1995 American Eagle????????

[Mr__Coach]

Hi everyone. Just wanting an opinion on the possibility of purchasing a 1995 American Eagle 40'. Here is the low down. I've only seen pictures of this unit so haven't physically seen nor touched it yet. I've talked extensively to the owner (he likes to talk) and here is what he's telling me on this unit. It has 90000 miles on it, cummins engine, 6 speed Allison tranny, runs great, says he noticed a small hairline crack on the exhaust says it's not leaking but it looks as though it's cracked. He says it has some fiberglass cracks in the back that should be looked at. I don't know how big they are but he claims you couldn't fit a sheet of paper in them, he doesnt' seem to think it's an issue other than maybe caulking them up a bit to keep water out. He's owned the coach for 3 years now and purchased it as kind of a fixer upper. He said it was sitting with water in it and if froze, so he replaced water lines, water heater (not an rv water heater, electric only) says there are no problems now. He's replaced the fridge with a standard residential fridge so there too electric only.. Other than those items it's in mint condition so he says. So I'm wondering what these American eagle coaches were like are they of good quality? I am a mechanic so as far as servicing and working on it I would do all the work myself. I want it for traveling mostly and that's why I'm not huge on it not having a slide, you lose room with the slide in while traveling. Anyways any thoughts would be appreciated. I could pick this unit up for under $20000. Is it worth it????? That's the question of the century right?? What are some issues to be concerned about on these Eagles?? Thanks everyone..

[John_Joey]

A good name at a good price is why it sold so fast. Don't be too bummed out, might have been a lemon. 20 years is a long time on an RV if it was abused during any of that time.

[Mr__Coach]

Called the guy today to set up a time to take a look at this coach and turns out he sold it.. BUMMER.. I was really looking forward to looking at this unit. Oh well, I'm sure I'll find something out there even better..

[RFCN2]

Sitting with water in the inside that froze would get my attention. I would keep looking. Water sitting on the floor likely has damaged it. But, American coaches are very good ones. Ones that have not been soaked with water for an extended time.

[Mr__Coach]

Thanks everyone for your responses to my questions.. I guess it's going to come down to having to go look at it. That's the only way of determining if this is a good rig or not. I'll just have to make a trip and get it done. Maybe I'll offer him $18000 cash?? OH, and what I mean by there is more room with the slide in while traveling is there are no walls in the way with a non-slide unit. I would prefer a slide but oh well.. I love these types of RV's as I used to drive motor coach buses and this is as close to driving one as I'll probably ever do again. Heavy frame great engine and chassis.

[wolfe10]

bigdisplay wrote:

A slide in while travelling is the same as a no slide unit is while sitting!!!

Must be some kind of new math.

An 18" deep slide while traveling will intrude into the interior 18" MORE than a no slide coach. 24"....24" intrusion.

[ferndaleflyer]

I am just about to the point where I will have to take a slide I don't want just to get something newer----I don't need or want one. I don't know where these $10-20,000 for repairs comes from---Gets that bad it time for it to go. You can replace a Cummins diesel motor for less than that.....Its a 1995 not a 2015 and you can't buy a good used pick up for $20,000. BUT----go look and drive it.

[bigdisplay]

Mr. Coach wrote:
Hi everyone. Just wanting an opinion on the possibility of purchasing a 1995 American Eagle 40'. Here is the low down. I've only seen pictures of this unit so haven't physically seen nor touched it yet. I've talked extensively to the owner (he likes to talk) and here is what he's telling me on this unit. It has 90000 miles on it, cummins engine, 6 speed Allison tranny, runs great, says he noticed a small hairline crack on the exhaust says it's not leaking but it looks as though it's cracked. He says it has some fiberglass cracks in the back that should be looked at. I don't know how big they are but he claims you couldn't fit a sheet of paper in them, he doesnt' seem to think it's an issue other than maybe caulking them up a bit to keep water out. He's owned the coach for 3 years now and purchased it as kind of a fixer upper. He said it was sitting with water in it and if froze, so he replaced water lines, water heater (not an rv water heater, electric only) says there are no problems now. He's replaced the fridge with a standard residential fridge so there too electric only.. Other than those items it's in mint condition so he says. So I'm wondering what these American eagle coaches were like are they of good quality? I am a mechanic so as far as servicing and working on it I would do all the work myself. I want it for traveling mostly and that's why I'm not huge on it not having a slide, you lose room with the slide in while traveling. Anyways any thoughts would be appreciated. I could pick this unit up for under $20000. Is it worth it????? That's the question of the century right?? What are some issues to be concerned about on these Eagles?? Thanks everyone..

A slide in while travelling is the same as a no slide unit is while sitting!!!

[Gannet]

American Eagle is a very good line, one of the best. Is it worth $20k? Hard to say. I would only say that repairs get expensive in a hurry on units like this even if you are a mechanic, so just be sure of what all it needs so far as you can. Typically one would budget another $10-20k after purchase for something like this.

[ferndaleflyer]

I have coveted an Eagle for awhile now---sooner or later I will have one. Those are nice units, period.

[Blaster_Man]

New Eagles go for north of $600k.

[John_Joey]

That's an excellent list that rgatijnet1 wrote up. Makes you realize that just because it's a DP doesn't mean it will go forever. Too his list I will also add rust. So many of these rigs are used to winter near salt water. Those frozen pipes may mean that someone came back from down south a little too soon.


I've never owned an American Eagle, but have ran into a few that have. They all seemed to love them.

[rgatijnet1]

Since you are a mechanic, you know how hard it is to judge a vehicle sight unseen.
The price is about right for an AVERAGE condition 1995 American Eagle according to nadaguides.com.
Things not mentioned are the tires, which could add $3500, batteries $1000, engine radiator $7000, condition of the AC units, furnace, appliances, TV's(old analog or more modern digital), furniture, mattresses, water pump, etc.
On the mechanical issues, the suspension has 90,000 miles so what is the condition of the shocks, and other chassis components? What about the generator? Condition of any awnings? Exterior paint?
Any water damage that has destroyed the wood floor structure? Dual pane windows that are fogged? Roof leaks and stained ceilings or possibly roof structure damaged?
He bought it as a fixer upper meaning that it needed some work. What all has he done and does he have receipts for the work? Did he ever use it on the road?
These are just a few items that you need to be aware of. It may be a great deal but it also may be a money pit. Items like cracks in the fiberglass do not repair themselves and they only get worse. Repair of the cracks and painting can get expensive.
Since he is asking about the average retail for this coach, you need to remember that any work and money that you pour in to it will not be able to be recouped if you sell it later. You need to go look at it, examine everything, and let your wallet be your guide.

[Rickieblue]

All signs point to a Spartan chassis which is preferred over the Freightliner chassis. I believe this uses a Cummins C series engine with the Allison MD3060 and both are bullet proof. The engine will go 400,000 miles with no issues. This should give you a start on determining if you want this unit.