12-13k Budget For Motorhome

[jerem0621]

DW and I are about convinced that we want a motorhome. Here is our plan, however, I wanted to consult with the experts first because I understand that plans vs reality are often two different things. So we want to plan for reality.

We own our TT, Dually, and Golf Cart outright. After we sell out the Truck, Trailer, and Cart, along with some savings, we are going to have a budget of about 12-13k for a coach.

I know that we will not be able to get a coach with a slide or a DP, but I would like to know if it reasonable to get a good 30 plus ft gasser for 7-10k and put an additional 2-3k in the coach to get it up to speed (tires, tune up, etc.) Looking at local prices I seems the year range we will be looking at is 1990-2000 depending on condition (seems condition drives the price more than the year)

Is this an unreasonable expectation and budget? Can I get amenities like auto leveling in this year range? We want a Queen walk around bed, split bath, dinnette and couch, a chair or two would also be nice. Any other caveat's recommendations? Any particular brand? ETC..

I will be replacing my DD with a vehicle that can be a toad, but that is a different conversation.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[ThorResidencyNe]

If you look hard enough you can definitely find one. I paid 10K for my 1997 37' MH with a 460, 2 slide outs, full jacks, and only 34k miles. My RV looked brand new inside and everything inside worked. The tires are about 5 years old which is within the "7 year" age limit. I also found better deals on craigslist.

Just be diligent and patient in your search.

[mena661]

bluebirdPT36 wrote:
I find it interesting that when anyone mentions buying an RV for under $15-20 thousand there will be some who say it will just be problems and a money pit.

I'm not surprised at all. Right here on the forums are plenty of people who have bought an old RV to save some cash and spent way more than they wanted to spend (ie money they didn't have...their whole reason for buying an old RV was cause they DIDN'T have the money). The people buying $150k-$200k money pits (just from reading here anyways) seem to have the means to fix their rigs issues.

[doxiemom11]

There are good motorhomes out there in your price range. We used craigslist to search in our state, and also did searches for dealers in our state and looked online at their used inventory. If you are willing to do some cleanup, maybe small repairs, you can find what you need.

[topflite51]

bluebirdPT36 wrote:
I find it interesting that when anyone mentions buying an RV for under $15-20 thousand there will be some who say it will just be problems and a money pit.

Yet when someone buys a $150-200 thousand RV that in most if not all cases, in the first two years, will cost from $25-40 thousand in depreciation, insurance, and interest if financed, many congratulate them on their purchase.

Isn't that the truth. Must be the misery loves company club.:b

[sundance_8]

bluebirdPT36 wrote:
I find it interesting that when anyone mentions buying an RV for under $15-20 thousand there will be some who say it will just be problems and a money pit.

Yet when someone buys a $150-200 thousand RV that in most if not all cases, in the first two years, will cost from $25-40 thousand in depreciation, insurance, and interest if financed, many congratulate them on their purchase.

;)Great point. Just don't discourage the new purchaser because they keep the 'used motorhome' pool full.

[bluebirdPT36]

I find it interesting that when anyone mentions buying an RV for under $15-20 thousand there will be some who say it will just be problems and a money pit.

Yet when someone buys a $150-200 thousand RV that in most if not all cases, in the first two years, will cost from $25-40 thousand in depreciation, insurance, and interest if financed, many congratulate them on their purchase.

[mena661]

Class A's in that price range are out there. They will not be problem-free and may cost more than your fix up budget but they are definitely out there.

[TechWriter]

soren wrote:

TechWriter wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:

Is this an unreasonable expectation and budget?

Unreasonable? Yes, I think so.

Out of curiosity I checked several used motorhome sites for <$10K Class As. Two of the sites came up with none, but there was more than 20 listed on other site. The latest year in this price range was 1997.


You could end up with a money pit.

I generally find that there is a massive difference between glossy commercial websites, and the hundreds of local Craiglists in this country. . . .When it comes to really inexpensive coaches, IMHO, I wouldn't even waste time looking at national websites. The finds will be in the local CL and other sources, and the owners will be the ones who just want to see it gone. They may have aged out of the hobby, lost a spouse, or whatever, but they just want to see an empty yard, not the MH that they don 't want or need anymore.

Yes, Craiglists will broaden your search results and may get you more "finds" but I think you'll also get a lot of "whatevers" that may just be junk.

Caveat emptor.

[ddndoug]

You can do it... you will jsut have to be patient while you are looking and not rush into anything. My suggestion is to have a friend who is will to help you check them out when you look at them, remember four eyes are better than two and a neutral party can point out flaws that you may be overlooking.


Doug

[topflite51]

TechWriter wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:
I would like to know if it reasonable to get a good 30 plus ft gasser for 7-10k and put an additional 2-3k in the coach to get it up to speed (tires, tune up, etc.) Looking at local prices it seems the year range we will be looking at is 1990-2000 depending on condition (seems condition drives the price more than the year)

Is this an unreasonable expectation and budget?

Unreasonable? Yes, I think so.

Out of curiosity I checked several used motorhome sites for <$10K Class As. Two of the sites came up with none, but there was more than 20 listed on other site. The latest year in this price range was 1997.

So there are Class As out there in your price range, but $2-3K in additional maintenance seems low. Very low even if you do your own work. Besides the engine & tires, what about the other stuff in an almost 20-year-old motorhome? Air conditioner(s)? Fridge? Batteries? Water heater? etc etc

You could end up with a money pit.

You could very easily spend 30K and end up with a worse money pit. Money pits come in all shapes, sizes and prices. If one uses due diligence in their search for an RV, one can generally find a good deal, they are out there.

[bsinmich]

Newmar was the first manufacturer that came out with production slides in 1990 so you stand a chance of getting a slide that way as well as a well constructed MH.

[soren]

TechWriter wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:

Is this an unreasonable expectation and budget?

Unreasonable? Yes, I think so.

Out of curiosity I checked several used motorhome sites for <$10K Class As. Two of the sites came up with none, but there was more than 20 listed on other site. The latest year in this price range was 1997.


You could end up with a money pit.

The big issue with your search is that there are two separate paths involved here. I generally find that there is a massive difference between glossy commercial websites, and the hundreds of local Craiglists in this country. In our search we have seen examples of the same year and model motorhome being offered by a big dealer (on line)and a local owner. It's not unusual to see the private owner offering a much better coach for 25-40% less, and making it quite clear that they REALLY need to sell. When it comes to really inexpensive coaches, IMHO, I wouldn't even waste time looking at national websites. The finds will be in the local CL and other sources, and the owners will be the ones who just want to see it gone. They may have aged out of the hobby, lost a spouse, or whatever, but they just want to see an empty yard, not the MH that they don 't want or need anymore.

[DailyDriver]

You mentioned getting a vehicle to tow. Be aware that rigging up to tow: towbar, baseplate, safety cables, wiring, supplemental brake system, labor to install everything, etc., will run in the neighborhod of $2-3k (depending on equipment chosen).

If you are handy and can do all wiring and installation of equipment, obtain used equipment on eBay or CraigsList, you can save probably over $1k easily.

[northmeck0255]

Look at www.buybuybluebird.com