1978 Chevy Itasca for $4800

Two Words:

Money Pit.

Let me clarify on the tires, learn to read the DOT date code on the tires (google it.) Tire manufacturers put the week the tire was manufactured on the tire in a code. If the tire is more than 7ish years old the tire is trash (opinions vary but most manufacturers say 7 is end of life.) I replace my tires every 5. This person says new tires but is probably basing that on tread life which is totally irrelevant. My 5 year old tires usually have very good tread left when I trash them. 10 year old tires I wouldn't drive it around the block.

As someone that has owned a couple older RV's including a 1984 Chevy C very similar to what's pictured (we put tens of thousands of miles and many nights camping into it and loved it, it was a great rig) here are my thoughts:
-Everything about the chassis is fixable, parts and knowledge are out there common and available. If it starts, runs, and drives (shifts through the gears;) the chassis probably doesn't need anything super expensive. I would plan/budget for full service including belts/hoses/filters/fluids/anything else suspect. Post says it was recently done but I would do it myself/have it done with anything used.
-If it has ever leaked in its life (and that's very likely) then there is almost certainly wood rot and compromised structure on the house portion. There really isn't a lot super-expensive about repairing this but it is a TON of work to repair! Be realistic about your carpentry abilities as well as your tools/work area. This is a lot of work. Many rotten rigs have repairs started but never finished. If you are a skilled carpenter with a big fully-equipped shop with 12' doors, have at it!
-RV's are high maintenance, even new ones. Older ones are A LOT of maintenance. This is not a big deal for some, but is a deal breaker for others. Be realistic. If you are set up for it, you can get a nice rig and save a ton of money.
-If the tires are old as far as date of manufacturer (I bet they are) then you need new tires before you even get it home. ~$1200 right off the top. Visible tread depth is irrelevant if they are 20 year old tires. Old tires can fail catastrophically without warning, possibly causing an accident. If they are 16.5 rims (likely) be aware its very possible no one in town will have the tires in stock, they will be special order. Options are to order (be sure to get 7 so you have a spare) or switch wheels to 16".
-$4800 is way too much in my opinion unless it is rock solid, runs good, never leaked, with 1 year old 16" tires. No one will loan on that rig, so cash talks.
I love old RV's, so I hope you pull it off and good luck!

Matt_Colie wrote:


I am afraid that I completely disagree with GritDog. Asking questions is the correct thing to do.

Matt

Don't twist what I said.
I didn't say asking questions was bad. I said if you have to ask those questions, its not a good RV for you.

Kaelyn,

I am afraid that I completely disagree with GritDog. Asking questions is the correct thing to do. Here and the other RV boards is a great place to ask them.

Some mentioned evidence of water leakage and there is a good reason. Most coaches of this period have a light wood frame to which they staple the aluminum sheet. If any water gets in, that frame goes away. Even if a water leak gets repaired, the damage may have been done. Get a friend to go with you and look at it.

This is not to say that if it does not have visible water you will not have issues to deal with, any thing and everything can have problems.

If you have the drive and are a capable technician or willing to learn, there can be lots of great deals to be had.

Matt

Sorry, but if you have to ask, this is not the RV for you.
For a multitude of reasons.

Michelle.S wrote:
Make a counter offer, tell the owner for a few hundred you'll get off his hands and out of his driveway. It could be a great winter project if you have a space to put it inside to work on it.

I agree. It's overpriced. BUT, . . . . a winter project, . . . . NO! . . . . IMO, it will be several winters. (springs, summers, falls too)

Chum lee

Make a counter offer, tell the owner for a few hundred you'll get off his hands and out of his driveway. It could be a great winter project if you have a space to put it inside to work on it.

I owned a 1988 Damon Class C. I will tell you that finding any RV that old without some form of water damage is very difficult. Any water damage is a royal pain to find and repair. You will be constantly fixing a lot of stuff. If you can't do all of the work yourself, you will be farther ahead buying something a lot newer.

It may not have water issues, but that is a TOP Concern.

As to tires, Tread depth is worse than useless. they all have date codes. When they get old, they go BOOM. If the nice new tire are old, that will cost you more than a grand out pocket.

All of the fluid and coolant will need to be flushed and the rubber lines replaced. If you do this, it is usually less than a full set of tires.

Does this guy know old coaches?? Look at the picture in the sigfile.

Matt