Forum Discussion
Shearwater
Apr 22, 2017Explorer
I was still typing when you put up your last post.
First, almost all B's are very well made (except for Forest River). Don't automatically eliminate Road Trek and Sportsmobile. Second, B's retain their value better than most other RV's. Warranties from a dealer in Florida won't help you much except in Florida. An inspection would seem like a good idea but its value depends on who does it.
For your inspection, check out the van itself the same way you would look at a used car. Check for rust, including on the roof. Test all the systems, water pump, fridge etc. to see if they work. If you buy tires make certain they are load range E - they need to carry a lot of weight and are pumped up to 60-80 lbs. I get my tires from TireRack and have a local company install them.
There are 2 reasons to level. If you have a 3 way (propane) fridge, running it when it is pretty far out of level will destroy it. More than 3 degrees fore and aft or 6 degrees side to side (or the other way around) will lead to problems. The second reason is your own comfort. We have always had a compressor fridge (works like the one at home) so we have never carried leveling blocks.
Awnings are a good thing never to get(my opinion only).
It is a good idea to buy some kind of roadside assistance policy like Good Sam. AAA doesn't cover RV's in all states. At least they can find local towing companies that can handle your vehicle.
If your B has less than 100,000 miles it is best to use Mercedes (very expensive) or, if you get an older model, Dodge 5 star dealers to keep the long term drive train warranty in effect. It is also a good idea to get service records from the previous owner. For strictly RV service (fridge, furnace, propane etc.) you need to use an RV dealer or DIY.
First, almost all B's are very well made (except for Forest River). Don't automatically eliminate Road Trek and Sportsmobile. Second, B's retain their value better than most other RV's. Warranties from a dealer in Florida won't help you much except in Florida. An inspection would seem like a good idea but its value depends on who does it.
For your inspection, check out the van itself the same way you would look at a used car. Check for rust, including on the roof. Test all the systems, water pump, fridge etc. to see if they work. If you buy tires make certain they are load range E - they need to carry a lot of weight and are pumped up to 60-80 lbs. I get my tires from TireRack and have a local company install them.
There are 2 reasons to level. If you have a 3 way (propane) fridge, running it when it is pretty far out of level will destroy it. More than 3 degrees fore and aft or 6 degrees side to side (or the other way around) will lead to problems. The second reason is your own comfort. We have always had a compressor fridge (works like the one at home) so we have never carried leveling blocks.
Awnings are a good thing never to get(my opinion only).
It is a good idea to buy some kind of roadside assistance policy like Good Sam. AAA doesn't cover RV's in all states. At least they can find local towing companies that can handle your vehicle.
If your B has less than 100,000 miles it is best to use Mercedes (very expensive) or, if you get an older model, Dodge 5 star dealers to keep the long term drive train warranty in effect. It is also a good idea to get service records from the previous owner. For strictly RV service (fridge, furnace, propane etc.) you need to use an RV dealer or DIY.
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