Class A in storage 5 years

[parkmanaa]

Thinking of buying a 1996 Winnebago Itasca Sunrise that has been in storage 5 years. Engine started weekly, but coach not moved.
I know the older gentleman selling it, who purchased it new, and know he maintained it extremely well until due to age/health situation he had to put it in storage.
Question is, does anyone have thoughts on what could be the hazards of buying the MH due to it's sitting in 1 place 5 years? I plan to replace the 11-year old tires immediately, change all fluids, etc., and also plan to have it inspected by a mobile RV maintenance technician.
Any other thoughts on it?
Thanks for your help.

[Charlie_D_]

Send Blackstone labs a sample of the fuel and oil. They will tell you of the condition of both. IE: water in fuel, water in oil, etc,

[holstein13]

Please keep us posted on the condition of this coach after you buy it. Pictures would be nice as well.

[Mr_Mark1]

I've been reading this thread as I hope the the Itasca passes the mechanical tests.

I have to say, you said it only has a 40 gallon fuel tank? That surprised me. You will have to get fuel pretty often even if you are getting 10 mpg. But, it sounds like a 'cream puff' if everything checks out!

Good luck,
MM.

[msmith1199]

parkmanaa wrote:
Sorry about the tone of my responses, MSMITH. Didn't mean to offend anyone and I do appreciate all the constructive responses.'
Thought I had given enough facts in my opening post, but apparently not:

1. This gentleman lives in the RV park which my wife & I have owned since 1997.

2. He bought this Itasca in March 1996, and moved into our park in mid-1997 when the MH was approx. 1 1/2 years old. He bought a park model which he has considered his home base ever since, so I have known him and this motorhome for the last 17 years or so.
Also know his appreciation of proper maintenance, and running the engine weekly, he thought was doing it good.

Occasionally one of his 2 sons who lives near us would bring out a couple of 5-gallon cans of diesel they would dump into the 40-gallon coach tank.
We have an asphalt-paved storage area in the back section of our park; that's where he stored it.
Thanks again for all the advice. The maintenance technician is coming by tomorrow to inspect it and give his comments. I expect to take the gentleman a check before this time tomorrow PM.

Then that's different. So you really do know he took care of it.

[Deano56]

msmith1199 wrote:
parkmanaa you come on here and ask for opinions on this and then you insult people who give you those opinions? Really? Where did I get the idea it went to a storage yard? How about the title of the thread that you wrote; "Class A in storage 5 years" and then in the first post you wrote, "...has been in storage 5 years" and then "..he had to put it in storage." That is where I got the idea that he put it in a storage yard. It wasn't until you were insulting people that you say it's stored a couple of blocks away. So it is in a storage yard??? Or is it sitting in a field a couple of blocks away?

lol

[Deano56]

many, many people have cars in storage, whether they are in their garage or a storage barn that get started weekly, that's not uncommon. I wouldn't be too worried about it sitting other than tires. Seals on engines and transmissions are not like they were 30 years ago. If its a really good price, it might be worth it, it's easy enough to get average prices and going from there

[parkmanaa]

Sorry about the tone of my responses, MSMITH. Didn't mean to offend anyone and I do appreciate all the constructive responses.'
Thought I had given enough facts in my opening post, but apparently not:

1. This gentleman lives in the RV park which my wife & I have owned since 1997.

2. He bought this Itasca in March 1996, and moved into our park in mid-1997 when the MH was approx. 1 1/2 years old. He bought a park model which he has considered his home base ever since, so I have known him and this motorhome for the last 17 years or so.
Also know his appreciation of proper maintenance, and running the engine weekly, he thought was doing it good.

Occasionally one of his 2 sons who lives near us would bring out a couple of 5-gallon cans of diesel they would dump into the 40-gallon coach tank.
We have an asphalt-paved storage area in the back section of our park; that's where he stored it.
Thanks again for all the advice. The maintenance technician is coming by tomorrow to inspect it and give his comments. I expect to take the gentleman a check before this time tomorrow PM.

[dodge_guy]

If it was sitting on dirt/gravel I would check for rusting of the frame and chassis and the brake lines.

[msmith1199]

parkmanaa you come on here and ask for opinions on this and then you insult people who give you those opinions? Really? Where did I get the idea it went to a storage yard? How about the title of the thread that you wrote; "Class A in storage 5 years" and then in the first post you wrote, "...has been in storage 5 years" and then "..he had to put it in storage." That is where I got the idea that he put it in a storage yard. It wasn't until you were insulting people that you say it's stored a couple of blocks away. So it is in a storage yard??? Or is it sitting in a field a couple of blocks away?

[parkmanaa]

MSMITH1199
Where did you get the idea he went to a storage yard?????? I didn't say it.
He lives in a park model in an RV park; the MH is stored a couple of blocks away in the same RV park.
Hope you know what they say about ASSumptions.

[John_Joey]

People do barn finds all of the time. Heck I just pulled out an 83 Eldorado that has sat for 18 years.

Just remember condensation, corrosion and drying seals, will be your enemy in the early ownership timeframe. Oil floats and the oil pickup is at the bottom of the pan, heck you might even have algae in the diesel.

Somehow hearing the story of the old owner, I'm guessing things will just go fine. Last thing he wants is his trusty old horse to go to it's grave. Would do his heart good to see it being enjoyed by a family locally.

[msmith1199]

parkmanaa wrote:
MSMITH1199, ever hear of nostalgia?
As my original post stated this old man had to give it up due to health/age.
He is 85+; owned this MH since purchasing it new March 1996.
He has called the same RV park home for most of his full-timing; coming back here to spend the winter. Made 2 trips to Alaska, and virtually every state in the continental 48.
Giving it up now is a real problem for him, but with his 'kids' encouraging him, he knows the time has come.
Yes, he 'visits' it very often, probably much more than once a week average.
As far as running the diesel engine and condensation buildup, I guess we will see the effects, if any.

I've heard of nostalgia but going to a storage yard once a week to start a motorhome is a little far fetched of a story. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't, that's up to you to decide. Obviously none of is know him. But if I were buying a motorhome and somebody assured me they went to a storage yard once a week for the last five years and let it run for 30 minutes I wouldn't believe it without proof. But like somebody else pointed out, since it hasn't been moved is he still burning off the five year old tank of diesel that is in it or was he hauling cans of fuel to fill it up? Did he keep the tank topped off, because if he didn't then condensation can form in the fuel tank too.

[wolfe10]

A quick look in the valve cover (where you add oil?) will tell you if condensation is an issue. No rust, you are good to go. Rust or milky color-- beware.

[parkmanaa]

MSMITH1199, ever hear of nostalgia?
As my original post stated this old man had to give it up due to health/age.
He is 85+; owned this MH since purchasing it new March 1996.
He has called the same RV park home for most of his full-timing; coming back here to spend the winter. Made 2 trips to Alaska, and virtually every state in the continental 48.
Giving it up now is a real problem for him, but with his 'kids' encouraging him, he knows the time has come.
Yes, he 'visits' it very often, probably much more than once a week average.
As far as running the diesel engine and condensation buildup, I guess we will see the effects, if any.