When to throw in the towel on an older motorhome
Just looking for some opinions here. I may be jumping the gun out of frustration. I bought this Gulf Stream Sun Sport from a co-worker just 6 months ago (my first RV ever, by the way) and it's been a big headache and I've put a lot of money into it. It's a 1999 with a Ford V10, 36ft with no slide-outs and only 45,000 mi on it. I paid $13,000.
Here's the short story:
I've had multiple coach and chassis issues, two of which I was aware of at the time of purchase. It has needed a starter, a fuel pump, roof repair, towing, etc. I've spent over $3,000 in just 6 months. Not what I was expecting. Major headaches for me and my family. Is it too early to give up on this one? There's no telling what other issues this thing could have in the near future. I welcome any opinions. Thanks!
Here's the long story, if you're interested:
It's a little rough around the edges. I knew the roof needed a little work, but it wasn't leaking at the time. And I knew the heat & A/C blower at the chassis would only come on intermittently. Could be control panel or could be blower motor. So two somewhat minor issues I was aware of at the time of purchase.
After I bought it, I personally slopped on some EPDM Rubber Roof for $500. Unfortunately, there was a tear under the rear roof A/C that I didn't see because I didn't remove the unit, so now there's additional (that's right, there was already some from once before) water damage in the bedroom. Cost me $400 to get that fixed at the local RV repair place. There's also unrelated water damage toward the front from long ago.
Next, the starter went out. $200 parts and labor there. Then the bolts that hold the gear shift linkage bracket broke off from the transmission housing due to rust seizing things up. $250.
We just went on a short trip with it and had to use the central heat. Both heaters worked at first, now the back one is not working.
Finally, coming back home from the trip, we died in the middle of the road and had to call a tow truck. The tow was $400. Diagnosis: Fuel pump has gone bad. $1700. And they hope the fuel tank and/or the bolts holding it in place aren't rusted out, because that could be even more money.
I've only had this thing for 6 months and I've spent over $3000 on repairs already, and we know the rear heat and the chassis heat & a/c blower need to be fixed at some point. And who know what other problems we could have?
What would you do?
Thanks!
Here's the short story:
I've had multiple coach and chassis issues, two of which I was aware of at the time of purchase. It has needed a starter, a fuel pump, roof repair, towing, etc. I've spent over $3,000 in just 6 months. Not what I was expecting. Major headaches for me and my family. Is it too early to give up on this one? There's no telling what other issues this thing could have in the near future. I welcome any opinions. Thanks!
Here's the long story, if you're interested:
It's a little rough around the edges. I knew the roof needed a little work, but it wasn't leaking at the time. And I knew the heat & A/C blower at the chassis would only come on intermittently. Could be control panel or could be blower motor. So two somewhat minor issues I was aware of at the time of purchase.
After I bought it, I personally slopped on some EPDM Rubber Roof for $500. Unfortunately, there was a tear under the rear roof A/C that I didn't see because I didn't remove the unit, so now there's additional (that's right, there was already some from once before) water damage in the bedroom. Cost me $400 to get that fixed at the local RV repair place. There's also unrelated water damage toward the front from long ago.
Next, the starter went out. $200 parts and labor there. Then the bolts that hold the gear shift linkage bracket broke off from the transmission housing due to rust seizing things up. $250.
We just went on a short trip with it and had to use the central heat. Both heaters worked at first, now the back one is not working.
Finally, coming back home from the trip, we died in the middle of the road and had to call a tow truck. The tow was $400. Diagnosis: Fuel pump has gone bad. $1700. And they hope the fuel tank and/or the bolts holding it in place aren't rusted out, because that could be even more money.
I've only had this thing for 6 months and I've spent over $3000 on repairs already, and we know the rear heat and the chassis heat & a/c blower need to be fixed at some point. And who know what other problems we could have?
What would you do?
Thanks!
