Used RV under $20,000

crasster wrote:
Everybody has their own idea on what is a good RV or not for $20k. I can tell you that there are plenty of fine RVs out there for $20k. Just shop around and find the deal you'd like. But be sure it has good tires since that can set you back another $4k-6k.

Maybe more like $3k if it has 19.5`s. either way it is not cheap!

If you shop smart you can find a very nice class A for $20k. and an even better deal with no slide, since no slide models are not as wanted as slide models.

Good luck!

Grandpere wrote:
All class As are built on wither a Ford or chevy chassis. the rest of the MH is the same whether it is entry level or high glass. That being said RVs are not like cars where you have toyota on one end and chevy/dodge/etc on the other. You will need to become shade tree mechanics with any RV as there is always something that needs to be done to them. Since you are planning on remodeling you must have some DIY skills so that will go a long way on RV repair and maintenance, chassis stuff you can always hire out or learn to do some of the minor stuff.

Your best bet is to look on craigs list, especially if you don't mind driving some distance. we found our 87 fleetwood southwind, 30 footer, on craigs list for $2900, 28,000 miles. Put about $10,000 into it and we have as nice an RV as any new one without the payments, high insurance, and high personal property taxes.

We shopped in a 300 mile area and found this one about 50 miles away. Now is not the best time for buying as prices will be higher as the season is just starting. We bought ours in November, that is one of the reasons is was dirt cheap.

Good luch on your search.

what about all the class a mh built on freightliner and other chassis.Mine is on a freightliner and nothing ford or Chevrolet about it. Just a fact DAVE

We bought our first Rv on Craig's list. It was a 30' class C, about 12 years old with under 40k miles on it. I saw some Class A's in the under $20000 range but we liked this one best. We had to do a lot of fix up (decals, countertops, etc) but the mechanical condition was good. Find a mechanic to do an evaluation of the Rv prior to your purchase. Check the age of the tires because the tread may look good but they could be deteriorated due to age. We didn't and got a blowout from a slipped tire belt. We promptly bought 6 new tires. Also check the coach batteries and the awning fabric. Look for delamination and look for water leaks.

MattWI wrote:
Where should I be looking(aside from rvTrader)?

Try PPL (Diesel RVs) and PPL (Gas RVs).

Finally, to see what RVs actually sold for see PPL's RVs Recently Sold.

Run away now and fast. Buy a used 5th wheel and a used
truck.
You can be nice and cozy for 20K.
If you can make the truck your 2nd family vehicle and sell what you were driving even better.
In 07 we took the plunge with an 01 dodge diesel and a 26 ft 5ver. Even back then way under 20K.
Got the bug and have been FT for the last year, we are now on our 4th rig, it is a mh. As much trouble as our 07 has been I can't imagine what you get into on a coach that old.
just my 2 but we live the life, no house just the MH. ..and we leave weds. For the AlCan ...Bragg
be safe and do your homework
jw

I really like the old Airstream class a models, very classic and going to hold value better.

Everybody has their own idea on what is a good RV or not for $20k. I can tell you that there are plenty of fine RVs out there for $20k. Just shop around and find the deal you'd like. But be sure it has good tires since that can set you back another $4k-6k.

All class As are built on wither a Ford or chevy chassis. the rest of the MH is the same whether it is entry level or high glass. That being said RVs are not like cars where you have toyota on one end and chevy/dodge/etc on the other. You will need to become shade tree mechanics with any RV as there is always something that needs to be done to them. Since you are planning on remodeling you must have some DIY skills so that will go a long way on RV repair and maintenance, chassis stuff you can always hire out or learn to do some of the minor stuff.

Your best bet is to look on craigs list, especially if you don't mind driving some distance. we found our 87 fleetwood southwind, 30 footer, on craigs list for $2900, 28,000 miles. Put about $10,000 into it and we have as nice an RV as any new one without the payments, high insurance, and high personal property taxes.

We shopped in a 300 mile area and found this one about 50 miles away. Now is not the best time for buying as prices will be higher as the season is just starting. We bought ours in November, that is one of the reasons is was dirt cheap.

Good luch on your search.

Under $20,000 is going to mean mechanical work at some level. Even if the RV was well-maintained mechanically, things get old and wear out. If you buy a class A and can't do mechanical work yourself, you're going to lose your house every time it needs mechanical work. In addition, you won't know when or where it's going to breakdown, so boondocking is a risk to be factored in.

While I LOVE my 40 year old clipper, if I were going to full-time I would buy something 2-5 years old regardless of cost.

Just as an example, last summer I had ignition issues that could not be singled out. The clipper spent a couple months at the mechanic's while he kept trying to get it to repeat the problem in order to diagnose it. Never could get it to do it at the shop, but as soon as I took it out on the road, it repeated. (Ended up doing a mod to bypass the Mopar ignition system completely - now works like a charm). I would have been homeless during that time if I was full-timing.

You're probably better off going with a travel trailer and a tow vehicle. That way you can park the trailer and stay awhile if the engine needs work. And likewise, if you have a problem with the trailer, you can still get around in the vehicle while it's getting fixed.