Unless you know exactly what it needs in repairs, replacements and upgrades for safe and reliable driving and enjoyment, and you have the money to pay for parts and labor (or) you have all the skills, tools, materials and time and work space to do most of the work yourself. Look for any signs of water damage, mold smell, etc. Don't rely on the seller's honesty, have the rig inspected by a pro truck mechanic and an RV repair service and get estimates before you buy it. If the seller balks at this, run!! Don't buy on impulse. Try to make sure that the length, floor plan and features, including sleeping arrangements fits your forseable needs and desires. If possible, save your money until you can buy a rig no more than 3 years old, needs nothing, and is ready for cross-country travel. Cost of ownership of an RV is not cheap, do not buy on impulse. Do your homework before you buy. I will not repeat this same mantra again.

Bordercollie wrote:Unless you know exactly what it needs in repairs, replacements and upgrades for safe and reliable driving and enjoyment, and you have the money to pay for parts and labor (or) you have all the skills, tools, materials and time and work space to do most of the work yourself. Look for any signs of water damage, mold smell, etc. Don't rely on the seller's honesty, have the rig inspected by a pro truck mechanic and an RV repair service and get estimates before you buy it. If the seller balks at this, run!! Don't buy on impulse. Try to make sure that the length, floor plan and features, including sleeping arrangements fits your forseable needs and desires. If possible, save your money until you can buy a rig no more than 3 years old, needs nothing, and is ready for cross-country travel. Cost of ownership of an RV is not cheap, do not buy on impulse. Do your homework before you buy. I will not repeat this same mantra again.X2

Good advice. :) I have to admit I did not know what was meant by "mantra". Google turned up one definition as "a commonly repeated word or phrase". Thank you.

Bordercollie wrote:save your money until you can buy a rig no more than 3 years oldAw shoot. I was just about to buy a 4 year old immaculate Newell. :(

You are correct. But experiences differ. Our 88 was 10 years old when we bought it. Still love it ans still use it and everything works. We have a tiny leak in the old R-12 ac but we have a supply so all is good.

I have a friend who always buys fairly used cars. He always figures to put into the car an amount of money equal to what he paid for the car. So, if he finds a car for $2,500, he figures on spending $5,000. Since I met him, I have used the technique and it seems to work out pretty well. My 1988 motor home was 19 years old when I bought it. I have put into it an amount about equal to what I paid for it and feel comfortable taking off on a cross country trip in June.

Don't Buy and Old Motorhome Unless... | Good Sam Community

IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Jun 07, 2013
Bordercollie
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013
We need a "smug face" icon.
TyroneandGladys
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013
jerem0621 wrote:
TyroneandGladys wrote:
jerem0621 wrote:
Dang! I only have 9k to spend with about 4 k in addition allocated to motorhome update, repairs, etc.

I guess, I need to lick my wounds and go home, because I will not be getting into motorhoming any time soon :(

Have no idea why you think that you can not do it. Watch what you buy put new tires on it if they are over 5 years old and head out. Do not worry about updates and just repair what has to be repaired to get you down the road and back anything else do as the budget allows.

I was being facetious :B
Duh how I was I to know I could not see your face:S
jerem0621
Explorer II
Jun 06, 2013
TyroneandGladys wrote:
jerem0621 wrote:
Dang! I only have 9k to spend with about 4 k in addition allocated to motorhome update, repairs, etc.

I guess, I need to lick my wounds and go home, because I will not be getting into motorhoming any time soon :(

Have no idea why you think that you can not do it. Watch what you buy put new tires on it if they are over 5 years old and head out. Do not worry about updates and just repair what has to be repaired to get you down the road and back anything else do as the budget allows.

I was being facetious :B
TyroneandGladys
Explorer
Jun 06, 2013
jerem0621 wrote:
Dang! I only have 9k to spend with about 4 k in addition allocated to motorhome update, repairs, etc.

I guess, I need to lick my wounds and go home, because I will not be getting into motorhoming any time soon :(

Have no idea why you think that you can not do it. Watch what you buy put new tires on it if they are over 5 years old and head out. Do not worry about updates and just repair what has to be repaired to get you down the road and back anything else do as the budget allows.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Jun 06, 2013
Dang! I only have 9k to spend with about 4 k in addition allocated to motorhome update, repairs, etc.

I guess, I need to lick my wounds and go home, because I will not be getting into motorhoming any time soon :(
Dakzuki
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
I bought a 10+ year old RV. Had to fix a few minor things but it was great.
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2013
X2
beachcomber_1
Explorer
Jun 04, 2013
Age is not the problem, how it was maintained is. I have seen 15 and 20 year old units in better shape than many 3 year old units
tomrj
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
I just bought a 83 27' Automate on a ford e350 chassis w/44k on it for 2k and will have put another 2k into it. So far have rebuilt carb, flushed cooling system, new oil, filter plugs etc on the 460ci, rebuilt brakes from master cylinder on, greased and installed new seals on all wheel bearing, fixed electrical issues, rebuilt gen. carb., lubed chassis and drive line, ground and resealed roof, and resealed around all running lights and windows.Tomorrow well install ew shocks and front end bushings. Were planning on taking it down to the Bodega bay area and leaving it there and using it as on the weekends. It's been a LOT of work but now I know a lot about the rig and should be able to fix any issues that come up.Also were were able to get into RV'ing because of the low cost of an older rig, but with less than 5K into it I'd feel comfortable to take it anywhere.

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