fallen for an older rig... but not sure...

[KampingKris]

We've located an American Tradition, 2000 which is beautiful. New tires, new batteries and a nearly spotless interior. It's got a 500 cummings and 109,000 miles though...But it really is nice and the construction is amazing.
Asking price is 79,000 but I'm sure it would go for less.
The downside is its a repo, but all there a huge box of literature for the rig and who ever had it took really good care.
It's got a "steerable tag axle" whatever that means...

Anyone else have one of these?

[KampingKris]

Thanks for all the opinions. The one issue is DH will have to get a new kind of driver's license - the kind he had years ago when he was a firefighter. And sooner or later, I suppose I should also, as it's important that I can drive if I need so.

Oh... and insurance should be fun. We got caught in two speed traps in Nevada - first tickets in 27 years. Now he's got "2" points whatever that means.

[WayneLee]

This coach sounds like a good buy to me. Tag axle means it can carry more weight without worry, steerable tax axle even better especially when cornering. 500 hp cummins means that it can get up and go so you don't have to worry about bogging down in the mountains. Cannot see any downside in this coach. As long as it checks out mechanically, I don't see how you could make a mistake with this purchase.

[03_RoadKing]

We were looking at those coaches when we were upgrading, beautiful coaches well constructed, great engine and trans combination, hard to go wrong. We found a very well maintained 2001 Mountain Aire with less than 50000 miles. We have had it over a year now and don't regret the purchase, love it just as much now.

[FormerBoater]

The Heritage of that vintage was the flagship of the American Coach line.

Very popular with the Nascar drivers, need I say more?

Solid coach, solid construction, very solid engineering and great support from American Coach and Fleetwood.

For that price, I would not hesitate!

Our Eagle was a repo but was obviously well looked after. 4.5 years and 30K trouble free miles.

American Coach and Spartan will treat you like you just bought a $500K unit if you need support.

DaveS
1998 American Eagle 40EVS

[John_Wayne]

I think a steerable rear axle means the tag axle tires can turn when making a sharp turn so they don't drag sideways. On some tag axles at slow speed when turning the tag axle will raise off the ground to avoid dragging sideways. I've heard on some tags in sharp turns it can pop the bead on the tires.

[Daveinet]

One clue should how old are the new tires, and were they put on by the previous owner, or by the dealer? Look at the tire date code, and they may tell you how long the coach has been sitting before the repo.

Its going to be a heavy coach, and will need every bit of the 500 HP to make it go. You will also need to upgrade your driver's license to legally drive it. CA allows 45 footers, but they require an upgraded noncommercial driver's license to do so. That should not scare you away, but it is something you must plan to take care of as part of the purchase.
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/bus-mh/45-motorhomes.htm

[KampingKris]

My bad. It is a Heritage... not a tradition.
And while we love it, not sure we want to venture into having a "tag" and 45 feet of rig.
And then there's the issue of finding a new home for our Alpenlite.
But so far... it seem to like the build of the older rigs the best including the American series and the Patriot.

[larry_barnhart]

My cousin had a 1999 tradition. He had it for 2 years buying it new. It had $50,000.00 worth of recalls and more recalls came to his mail after he sold it. My cousin was a smart air force fighter pilot and maintenance was his thing.
chevman

[hipower]

Good reputation builder, good engine/trans. and reasonable mileage for the year. If the floor plan and price are acceptable there is minimal downside in my mind.

I would be sure that I was $5,000 +/- below what I wanted to spend on the coach to cover a new set of tires if needed, but thats about my only concern.

[bluwtr49]

The one in the link has nice pics but one thing would really turn me off is the location of the old style TV. That would be a bear to upgrade. That alone would cause me to pass without a firm cost to relocate and update to a better location.

[FormerBoater]

2000 American Tradition with a 500HP Cummins and a steerable tag?

No such thing!

Tradition was the lowest on the food chain at American Coach.

No tag, no 500HP engines.

Heritage maybe?

[JR45]

Here is one to look at, looks good(willing to trade for cash and 5th wheel)
http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showtopic=103652
JR

[billsenick]

Are sure that its not the American Heritage, the Tradition did not come with a tag axle in 2000.

No matter which one you can't miss with the American Coach line

[KampingKris]

Turns out its a cummings not a cat...
Does anyone know much about a steering tag axle?
I don't know why exactly, but that rig really appealed to me even though its all white right down to the cabinets.
The dealer is a little sketchy... not a big place and deals only in repos. So that's a strike. But if it checks out mechanically... it's a possibility. It's kinda big for our very first motorhome.