Ballenxj wrote:
This looks like a god place to ask. I am currently looking at an older 23 ft class C Dodge to possibly buy. Anything I should watch out for?
Hello Ballenxj
There are a number of things I could think to tell you, and there's
plenty of good folk on here to help as well. I'll toss out a few things that come to mind for me:
If you have a friend or family member that's a good reputable mechanic, ask him or her to go with you. It's a little harder for a seller to B.S. two people or more. Ask plenty of questions. The first one should be- "How long has it been sitting? And why?"
Make sure to start it up and drive it. Check the fluids before cranking it up, and note the condition- is the oil/trans fluid black? Is the coolant level low, or just water in the radiator? Check the brake fluid, and how the brakes work. Don't forget the park brake. Check the tires- are they aired up? What shape are they in? Let it warm up where it's parked, and look for leaks before you drive off. Check your lights, turn signals, flashers, low/high beams, markers and brake/back up lights. Notice smells and sounds inside and outside the vehicle, and any smoke or burning odors. If you have a mechanic with you, let him or her ask questions too, and check things. Two heads are better than one. Look where the RV is parked, and make sure no limbs have fallen on the roof. Also look inside the RV for signs of leakage and rot, insects or critters. There's nothing more disenheartening than to warm up the engine and discover the mother of all wasp nests in the doghouse, and all of its occupants buzzing all around you in the cab while you're driving...! Pack a can or two of hornet spray- the kind that lets you blast 'em from 15-20 feet away.
If you're allergic to stings, best let someone else do this, and keep your epi pen handy!
Don't expect folks to tell you things. Ask specifically what maintenance has been done while they have owned the RV, and what issues they have had. This is an investment, and it's only right that you are well-informed of all the risks that go with it. Go with your gut feeling about things. If something doesn't seem right, keep asking more questions. If there are things that will need repaired, and the price asked doesn't seem to take that into account, bring it up. Haggle. If they're really motivated to sell, they will.
That's the most I can think of for now. Keep us posted about what you find and how it goes. Good luck with it, and hope it all turns out very well!
Mark/whiteknight001
