Used RV under $20,000

I bought my 1993 Damon for $8500. We love it. Details are in the link below.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26989746/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1

Any chance you can expand you budget a few thousand?

2008 Thor Hurricane 30Q
I have a 2006 Hurricane 31D. Very similar but with double front slides. We're into our fifth season and the coach has never let us down. The slides make a big difference and you might want to reconsider.

2007 Thor Hurricane 31D
Not much difference in general lay out but the larger living area will make rainy days a bit more enjoyable.

Double post for whatever reason.

MattWI wrote:
My girlfriend and I are looking to get an RV. We only have about $20,000 to spend. We'd like something 32' or shorter. We plan to redo much of the interior, so we don't need it to look pretty. I'd prefer to not have any slideouts, as we don't really need the extra space. Our main concern is reliability. Neither of us are mechanics, so the less we have to deal with the better. I've looked a fair bit on RVtrader, and I like the look of the late 90's/early 2000's Winnebago Adventurer, but like I said reliability is more important than looks. We want to rv fulltime and would like to do some boondocking.
Here are our priorities in order
-Very Reliable
-<=32'
-No Slideouts

What makes/models would you recommend? What should I avoid? Where should I be looking(aside from rvTrader)? Thanks so much for any advice you can give. We really appreciate it.

For $20K and meeting your minimal requirements, you should be able to buy one in superb condition and as long as you don't try and go too new. Check out NADA low retail for some idea and what you might expect to pay from a private individual.
I have such an animal, but it's not for sale and it's also more coach than you're looking for, so I'm guessing about a 2000-2002 model would be about it. And again, with this age and your minimal requirements, this thing should look very good, both inside and out and be mechanically sound as well. Now having said all this and given the fact that your inexperienced and somewhat mechanically declined, by your own admission, then find yourself a private and unbiased expert of sorts for checking it out.
There should be a large selection most everywhere for you shopping needs and even eBay has some nice ones, once in a while, but again, be sure and have it looked over thoroughly. Good for negotiating too and a few mech. fixes are cheaper and easier than remodeling and again, it shouldn't be needed.
As a side note, in the year and size you're wanting, I'd probably go with a Chevy chassis, but wouldn't make it a deal breaker with either one.
I'm partial to National's products in those years and don't be listening to all the hype about it being an orphan..blah, blah, blah, as the house body is the only thing that exclusively belongs to the manufacture anyway and they can still be purchased if needed, also.

Brett has hit an important point. If you're looking to stay under $20k, you'll be looking at a 20+ year old gasser or possibly a DP. This is my wheelhouse (having owned both) and I can't imagine having to pay for the work I've done.

Hey Everybody,
Thanks for the great advice. I should clarify. I'm not afraid of doing repairs. I'm just afraid of expensive repairs. :) I'll look more seriously into a class C or a fifth wheel, but I'm pretty set on a class A for now.
From what I've seen here, I think I might look for something closer to $15k and leave myself some more wiggle room for repairs.
I appreciate the warnings about water damage and tires. I've heard some horror stories about both.
I should clarify that in the first year or so of owning the rv, my girlfriend and I won't travel all that much.
We do plan on waiting until late fall/early winter to buy an rv. I'm just trying to do enough research before I make a big purchase.
Thank you all again for your help and advice. :)

Really, we need to know more about your mechanical skills to be able to point you in the right direction.

You mention being able to do interior remodeling (assume that means floor covering, appliances, furniture, etc.).

Tell us about your mechanical ability/interest. Yes, you can find Diesel Pushers in/near to your price range, but they will be older and likely need mechanical (mostly Preventive Maintenance) work.

Let us know, so we can give you more sage advice.

I never have full timed but my DP gets used almost every week and now has about 105,000mi on it. I looked back through my records and in the past 5 years I have driven it almost 50,000mi towing a 32ft trailer. Repairs other than once a year complete service has been leveling jack springs, wiper blades, step motor, a radiator, and a radiator hose. Radiator didn't fail but I replaced it before it did and it cost $1800 I think. I fix what needs fixed but this is a high end unit so maybe its built better. I sure don't baby it. Keep looking!

MattWI wrote:
My girlfriend and I are looking to get an RV. We only have about $20,000 to spend. We'd like something 32' or shorter. We plan to redo much of the interior, so we don't need it to look pretty. I'd prefer to not have any slideouts, as we don't really need the extra space. Our main concern is reliability. Neither of us are mechanics, so the less we have to deal with the better. I've looked a fair bit on RVtrader, and I like the look of the late 90's/early 2000's Winnebago Adventurer, but like I said reliability is more important than looks. We want to rv fulltime and would like to do some boondocking.
Here are our priorities in order
-Very Reliable
-<=32'
-No Slideouts

What makes/models would you recommend? What should I avoid? Where should I be looking(aside from rvTrader)? Thanks so much for any advice you can give. We really appreciate it.

You will get alot of different answers, there are alot of RVs that need minimal work for under $20,000,

Dont believe that you have to spend another $10,000 for maintenance, unless of course you absolutely cant turn a wrench.

Try to purchase one where the owner has lived in the southwest, by doing this you minimize the rust

I purchased a 95 27' Brave with 29,000 miles, and 275 hrs on the gen set from a couple in west Tx for $8000, after new tires, new front brake lines (rubber) and some odds and ends I may have another $2000 into it.

I did have to disasemble the gen set carb to clean it out, as it was surging

I like the floor pln of the brave, its perfect for my wife and I, although

I think for full time it might be kinda small

You can find them, but you're going to be hard pressed to do so. We lucked into ours...it basically fell into our laps. Lots to consider when looking, though. And if you're going to full-time, then you may want to reconsider the no slide thing. Our 36' with one slide seemed HUGE when we first got it, and just this weekend we stepped into a 44' Entegra Anthem TAG axle DP with opposing slides in the living room and a huge slide in the bedroom with a king sized bed....and my thoughts were ..."Ehh...it's nice, but it's not THAT big..." My wife and I are seriously considering full-timing when I retire in a few years.

Trust me, it'll start to get small, really fast....especially when it rains and you can't be outside.