My wife and I are researching our first RV purchase. We are debating between Class A's and Class C's. After reading the other thread about this topic "Let's beat this horse again", I like the idea of buying an older DP that might be higher quality than new rigs. The downside seems to be updating to newer technology and updating the decor. We'd also like to have our kids families join us now and again, and the newer Type C's and smaller A's seem to be better suited for this.Searching our local area, I see two interesting sales: a 1999 American Eagle 40 and 2001 Holiday Rambler 40ft. Both low miles and garage kept. Both say they have recent maintenance. Both selling for about book value.* What are your thoughts about the quality of these? Is one manufacturer known to be better than the other? * We want to primarily visit state/national parks and boon dock on both coasts. Are these too big? Practically speaking, what will the limitations be?* Where do you store these when not using them? We'll likely travel for 4-6 months then return to home base.Thanks!

floid wrote:Searching our local area, I see two interesting sales: a 1999 American Eagle 40 and 2001 Holiday Rambler 40ft. Both low miles and garage kept. Both say they have recent maintenance. Both selling for about book value.* What are your thoughts about the quality of these? Is one manufacturer known to be better than the other? Quality for a 20 year old RV isn't as important as the current condition IMHO. * We want to primarily visit state/national parks and boon dock on both coasts. Are these too big? Practically speaking, what will the limitations be?Less spaces available in state/national parks due to size. Weight and size limit boon docking.* Where do you store these when not using them? We rent year round storage. We'll likely travel for 4-6 months then return to home base.Thanks!

floid wrote: We'd also like to have our kids families join us now and again, and the newer Type C's and smaller A's seem to be better suited for this.Visiting family is fine but there is a saying: "6 for cocktails, 4 for dinner and 2 for sleeping."We survived for a week with 4 family members in Alaska. Good weather and a fantastic adventure certainly helped. Suggestion: Take the GCs and a tent while the parents get some free time.

floid wrote:We'd also like to have our kids families join us now and again, and the newer Type C's and smaller A's seem to be better suited for this.If you look at the early to mid 2000's DPs, you'll probably find a good selection which had two sofas AND a dinette. That's the floorplan we have in our gasser, which is pretty rare for a gasser. BUT...it's worked out GREAT for us and we've been using the rig since before our youngest was 1 year old. He's 17 now, and we still make it work. You might even find a bath-and-a-half model with that floorplan which would be even better. I've begun casually doing the same type of searching, even though I've got a couple of years to go before I'd make a switch from our gasser. Be patient, take your time, and find a floorplan that will work for your needs. Good Luck in your search. ~Rick

Those are two OLD motorhomes...but with a chassis and house inspection might be a good deal. Any maintenance records?

That Eagle has the most sleeping room with the 2 couch’s up front. Hard to beat if the price is right.

Advice and experience with older DP Class A's | Good Sam Community

TANDDANDBIGE
Explorer
Feb 17, 2021
cbr46 wrote:
TANDDANDBIGE wrote:
Our 2002 HR Endeavor 40 is a great coach. . . . . and the big job was replaced radiator and CAC.

Could the radiator replacement have been prevented? ie repl coolant on a schedule? What mileage? Pinhole leak?

What's a CAC?

We're picking up an 03 Endeavor on Friday . . . .

Best,
- bob

Not a coolant related failure. Aluminum radiator cracked so instead of repair I chose to replace with copper core/steel tanks unit from Radiator Supply House. CAC is charge air cooler, cools 9intake air. RSH made me one of those too. These at 71000 miles.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Feb 16, 2021
cbr46 wrote:
TANDDANDBIGE wrote:
Our 2002 HR Endeavor 40 is a great coach. . . . . and the big job was replaced radiator and CAC.

Could the radiator replacement have been prevented? ie repl coolant on a schedule? What mileage? Pinhole leak?

What's a CAC?

We're picking up an 03 Endeavor on Friday . . . .

Best,
- bob
Even if maintained replacement can will be required.

There are 5 radiators for a DP: engine, Charged Air Cooler, hydraulic, tranny and cab A/C. They are often sandwiched except the tranny may be inside the engine radiator or external. The CAC cools the hot compressed air from the turbo.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Feb 16, 2021
If you can spring for it, move up to the mid 2000`s. you will have a lot more choices and still get a good quality MH.

Otherwise just have it inspected real good. older DP`s may need some servicing and preventive maint. brakes, air bags and so on. belts hoses etc.

storing them isn't cheap and indoors or out of the elements is best.
cbr46
Explorer
Feb 16, 2021
TANDDANDBIGE wrote:
Our 2002 HR Endeavor 40 is a great coach. . . . . and the big job was replaced radiator and CAC.

Could the radiator replacement have been prevented? ie repl coolant on a schedule? What mileage? Pinhole leak?

What's a CAC?

We're picking up an 03 Endeavor on Friday . . . .

Best,
- bob
TANDDANDBIGE
Explorer
Feb 12, 2021
Our 2002 HR Endeavor 40 is a great coach. all I will say is that if you are going to buy an older coach you better be good at working on it or really deep pockets to pay someone to do so. There WILL be things that pop up, some minor and some maybe not so. since purchase in 2014 .... rebuilt the Norcold fridge cooling unit, new thermal switches on hot water tank, upgraded front TV, upgraded fan in bathroom, upgraded batteries to double house power, added basement slide, and the big job was replaced radiator and CAC.
I also do all my own maint. such as oil and filter changes lube etc.
Just FYI... I think we have most bugs worked out. Spent 6 months and 2400 miles without opening my tool box even once.
Many NEW units spend months in the shop on warranty work.
floid
Explorer
Feb 12, 2021
H & E wrote:
We shopped for about a year for our first motor home. I wanted nothing over 36'. My wife wanted a larger one. We ended up with a 2001 40' Newmar Diesel Pusher. We are in our third year and are very pleased with the coach. I Have contacted Newmar on more than one occasion for information and parts. It is great to have one that the company is still in business and supports us older coach owners. I set aside 10K for update and repairs. So far have not spent all of it. Only updates so far are new TV, carpet and recliners. I did have the coach inspected before purchase and all non functioning items were fixed. The first year I replaced tires , batteries, radiator, engine air filter and the HWH motor for the leveling system. Nothing since.

Nice - thanks! I wanted a smaller class-C for better mobility and options, but wifey is pushing us to the class-a's. We are going tomorrow to look at a 2006 40' Alpine. They are out of business, but it sounds like the owner (2nd owner) is very particular about maintenance and has every receipt since the rig was purchased new. My fear is that this will be an endless parade of little things breaking and needing repair due to the age. Plus, when we are not on the road, I'm trying to figure out where I would store something this big. There are not very good storage options anywhere near us.
H___E
Explorer
Feb 11, 2021
We shopped for about a year for our first motor home. I wanted nothing over 36'. My wife wanted a larger one. We ended up with a 2001 40' Newmar Diesel Pusher. We are in our third year and are very pleased with the coach. I Have contacted Newmar on more than one occasion for information and parts. It is great to have one that the company is still in business and supports us older coach owners. I set aside 10K for update and repairs. So far have not spent all of it. Only updates so far are new TV, carpet and recliners. I did have the coach inspected before purchase and all non functioning items were fixed. The first year I replaced tires , batteries, radiator, engine air filter and the HWH motor for the leveling system. Nothing since.
ncrowley
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2021
Most important: has the previous owner done the recommended maintenance and are there records to prove it? Recommended maintenance goes far beyond oil and filter changes.

Is there an issue with paint checking? It is an expensive problem to fix.

What is the tire age?

Do they have a list of updates that have been made?

What is the condition of the roof? Any signs of water damage?

Prefer one kept under cover.
floid
Explorer
Feb 01, 2021
Thank you for all the great feedback and advice. Both coaches have the Cummings 8.3 Liter 350 HP ISC Diesel paired with 6-speed Allison.

> Any maintenance records?

We haven't talked to the owners yet. Still in research mode.

> That Eagle has the most sleeping room with the 2 couch’s up front

It looks like the layout has been "upgraded". One of the couches has been replaced by an entertainment center. But that's an easy change to undo.

> 40 foot? You will have more space in a newer 35 foot motorhome

I think you are right after looking at some of the floor plans. But the cost savings could pay for some layout changes.

Interesting note about the suspension issues. If we go forward, I'll certainly hire a certified inspector.
ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Feb 01, 2021
Same experience, even with the 45 footer and a 26ft enclosed I was never turned away. Not once