As you can see...so many thoughts. I concur with the cost of mantaining rv's. Man, they do run up bills. But...anything we do costs. There are no free rides when it comes to recreatinal things. Much of your decision making maybe should be based on what you are planning to do with it. If it's a two weeks a year drive...? rent one. Lots of folks buy then park. Sort of like that cabin...go once a year and fend of those that want to borrow it.
As far as the RV itself? See it as two distinct units. The truck/chassis part and the house part. Tires are $1,500 a set and spring or shocks will cost big time too. Depending on what badge you buy..Ford or Chev...a tune-up is a grand. So...before you buy, have the tires looked at for date of manufacture. If older than 6 years? They are too old and need to be replaced. Park the truck on a flat bit of ground and go stand out front by 40 or 50 ft, turn and look at it. Does it lean? If so...likely some suspention work.
Make sure all systems work..hot water tank produces hot water. Furnace blows hot. Fridge makes ice. Turn on power to the water pump and listen to hear if it comes on by itself. (just a wee rhump) Means a line is leaking somewhere. Lift up the mattress on the top bunk..looking for wetness and or stains. If there is a front window? Very often the location of leaks. Plus the front clearance lights. The putty dries out and the force of the wind against the window forces water in. By itself not un-fixable. But if there is wood rot? Major major trouble. Do not buy such a problem. Same for floor..is it soft? In the bathroom..is it soft? Wood rot, again.
All that I have written here is just a heads up..to look for. Should you buy one? Hell yes. In the fall or winter tho...not now, in summer.
Gary Haupt
