Buying used from a rental company-process ?s
Yes, I've read the voluminous thread on WHY to buy a used C from the rental place. We're persuaded that this is the right option for our budget and needs. So what I don't know--the truck camper was...
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Gotsmart, it looks like you have been lucky enough to have had an interesting and totally different experience with C.A. We rented a similar rig that was unbelievably worn out, including a significant hole in the roof that penetrated right through the ceiling. The ceiling was patched with a big goober of caulk, similar to how a four year old would decorate a cake. The roof was visibly sagging in this area. Exactly half of the rig had no working 120 volt receptacles, no tripped breakers, or GFCI outlets. When I discussed this when returning, I got a speech about how little I understand about RV electrical systems. (thirty years as a licensed journeyman electrician, a few credits shy of completing my electrical engineering degree, I just shook my head at this "mechanic") The black tank was leaking at the discharge pipe, there were fabric curtains in the rig that were disgustingly filthy, and roach traps hidden in out of the way places. The most interesting thing about the rig is that it had clearly been 're-powered" with the very old, worn out coach being relocated to a much newer E450 chassis. The Ford part of the rig was obviously far newer and had far less wear that the box.
OTOH, like you commented on, I really had to admire the design and engineering involved in making a rental product as tough and idiot proof as the budget allows. IF I was able to locate a far better quality used rig from these guys, I wouldn't automatically rule it out. Good to hear that yours has been such a success. I have also read a report from an RVer who bought one of El Monte's rigs and really ended up being impressed, they had a massive paper trail to give to the buyer, an exceptional record of maintenance and repairs, and he was real pleased.
OTOH, like you commented on, I really had to admire the design and engineering involved in making a rental product as tough and idiot proof as the budget allows. IF I was able to locate a far better quality used rig from these guys, I wouldn't automatically rule it out. Good to hear that yours has been such a success. I have also read a report from an RVer who bought one of El Monte's rigs and really ended up being impressed, they had a massive paper trail to give to the buyer, an exceptional record of maintenance and repairs, and he was real pleased.
