Advice on buying USED motorhome

[pump-dump-go]

Before I read ALL these great topics, I'm trying to find some advice that I may need to purchase a good USED Class A.
I have been camping most my 57 years of life, from pup tent to 30' travel trailer.
Now, I'm looking to purchase a good USED Class A. I have been by several local RV dealers, looked on craigslist, RVtrader, and local paper ads, and I find many different models with many different options, and ofcouse, many differnet prices.
I would like to hear some feedback on some of the better models, that are still in business ofcouse.
I would also like to hear of some of the models to stay away from, maybe they are out-of-business, or just poor service from this rig.
I do not want to start a debate on "yes my rig is best" or "I would not have such-a-such model", just advice on YOUR experiences with different models.
I have read and copied a topic on what to look for when buying a used motor home and what to look for when inspecting the rig before purchase, and Thanks for that info.
Since this is my FIRST motorhome, I do not have to have all the bells and whistles, just a good motorhome with a good reputation.
Here is some of the motorhomes I have found that fit our budget,
2001 fleetwood terra 1 slide
1999 winnebago Brave NO slide
1999 fleetwood flair 1 slide
2000 coachman santara 1 slide
All of these rigs have less than 40,000 miles, and can be bought from prices as low as $14,000 - $25,000.00. Ofcouse, some of the price difference is in options, mileage, upgrades like new tires ect....
I also know that buying USED, you can get a "pig-in-a-poke", and you just have to trust the person you are buying from to give all information as truthfully as possible as for their care and maintainace for the rig.
Sorry to ramble on, all good advice is very much appreciate. 🙂

[pump-dump-go]

Thanks again for ALL of the important info/advice, and with winter approching, I fell I have plent of time (no rushing into this), since we will not be actually using the rig til next summer. I know that perfectly priced/conditioned rig is out there, I'll just have to take my time and choose wisely. Happy Motoring ALL 🙂

[pump-dump-go]

Squealers wrote:
We are on our second Class A, having bought it 2 months ago. I searched for 8 months. I knew what I wanted (much like you) and had a price point I refused to exceed. We were cash buyers and I didn't want to exceed my price point. We went to PPL, and unlike many folks here who have had good experiences there, ours was not positive. But it gave us insight on rigs, lots of rigs. We looked local, private & dealers.

Finally got a hit on RV Trader, and after many calls with the dealer (a small Texas dealer) we flew down and bought the rig. One owner (important) low mileage and late model, with an interior floor plan that we loved and it appeared never to have been used. Price point nailed, and away we went. Do your research, don't be in a hurry (my first A was a mistake, and had mechanical issues I didn't uncover which cost us buckaroos. This rig is sound and everything we need! Good luck!

p.s. This site is incredible and the people here have provided me all the education I can handle in regards to RV's. Smart move joining up!

Keith

May I ask?? What did you buy??

[pump-dump-go]

J-Rooster wrote:

pump-dump-go wrote:
Thanks for all the important information, local dealer called today with a new arrival, a 2002 Daybreak w/ 30k miles, for around $20,000.00, be on my way to check it out. Thanks again 🙂

Let us know if you liked the Daybreak!

Looked nice but I was too late, sold 2 hours before I got ther 😞

[waterboy502000]

turbojimmy wrote:

waterboy502000 wrote:
I think all of the p-30 chassis have this. Mine has not really failed but it does not hold very good. I always end up choking the wheels because I don't trust it. Just google "p-30 parking brake" and you'll see what I mean.

Which parking brake do you have? The driveshaft-mounted one or with the rear drum brakes? Mine has rear disc brakes so it has the driveshaft-mounted drum. It works well but doesn't fully engage unless the thing rolls forward or backward a few inches. It also "clunks" with the driveshaft rotation for the first hundred feet or so after I release it.

Sorry to thread jack - I'm just curious.

Driveshaft mounted.

[VinCee]

Don't under estimate the information your first reply post from Robertbenita. If you are looking to buy private, his suggestions are spot on. I can attest to that with my first class A 9 years ago. I was watching a Tiffin Allegro gaser for almost 3 months. My wife suggests I call about it finally and I did. Afterwards I told my DW that if we are going to buy a motor home, and private, that is the guy I want to buy it from. As honest and sincere sounding of a guy you'll ever meet. Week or so later we went to look at the rig. Again, due to Craig being so upfront we didn't (dumb!) start the engine, generator, fridge or anything else. We liked the rig, one large slide out, 10K miles, good name-Allegro and Craig's acting like he was losing a child. Now in our 3rd year with our Georgetown my DW still talks how well the Allegro did for us.
On another note, be very careful on your interior inspections. Many folks use their rigs "A lot" more than miles may indicate. Look for wear and tear on flooring, especially by driver and passenger seats, look around cabinet knobs and pull for wear, flooring around toilet and shower and table and counter tops. Folks like my Brolaw and wife like to use state parks with in 20-30 miles of their home. Low mileage but a lot of use. Also many who park their rigs at campgrounds for extended periods of time or for the whole season will not reflect in the miles. There isn't many companies today operating as their orginal company for the model years you're looking at. However, can't go wrong with Winnebago and they have an extensive parts look up system if needed, and Tiffin and Allegro is still Tiffin. Good Luck in your hunt, there are a lot of gems out there waiting to be found.

[Scars]

I bought our 03 Monaco from craigslist using the 'owner' category. It took a while until I found one, but the owner had all the records, history and additions. Get one with a slide, a couch big enough for you and maybe a v10 of the little bit newer models that you are looking at. Test drive it for more than around the block...good luck

[Squealers]

We are on our second Class A, having bought it 2 months ago. I searched for 8 months. I knew what I wanted (much like you) and had a price point I refused to exceed. We were cash buyers and I didn't want to exceed my price point. We went to PPL, and unlike many folks here who have had good experiences there, ours was not positive. But it gave us insight on rigs, lots of rigs. We looked local, private & dealers.

Finally got a hit on RV Trader, and after many calls with the dealer (a small Texas dealer) we flew down and bought the rig. One owner (important) low mileage and late model, with an interior floor plan that we loved and it appeared never to have been used. Price point nailed, and away we went. Do your research, don't be in a hurry (my first A was a mistake, and had mechanical issues I didn't uncover which cost us buckaroos. This rig is sound and everything we need! Good luck!

p.s. This site is incredible and the people here have provided me all the education I can handle in regards to RV's. Smart move joining up!

Keith

[ncrowley]

I would stay with the higher end motorhomes. This is the advice I got from someone that used to repair them. He recommended looking at Country Couch, Newmar and Tiffin. I ended up getting a 2004 Newmar. I have had it for 2 years and I think it is very well made, although I have had some issues. I will tell you it is VERY well insulated and the structure is sound.

[J-Rooster]

pump-dump-go wrote:
Thanks for all the important information, local dealer called today with a new arrival, a 2002 Daybreak w/ 30k miles, for around $20,000.00, be on my way to check it out. Thanks again 🙂

Let us know if you liked the Daybreak!

[pump-dump-go]

All good advice. I had read and copied a thread from JohnnyT, where he discusses many things to look at when buying a Used motorhome.

Thanks to ALL

[waterboy502000]

I would look for one with no more than two owners and complete maintenance/repair history is a must. You can get checklists of what to check or develop your own. Without the checklist you will forget something. A car fax might also be helpful. I have the 1999 Flair, 31 ft, P-30 chassis (GM), no slide or back up camera. Had it for six years with no problems what so ever. Except for one thing. The infamous parking brake. I think all of the p-30 chassis have this. Mine has not really failed but it does not hold very good. I always end up chocking the wheels because I don't trust it. Just google "p-30 parking brake" and you'll see what I mean. Hope this helps.
Thanks, Ray

[okgc]

Comment from above

Compression test on engine

Compression test on a used engine is a great idea. Except... Just keep in mind if it is an early Ford V-10 you could be buying yourself a HUGE repair bill on someone else's MH. Known spark plug thread issue so somethngs are best left alone.

[turbojimmy]

waterboy502000 wrote:
I think all of the p-30 chassis have this. Mine has not really failed but it does not hold very good. I always end up choking the wheels because I don't trust it. Just google "p-30 parking brake" and you'll see what I mean.

Which parking brake do you have? The driveshaft-mounted one or with the rear drum brakes? Mine has rear disc brakes so it has the driveshaft-mounted drum. It works well but doesn't fully engage unless the thing rolls forward or backward a few inches. It also "clunks" with the driveshaft rotation for the first hundred feet or so after I release it.

Sorry to thread jack - I'm just curious.

[waterboy502000]

I would look for one with no more than two owners and complete maintenance/repair history is a must. You can get checklists of what to check or develop your own. Without the checklist you will forget something. A car fax might also be helpful. I have the 1999 Flair, 31 ft, P-30 chassis (GM), no slide or back up camera. Had it for six years with no problems what so ever. Except for one thing. The infamous parking brake. I think all of the p-30 chassis have this. Mine has not really failed but it does not hold very good. I always end up choking the wheels because I don't trust it. Just google "p-30 parking brake" and you'll see what I mean.

Hope this helps.


Thanks, Ray