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

[IAMICHABOD]

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 didn’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 “been there done that” 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 didn’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 manufacture’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 driver’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 “refreshed” 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 “read this and if you have any questions I will answer them”.

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 didn’t have as it was a rental and the ones from private parties did have.
• Power steps, outside Stereo/CD don’t need or want them.
• An Awning, this I wanted and had installed. A Swivel Seat and a new Window in The Door that I installed.
• Wheel Simulators, I like the looks so I had them installed and at the same time had Tire Man valve stem kit put on.
• Replaced the Chinese WFCO with a US Made converter/charger
• 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.

[marronnin]

SJ-Chris wrote:


Welcome Marshall! Was that from the Newark location? Just curious. I bought two 2015 28a units from them a couple years ago and they have been working out pretty good. Let us know if you have any questions.

-Chris

Thanks Chris, no I bought it in Everett WA. Just north of Seattle. We drove it down to Yuma to visit with my folks over the holiday. Other than an expected rough ride on I5,everything is exceeding our expectations.

[SJ-Chris]

marronnin wrote:
Add me to the list. Just picked up our 2018 Thor Majestic 28A from CA yesterday.
Now it's in the driveway, getting cleaned out of all the little things that got put behind drawers, in "inaccessible" locations, etc. Can't wait to take our first trip in her to Yuma in 2 weeks.

This thread was very helpful in making the decision to go forward in the buying process. Thanks IAMICHABOD!!

-Marshall

Welcome Marshall! Was that from the Newark location? Just curious. I bought two 2015 28a units from them a couple years ago and they have been working out pretty good. Let us know if you have any questions.

-Chris

[IAMICHABOD]

marronnin

Welcome to the Forum and to the ranks of the Happy Former Rental Owners Club,you will be # 144

I am glad that this thread was a help in making your decision to purchase a Former Rental. There is a lot of information to go thru.

If there are any things that you need help with or questions about your Former Rental just ask,there are a lot of members that may be of help or if not I have archived a lot of stuff from this thread that could be useful,just post here or PM me and I will see if I can help.

Good luck on that trip to Yuma. Hopefully you won't find too many weird things in those inaccessible areas but if you it would be a kick to know about them :B

Let us know how it is all going with this new to you RV and if there any mods that you make that makes it yours.

Happy Camping!!

[marronnin]

Add me to the list. Just picked up our 2018 Thor Majestic 28A from CA yesterday.
Now it's in the driveway, getting cleaned out of all the little things that got put behind drawers, in "inaccessible" locations, etc. Can't wait to take our first trip in her to Yuma in 2 weeks.

This thread was very helpful in making the decision to go forward in the buying process. Thanks IAMICHABOD!!

-Marshall

[SJ-Chris]

Racerboy76 wrote:
Thanks for the reply Chris! Good thought on the speed and breaking. Maybe ill give it a trial run before the main event to see how it does. Is your 28a an E350 or E450?

I do have a 23' Class C RV with the e350 Superduty. I have towed my 20' boat with no problem. Similar weight to a car I would imagine.

-Chris

[SJ-Chris]

Racerboy76 wrote:
Thanks for the reply Chris! Good thought on the speed and breaking. Maybe ill give it a trial run before the main event to see how it does. Is your 28a an E350 or E450?

e450

[Bea_PA]

We have flat towed our Saturn Vue several times with our 350 with no problems. We have a braking system.

[eldel]

The 28a is on a 450 chassis. I rather suspect that if you could attach it to Delaware it would tow it. The only thing I would worry about is the rear sway bar. That's going to be a lot of sideways momentum a long way behind the axle.

[azrving]

.

[Racerboy76]

Thanks for the reply Chris! Good thought on the speed and breaking. Maybe ill give it a trial run before the main event to see how it does. Is your 28a an E350 or E450?

[SJ-Chris]

Racerboy76 wrote:
Hello fellow RV'ers! Has anyone here towed a small car on a dolly or something comparable in size with their former rental 23A? Were planning a long trip and need to take our car along. A Our Thor is a 25A former rental which is very similar to the 23A. It feels like it would have plenty of power and being the car is on the dolly I would think it wouldn't impact the suspension too much. Any pointers or things to watch out for?

Thanks in advance!

On two occasions I used a U-Haul tow dolly behind my Thor Majestic 28a. Each time, the car was less than 4000lbs. Your RV is smaller, but I believe all the Majestics come stock with a 5000lb tow hitch so I don't see a reason why it would give you any issue. In theory, it is very similar to towing a boat (...and I've done that many times). You shouldn't have any problem. Verify that your trailer lights are working correctly with the trailer. Drive a little slower (I think those tow dollies have a max speed recommendation of 55mph). Give yourself a little more braking room.

Good luck!
Chris

[Racerboy76]

Hello fellow RV'ers! Has anyone here towed a small car on a dolly or something comparable in size with their former rental 23A? Were planning a long trip and need to take our car along. A Our Thor is a 25A former rental which is very similar to the 23A. It feels like it would have plenty of power and being the car is on the dolly I would think it wouldn't impact the suspension too much. Any pointers or things to watch out for?

Thanks in advance!

[IAMICHABOD]

Hey Chris
My thermostat is hooked to my Ducted A/C unit and also to my furnace,It replaced the old one Like this one which controls both of them.
It can be hooked up to only control just the furnace.As I found out when trying to replace the old one,kept changing wires around until I got the right combo to run them both as the old one did..There is quite a few posts here on the forum,Here are a few That I found using the google search.


As for the Bilsteins,they made the ride much nicer and controlled the leaning and porpoising.With the old ones after a dip the RV would go down then up then down again and up.With the Bilsteins they only make one rotation then settle back to the flat ride.

It also takes out the harshness of the ride.

I have been using Bilsteins for over 30 years,from my off-road vehicles thru all of my other vehicles,trucks,Suvs and other RVs.

I hope this helps,anything else just ask,happy to help when I can.

Happy Camping.
Gary

[SJ-Chris]

Good stull IAMICHABOD!

Question about your digital thermometer...Is it connected to just your furnace? Or does it control your heater AND your AC? On my 2015 Majestic 28a, the AC controls are on the unit itself (up on the ceiling). The analog furnace thermostat is on the wall by the kitchen sink. Just wondering if you tied them together somehow.

Regarding the Bilsteins you added...I know nothing about them but often hear about people adding them. What do they do for your ride? How noticeable is it really? Thanks!

-Chris

[IAMICHABOD]

I have had my Former Rental a bit longer than SJ-Chris,I have also made some Mods/Upgrades myself.I am pretty handy,I have done most all of these,plus fixing things that have broken or needed routine maintenance.

So I too would like to share a list with links. Links are also in my posts that may be helpful to any of you.

Oxygenics My Shower Head Post

Vortex Fan for the bathroom.

Swivel Seats My post on that.

New Window In Door My post on that.

Wheel Simulators I like the look better than Hub Caps or the painted wheels.

Valve stem kit

Bilsteins Better ride and and control from leaning and porpoising.

Led Lights to replace all of the old ones.

Converter To replace the ****py WFCO and get a great 3 Stage one.

New Toilet To replace the old unsanitary hand flush with a foot flush.

Black Tank Flush My post on that.

Digital Thermostat To keep things cool or toasty easily.

Awning lock

Maxxair Vent Covers

MaxxAir Fanmate to cover my Fantastic Fan

Fantastic Fan

Backup Camera

Tire Pressure monitor

Put TV in a cabinet My post on that,much nicer to have it there.

A New Mattress sleep much better now.

A Severe Duty Fan Clutch My post on that, to keep that motor running cooler.

New Michelin Tires My post on that.

New seat covers and new foam My post on that, much nicer and more comfortable.

New TV Antenna My post on that, Replaced that old Batwing with The Jack and got much better performance.

New Headlights My post on that.
And then to pretty it up a bit a Billet grill



What Upgrades or Mods have the rest of you all made,come on back and tell us all about them

Have a great camping season!!