Buying RV that's been stored

Another suggestion. Change the fuel filters. Not just the fuel/water separator but the fuel filter up stream of the Separator. Sometimes bad things happen to fuel sitting for a year or more.

Our Newmar was stored for 9 years, under went a year of wake up, 6 tires, and some hoses, we now have run it 10 years, with normal repairs.

Check everything like you would any used RV. But also check for rodent damage.

I'm assuming you know how to check the date codes on the tires. They've been sitting a year or more depending on the veracity of the seller. Like any salesman, they tend to exaggerate. I don't even look at the tire except for the date code. Sitting for at least a year most likely took 2 years off their life span. Figure at least $500 per tire to replace. It will need an oil change and lube. Most likely you'll also want to flush and change the coolant. Inspect for rodent damage as that will present many electrical issues later on. Also check your engine belts for dry rot. The location of where it was stored is important also. A coach sitting in the hot desert sun of Arizona will have different issues than one that has been sitting in the cold and snow of Michigan. Take a paper and pen and go over the coach closely, then take it on a test drive. Remember rust is not a friend of your braking system so use caution there. On the test drive plan on at least 50 miles so there will be no surprises. Driving it around the block is worthless. See how it handles on the freeway...good luck...Dennis

don,t forget the tires if there 6yrs old they gotta go no matter how good they look rubber rots from the day the tire was made.

Gotcha and thanks everyone. I'm unsure about the method of storage until I get there tomorrow. Seller did state, "runs great", so I assume it's at least been started. I'll verify all of this and will also have a detailed pre-purchase inspection before buying. Thanks! I hope to find something soon and hit the road. :)

You're going to get the same basic answers for the 2001 National as you did for the 1991 Fleetwood Southwind and the 1986 Pace Arrow in your previous posts.
Any motorhome needs to be thoroughly inspected prior to purchase. If you can't do it yourself hire a mechanic and RV tech.

Stored or not, doesn't matter. Your job is to check out everything before purchase. If you like it and it's a good deal, then complete the purchase.

I recently purchased a 30 year old car with 77k miles. It had been stored the last 10 years and only driven 2100 miles during that 10 year period. The short story, everything worked well and I've driven it 3000 miles in four months. Interesting though, the more I drove it the better it ran.

Just understand it's 20 years old. Expect to repair something.

All RV are stored, don't know of anyone who keeps them on the road 24/7 and like all have stated, needs to be inspected. 20 year old vehicles are at the point of needing major repair/parts.

rgatijnet1 wrote:
If properly stored a year of not being used is not a big deal. You don't give much information as to whether or not the unit was plugged in while stored or whether or not it was under cover. Rodent damage can happen even in coaches that are lived in full time as well as roof leaks. Only a thorough inspection can answer your question.

This, 100%.

In an earlier thread about how long diesel fuel lasts there were many examples of MHs, tractors, and other heavy equipment sitting for long periods of with no issues. One of those examples was me with my farm tractors that get used in the Spring then get parked until the following Spring - and they just sit under a shed roof in the off season.