.

That 2006 might need new batteries and not just need new tires. You would have had to do these expensive things whether he drove it or not (I spent $10k on batteries and tires just recently). So the price is key here. Assume you are going to need to spend $15,000 on it and hopefully you can get everything done for half of that.

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