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Buying a Former Rental Class C. How many of us out there?

IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Explorer II
While researching these pages for my next Motor Home I saw a few threads discussing Rentals, most were Pros and Cons but very few posts from people who had purchased one.

I thought it may be a good resource and helpful to hear from these people. The good, the bad, what they liked and what they didnโ€™t. Also if they had any problems, things they changed, if they would recommend this to others or do it again.

Here is my story: I am not a novice, having owned a Class A for more than 15 years and doing the camping thing with my wife and two daughters, I can say โ€œbeen there done thatโ€ But life changes, and I sold everything so I have been away from this for several years. Starting over I lurked here for a while and got a lot of good insight then went looking.

My criteria was: A Class C within by budget, less than 30 feet so I can keep it at home, saving storage $, a rear bed, and a lot of storage space.

What fit that was Winnebago, Fleetwood and a few others, what I found mostly was Jamboree / Tioga 26Q. In the year models 2002 thru 2006. I did my home work looking at NADA and other sites to find the fair prices for the models that I was looking for.

After several months of searching the internet, Craigslist, private ads and Dealerships for a Class C that suited my budget and needs, this is what I found. Of the dozen or so I inquired about.Most were upsidedown in their payments, owing more than they were worth. All were on Ford Chassis, 7 needed tires, all had the original 7 to 10 year old tires, and they all needed repair of the awning and most needed some work inside or out and the maintenance records were sketchy, but most had low mileage. The Dealerships offerings were better but they had a profit margin to maintain so I got older models within my budget or huge up sales that didnโ€™t work for me.

My next step was looking at the rental market for sales. In my area there are 2 large companies that have rental sales, Cruise America and El Monte RV,who also sell Class A RVs.

First up was El Monte RV Their units are production RVs that are made by major manufactures, with TV antennas and hookups inside and out, Ducted A/C and heat, 2 house batteries, a rear ladder and parts are readily available from those manufactureโ€™s. I looked at their web site and it detailed their warranty and what was checked and serviced by their factory trained technicians. The unit I looked at was like new inside, the upholstery on all the seats was new as was the floor mat in the driverโ€™s area, it had a new mattress, still in plastic and a new bedspread. All of the curtains were new also. Newer (2010 mfg date) tires with 98% rubber and the mileage was ninety thousand (90,000).

Then there was Cruise America: Their units that I looked at seemed to be Spartan,no TV antenna or hookups for one,non-ducted A/C,small counter space and only one battery, no rear ladder for inspection and maintenance of roof and built just for them, they were all โ€œrefreshedโ€ their words not mine. They offered extended warranties at a huge cost. All had high mileage, one hundred and thirty thousand (130,000) or more and the price range seemed a little high. The sales staff had a take it or leave it attitude and were not very forthcoming when asked about maintenance records and service,they claim to have proprietary info in those records,It doesn't seem to be a problem for El Monte RV.

At El Monte RV I took a test ride; This Unit was a 2006 Tioga 26Q on a Chevrolet Chassis it rode
Drove and handled much better than the Fords that I had driven. It also had more leg room and was quieter. We got back and I asked about the service and maintenance on it, the salesman, Joey, handed me a 28 page single spaced document asked if I wanted some coffee or something to drink and said โ€œread this and if you have any questions I will answer themโ€.

It detailed everything that was done before and after each rental, the mileage, generator hours and hours billed. Each time it was washed and detailed inside and outside, all fluids were checked and replenished if needed, the holding tanks were washed, LP system was checked for leaks, all torque on wheel lugs were checked, brakes front and rear checked for wear and cracks, pressure in tires, all appliances, generator oil, lights inside and outside, the list goes on and on.

It also listed all oil changes,coolant change,trans service,fuel injector service and cleaning,fuel filters,air filter, new brakes, all repairs and replacements all with date, mileage and time spent in complete detail from day one to when it was pulled from the rental fleet and was refurbished. I have a complete service record on this vehicle.Also the service records on the Onan Generator,all oil changes,air filter and spark plug replacement with hours and date. I negotiated a good deal with them and am very happy with my purchase.

It came with a 1 yr. 12000 mile power train warranty and 30 day on all appliances. It also came with a 28 page maintenance record that detailed everything. Also the original sales packet from Fleetwood with the manual and serial numbers on all appliances,refrigerator, microwave,furnace, AC, water heater, etc. and the manual for the Chassis. I have had no problems with it so far.

(ON EDIT) 5 Years and close to 14000 miles.Just Scheduled Maintenance and new tires,old ones were at the 5 year mark and I wanted new Michelin LTX M/S2s.

There were a few things that it didnโ€™t have as it was a rental and the ones from private parties did have.
โ€ข Power steps, outside Stereo/CD donโ€™t need or want them.
โ€ข An Awning, this I wanted and had installed. A Swivel Seat and a new Window in The Door that I installed.
โ€ข Wheel Simulators, I like the looks so I had them installed and at the same time had Tire Man valve stem kit put on.
โ€ข Replaced the Chinese WFCO with a US Made converter/charger
โ€ข It came with mini blinds and not the day/night that most have, these are more practical and have a lot less failure.
  • It also came with Stainless Steel sinks,easier to maintain than the cheap plastic ones that come in the noncommercial units.

I am very happy with my Rig, it suites my needs and it was in my Budget range, I think I got a good deal.

So if you bought a rental please share your experience here for others to use as a resource.
Or if there are any other questions that have not been covered in these pages, just ask, there are many helpful people on this thread.
2006 TIOGA 26Q CHEVY 6.0 WORKHORSE VORTEC
Former El Monte RV Rental
Retired Teamster Local 692
Buying A Rental Class C
1,715 REPLIES 1,715

Mocoondo
Explorer II
Explorer II
IAMICHABOD wrote:
Just in case CA doesn't give you one Here is the owners Manual for a Majestic.

On page 17 there is the vehicle specifications that may be helpful,I was very surprised to see that the 23A GVWR is only 11500 lbs while most RVs that are built on a Ford Chassis are on a 14050 or larger GVWR chassis,this will cut greatly into your Cargo Carrying Capacity.


You have to check the specific vehicle. Chassis changes occur every year and the changes end up appearing in a mid-year manufacturing run. The only way to know GVWR for certain is to check the placard on the door. Many 23A units are greater than 11.5K.

IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Explorer II
Just in case CA doesn't give you one Here is the owners Manual for a Majestic.

On page 17 there is the vehicle specifications that may be helpful,I was very surprised to see that the 23A GVWR is only 11500 lbs while most RVs that are built on a Ford Chassis are on a 14050 or larger GVWR chassis,this will cut greatly into your Cargo Carrying Capacity.
2006 TIOGA 26Q CHEVY 6.0 WORKHORSE VORTEC
Former El Monte RV Rental
Retired Teamster Local 692
Buying A Rental Class C

Mocoondo
Explorer II
Explorer II
bghouse wrote:
The Thor manual states:
"The Thor Motor Coach Motor Home WEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS yellow label
concisely states the occupant and cargo carrying capacity of your motor home ( per the
requirements of 49 CFR part 571.120 as issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration - NHTSA).
The yellow MOTOR HOME OCCUPANT AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY weight
label is affixed to the interior side of the forward-most door of your motor home on the
passenger side This label indicated how much weight you can safely carry within the
vehicle and is affixed to the entrance door, directly below the window screen for Class
A units and on the front door jamb for Class C units.

Your motor home includes a "Weight Information Label."
This label provides specific weight information for your motor
home as a guideline so that you can determine the load carrying
capabilities.The total weight of passengers, cargo, trailer tongue weight, and water should neverexceed the value shown on the label."

I heard back from the sales department at Cruise America, and they got the information from the yellow sticker that stated this:

MOTOR HOME OCCUPANT AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY

VIN# [removed]

THE COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCUPANTS AND CARGO SHOULD NEVER EXCEED:

1354 kg or 2986 lbs.

Safety belt equipped seating capacity: 7

Caution:

A full load of water equals 176 kg or 382 lbs. of cargo @ 1kg/L (8.3 lb./gal) and the tongue weight of a towed trailer counts as cargo

(Serial # [removed])

I'm not denying that weighing the vehicle will be needed - it definitely will be. But this information along my other weights allows me to do some pre-planning in my spreadsheets while I'm thinking about all the things I WANT to take.

I don't have a "home base" - so I really don't want to think I'm gonna take a ton of stuff, get out on the road, weight myself and go "****, now what". I'm much more a plan ahead kind of gal ๐Ÿ™‚


With that information, 12,500-2,986=9,514. As such, you can assume a curb weight in the neighborhood of 9,500#, but I know for a fact these vehicles get fat as they age, so that will dip into your payload some.

bghouse
Explorer
Explorer
The Thor manual states:
"The Thor Motor Coach Motor Home WEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS yellow label
concisely states the occupant and cargo carrying capacity of your motor home ( per the
requirements of 49 CFR part 571.120 as issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration - NHTSA).
The yellow MOTOR HOME OCCUPANT AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY weight
label is affixed to the interior side of the forward-most door of your motor home on the
passenger side This label indicated how much weight you can safely carry within the
vehicle and is affixed to the entrance door, directly below the window screen for Class
A units and on the front door jamb for Class C units.

Your motor home includes a "Weight Information Label."
This label provides specific weight information for your motor
home as a guideline so that you can determine the load carrying
capabilities.The total weight of passengers, cargo, trailer tongue weight, and water should neverexceed the value shown on the label."

I heard back from the sales department at Cruise America, and they got the information from the yellow sticker that stated this:

MOTOR HOME OCCUPANT AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY

VIN# [removed]

THE COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCUPANTS AND CARGO SHOULD NEVER EXCEED:

1354 kg or 2986 lbs.

Safety belt equipped seating capacity: 7

Caution:

A full load of water equals 176 kg or 382 lbs. of cargo @ 1kg/L (8.3 lb./gal) and the tongue weight of a towed trailer counts as cargo

(Serial # [removed])

I'm not denying that weighing the vehicle will be needed - it definitely will be. But this information along my other weights allows me to do some pre-planning in my spreadsheets while I'm thinking about all the things I WANT to take.

I don't have a "home base" - so I really don't want to think I'm gonna take a ton of stuff, get out on the road, weight myself and go "****, now what". I'm much more a plan ahead kind of gal ๐Ÿ™‚

IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Explorer II
While I may not be of help, there are a few others on the thread that have a 23A,maybe PM them for the info.
Mike Breeze

Jbrowland

Clabe

I have found the other members very helpful.
Good Luck
2006 TIOGA 26Q CHEVY 6.0 WORKHORSE VORTEC
Former El Monte RV Rental
Retired Teamster Local 692
Buying A Rental Class C

Mocoondo
Explorer II
Explorer II
bghouse wrote:
Need some help from anyone with the Cruise America 23A. I forgot to take a picture of the sticker on the drivers door and being about 4 hours drive away and across the border I can't pop back over easily ๐Ÿ™‚

I'm trying to find the Unladen Vehicle Weight (UVW) for the 23A so that I can calculate my cargo carrying capacity. In another forum the mentioned that this is supposed to be printed on the sticker on the door. Since all the CA units are essentially the same, this should get me close.


Unladen, or as we call it in the USA "curb weight" is found by weighing the vehicle. Any other number would be irrelevant as the vehicle ages. New roof, removal/change of equipment, etc. would change the curb weight over the life of the unit. When you subtract your actual curb weight from GVWR, you will have your payload.

bghouse
Explorer
Explorer
Need some help from anyone with the Cruise America 23A. I forgot to take a picture of the sticker on the drivers door and being about 4 hours drive away and across the border I can't pop back over easily ๐Ÿ™‚

I'm trying to find the Unladen Vehicle Weight (UVW) for the 23A so that I can calculate my cargo carrying capacity. In another forum the mentioned that this is supposed to be printed on the sticker on the door. Since all the CA units are essentially the same, this should get me close.

Tried emailing the sales department (my phone is losing signal again) but not sure when I'll hear back. So thought I'd check here ๐Ÿ™‚

bghouse
Explorer
Explorer
510dogmom wrote:
:B
Just completed my maiden voyage with my 2012 CA 23a. It was fantastic!

Had a blast and very happy with my CA 23a!


Congratulations! I was just at CA this last weekend to check out the units. Definitely decided to go this direction, now just need to get everything in place.

Now I just need to figure out what to do about roadside assistance, warranties, etc. ๐Ÿ™‚

510dogmom
Explorer
Explorer
Snowman9000 wrote:
I hope your battery isn't truly dead. Was it new from the sale?


VERY dead. I ran it down by accident when I had the water pump on for three days...then again overnight during the trip. No, it wasn't new from the sale, but a working one from their fleet.

Snowman9000
Explorer
Explorer
I hope your battery isn't truly dead. Was it new from the sale?
Currently RV-less but not done yet.

510dogmom
Explorer
Explorer
:B
Just completed my maiden voyage with my 2012 CA 23a. It was fantastic! only problem was that the battery died and wont' charge. Checked using a voltmeter and with the dohicky that you put into the cells. All cells are dead. Oh well.

Spent two days boondocking at a ranch in Hollister, CA were my dog completed in a Barn Hunt. The RV was perfect for me, my dog, and my friend and her two dogs. had my CPAP plugged into the cigarette lighter and it pulled very little from the engine battery. Got good use out of the new awning as well.

Then spent two days in Pacific Grove, CA by the Pacific Ocean. Had hookups and enjoyed a nearby beach that allowed leash-free dogs to run wild. They did, resulting in a very quiet ride home.

Thank heavens for the laminate flooring! So much was spilled on it! From dog food to water to juice. The rig was easy to clean up.

Had a blast and very happy with my CA 23a!

510dogmom
Explorer
Explorer
Perick wrote:
Has anyone gone from a model with slide outs to a model without? Like to a 23a or 28a?


Could you clarify your question? I'm not sure what you are asking.

Perick
Explorer
Explorer
Has anyone gone from a model with slide outs to a model without? Like to a 23a or 28a?

bghouse
Explorer
Explorer
congrats radiojeffrv - enjoy!

I'm currently researching to see if that hard wired electrical cord can be replaced easily, as I'm learning about surge protection, autoformers and more - lol.

radiojeffrv
Explorer
Explorer
bghouse...We bought a 2012 Majestic 28A from CA...LOVE IT!!! Super easy to work on and modify. We are leaving next week for our 1st cross country trip in it!

bghouse wrote:
510dogmom wrote:
bghouse wrote:
This is MY first solo rig and I'm learning by hands on. I need a rig that will be as forgiving as possible with my blunders and errors.


Yet another reasons I keep looking at the cruise america as an option. Thank you again.