Considering purchasing

[Npdchief07]

I am considering purchasing the following Class C:

http://dayton.craigslist.org/rvs/5932359633.html

Looking for any thoughts on if a good deal.

[ron_dittmer]

pnichols wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
..... what is all this "road worthy" required

Most importantly ... if it's been stored outside in the elements then Mr. Sun and his UV rays have done their thing to all the seals and sealants. It's most likely been already leaking here and there for years.

This is in addition to all the internal and external mechanical problems from stuff not being exercised in addition to all the rust and corrosion - i.e. items such as the furnace sail switch and coach-engine battery interconnect solenoid. Also, how about the sewer slide valves ... are they now stuck so they won't slide ... and if they do slide with a lot of effort will they still seal when slid in?

That was my point just a pnichols had elaborated on. But I think his list is much shorter than it's possibilities, from a rig sitting without getting driven enough. He was just scratching the surface. That is why I suggested $10k-$12k. By the time all is really well for a cross country vacation, you could easily have a total of $20k invested ($12k + $8k in repairs)....if hiring others to take care of every issue.

[pnichols]

Bumpyroad wrote:
..... what is all this "road worthy" required

Most importantly ... if it's been stored outside in the elements then Mr. Sun and his UV rays have done their thing to all the seals and sealants. It's most likely been already leaking here and there for years.

This is in addition to all the internal and external mechanical problems from stuff not being exercised in addition to all the rust and corrosion - i.e. items such as the furnace sail switch and coach-engine battery interconnect solenoid. Also, how about the sewer slide valves ... are they now stuck so they won't slide ... and if they do slide with a lot of effort will they still seal when slid in?

[Bordercollie]

17 year old, roof AC, fridge, fresh water pump and awning fabric may be ready for replacing, ours lasted 10 years. Tires if over5-6 years old may need replacing if sidewalls are cracked. RV tires go bad sitting parked with time and weather. Have engine, cooling system, brakes and transmission checked by a pro truck mechanic and housebox checked by a pro RV repair and get written estimates for any parts and labor needed.

[Bumpyroad]

ron.dittmer wrote:

cgmartine wrote:
$17,000 for a 1999? Even with those low miles, I believe it should be around $12,500

That's what I was thinking, $10k-$12k. Since it sat way too much outside, by the time you get it truly road worthy, you could have a lot more into it, especially if paying shops to get it right.

so offer $13,000, settle on/split the difference at about 15K. end up with a brand new RV. what is all this "road worthy" required.
bumpy

[ron_dittmer]

cgmartine wrote:
$17,000 for a 1999? Even with those low miles, I believe it should be around $12,500

That's what I was thinking, $10k-$12k. Since it sat way too much outside, by the time you get it truly road worthy, you could have a lot more into it, especially if paying shops to get it right.

[cgmartine]

$17,000 for a 1999? Even with those low miles, I believe it should be around $12,500

[DrewE]

gbopp wrote:
Didn't the early Ford V-10 have a problem with spark plugs blowing out because of weak or minimal threads?

It was/is a weakness of that vintage engine, yes; the head design had minimally adequate threaded thickness for the spark plugs, and it's pretty easy to overtorque them and strip out the threads leading to spark plug ejection. (The related V8's of the same era had the same problem.) Repair is possible, but I imagine it's not the easiest job especially with the wonderful (?) access the van chassis gives.

It's not a deal-breaker in my mind, as evidenced by my owning one of these rigs, but it is something to be aware of. When the spark plugs are changed, make thoroughly sure that whomever is doing it is using a torque wrench and following Ford's instructions. At only 7000 or so miles, the motorhome the poster is looking at should not need to have the spark plugs touched for a long time.

[gbopp]

Didn't the early Ford V-10 have a problem with spark plugs blowing out because of weak or minimal threads?

[IAMICHABOD]

Here's a clicky for it.

Click Here

[Bumpyroad]

never cooked in. no miles. is seller the first/only owner?
bumpy

[DrewE]

It looks like there might be some delamination on the driver's side; investigate that very carefully. There could be significant structural damage there.

The interior looks to be in very nice shape. The layout seems suited for people who like to shower but don't like to cook. My personal preferences would be to have less space devoted to the bathroom and more to spaces where one spends more time, but of course that's merely personal prejudices.

Do check the age of the tires (based on the DOT manufacturing code). You could well have to spend $1000 or so off the bat for new tires. Of course verify that all the systems work properly, too--the generator, AC, furnace, fridge, water heater, etc. (Also verify that there's a toilet somewhere! :B )

My gut feeling is that the asking price is a bit on the high side provided it's in good shape generally. You probably have a better feel for what the market's like in your area than I do.

[Npdchief07]

The link still works for me.

[ron_dittmer]

Npdchief07 wrote:
I am considering purchasing the following Class C:

http://dayton.craigslist.org/rvs/5932359633.html

Looking for any thoughts on if a good deal.

The seller removed the ad.