Buying First Motorhome - Help Please

[woodbutcher1953]

Hello, I am going to be retiring this November, and we are going to purchase a used motorhome to do some traveling in. We live in Indiana, and our son and grandkids live in Oklahoma. We plan to take a few trips a year to see them, and also a few others to whereever might strike us. I'll be using some of my retirement funds to purchase our motorhome. I'd like to keep the purchase price at $20,000 or less, so that we'll have the funds for insurance and travel expenses. I'd appreciate any help/ opinions on what you think might be a good choice in a class a motorhome in that price range. I understand that it will be an older one for that price, but I'm not willing to get a loan to finance it. I want to just be able to pay for it without a loan on it. Thank you in advance for your help. David and Susan

[jvander]

Also don't forget that your first motorhome is not necessarily your last. Buy one that seems like it would fit you well, and if it doesn't then sell it in a year or two and look for something different.

[shaneperch]

I would look at bus conversions I would like to find another incomplete conversion they are eve cheaper and you can tailor it to your liking. Look at dealers as they are interested in selling. They have financing officers there and private sellers that are well off who don't need the money won't work with you as easily they can sit on it for years, plus side is that private sellers that want a lot of money you usually get a great well cared for unit. where at the dealers you don't know. but dealers are hungry for sales and much easier to make a deal with. my experience.

[shaneperch]

My feelings are that for any vehicle over 20 years old should not cost more than 20 grand. With the oil prices so damn high I can't see normal people wanting a vehicle that gets 8 miles per gallon. So you will find a decent DP that is built in the early 90s I would hoe for less than 20K I wouldn't pay more than that for a unit that is made before 1995. Just keep looking. you will find one.

[Bumpyroad]

mena661 wrote:

wouldn't have bought that for anywhere near $35k. The sellers are on crack. I found a 2006 Thor Hurricane last year for $36k (lowered from $40k). It was in fantastic shape. A friend and I were very interested but I was prodding him to buy it cause we already had a 5er at the time.

one big difference, mine was a quality unit.
bumpy

[beave]

As one who is in the process of selling a Class "A" DP that is just a little over your budget so a nice rig can be found.

However, class "A's" are a not only very pleasurable but are also a very expensive way to travel, perhaps exceeded only by a private aircraft.

They even cost a lot to not use when you take into account of the many mechanical, electrical and air/oil systems these things have that age out require service or fail on a truly random basis.

If you can keep it at home and forgo storage fees, able to and enjoy making your own repairs, or have a friend who is a mechanic and willing to make you a deal on repairs the cost can be reduced.

For us it all got down to how much fun can we have for a fixed dollar amount in a class "A", "C" or "B". As cost is a factor to you consider that you can see more country for less money in a class "B" or "C" and experience less depreciation, fuel, repair and insurance cost.

We started with a used "B" and may go back to one.

Good luck!

[beave]

As one who is in the process of selling a Class "A" DP that is just a little over your budget a nice rig can be found.

However, class "A's" are a not only very pleasurable but are also a very expensive way to travel, perhaps exceeded only by a private aircraft.

They even cost a lot to not use when you take into account of the many mechanical, electrical and air/oil systems these things have.

If you can keep it at home and forgo storage fees, able to and enjoy making your own repairs, or have a friend who is a mechanic and willing to make you a deal on repairs the cost can be reduced.

For us it all got down to how much fun can we have for a fixed dollar amount in a class "A", "C" or "B". As cost is a factor to you consider that you can see more country for less money in a class "B" or "C" and experience less depreciation, fuel, repair and insurance cost.

We started with a used "B" and may go back to one.

Good luck!

[mena661]

woodbutcher1953 wrote:
I appreciate all of the advice on buying a used motorhome. I realize that 20,000 won't buy a newer, trouble free rig. I'll be doing the majority of repairs/improvements I can myself. I've got a lifetime of experience in carpentry and construction. I am NOT a mechanic, so I need to find a rig with a good engine and transmission. .

IMO, finding one with a good engine and tranny is MUCH easier than finding one with that AND the house portion in good shape. As long as you're going into it with repairs in mind and you're handy, you should be in good shape.

Bumpyroad wrote:
I think you should set your sights a little higher. as I said, my 1999 chieftain was a top of the line gasser at the time. $120 K list with extras. two slideouts, sat dish, 12 cu ft refer, upgraded wood cabinets, levelers, fiberglass roof, etc. on the "new" Ford chassis. and they were asking $35K and I am sure they would have taken $30 K. for 10 K more you would be getting a much better unit.
bumpy

I wouldn't have bought that for anywhere near $35k. The sellers are on crack. I found a 2006 Thor Hurricane last year for $36k (lowered from $40k). It was in fantastic shape. A friend and I were very interested but I was prodding him to buy it cause we already had a 5er at the time.

[Jackha1949]

IMHO for $20K I would look for a 5th wheel and get a truck to haul it or a travel trailer you'd get a lot more for your money. My brother just bought a 31 foot 5th wheel used and it cost him $18K and it is in really good shape. For $20K a motor home would be really old and not in very good shape, plus repairs can be really expensive. 5th wheels and TT can be really nice and you have a lot less maintenance to deal with like no extra engine/trans to deal with etc. My brother and his wife winter in their 5er in the southeast and Fla every year. We went with the MH because we are full-timers and our MH is our only house. Where you are just using it occasionally I think the 5th wheel/TT would be a very good choice for you. Good Luck and Happy Retirement!

[Bumpyroad]

I think you should set your sights a little higher. as I said, my 1999 chieftain was a top of the line gasser at the time. $120 K list with extras. two slideouts, sat dish, 12 cu ft refer, upgraded wood cabinets, levelers, fiberglass roof, etc. on the "new" Ford chassis. and they were asking $35K and I am sure they would have taken $30 K. for 10 K more you would be getting a much better unit.
bumpy

[woodbutcher1953]

How old of a motorhome can a person buy an extended warrenty on ? I'm sure that probably there is a cut-off on the age and or mileage of these units that a company will cover.

[kansanforlife]

Ive had 2 older class a motorhomes. One 1987 and one 1996. Doesn't seem like I had any more problems with them then people I have seen posted on here with 2005 and up class a mh that has problems. I live one block away from a rv repair shop. Lots of newer mh getting worked on.

[DanTheRVMan]

While you can find class A MHs for under 20k it is difficult. A few lottery winners who got great deals does not also include the people who bought c*r*a*p got frustrated and quit RVing as they do not post here.

Based on your budget and less than full time usage I would consider a fifth wheel or trailer as I believe it is more likely you can get a better unit with less issues. Of course if you still wish a class A I would search long and hard. Either way I wish you good luck as no matter what you choose the journeys will be wonderful.

[woodbutcher1953]

I appreciate all of the advice on buying a used motorhome. I realize that 20,000 won't buy a newer, trouble free rig. I'll be doing the majority of repairs/improvements I can myself. I've got a lifetime of experience in carpentry and construction. I am NOT a mechanic, so I need to find a rig with a good engine and transmission. A fifth wheel is not an option for us. I've got plenty of time until November to use this and other forums for guidance and info. Now, if I'd just hit that powerball soon, then we're talking a whole new plan. Thanks again, for all of your help.

[Yankee_Clipper]

You might want to expand the scope of your seach. Take a look around traditional retirement areas, and see what's on the market there. I drove through Brooksville, Florida this spring, and it seemed like there was a used RV for sale behind every tree.