Buy 1-2 year old rental unit or private?

[Bluesconnector]

My partner and I have become serious road trippers- nearly 28,000 miles in the last sixteen months with over 17,000 miles(80+nights sleeping in it) towing our basic Teardrop trailer with my Toyota Corolla that now has over 245,000 miles on it. It's been fun and interesting but time to seriously look at another way of travelling. We're looking at travelling six months and around 15-25k a year during all four seasons. We have ruled out Class A's and aren't that interested in Class B's or having to buy both a travel trailer and fairly new 4x4 truck to tow it with. We have found a very reputable new, used and rental RV business that sells its rental Coachmen Freelander RV's after 1-2 years that vary from around 16-34k miles. They offer the EasyCare RV extended warranty which we feel is critical for us with the amount of miles we will be travelling. Anyone have any experience with buying a fairly new RV this way? If we end up buying from a private owner for cash, it would have to be one that's much older with likely much higher mileage. We were distressed to read that some Ford RV engines and transmissions have to be replaced between 50,000-70,000 miles! Wondering about the Ford v10-6.8 liter on a 350 or 450 chassis. We would also be towing my current car or a fairly new one to be purchased in the near future. Appreciate any advice and feedback!
Thank You!

[bigcitypopo]

ya, we looked hard... it just a hard number to swallow for a fixed income semi-retired woman. this unit had 30hrs on the genny.

here is the rig: Click right hee-a

[Bordercollie]

Talk to others who have bought ex-rentals from the rental company if you can get their phone numbers. Ask about ease of getting fixes immediately after sale and getting fixes under warranty. Warranties are usually full of loopholes and requirements for keeping good records of periodic inspections and services.
It may be that buying a new rig is only slightly more expensive overall than buying newish used or rental rigs. Read over recent threads on this forum about buying used rigs.

[IAMICHABOD]

bigcitypopo wrote:
i just got my mom a 2014 USED Coachman Freelander, 26 footer with a slide, E450 Chassis with the V10. solid unit... it had 20k on it. Got to get NEW financing rates because we bought it in 2014, it was actually built in oct 2013... she paid 38 for it....

RoadBear RV... only puts about 25k on them and then sells them... very nice coach.

Wow you must really like those Ex Rentals.Isn't this the second one you have bought for your mom?
That would be a great story to share on the Buying a Rental Thread!

[OFDPOS]

Mich F wrote:

bigcitypopo wrote:
i just got my mom a 2014 USED Coachman Freelander, 26 footer with a slide, E450 Chassis with the V10. solid unit... it had 20k on it. Got to get NEW financing rates because we bought it in 2014, it was actually built in oct 2013... she paid 38 for it....

RoadBear RV... only puts about 25k on them and then sells them... very nice coach.

Sounds like a good deal, considering their Road Bear web site says they're on E350s and start at $53,499

I was thinking the samething ! Sounds more like a great deal !

I know most can't get out of paying taxes, so some quote the initial price without all the fees. A great sounding deal soon starts sounding like a deal but for who 😉

[Mich_F]

bigcitypopo wrote:
i just got my mom a 2014 USED Coachman Freelander, 26 footer with a slide, E450 Chassis with the V10. solid unit... it had 20k on it. Got to get NEW financing rates because we bought it in 2014, it was actually built in oct 2013... she paid 38 for it....

RoadBear RV... only puts about 25k on them and then sells them... very nice coach.

Sounds like a good deal, considering their Road Bear web site says they're on E350s and start at $53,499

[Mich_F]

IAMICHABOD wrote:

Mich F wrote:

IAMICHABOD wrote:


I do not know where you got the information about Ford RV engines and transmissions that have to be replaced between 50,000-70,000 miles.It seems to be baseless or ones that were poorly maintained.

Did someone else post under your screen name ? :B

WHAT? WHAT? I resent that implication...... I would never say bad things about a Ford........without proper documentation :B

You do love your Chevy. :B

[IAMICHABOD]

Mich F wrote:

IAMICHABOD wrote:


I do not know where you got the information about Ford RV engines and transmissions that have to be replaced between 50,000-70,000 miles.It seems to be baseless or ones that were poorly maintained.

Did someone else post under your screen name ? :B

WHAT? WHAT? I resent that implication...... I would never say bad things about a Ford........without proper documentation :B

[bigcitypopo]

i just got my mom a 2014 USED Coachman Freelander, 26 footer with a slide, E450 Chassis with the V10. solid unit... it had 20k on it. Got to get NEW financing rates because we bought it in 2014, it was actually built in oct 2013... she paid 38 for it....

RoadBear RV... only puts about 25k on them and then sells them... very nice coach.

[Mich_F]

IAMICHABOD wrote:


I do not know where you got the information about Ford RV engines and transmissions that have to be replaced between 50,000-70,000 miles.It seems to be baseless or ones that were poorly maintained.

Did someone else post under your screen name ? :B

[IAMICHABOD]

Your Idea of buying a Ex Rental is a sound one,especially the one that you describe with low mileage. Rental units will most likely come with a service record,they have to be maintained to keep them on the road and profitable. There are a few that have bought low mileage Ex Rentals in the link in My signature ,all happy campers.

With private parties you will not have these records most times.

I do not know where you got the information about Ford RV engines and transmissions that have to be replaced between 50,000-70,000 miles.It seems to be baseless or ones that were poorly maintained.

Rental fleets like Cruise America sell their units with 130000 miles or more, all on Ford Chassis, and they seem to have no problem going well beyond 200000 miles or more.

As for the EasyCare RV extended warranty,put that money away for future repairs if needed. They are just a money maker for the dealer and are just an insurance policy that has a lot of small print and exceptions they are never a good deal. After all they are in the business of making money,not losing it.

[winnietrey]

You do know you can get a bank loan for a private party sale right?
Problem will be finding one that is newer, in great shape and low miles that the owners are not under water on and asking to much
New RV you should get about 20% off sticker according to most folks.
Rentals usually don't come with some things you might like, a slide for instance. Others don't want a slide.
Extended warranties many folks are against.

Some folks like to tow others don't
Some like smaller C's, some larger

Sounds like you are really going to give it a lot of use. I think you should maybe, be less concerned with 5 or 10K either way and get what you both will really enjoy Given how much of your time you will be spending in it

I think some more research and figuring out what you want good be a good choice.

One good idea is to rent 2 or 3 different one's to help with your decision making process

Some will say the drive train is good for 300K, some of us are a little more conservative and would say 150K plus. But certainly not 50 to 70k (I suspect you maybe reading, about the problem with the older V-10's to throw a spark plug at that mileage) That problem has been corrected in the post 2005 ish models

[Fastpaddler]

I am very leery about buying a used RV from a private owner. Why? Private owners either forget to tell you what is wrong with the vehicle, don't know beans about it's condition, don't care, or simply lie. You should always, in any case, get a full vehicle history and Carfax report. The problem with buying an ex-lease is not usually the condition as they are properly serviced IF with a big company(be leery of small outfits). The problem I noted when considering an ex-rental was that the units they buy have a standard list of features ie some do not have an awning--a dead giveaway usually for an ex-rental and some have NO generator if that is a priority. Interiors can be cheaper quality too but not always. Mileage on a diesel engine is not a big deal but with gas engines too, servicing is important. In sum: a private sale can be good but usually isn't a good deal price wise and with ex-rentals you need all the facts on their history as well. I am on my 3rd RV and I know from experience what can happen to unsuspecting trusting souls!!

AL

[Gale_Hawkins]

Bluesconnector there is no right or wrong answer to your question. MH's are wild cards at best. Sadly many private owners are in love with their purchase price wise and they can not be touched price wise.

Rental units can be good or bad. They should have service records and tend to be basis in features meaning less to go wrong if the purchase turns out to be long term.

We bought 15 years old at 91K miles but the 10 year owner was a motivated seller after losing his wife to cancer and was starting his own round with chemo in two weeks we learned after we agreed to his printed take it or leave it price.

Newer the better. If I were to do it over again I would jump on a new like rental that was not abused/wrecked so I had min retirement capital tied up in a depreciating toy. There are many factors to consider but being an RV owner you already know that. Best of luck which ever way you go.

The V-10's or V-8's would be ok in a general sense as far as I would be concerned. Any chassis will be OK but the house part can make/break long term satisfaction.