First time motorhome buyer be where

msmith1199 wrote:

gbopp wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

mike brez wrote:
If it looks like this don't buy it.

a little body putty and Zep will fix that right up.
bumpy

Or, a salesperson will tell you they're optional air flow bumps that double your MPG. But, they're free, today only.

Did you see the Mythbusters when they did that? They covered a car in clay and smoothed it out and did gas mileage tests. Then they put golf ball like impressions in the clay and ran their tests again and got better gas mileage with the dimples. Somebody should buy this motorhome and see if it works for motorhomes too.

You want dimples? They're free in Texas in the springtime.

gbopp wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

mike brez wrote:
If it looks like this don't buy it.

a little body putty and Zep will fix that right up.
bumpy

Or, a salesperson will tell you they're optional air flow bumps that double your MPG. But, they're free, today only.

Did you see the Mythbusters when they did that? They covered a car in clay and smoothed it out and did gas mileage tests. Then they put golf ball like impressions in the clay and ran their tests again and got better gas mileage with the dimples. Somebody should buy this motorhome and see if it works for motorhomes too.

From my unscientific study of reading message boards Thor and Forest River sure seem to get a lot of complaints..... and Tiffin and Newmar sure seem to have a lot of happy owners. Fleetwood and Winnebago seem to be somewhere in between.

Bumpyroad wrote:

mike brez wrote:
If it looks like this don't buy it.

a little body putty and Zep will fix that right up.
bumpy

Or, a salesperson will tell you they're optional air flow bumps that double your MPG. But, they're free, today only.

mike brez wrote:
If it looks like this don't buy it.

a little body putty and Zep will fix that right up.
bumpy

Mr. John,

If you are looking at a 3-4 yr. old motorhome then most likely that manufacturer is still in business. Since you left a general statement for a gas unit and no mention of budget, I'll leave one too...


Newmar
Tiffin
Winnebago
Fleetwood
Thor

Since you are looking at used unit, it is paramount that you look at maintenance records. If none are available and you like the coach, have the unit inspected, oil and anti-freeze tested, date codes on tires and allow cushion in the price to have the coach 'zero'd' out (oil/filter change, radiator flush, new tires, new belts, etc.).

To answer your question, I might shy away from a manufacturer that is not in business anymore only because it could be difficult replacing body panels if needed. Most RV parts are generic and replaceable, but front and rear caps might be priority parts from that certain manufacturer.

This won't affect you but older Prevost coaches used an 8 cylinder diesel engine that is now very hard to find a mechanic to work on it.

Keep us posted and good luck.
MM.

If it looks like this don't buy it.

limit your search to private persons. save the dealer mark up.
Craig's list and E-Bay to start.

There probably will be a lot of opinions here, and it seems the consensus is that whatever a certain persons owns is the best coach. In reality the biggest factor will be your budget. No matter who builds a motorhome there will be necessary repairs as they are a very complex machine and most of the parts are the same from one coach to another until you get up in the Prevost class. In my opinion floor plan should be your biggest concern. That being said I would love to have a Prevost but it would put me in bankruptcy so now we have to settle for a Fleetwood, as we still can enjoy life.;)

Beware of just about anything a RV salesperson tells you......