High mileage MH

[gingerK]

What would be your opinion of buying a high mileage MH provided it was in very good condition otherwise?

[Cobra21]

To me high mileage indicates hours of use. That being said, price should be low.
If your asking about high mileage, it's high in your mind already!

Brian

[Bordercollie]

Seems to me that well equipped truck mechanic could check compression, engine cooling system, transmission, and brake system, of high mileage drive train and give estimates of any repairs needed. Same applies to a low mileage drive train.

Most RV's sit a lot and only get driven a few thousand miles per year. I would not reject a low mileage rig out of hand.

[5Mainecampers]

Bought our '98 Coachmen in 2011 with 110K in it-- now has 120K-- no problems. We searched extensively and looked at several--- all which had half the mileage and half the condition. This one had tires within 1 year, full 100K service done as well as all other required maintenance. Generator had 350- now has 420 hours- again no issues. Vehicles are meant to be driven, not to sit: gaskets dry out, rubber dry out, brake lines rust, A/C compressors seise. Best bet is a unit used regularly and consistently each year and you'll be fine. Good luck!

[IAMICHABOD]

As others have stated,high mileage is not all that bad,IF it has been well maintained. Most modern vehicles are designed to have very long lives,or they wouldn't have those long warranties.

There are plenty of them around,like those in This Thread. all with high mileage but they were maintained and still going strong.

The key is verifiable maintenance.

[mlts22]

Maintenance is key. At the minimum, I'd like to see something that oil was changed when it is reasonable, especially on a diesel like a Sprinter, since newer diesels are a lot more fickle about upkeep than gassers.

Then, there is the generator. I have looked at a number of used "C"s, and I cringe when I see a model with 25-50k miles... and four hours on the generator. This means a new Onan carb if lucky, or maybe a new genset if the windings and slip rings are corroded to be unusable.

[valhalla360]

What is your idea of high milage?

50k miles on a 4yr old unit is high milage but nothing I would be concerned about.

From what I've seen most MH drivetrains die from neglect not milage.

Now if we are talking 200k miles on a 4yr old rig, that might be a different story.

[klutchdust]

gingerK wrote:
What would be your opinion of buying a high mileage MH provided it was in very good condition otherwise?

A few hundred dollars paid to a mechanic you can trust to evaluate the entire coach would be money well spent. Motorhomes can and will have so many hidden issues. Understanding tire codes, sure they look good but

when were they made. private party or dealer? If a dealer he paid little if anything on a trade and is just dumping it. Service records? Hire a mechanic.

[pconroy328]

We did. We knew the previous owner. So far, 6 months in, it's been great! Everything still works great. They took great care of it.

One caution - it'll be extra work getting a loan on a high mileage RV.

[DrewE]

As a general rule, I would prefer a good, clean high-milage motorhome to an unmaintained low-milage one any day of the week and twice on weekends. Obviously each specific situation and unit must be evaluated on its own, though.

[Hemi_RT]

What do you call high mileage? Also the make, power train would be helpful. In giving you a solid answer